My first time camping was at a state park the weekend before our four-day bikepacking tour. This partial test run under the stars was an opportunity to get my feet wet and try out the gear we’d invested in: a two-person tent, sleeping pads, quilts, and a cook system.
We arrived Friday evening, bikes in tow, and navigated to the spot we’d reserved online. After pitching the tent and inflating our pads, we took a short ride around the campground and ventured onto one of the easier mountain bike trails. The trail wasn’t well maintained, but it was manageable—even with the low-hanging branches.
We picked up firewood from the camp store and enjoyed the fire until it faded to embers. Dinner was a camp meal—boiling water added to chicken and dumplings in a pouch that, surprisingly, hit the spot. Then we got ready for bed, taking showers at the nearby shower house. Most of the campers were in RVs, and among the few tents scattered around, ours was the smallest by far.
What the Test Run Revealed
The overnight test quickly revealed a few issues. The tent, while lightweight and compact—ideal for bikepacking—was too cramped for two people. We couldn’t sit up or move around freely. And the sleeping pads? Noisy and uncomfortable. Neither of us slept well, and we both woke up with sore backs and an appreciation for quality gear.
The next morning, we had oatmeal before setting out on a ride to a local coffee shop. The route included a stretch along a busy road, which felt a bit risky with just the two of us. But as we reached the shop off the bike path in Morrow, we ran into some fellow cycling club members—a happy surprise. After chatting and grabbing lunch, we realized we were cutting it close to our checkout time. We hurried back, taking a different route that still included the busy stretch, and made it just in time.
Despite the lack of sleep, the experience was fun and definitely worth it. I’m so glad we did a test run. It gave me a glimpse of what to expect on our upcoming bikepacking adventure and, more importantly, the chance to upgrade our gear.
Upgrading Our Gear
We decided to use Alex’s old tent, which offered significantly more room and would go in the SAG vehicle (each of us was allowed a 20L bag). We visited REI and tested several sleeping pads in-store. Initially, we chose a Thermarest and even slept on it at home for two nights. Although I found it comfortable enough, the mummy shape didn’t work for Alex, and it was too bulky for my dry bag. So, two days before the tour, we went back to REI and chose the Nemo Quasar pad. It was a better fit, even if it cost more.
With better gear and a little bit of experience, I felt more prepared for the real adventure: four days of bikepacking through scenic routes, visiting points of interest, sharing meals, and camping alongside fellow riders. I’m sure there will be challenges, but this test run reminded me that discomfort and discovery often go hand in hand.
Next up: the tour begins. Let’s see what the road has in store.
