Spanish Bikepacking Diary: Lessons Learned

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The holiday blues you get in the days following a bikepacking trip are like none I’ve ever experienced. You become so reliant on and in tune with the minimal kit you’re carrying that acts like cooking and bathing become simplified and require very little thought. On returning to a full kitchen, or a bathroom full of products, it can feel unnecessary and overcomplicated and you end up missing the lack of options. A task that…

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Author Profile Picture
Amanda Wishart

Art Director

Amanda is our resident pedaller, who loves the climbs as much as the descents. No genre of biking is turned down, though she is happiest when at the top of a mountain with a wild descent ahead of her. If you ever want a chat about concussion recovery, dealing with a Womb of Doom or how best to fuel an endurance XC race, she's the one to email.

More posts from Amanda

Home › Forums › Spanish Bikepacking Diary: Lessons Learned

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Viewing 8 posts - 1 through 8 (of 8 total)
  • Spanish Bikepacking Diary: Lessons Learned
  • 6
    BigChris
    Full Member

    @Amanda. Thanks for a great series of articles. The come down from any trip is noticeable, but on a bikepacking/touring  trip you get so immersed in it the return to the reality of daily life is weird.

    Looking forward to the next chapter 🙂

    Posted 10 months ago
    matt_outandabout
    Full Member

    I will stop at 5 different shops to see how the biscuit selection differs. I would take a rough river path over a HC climb and not get FOMO about the unbagged summit.

    Mrs_oab and you are cut from the same cloth!

    Posted 10 months ago
    anorak
    Full Member

    I really enjoyed your warts ‘n all diary and very much look forward to the next one!!!

    Posted 10 months ago
    aide
    Full Member

    It’s the series that keeps on giving! Have enjoyed all the different days/stories of Amanda’s trip. Looking forward to your next adventure 

    Posted 10 months ago
    garage-dweller
    Full Member

    Will catch up on that if I get a bit of peace tomorrow.  Thought the original articles were a great bit of writing, I don’t often binge read a series like that.  👍

    Posted 10 months ago
    2
    tractionman
    Full Member

    great to read, I particularly like this comment

    “the biggest lesson was that I’m far more interested in the scenery between points than just linking nice places together. “

    amen to that 🙏

    Posted 10 months ago
    1
    gazzab1955
    Full Member

    Thanks Amanda, a great series of articles and looking forward to the next series.

    I did an 18 day trek in Nepal a few years ago and the day to day rhythm of of the walk was something I loved, the lack of choices (especially of clothes) made choosing easy. We didn’t see a bath/shower for over two weeks and Merino options definitely made us a lot less smelly, amazing how much you can wash with a pack of baby wipes!

    I have also done a couple of short bike packing trips (King Alfred’s Way and from home (west Dorset) to the Isle of Wight) and although much shorter than the trek, the routine of get up, eat, break camp, cycle, make camp, eat, sleep, repeat is something I enjoy. I think that this is also because I am away from all the decision making that I have to do when at home, with far too many choices.

    Posted 10 months ago
    white101
    Full Member

    I’ve been saving this read for a day when inspiration was needed (because for sure, such a day is occasionally if not regularly needed) and I just knew this would tick my box. Like saving the best haribo in the packet till last on a ride I’ve waited for the day when this read was required and thoroughly enjoyed every word, image and insight offered.

    I’m encouraged, inspired and grateful. Thanks Amanda and Rhys for your story.

     

    Posted 7 months ago
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