Epic Bikepacker Tales: Exploring the World from the Saddle with Pro Tips
Imagine traversing countries or entire continents on two wheels. Inspired by the acclaimed book Epic Bike Rides of the World, we've gathered firsthand accounts from three seasoned bikepacking bloggers. They share their most unforgettable journeys and expert advice for anyone ready to hit the road.
Their unanimous verdict? Just go for it. One thing's certain: you'll embark on an adventure of a lifetime.
The Pamir Highway: Dushanbe to Bishkek
‘You’ll get altitude sickness and the runs... the food’s crap and the roads are worse.’ These were the stark warnings from a veteran cyclist days before my 2,000km odyssey through the Pamir Mountains, from Dushanbe in Tajikistan to Bishkek in Kyrgyzstan.
Two months later—after scaling the equivalent of multiple Everests, shedding 10kg, and fighting off a parasite—I reached Bishkek. I hugged the Afghan border, tackled washboard passes, camped beside yaks, endured explosive illness, and cherished every moment.
Snow-capped peaks, moonlike plateaus, and profound canyons define the Pamir Highway's remote, breathtaking Central Asian landscapes, dotted with vibrant minority communities. Pack a reliable water filter.
What was your biggest challenge on the road?
Riding while desperately ill. One night, huddled among rocks off the Pamir Highway, I feared I wouldn't survive the dawn. Six hours of horror-movie-level vomiting and diarrhea left antibiotics useless. Exhausted, defeated, dehydrated, and isolated, I pushed on to conquer passes exceeding 4,100m.
Beating a gut infection on the planet's roughest roads with a fully loaded bike? Pure nightmare fuel—my greatest test yet.
Any advice for travellers hoping to embark on their own epic ride?
‘I farted!’ Words that sparked cheers from my mate, marking the end of a month's Central Asian ordeal. Humor is your best companion—plus wet wipes, emergency rations, and a water filter.
Define ‘epic ride’
A grueling, extended haul over punishing yet spectacular terrain that shatters your comfort zone and tests your sanity time and again.
Amsterdam to Venice
In summer 2009, with kids aged four, seven, and eight, we biked from canal icons Amsterdam to Venice.
Sticking to rivers for flat, traffic-free paths—Rhine, Main, Tauber, Lech, and Inn—we cruised through Holland and Germany into Austria. Hills finally hit with the Alps, crossed via the lowest route, Via Claudia Augusta, into Italy and onward to Venice.
River trails and Alpine vistas kept us hooked, with riverside swims, ice cream stops, and wild camping. Standouts: swimming over an Italian submerged village, cowbell symphonies on Austrian plateaus, Venice's shimmering lagoon, and triumphant Prosecco.
What was your biggest challenge on the road?
Plenty: hauling a child-laden trailer up Alpine stone tracks; losing laundry in a laundromat; hostile drivers sans bike paths; realizing too late bikes aren't Venice-friendly.
Any advice for travellers hoping to embark on their own epic ride?
Never underestimate your potential or heed doubters. Research but trust your instincts. Plan boldly with bailouts. Two weeks in, ditch unused gear (keep medical/repair essentials). Pack wine for comfort or cheers.
Define ‘epic ride’
Full of surprises, diversity, and doubt. Unsure of finishing? Fresh air, epic scenery, and the rhythm of gravel and miles propel you forward.
Peru’s Great Divide: Cuzco to Huaraz
Since 2003, my husband and I have toured globally by bike. In 2013, a two-year, 32,000km Americas odyssey deepened our love for Peru.
We rode Peru's Great Divide—a rugged, 4,000-5,000m off-road spine from Cuzco to Huaraz. Starlit camps overlooked Huascaran (6,768m) at sunset. Sparse adobe farms, abandoned mines, and llamas marked this wild domain.
What was your biggest challenge on the road?
Brutal trails and sky-high altitude. Constantly above 4,000m, peaking at 5,000m passes via mud pushes, rocky singletrack. Long hauls between resupplies meant heavy loads. Afternoon rain and hail isolated us with the elements.
Any advice for travellers hoping to embark on their own epic ride?
Just start. Excuses abound—find reasons to go. You're tougher than you know; every challenge has a fix. Hardships forge the best stories!
Define ‘epic ride’
It hurts. It breaks limits. Rewards? Unseen vistas, warm locals, and profound pride in epic achievement.
