I’ve written about bike rafting with with the Alpacka Caribou previously but this year iv’e spent more time combining these two sports.
Essentially you’re just biking to a place to launch your packraft and instead of heading out for a days paddling and then heading back, your taking your bike with you.
This opens up so many options of what you can do.
Many companies will state that there packrafts are suitable to carry bikes but personally i’d only use a packraft that has been designed to carry a heavy load on the bow.
To my knowledge, the only two packrafts are the Caribou by Alpacka and the GP Cargo (sold by Anfibio Packrafting).
I can’t tell you much about the GP Cargo as i’ve not paddled it but the Caribou by Alpacka is perfect for bikerafting.
What I like about Bikerafting.
Bikerafting to me is a great way to explore, even if its just around your local area. For me heading out on the bike and with a packraft is a great all round fitness regime.
Using legs whilst biking, then core and arms when paddling. It also gives you the ability to visit the same area from a completely different aspect.
The great thing about bikerafting is that you can get your bike on a train to extend your adventure.
Gear I use for Bikerafting with the Alpacka Caribou.
- Packraft: Alpacka Caribou
- Paddle: Anfibio Wave
- Flotation Device: BoyBuoy by Anfibio
- Bag: 35L Ledge by Alpkit
- Leash: By Anfibio
- 70l dry bag
- Elastic Bungees: Available from here, please contact for details.
- Bike tie downs: By Anfibio
- Camelbak water bottle and Sawyer Lifestraw Go water filter.
- Light weight cook set
- Real Turmat meal
Gear wise, it’s a personal preference. Most of my bikerafting trips are day trips so I don’t need to carry a load of gear.
Stowing you bike on your packraft.
Now this is personal preference as well and also depends on the mounts on your packraft. Personally I like to remove both wheels and secure them on the frame.
I have tried the other method by keeping the back wheel in place but I found that this just gets in the way of my paddle blade. I find that this method my Left paddle stroke isn’t as efficient.
I like to use the Anfibio tie downs as opposed to webbing straps was I feel these keep the frame tighter to the packraft.
Also, to note thread the tie downs through the packraft fixings before inflating the packraft.
Ingress and Egress.
The main thing to remember when bikerafting is that when the bike is attached to the packraft there is a lot of possible (and dangerous) snag hazards.
We are taught to make your packraft clear from snag hazards should you capsize or need to get out of your raft. With a bike on the packraft you need to be fully aware of the hazards and plan you ingress & egress accordingly. It is worth carrying a knife on you pfd for these scenarios.
It is still really easy to mount your day bag on top of your bike frame if you like but stowing your gear in the cargo fly (if you have this installed) in your packraft, to me is the way forward.
There’s many people who don’t like the cargo fly and some people who say after awhile they leak.
I have seen these zips leaking whilst on a packrafting course with Tirio, so it does happen but i haven’t seen it on mine (as yet).
Food whilst bikerafting.
I use the Real Turmat meals as these are light, filling and tasty. I take a water bottle with a lifestraw that fits inside so I can filter the water and then boil (for extra safety) in a lightweight cook set.
This cook set has done me very well, a cheap rocket stove from eBay, 100g can of gas, titanium cup and that’s all I need.
Real Turmat meals are not the cheapest but in my eye they are the best. They are available in the UK by Basecamp Food and if your looking for a discount code then please use the one below. Govong you 10% of all products and free deliver on orders over £20.00
Basecamp Food discount code: Vildmark10
Below is a couple of videos showing Bike rafting with the Alpacka Caribou trips.
