Bikepacking is the combination of self-supported multi-day adventures and all-terrain cycling.  It is like backpacking on a bike. Oregon might be the best state for bikepacking. It's a great way to explore, easier than you might think, and provides a lot of fun cycling time.  

COWs Camping Insurance

Central Oregon Wheelers are very supportive of bikepacking events. To this end we will help ride leaders with some of their financial obligation on a bikepacking trip. Specifically, we will reimburse a ride leader for a camping deposit they make for campsites that went unused, up to $200 a night. We know campsites are difficult to get, and a ride leader needs to act quickly. Sometimes mother nature doesn't care and a nearby wildfire will bring un-rideable smoke, or some other impediment to the ride. Make sure the ride is on the COWs Calendar and let the COWs treasurer know how much "insurance" backing you need as you organize your trip. 

Bikepacking Trips and Membership

COWs bikepacking events are for members! We only allow guests to ride one ride before requiring them to become members.  This is our insurance company's requirement. Given that bikepacking events are multiday, everyone on a COWs bikepacking trip needs to be a member. They will get supplementary medical insurance if something bad happens. 

Organizing a Bikepacking Adventure

Often a bikepacking adventure starts with a beer, a friend, and an idea. If you and your friend are new to bikepacking, take a simpler overnighter to test your equipment and learn what you like. Be prepared for the good and the bad, that somewhat defines adventure. Read about bikepacking, the links below are a good start. Choose a route that is well traveled and well written about, like the ones below.  Personally I like trips that include old friends and new faces I met through the Club. Don't forget to submit your trip to the Club so it can be placed on the Calendar, and you will have some additional medical insurance, and you can get reimbursed for campground deposits if need be.  Reserve your campsites, the competition for sites, post-pandemic, is horrendous.  Relax. Have a great time!

Possible Bikepacking Routes

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/35780912

Name	Days	Nights	Miles	Ascent	Feet/Mi	Start	Map
Frog Lake	2	1	45	3,000	67	Frog Lake	https://bikepacking.com/routes/frog-lake-loop/
Haystack Reservoir from Redmond	2	1	57	2,500	44	Redmond	https://ridewithgps.com/routes/35488994
Pine Mtn Observatory Loop	2	1	80	4,400	55	Bend	https://ridewithgps.com/routes/35530134
Priest Hole Walt Mitch	3	2	93	7,500	81	Mitchell	https://ridewithgps.com/routes/35489209
Thunder in Paradise Bikepacking Loop	3	2	98	11,600	118	Trinity Hot Springs, Id	https://bikepacking.com/routes/thunder-in-paradise/
Gunsight Ridge	3	2	107	11,000	103	Dufur	https://ridewithgps.com/routes/33649790
Cowichan Valley 8	3	2	118	6,100	52	Victoria, BC	https://bikepacking.com/routes/cowichan-valley-8/
Many Cascade Lakes	3	2	116	5,100	44	Cultus Lake	https://ridewithgps.com/routes/35780912
The Anaxshat Passage	3	2	120	9,800	82	Estacada	https://bikepacking.com/routes/anaxshat-passage/
Bitterroot 300	3	2	167	5,000	30	Wallace Id	https://ridewithgps.com/routes/35481975
Fire Ice Fall Creek	4	3	121	11,600	96	Carson, Wa	https://ridewithgps.com/routes/35569183
Central Oregon Backcountry Explorer	4	3	152	11,600	76	Prineville	https://bikepacking.com/routes/central-oregon-backcountry-explorer/
Reservoir Dogs	5	4	194	9,500	49	K-Falls	https://ridewithgps.com/routes/35158596
The Oregon Outback	6	5	364	14,400	40	K-Falls	https://bikepacking.com/routes/oregon-outback/

Vetted Online Resources

Your First Bikepack - Bikepacking.com

Advice for New Bikepackers from 5 Experienced Riders - Bikepacking.com

Getting Started - REI

Oregon Outback Video 2021 - YouTube