Bikepacking Advice with Sofiane Sehili

What would be some of the basics you would recommend people look for when buying a bikepacking bike?

Look for something that is versatile and has clearance for wider tires. Bikes are so well made today, you can own just one that’s really nice to ride on tarmac with 32-35C tires, then you can put on some 42 or 44mm tires and enjoy some nice gravel roads. Personally, I like 1X drivetrains. It’s just one less thing to think about, which is nice when you’re out riding all day. Don’t be afraid to have a really big cassette. Maybe something like 40 or 42 teeth in the front, depending on how powerful your legs are. Then you can have a 10-45 or 10-51 in the back, and you’ll be able to do pretty much anything. And lastly, if you’re thinking of going really far, for like several months on the other side of the world, maybe something with a steel frame. It’s easy to repair if anything breaks.   

What’s your basic packing list for things you always bring on an overnighter?

A mattress is very important for me. It’s much more comfortable than sleeping on the ground and it’s also much warmer. Then, depending on the weather, I’ll bring a sleeping bag for warmth. Personally, I don’t usually carry a tarp or tent. I’ll just stop when I find some shelter, or if I see that it’s not going to rain, I’ll sleep under the stars. Even in the middle of nowhere, you can usually find a shack or some sort of shelter. I’ve never really found myself riding through the night in the rain—it doesn’t really happen. 

I also want to talk about pillows. Because they don’t weigh anything. They’re really small, and they’re really important, actually. It took me years to buy a proper inflatable pillow, and it’s a game changer.

Besides a pillow, are there any “luxury” items you bring with you on bikepacking trips?    

I can’t really travel without my nail clippers. And then an e-reader. I don’t know that I’d really consider it a luxury because you’re going to have so much time out there. I had it with me in Morocco—not during the race—but I had it before and after the AMR. I ride my bike, and when that’s over, I need to do something during the evening. It’s something I’ve always bikepacked with—I remember reading Joseph Conrad's Heart of Darkness while riding in Myanmar, and somehow it seemed perfectly aligned—and it’s something that would really suck to ride without. 

What bags do you use? 

I use Miss Grape bags. The minimum I’ll bring is a saddle bag, a half-frame bag, and a top-tube bag. Usually the way I’ll organize things is to use the saddle bag for clothes, the top-tube bag for electronics, and the half-frame bag for things I’ll need during the ride, like tools, toiletries, and my passport. If I am going to bring some camping gear, I’ll use a harness and dry-bag combo on the handlebars, too. 

Do you have any packing tips to stay organized while bikepacking? 

It takes some knowledge to pack really well. If you’re going to pack a saddle bag, for example, you’ll need to know which items you want to put at the back—which things you can pack smaller or tighter. The way that I’ll organize my saddle bag is to put the things that I hope I won’t need at the very back of the saddle bag, like spare tubes or my jacket if it’s warm. The front is for things you know you might need to use. And when you pack, don’t mix everything. If you open a bag and have a little bit of clothing and a little bit of camping gear, it’s not good. Find one packing system that works and stick with it. Then you never have to think about where stuff is.

What are the basic tools and repair items you always bring? 

A multitool with a chain breaker—very important. And then obviously a pump. I ride tubeless, so I will bring a tubeless repair kit. Some chain links or a fast link. Depending on how long your trip is, it’s nice to have some brake pads. A little rag and some oil. The stuff that you maybe don’t think about can actually save your life. 

The way I pack spares and tools is based on three things: how much does it weigh, how much space does it take, and can it save my life? For example, a tubeless valve doesn’t weigh anything, but if you break one, you’re kind of fucked. So, I always bring one. Spokes are kind of the same idea. They don’t weigh anything but can save you—and a gear-shift cable. 

How about clothing? Summer vs. winter? Any must haves? 

It’s not really all that different between summer and winter. My basic kit is bib shorts, a long-sleeve base layer, and a jersey. Then, unless the forecast is really warm, I’ll take leg warmers. I think it’s always really nice to take a pair of gloves. They’re not that heavy, and having cold hands is one of the worst feelings. 

A rain jacket, of course. I don’t think you can really travel without a rain jacket—and it doubles up as a regular jacket when you’re going out to get a meal. I like having several pairs of socks—wool because they don’t smell. A puffer jacket is also always nice. When you’re out there at the end of a long day and you haven’t had a proper meal, it’s easy to get cold. But that’s the beauty of cycling. You don’t really need that much.

Are there any particular PEdALED items you’d recommend?
 

I tested the Odyssey Alpha® Vest with Polartec® fabric. The fact that it’s a vest means it doesn’t take up a lot of space, but it can still keep you really warm. I ended up needing it when I toured Northern Morocco before this year’s Atlas Mountain Race; it actually got really cold. So, it was nice to have something like that. 

Then I had the Odyssey Cargo Bibs, and that’s something I’m really starting to like—having extra pockets in addition to those on your jersey. It’s a nice way to stay organized. I love pockets. The more pockets, the happier I am. 

And then, the Merino Long Sleeve Base Layer, that’s a really nice item. When it gets a little bit chilly, you have that as soon as you’re off the bike—it’s pretty classy, it’s pretty neat. 

Do you have a playlist or favorite podcasts you’d like to recommend for a bikepacking trip? 

I’m a big fan of True Crime. I really like the Serial podcast about Adnan Syed, but my favorite one is Hondelatte raconte.

And in terms of music, it’s mostly rock, ranging from pop-rock and folk all the way to black metal and death metal…a wide spectrum. This is my go to playlist.