Town

Going into town during a bikepacking race is both a blessing and curse at the same time. The key is knowing how to get the most out of town but in the least amount of time possible. It’s incredibly easy to get sucked into the convenience and comfort of town.

Have a Plan

One of the best things you can do before going into town is to have a list of what you need. Going into town without a plan is a recipe for lost time.

Looking back at Proper Planning above, you might consider drawing a map of town or saving a screen shot of Google Maps. Label where stuff is. I personally lost time in town because I didn’t know where things were. Avoid having to stop to ask where things are by knowing ahead of time. You might even consider mapping out the fastest route to get everything you need before hand. Don’t think you’ll be able to do it during the race you most likely won’t have the mental power.

Exit Time

Before going into town you should always have either a set amount of time you want to spend in town or an exit time in mind. Not doing one of these will lead to losing time. Be hard on yourself and stick to the plan! Don’t give in to the inner voices or be swayed by what others are doing. It’s your race, not theirs.