Why on Earth would you do that?
Now, there are many reasons why you can get in a situation where you need to strap your bike to your backpack. First and foremost, it’s part of bikepacking. Yeah, you can keep to the low altitudes and use swerving and gentle gravel paths. Still, we all know you’re a goat at heart, and what really draws you to the mountains are the high peaks shrouded in clouds and covered with snow. It is a great place to start your next YouTube video that should definitely begin with “Don’t Try This… Anywhere”.
Your ride was going well but now the path ahead is less of a trail and more of a vertical obstacle course designed by nature to mock you. You’re not about to quit, are you? Nah, your mama didn’t raise a quitter. But still, the riding will be reversed while you pretend to be ascending Everest with what’s essentially 20 kg of additional weight on your back. It’s almost like leg day but you don’t get a breather after the 10th rep. Lucky you.
Anyway, this has been the plan all along. You are physically and mentally prepared to carry your bike. Now, imagine you’re out on a beautiful mountain trail. Birds are chirping, the sun is shining, and the air smells like a pine-scented car freshener. You’re gliding down a slope, hitting that perfect balance of speed and control when suddenly – POP! Your tyre explodes with the ferocity of a startled chipmunk. And guess what? You forgot your spare tube.
You’re miles from civilisation, there’s no cell service, and you’re pretty sure that if you don’t make it back soon, the squirrels will claim you as one of their own. What do you do? You strap that bike to your backpack and walk like a proud, defeated warrior heading home from battle. It’s not glamorous but it works.
Either way, you need to know how to strap your bike to your backpack so you won’t lose any parts, fall over and, most importantly, damage your precious. All of this starts with a simple choice – choosing the right backpack.
Choose the right backpack
I have some bad news for you jersey-riding fellows. Yeah, your back is not that sweaty but you can’t actually strap your bike to your backpack if the latter is missing. So, if you’re going to climb some mountain tops that would insist on using your hands to hold on to bars or climbing on all fours, you better get a proper backpack for the job. Not all backpacks are created equal. In fact, trying to strap your bike to a flimsy, fashion-forward backpack might result in a disaster – not to mention the ridicule of passersby.
You’ll need a sturdy, preferably waterproof backpack with strong shoulder straps and a waist belt. The waist belt isn’t just for hikers who like to pretend they’re in a Decathlon commercial. It’s actually crucial for distributing the weight of the bike so you don’t end up like Quasimodo by the end of your journey.
Look for backpacks with exterior straps designed for carrying gear like tents or snowboards. The more attachment points, the better. You’ll want your bike to be snug and secure, not dangling behind you like a rebellious toddler at the toy store.
Finally, consider the size of the backpack. A 20-litre backpack is a blessing for one-day trips but it’ll be highly ineffective if you have to carry your bike. A 40-litre backpack would offer greater support and the bike can be strapped at multiple points. Sure, you can still pack as if you were with a 20-litre sack. That’s actually a great idea as you will have to find a place for all the bike bags in your backpack as well.
What to do with the bike bags?
Yeah, that’s the other thing. Do you try to strap the packs onto the bike and hope for the best or do you wear them like a fashion-forward bikepacking ninja? Well, unless you want to look like you’re trying to break some world record for the most luggage strapped to a human, it’s best to empty out the bike packs and stuff what you can into your backpack. You might even find some hidden snacks you forgot about – because, let’s be honest, snacks are an essential part of any bike ride.
Of course, if you don’t have the space, you will still have to strap the rest of your packs on your backpack. But that comes after the bike is already up there.
How to strap your bike?
Now, here’s where the magic happens. First off, you need to remove both wheels from your bike. Trust me, you don’t want these things flopping around like an overenthusiastic golden retriever that just saw food. You can either secure the wheels separately to the side of the backpack or, if space allows, attach it to the main frame. Remember to position the bike with the handlebar pointing up and make sure the bar is tightly secure; otherwise, it will bump into your head with every step.
Now it’s time for the main event. Place the frame against your backpack. Depending on your backpack, you might have straps specifically for holding things like skis or snowboards. If so, these can be repurposed for your bike. If not, you’ll need bungee cords or bike-specific straps. Make sure your bike is tightly secured or it will swing around with every step and you will lose your balance.
Finally, double-check all the straps and give the bike a good shake. If it doesn’t feel secure, adjust the straps or redistribute the weight. Trust me, the last thing you want is for your bike to make an unscheduled departure from your backpack.
Testing
Now, before you get climbing, it’s wise to take a quick test walk with the bike on your back. Make a few jumps and try to swing left and right. This will show if the bike is well attached. You can even try a light jog to mimic rough terrains. The most important thing is to see if there is an imbalance. A disbalance on your back may force you to make a wrong step at the worst moment and it’s best not to talk about that.
Feeling weird with a bike on your back is perfectly normal. That’s not something that you do every… year. Still, there are a few things to consider when having your bike on your back.
What to be aware of with a bike on your back
First off, clearance. You might be used to squeezing through narrow cliff sides with just a backpack but now that you have a full-sized bike hanging off you, your spatial awareness needs to step up its game. Avoid low passages, tree branches, and anything that might hit the handlebar, which will be sticking above your head.
Next, be cautious of your balance. The extra weight on your back can throw off your centre of gravity, especially when climbing steep rocks or going down from a cliff. Slow and steady wins the race – or, at the very least, avoids embarrassing tumbles.
Lastly, try not to make any sudden movements, especially if your companions are close by. You don’t want to accidentally take someone out with a pedal or a handlebar.
It’s a good skill to have
When all is said and done, that’s hardly something you will be using all that much. After all, you have your bike so you can ride it, not bring it on romantic sunset dates on Matterhorn. Regardless, this is one of those skills that is good to have, even if you never use it. So, try it out at home or in the local park. Make sure you have the skill and if you’re lucky (and sane) enough, you will never have to use it.
