{"id":19965,"date":"2025-12-23T11:44:06","date_gmt":"2025-12-23T11:44:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/guides\/\/"},"modified":"2025-12-23T11:56:35","modified_gmt":"2025-12-23T11:56:35","slug":"bikepacking-tips-route-planning","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/guides\/bikepacking-tips-route-planning\/","title":{"rendered":"Bikepacking Tips &#8211; Route planning"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\t\t<header id=\"block_08b067e6dc256d26c84072b2527ddaac\" class=\"SingleHero skip-lazy default\">\n\n\t\t\t<div class=\"container\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"SingleHero__categories\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/activities\/cycling\/\" class=\"category\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCycling\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/activities\/off-road-cycling\/\" class=\"category\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tOff-road cycling\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/tag\/bikepacking\/\" class=\"category\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tBikepacking\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h1 class=\"SingleHero__title\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t\tBikepacking Tips &#8211; Route planning\t\t\t\t\t<\/h1>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"row justify-content-center align-items-center SingleHero__author\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-auto avatar\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"40\" height=\"40\" src=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/bikepacking-tips-national-cycle-network-route-8-150x150.jpg\" class=\"avatar wp-post-image\" alt=\"national cycle network route 8 - cycling down a hill into a valley\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-auto name\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tBy Emma Karslake\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<p class=\"SingleHero__meta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\tPublished on \t\t\t\t\t\t<time datetime=\"2025-12-23T11:44:06+00:00\" itemprop=\"datePublished\">December 23, 2025<\/time>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"dot\"><\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t7 min read\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"SingleHero__thumbnail\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1376\" height=\"540\" src=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/bikepacking-tips-1.jpg\" class=\"attachment-hd size-hd wp-post-image\" alt=\"bikepacking tips\" srcset=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/bikepacking-tips-1.jpg 1376w, https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/bikepacking-tips-1-300x118.jpg 300w, https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/bikepacking-tips-1-1024x402.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/bikepacking-tips-1-768x301.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1376px) 100vw, 1376px\" \/>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/header>\n\n\t\n\n\n\t\t<article id=\"block_096e9a3db6d762ef89f285a47f914a85\" class=\"Universal Universal--post c-small default pt-default pb-default mt-none mb-none    \" >\n\t\t\t<div class=\"container\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"InnerBlocks\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"lead\"><\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-how-to-plan-a-bikepacking-route-practical-tips-and-lessons-from-experience\">How to plan a bikepacking route: practical tips and lessons from experience<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Route planning is an essential part of bikepacking and <a href=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/guides\/beginners-guide-to-cycle-touring\/\">cycle touring<\/a>. Here is a guide to planning a great route and minimising stress around it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-don-t-reinvent-the-wheel-nbsp\"><strong>Don\u2019t reinvent the wheel&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>You likely won\u2019t be the first person to cycle tour in your chosen area, so start by typing your start and end points and \u2018cycle route\u2019 into a search engine. This will either give you a good base to start from or tell you that you may have to create an itinerary from scratch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You may find established and signposted routes such as the <a href=\"https:\/\/explore.osmaps.com\/?lat=51.64114&amp;lon=-2.92363&amp;zoom=8.4445&amp;overlays=os-ncn-layer&amp;style=Standard&amp;type=2d\">Sustrans<\/a> in the UK, <a href=\"https:\/\/en.eurovelo.com\/\">Eurovelo<\/a> in mainland Europe, or other official local routes. You may also find a ready-made route on <a href=\"http:\/\/bikepacking.com\">bikepacking.com<\/a>. This route may be perfect, but in all likelihood, you\u2019ll have to adjust it to your plans and riding ability.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" src=\"https:\/\/getoutside39507958bf.blob.core.windows.net\/blobgetoutside39507958bf\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/bikepacking-tips-national-cycle-network-route-8.jpg\" alt=\"national cycle network route 8 - cycling down a hill into a valley\" class=\"wp-image-20468\" srcset=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/bikepacking-tips-national-cycle-network-route-8.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/bikepacking-tips-national-cycle-network-route-8-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/bikepacking-tips-national-cycle-network-route-8-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>If you choose to ride a route that someone else has created, make sure to cater to your own levels of skill and fitness: a seasoned mountain biker will cover far more ground in one day than a beginner. Set your own daily goals, even if the creator of the route also suggests how they would split up the route.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-using-apps-to-adjust-existing-cycling-routes-or-create-new-ones\"><strong>Using apps to adjust existing cycling routes or create new ones<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" src=\"https:\/\/getoutside39507958bf.blob.core.windows.net\/blobgetoutside39507958bf\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/bikepacking-tips-king-alfred_s-way.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-20470\" srcset=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/bikepacking-tips-king-alfred_s-way.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/bikepacking-tips-king-alfred_s-way-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/bikepacking-tips-king-alfred_s-way-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Bikepacking on King Alfred&#8217;s Way <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Learn to use at least one route-planning app well. I recommend one that includes knowledge of the surface (road, gravel, singletracks\u2026).&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There is a wide range of routing and navigation apps to choose from depending on your own preferences and your type of riding.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"osmroute\">\r\n\t<h2><span>PLAN ROUTES<br>FIND ADVENTURES<\/span><\/h2>\r\n\t<p class=\"desktoponly\">Discover ready-made routes nearby or create your own<\/p>\r\n\t<p><a class=\"osmroutebutton\" href=\"https:\/\/explore.osmaps.com\/find-routes\" target=\"_blank\">Open OS Maps<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<style>\r\n\t.osmroute {\r\n\t\twidth: 100%;\r\n\t\tbackground-image: url(https:\/\/getoutside39507958bf.blob.core.windows.net\/blobgetoutside39507958bf\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/os-maps-banner-02.jpg);\r\n\t\tbackground-size: cover;\r\n\t\tbackground-repeat: no-repeat;\r\n\t\tbackground-position: center center;\r\n\t\tborder-radius: 25px;\r\n\t\tmargin-bottom: 20px;\r\n\t\tpadding: 20px 10%;\r\n\t\tdisplay: flex;\r\n\t\tflex-direction: column;\r\n\t\tjustify-content: center;\r\n\t\tcolor: black;\r\n\t\ttext-align: center;\r\n\t}  \r\n\t.osmroute h2 {\r\n\t\ttext-transform: uppercase;\r\n\t\tletter-spacing: 0.25em;\r\n\t}\r\n\t.desktoponly {\r\n    \tdisplay: none;\r\n\t}\r\n\t.osmroutebutton {\r\n\t\tbackground-color: #F60259;\r\n\t\tcolor: white!important;\r\n\t\ttext-decoration: none;\r\n\t\tborder: 2px solid #F60259;\r\n\t\tborder-radius: 25px;\r\n\t\tpadding: 8px 16px;\r\n\t\tmargin-top: 1em;\r\n\t}\r\n\r\n\t.osmroutebutton:hover {\r\n\t\tborder: 2px solid #670125;\r\n\t\tcolor: white;\r\n\t}\r\n\t@media screen and (min-width: 800px) {\r\n\t\t.desktoponly {\r\n    \t\tdisplay: block;\r\n\t\t}\r\n\t}\r\n\t  \r\n<\/style>\n\n\n\n<p>The most precise app you\u2019ll find is <a href=\"https:\/\/shop.osmaps.com\/maps\/os-maps-subscriptions\/?gad_source=1&amp;gad_campaignid=16771300792&amp;gbraid=0AAAAAD5LHoCxDe8RcTbdFImPJt2fyBBlH&amp;gclid=CjwKCAiAw9vIBhBBEiwAraSATvCdeuid_-gewNBr7Ouhbx9cxNUnjDLDvIkxAVkuBKuVeFPwpjRt9xoCyzsQAvD_BwE\">OS Maps<\/a>, which is particularly useful for off-road rides as it shows more paths than OpenStreetMap, on which several other apps rely. For an intuitive road planning tool and good offline map features, Ride with GPS could also be a good option. Strava is good at showing popular routes thanks to its heatmap function.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you plan to cycle abroad, try to find out which navigation app is most popular where you are going: in some countries, Google Maps is less up to date or Komoot shows few highlights. Using the same app as locals will guarantee that you are working with the best information possible. In Canada, I was recommended a quadbike app to plan gravel bike rides through forestry roads. It was surprising, but it worked well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Once you have chosen one or two apps, you can create a new route or use an existing one and modify it to include more points of interest or useful detours, for example cafes and campsites.<\/p>\n\n\n<hr class=\"ad_hr\" role=\"none\">\r\n<div class=\"home_hero_20_mix_match\">\r\n    <div>\r\n        <h2>NEW DOG FRIENDLY WALKING GUIDE BOOKS<\/h2><h4>A collection of brand new books from Ordnance Survey<\/h4>\r\n        <a href=\"https:\/\/shop.osmaps.com\/books\/os-short-walks-made-easy-guidebooks\/os-swme-dog-friendly-walks\/\" class=\"Button Button--red Button--smaller\"><span class=\"Button__text\">Shop Now<\/span><\/a>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n    <div>\r\n        <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/getoutside39507958bf.blob.core.windows.net\/blobgetoutside39507958bf\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/swmedogs.png\" alt=\"OFFER: save 20\" height=\"250\" width=\"250\" \/>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<hr class=\"ad_hr\" role=\"none\">\r\n\r\n<style>\r\n .InnerBlocks .home_hero_20_mix_match h2 {\r\n    margin-top: 20px;\r\n    margin-bottom: 20px;\r\n}\r\n   \r\n.InnerBlocks .ad_hr {\r\n margin: 20px;\r\n border-color: #9f9f9f;\r\n}\r\n\r\n.home_hero_20_mix_match {\r\n  display: flex;\r\n  flex-flow: row wrap;\r\n  background-image:  linear-gradient(180deg, rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.45) 0%, rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.30) 40%, rgba(0, 0, 0, 0) 50%), url(\"https:\/\/getoutside39507958bf.blob.core.windows.net\/blobgetoutside39507958bf\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/dog-in-peak-district.jpg\");\r\n  background-position: center center;\r\n  background-size:cover;\r\n  border-radius: 25px;\r\n}\r\n\r\n.home_hero_20_mix_match  > div {\r\n  width: 100%;\r\n  padding: 2% 8%;\r\n  color: #ffffff;\r\n  text-align: center;\r\n}\r\n\r\n.home_hero_20_mix_match  > div:nth-child(2) {\r\n  padding: 0;\r\n  padding-bottom: 0px;\r\n  display: flex;\r\n  justify-content: center;\r\n  align-self: center;\r\n}\r\n\r\n.home_hero_20_mix_match > div > img {\r\n  width: 100%;\r\n  height: auto;\r\n  max-width: 250px;\r\n}\r\n\r\n.home_hero_20_mix_match  h2 {\r\n  font-size: 3rem;\r\n  font-weight: 600;\r\n}\r\n\r\n.home_hero_20_mix_match  p {\r\n  font-size: 2rem;\r\n}\r\n\r\n.home_hero_20_mix_match  a {\r\n  font-size: 2rem;\r\n}\r\n    \r\n.Button--smaller {\r\n  padding: 8px 20px!important;\r\n}\r\n    \r\n.Button--smaller span {\r\n  font-size: 20px;\r\n}    \r\n\r\n\r\n@media (min-width:50em){\r\n  .home_hero_20_mix_match {\r\n    background-image:  linear-gradient(90deg, rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.45) 0%, rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.30) 40%, rgba(0, 0, 0, 0) 50%), url(\"https:\/\/getoutside39507958bf.blob.core.windows.net\/blobgetoutside39507958bf\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/dog-in-peak-district.jpg\");\r\n  }\r\n  .home_hero_20_mix_match  > div {\r\n    width: 50%;\r\n    text-align: left;\r\n  }\r\n  .home_hero_20_mix_match  h2 {\r\n    font-size: 5rem;\r\n  }\r\n  .home_hero_20_mix_match  p {\r\n    font-size: 3rem;\r\n  }\r\n}\r\n<\/style>\r\n\r\n\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-choosing-where-to-go-bikepacking\"><strong>Choosing where to go<\/strong> bikepacking<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Where you choose to ride will depend on your confidence, fitness, and the kind of experience you\u2019re looking for. Some cyclists avoid sharing their space with cars as much as possible, while others may feel safer on a B road than on a deserted bridleway.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Whatever you choose, always check that cycling is permitted. Navigation apps can occasionally route you onto footpaths or private land, so it\u2019s worth zooming in on the map and checking rights of way, access points, and any tricky junctions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/getoutside39507958bf.blob.core.windows.net\/blobgetoutside39507958bf\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/bikepacking-tips-alps-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Bikepacking in the Alps - clouds and mountains with a bike in the foreground\" class=\"wp-image-20472\" srcset=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/bikepacking-tips-alps-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/bikepacking-tips-alps-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/bikepacking-tips-alps-810x1080.jpg 810w, https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/bikepacking-tips-alps.jpg 1000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Bikepacking in the Alps<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Over time, you\u2019ll develop your own preferences and habits when planning routes. The following tips are based on lessons I\u2019ve learned from years of bikepacking, and they can help remove some of the stress that often comes with creating an itinerary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-tip-1-plan-detours-or-the-zig-zag-trick\"><strong>Tip 1: Plan detours, or the \u2018zig-zag trick\u2019<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>I\u2019ve only started using the zig-zag trick recently, but I wish I had thought of it years ago: instead of drawing a point-to-point route with a couple of slight detours, for example local must-sees, I deliberately zig-zag to my destination. When I draw a loop, it is star-shaped.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This approach has two advantages. Firstly, it\u2019s an excellent failsafe when something unexpected happens. If for some reason, you haven\u2019t covered as much ground as you had hoped to or the weather makes you shy away from another long day in the saddle, you can shortcut your route and get back on track. It\u2019s easy to bite off more than you can chew at first and end up exhausted or chasing a train to make up for having fallen behind schedule, but it is often avoidable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"560\" src=\"https:\/\/getoutside39507958bf.blob.core.windows.net\/blobgetoutside39507958bf\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/os-maps-lake-district.jpg\" alt=\"OS maps Lake District\" class=\"wp-image-20473\" srcset=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/os-maps-lake-district.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/os-maps-lake-district-300x168.jpg 300w, https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/os-maps-lake-district-768x430.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A \u2018loop\u2019 of the Lake District, planned on OS Maps<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Secondly, it forces you to explore the region in depth. If you\u2019re travelling by bike, it\u2019s to fully immerse yourself in an area, so why not do just that through your routing? Getting off the beaten track, you will often end up in quieter areas and be pleasantly surprised by local attractions that are less publicised.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-tip-2-expect-to-do-some-extra-mileage-or-the-10-tax\"><strong>Tip 2: Expect to do some extra mileage, or \u2018the 10% tax\u2019<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Whatever the route, whatever the continent, I have found that if I plan an 80-mile day on a bikepacking trip, my cycle computer will show about 88 miles by the end of the day. A small detour to a village shop and a couple of wrong turns will do that. So if you want to cover 50 miles daily, know that you\u2019ll have to pedal about 55 miles. There\u2019s nothing you can do about it. It seems to be a mandatory offering to the cycling gods. Plus, life would be less fun without a surprise vista after a wrong turn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-tip-3-most-decisions-are-the-right-decision\"><strong>Tip 3: Most decisions are the right decision<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Sometimes, decision-making is binary: good decision vs bad decision. For route planning, not so much. There may be some areas you want to avoid like boring suburbs or large roads and there may be some must-sees like a famous cathedral or a famous ice cream shop (whatever rocks your boat). However, for the most part, wherever you go will offer a good adventure. If you are planning a short holiday, you\u2019ve probably already pinpointed a beautiful area, so even aimless meandering could yield great results.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In the end, several routes will have you think you made the perfect decision once you\u2019ve had lots of nice experiences along the way, so don\u2019t focus on choosing the one and only perfect option. When a routing decision comes up, my mantra is simple: almost any reason is a good enough reason to make a call.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" src=\"https:\/\/getoutside39507958bf.blob.core.windows.net\/blobgetoutside39507958bf\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/bikepacking-tips-mull.jpg\" alt=\"Chance encounter with an honesty box selling homemade cake, Mull\" class=\"wp-image-20469\" srcset=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/bikepacking-tips-mull.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/bikepacking-tips-mull-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/bikepacking-tips-mull-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Chance encounter with an honesty box selling homemade cake, Mull<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>I no longer feel the pressure to \u2018make the right call\u2019, and it is so liberating. Earlier this year, instead of cycling the whole length of the southern bank of the St Lawrence river in Canada as I had initially planned, I took a ferry to cross the 20-mile-wide river to reach its northern bank, just because I suspected I might find a specific plant there. I did, and I was over the moon the first time I harvested labrador tea by the roadside. I was pleased to have changed course, but in the end, the other side would likely have been just as rewarding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-tip-4-whole-heartedly-embrace-your-decision\"><strong>Tip 4: Whole-heartedly embrace your decision<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>While last-minute changes of plan and spontaneous decisions add fun to an adventure, it is worth committing to your bigger decisions. Once you make a routing choice and you are too far in to turn back, don\u2019t start thinking of \u2018what ifs\u2019, wondering whether the grass is greener elsewhere. It could ruin a perfectly lovely route.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"750\" src=\"https:\/\/getoutside39507958bf.blob.core.windows.net\/blobgetoutside39507958bf\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/bikepacking-tips-bikepacking-setup.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-20471\" srcset=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/bikepacking-tips-bikepacking-setup.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/bikepacking-tips-bikepacking-setup-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/bikepacking-tips-bikepacking-setup-768x576.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p>Some people are able to start a trip without a map or an idea of where they are going. While that is commendable, for many people, it sounds like an absolute nightmare.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You will never be able to plan a route perfectly, and that is the charm of adventure. 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https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/bikepacking-tips-national-cycle-network-route-8-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/bikepacking-tips-national-cycle-network-route-8-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 160px) 100vw, 160px\" \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"MetaShareAuthor__name\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tBy Emma Karslake\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"MetaShareAuthor__desc\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Emma Karslake is an adventurer, writer and cycle tour guide who has spent much of the past eight years exploring the world by bike.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">She is a passionate advocate for slow travel as a means to reconnect with nature, embrace minimalism, and discover alternative ways of living.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">She is particularly keen to empower others, especially women, to embrace solo adventures, and she shares both practical guidance and philosophical reflections through her writing. You can <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.emmakarslake.com\/newsletter\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">sign up to her newsletter<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for monthly updates.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.emmakarslake.com\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">www.emmakarslake.com<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Instagram: <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/emma_up_cycles\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">@emma_up_cycles<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/article>\n\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Explore essential bikepacking tips for stress-free route planning. Have the best cycling adventure with expert advice from Emma Karslake<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":20477,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[388],"activities":[9,11],"locations":[17],"class_list":["post-19965","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-bikepacking","activities-cycling","activities-off-road-cycling","locations-all-of-great-britain"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.5 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Bikepacking Tips - Route planning - OS Maps Discover<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Explore essential bikepacking tips for stress-free route planning. 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