Beginner-Friendly Overnight Cycling Routes

Embrace the Overnight Adventure: A Perfect Introduction to Bikepacking

There's something magical about loading up your bike with essential gear and pedaling into the sunset, knowing you'll be sleeping under the stars and waking up to continue your journey. Welcome to the world of bikepacking—the perfect blend of cycling and camping that offers freedom, adventure, and connection with nature without requiring extensive experience or specialized equipment.

For beginners, overnight routes are the ideal entry point into this growing trend. According to Strava's 2023 global trends report, there was a 55% increase in gravel rides recorded year on year, showing that this form of cycling continues to surge in popularity. If you've been curious about bikepacking but feel intimidated by multi-day expeditions, this guide is for you.

Why Start With an Overnight Trip?

For your first bikepacking adventure, an overnight trip is perfect for testing gear, deciding if you enjoy the experience, and getting a feel for what it's like to pedal a loaded bike. These shorter adventures, sometimes called "S24O" (Sub-24-Hour Overnight) trips, provide valuable experience without overwhelming commitment.

Benefits of starting with overnight routes include:

1. Low commitment—if things don't go as planned, you're never far from home
2. Minimal gear requirements compared to longer expeditions
3. Opportunity to test your setup and make adjustments before bigger trips
4. Perfect for weekend warriors with limited vacation time
5. Less physical demand than multi-day routes

Top Beginner-Friendly Overnight Routes for 2025

1. Rail Trails: Repurposed Pathways to Adventure

Planning bicycle touring along rail trails is one easy way to incorporate a safe route into your overnight journey. These converted railway corridors typically offer gentle gradients and well-maintained surfaces. Many feature established campgrounds along the way, making them ideal for beginners.

Great Allegheny Passage (Pennsylvania/Maryland)

This 150-mile route connects Pittsburgh to Cumberland, but beginners can choose shorter sections for an overnight adventure. The trail features a gentle grade, well-maintained surface, and regular access to amenities—a perfect first overnight trip.

Learn more about the Great Allegheny Passage

2. The Tarka Trail (UK)

The Tarka cycle trail is one of Devon's most popular cycling routes. This gentle route takes in gorgeous coastal landscapes and quiet disused rail tracks, making it the ultimate cycle trip for anyone looking to explore the UK's rich railway heritage. With plenty of accommodation options and beautiful scenery, it's perfect for UK-based beginners.

Explore the Tarka Trail

3. The Katy Trail (Missouri, USA)

The Katy Trail in Missouri is one of the most popular bike trips in the USA, especially in the Midwest. Stretching across 240 miles and paralleling the Missouri River, it offers breathtaking views along a historic route with plenty of places to rest and refuel. Beginners can easily select a short section for an overnight adventure.

Discover the Katy Trail

4. Local Overnighters Project Routes

The Local Overnighters Project is a unified effort to document and map one-night bikepacking routes all over the world—created by locals in their own backyards. This resource is invaluable for finding beginner-friendly routes that have been tested and documented by experienced bikepackers.

Browse the Local Overnighters Project

5. Riverside Routes: Follow the Water

Some of the most appealing cycle routes follow tranquil riverside embankments, offering both scenic beauty and relatively flat terrain—perfect for beginners. Rivers typically lead to towns and cities, providing convenient access to amenities.

The Loire Valley Bike Route (France)

The Loire Valley Bike Route in France is one of the most famous and popular bike routes in Europe. The route connecting Orleans, Blois, Amboise, Tours, and Angers leads along safe bike paths, both asphalt and gravel, as well as public roads. Beginners can choose a small section for an overnight adventure.

Explore the Loire Valley Bike Route

Essential Gear for Your First Overnight Adventure

Successful overnight bikepacking doesn't require the lightest or most expensive gear. Here's what you'll need:

Bike Setup

The best bike to use is the one you already own and feel comfortable with. Rather than requiring a dedicated touring bike, you can use your current bike with some simple additions. Mountain bikes, gravel bikes, or even hybrid bikes can all work for beginner routes.

For your first trip, focus on:

1. Comfortable fit: Ensure your bike fits properly for all-day riding
2. Reliable components: Have your bike tuned up before departure
3. Appropriate tires: Choose wider tires (35mm+) for comfort and stability
4. Basic carrying capacity: Frame bags, handlebar bags, or even a backpack for essentials

Packing Essentials

Organizing your gear into groups can be a good way to remember to pack what you need: bike gear, shelter, sleep system, cooking equipment, water, clothing, navigation tools, and toiletries.

For beginners, consider these minimalist options:

1. Shelter: A lightweight tent, bivy sack, or even booking accommodation along the route
2. Sleep system: Sleeping bag appropriate for the season and sleeping pad
3. Food: Pre-made sandwiches or simple no-cook meals for your first trip
4. Water: Water bottles or hydration system plus a way to filter/purify more water
5. Clothing: Weather-appropriate layers, including rain gear
6. Tools: Basic repair kit with multi-tool, spare tube, and patch kit
7. Navigation: Map, smartphone with offline maps, or GPS device
8. First aid: Basic supplies for minor injuries

Planning Your First Overnight Route

When choosing a beginner-friendly route, make sure there are plenty of places to resupply along the way and fill up on water. Consider the type of terrain you're comfortable riding on—if you're mostly a road rider, look for routes with paved roads and well-maintained dirt roads.

Follow these planning tips:

1. Start local: Choose a destination within 20-30 miles of home for your first trip
2. Consider terrain: Flat or gently rolling is best for beginners
3. Plan escape options: Know where you can bail out if needed
4. Check weather: Choose a weekend with favorable conditions
5. Secure camping: Reserve sites in advance or research wild camping regulations
6. Create a route map: Use apps like Komoot, Strava, or RideWithGPS
7. Tell someone: Share your route and expected return time with friends/family

Beginner-Friendly Routes Near Los Angeles

For local MoVcan readers, here are some excellent overnight options near Los Angeles:

1. Los Angeles to Leo Carrillo State Beach

This coastal route follows the Pacific Coast Highway for approximately 30 miles from Santa Monica to Leo Carrillo State Beach. With stunning ocean views, relatively flat terrain, and a developed campground with amenities, it's perfect for first-timers. Reserve a hiker/biker campsite in advance!

Book Leo Carrillo Campground

2. San Gabriel River Trail to Henninger Flats

This route combines the San Gabriel River Trail with a climb up to Henninger Flats, offering both easy riding and a taste of mountain biking. The campground at Henninger Flats provides a scenic overnight spot with views of the LA Basin.

Learn about Henninger Flats

3. Catalina Island Quick Getaway

Take the ferry to Catalina Island and enjoy a short ride to one of the island's campgrounds. While technically not a continuous ride from home, this option provides an accessible island adventure perfect for beginners.

Explore Catalina Island camping

Tips for a Successful First Overnight Trip

For your first overnight, pick a short loop around 10 to 20 miles near home. Use trails or roads that are familiar to you as a trial run, and keep to an established campsite. Consider forgoing the cooking kit—pack a tin foil-wrapped burrito or other easy-to-carry meal for dinner, and grab breakfast on the way back home.

Additional tips:

1. Start with a shakedown ride: Test your loaded bike on a day ride before your overnight trip
2. Pack light: Bring essentials only—you can always add more on future trips
3. Lower your expectations: Focus on the experience rather than distance or speed
4. Take photos: Document your first adventure to learn from and remember
5. Be flexible: Weather and other conditions may require adjusting your plans

The Growing Trend of Bikepacking

In 2024 alone, Bikepacking.com added 54 high-quality route guides, covering more than 21,000 kilometers (13,000 miles) to their global network, which now spans some 200,000 kilometers across nearly 50 countries. This ever-expanding collection of routes makes it easier than ever for beginners to find appropriate adventures.

The popularity of bikepacking continues to grow for good reason:

1. Accessibility: Start from your doorstep or nearby trailhead
2. Affordability: Use existing equipment to get started
3. Flexibility: Customize trips to your fitness and comfort level
4. Sustainability: Low-impact travel that connects with nature
5. Community: Welcoming groups and resources for beginners

Conclusion: Your Adventure Awaits

An overnight bikepacking trip is the perfect introduction to a world of two-wheeled adventure. By starting small with these beginner-friendly routes and essential tips, you'll build confidence and skills for longer journeys while enjoying the immediate rewards of combining cycling with camping.

Ready to pedal into your first overnight adventure? Start planning, gather your gear, and discover the joy of bikepacking one sunset (and sunrise) at a time. Your journey begins with a single pedal stroke!

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• Beginner Bikepacking Tips: Preparing for Your First Overnight Ride
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