Have you thought about combining mountain biking and packraft? Wouldn't you love to go travelling by bike and then ride down rivers? Or maybe you'd like to hit the deserted beaches on a fatbike. It's time to introduce you to bikeraft. I'm going to introduce you to bikeraft or bikerafting, a surprising combination of cycling and packraft.
Packraft and mountain biking are incredible expedition tools. In their own way, they both give us the same thing: freedom. The freedom to travel further and faster than we could on foot.
With a weight equivalent to that of a two-person trekking tent and a similar footprint, the potential of a packraft is twofold: travelling on water opens up a new perspective on expeditions, while the boat's light weight means you can carry it in your bag. Once you've understood that a stretch of water is no longer an insurmountable barrier, you'll never look at a map in the same way again!
Bikerafting
Sailing a packraft on a bike is a bit different from conventional sailing. You're probably not going to go down class V rapids with a bike strapped to your bow. Still, many packraft are more manoeuvrable on flat water with the weight of a bike (or just a big rucksack) on the bow counterbalancing your own weight at the stern. This gives a better weight distribution and minimises the chances of being knocked off balance. Boating with a bike on your bow will probably take some getting used to, but so will riding a bike loaded with cast iron the first time around...
As with any new skill, a certain amount of learning is required: how to attach the mountain bike to the bow of the packraft, maintenance and repairs, and safety on rapids. There's no doubt that adding a boat will add bulk and weight to your touring gear, as well as time when transitioning between different modes of travel. After a while, you'll become more efficient at choosing and storing your equipment. The packraft can be integrated into your routine equipment as your experience grows. Ultimately, a packraft is a shipping tool, and like any tool, it's up to the user to unleash its full potential.
The packraft
Although a relatively new piece of equipment, packrafts already come in a wide variety of models. In recent years, several brands have appeared, offering a wider range of choice. As with almost all equipment, you need to decide on your priorities and choose from the following criteria: cheap, light and durable.
What size packraft for bikerafting?
There's no point in having the lightest packraft, as it won't be practical to attach a bike to it... The bulk of a bike attached to the bow limits your ability to reach the front of the packraft with the paddle, so it makes sense to use a slightly longer boat than normal to maintain an effective paddle stroke. For bikerafting, a slightly longer wide (L) packraft is preferable. The extra weight is easily offset by the convenience of this length for storing the bike. Lashings are absolutely essential for any boat (not all have them), so that you can grab the boat and pull yourself back in the event of a swim - no mean feat when all you've got to hold on to are wet, slippery tubes!
So would you like to try your hand at bikerafting?
DiscoveRent organises one-day guided bikeraft expeditions , the perfect opportunity to try out this unusual sport in complete peace of mind. Our guide Thomas will explain all the techniques you need to know and share his passion for bikes and packraft. The bikeraft is an incredible expedition tool and is just waiting for you to set off on your adventure!
