Intro to Bikepacking

The perfect bikepacking course

Join our very own local legend, coach and guide, Jim Barrow, who has slept in his bivvy bag all over the UK and North America, on this two-day introduction to the awesome fusion of mountain bikes and wild camping. Over the two days of this intro to bikepacking course, Jim will pass on his best advice and share his inspirational stories to ensure you are immersed and hooked into the adventurous and addictive world of bikepacking. All this, within an hour of London!

• Total price: £175* pp | £215* pp (kit hire option)
• Deposit: £75* pp (non-refundable)
  • Full payment required if your booking is less than 60 days from the start of the trip
• Group size: 6 (max.)

*excluding VAT

We comply with the Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018 by paying money received for package holidays into a trust administered by independent trustees, Serenity Travel Trusts. This means that in respect of all arrangements requiring protection, in the event of our insolvency, funds will be available to ensure that you will receive a refund of the money you have paid to us. If the holiday or weekend is not filled then we hold the right to cancel or postpone.

To read the full terms and conditions please visit them here. Thank you.

What’s included

• 2 guided rides on the South Downs
• 1 night wild camping
• Fully qualified MTB coach and guide
• All of Jim’s extensive knowledge of bikepacking
• Light lunch at the picturesque riverside Black Rabbit pub *
• Fun and interactive prep session
• Pub lunch back at the Black Rabbit *

*(subject to CV19 guidelines and restrictions)

Day 1 – Itinerary

We will meet and welcome you at Midday for a delicious light lunch riverside at the simply amazing Black Rabbit pub, Arundel. They also have an undercover area if the weather is not playing ball, for the prepping our bikes. Over the next hour, Jim will share some of his bikepacking adventures and experiences. All this before talking you through the specifics of bikepacking such as the kit, the culture and the etiquette. After this interactive and fun chat you will load up the bikes and head out onto the South Downs which will include a cake or lunch stop.

The ride will be approximately 25-30 miles of classic downland bridleways and woodland trails. Jim’s local knowledge is second-to-none and he’ll use all this experience to provide you with a superb and sociable afternoon ride. In true bikepacking tradition, you will drop-off the route to find supplies for dinner and breakfast. Make sure not forget your hip flask for a cheeky wee-dram for story time at nightfall.

Day 2 – Itinerary

After a cosy and wonderful first night under the stars, it will be time to look forward to a brew and the excitement of breakfast with your fellow bikepackers. After a leisurely start, you will break camp, re-pack your gear, leave no trace and set-off for Sunday’s ride. Depending on the weather and the overall ability of the group this may include an introduction to riding singletrack with a laden bike with key tips and pointers from Jim on the local trails.

After another superb ride on the South Downs, it will be time to roll back to the start and close out the weekend with a well earned hearty lunch at a superb Sussex country pub. Whilst enjoying your pint of local ale, the excitement of your next wild camping and biking adventure with your new friends will be in full flow. Just like all our rides and adventures this bikepacking course will be chilled and sociable with little pressure on time. However, to help you plan your onward travel, we will aim to be back at the Black Rabbit for around 2 pm.