How to prepare for your first bike trip ?

Dreaming of an adventure by bike, ready to leave the pavement behind to explore wilder paths on a gravel bike, but still hesitating? Too many questions, not enough certainty, and that little voice in your head saying: “What if I’m not capable?”

Good news: you’re not alone. And even better, it’s possible. Here’s a guide made for those who are afraid… but still want to go!

Yes, it’s normal to be afraid

Before talking gear or training, let’s be clear: fear is part of the journey. Fear of not being fit enough, getting lost, breaking down, sleeping badly, being alone… These doubts are legitimate.

But they are also signals: they show that you’re stepping out of your comfort zone and about to experience something important.

1. Start small: the game-changing tip

No need to cross the whole country for your first gravel trip. A 2-day weekend, less than 100 km from home, with a train ride back—that’s already an adventure.

You’ll see that by riding at your own pace and planning short stages, you’ll quickly realize… you’re capable.

Regions like Morvan or Brittany are perfect for discovering bike travel, away from crowds and through calm, wild landscapes.

💡 Tip: Choose a route you can adapt day by day, with options to shorten if needed.

Need inspiration? Check out our article 👉 4 Easy Destinations to Start Gravel Riding

2. Prepare your gear (without overpacking)

No need for the latest high-end bike: what matters is reliable equipment suited for several days:

• A comfortable gravel bike, with wide tires and stable geometry. For your first trip, you can also easily rent a gravel bike if you don’t want to invest right away.

• Lightweight, well-balanced bikepacking bags

• Technical clothing adapted to the conditions (layering, breathability)

• Camping gear if you plan to camp

• A repair kit (inner tube, pump, multitool, chain tool)

• Enough water and snacks to hydrate and refuel regularly on the road

⚠️ Common beginner mistake: bringing too much! On a bike trip, ditch the “just in case” items, because every extra kilo is weight your legs will have to carry—and you risk having a bike that’s too heavy. Focus on the essentials.

👉 For more details, see our guide: First Gravel Bikepacking Trip: Basic Gear

3. Train without pressure

When you think of “bike travel,” you often imagine ultra-fit cyclists cruising at 28 km/h… Spoiler: that’s not necessary. Preparing for your first gravel trip is mainly about getting your body and mind used to sustained effort, not about performance.

Adopt a gradual approach

Start with rides of 20 to 40 km on mixed surfaces (pavement, dirt, gravel), without pushing for speed. Then gradually increase distances up to 60–70 km in a day, with some elevation gain.
💡 The goal is to be able to ride several days in a row without feeling exhausted.

Practice riding loaded

As soon as you can, take rides with your bags or travel gear. The added weight changes your bike’s handling and pedaling feel. Better get used to it before the big day!

Work on consistency

Better to ride twice a week 40 km than do one big 100 km ride a month. Your body adapts better to regular effort than to rare bursts.

Train your mind, too

Cycling is as much mental as physical. By exposing yourself to little discomforts (wind, rain, long climbs), you’ll build confidence. These experiences help you stay steady during your trip.

So, when asked “Is bike travel very physically demanding?” we always answer: “It depends on you—this is YOUR trip, your routes!”

4. The mind counts as much as the legs

People often talk about the physical side of bike travel, but the real key is mindset. You don’t have to be an athlete to go—but adopting the right attitude is essential. And good news: it can be developed!

Accept that not everything will go as planned

It might rain. You might take a wrong turn. You might have a rough patch. That’s normal. Gravel travel is a living adventure, full of surprises. Accepting this early on helps you turn every hiccup into a story, not stress.

Go at your own pace

You’re not in a race. No stopwatch. Give yourself permission to ride slowly, walk up hills if needed, take breaks every hour if you want. It’s your trip, your experience.

It’s not speed that counts, but what you experience along the way.

Learn to savor the small moments

A sunrise descent, a nap in a meadow, a coffee shared with a stranger by the roadside—those are the moments that stay with you. To enjoy them fully, sometimes you need to unlearn “performing” and relearn “observing.”

Be kind to yourself

You might have sore legs, think you should have trained better, feel others ride stronger… So what? What matters is that you showed up, dared, and moved forward. Be your own best ally, not your worst critic.

5. Don’t try to be perfect (really)

On your first bike trip, you’ll make mistakes. Forget a charger. Pack bags poorly. Overestimate a stage. Sleep badly. Eat too much or too little. Get lost. And so what? It’s not just normal—it’s necessary.

You learn by riding. Every “mistake” is a lesson for the next trip. That’s how you progress—not by ticking off every box on a “perfect trip” checklist from the start.

Often, it’s the surprises that make a bike trip unforgettable.

So relax. And just go!

GravelUp supports you step by step

At GravelUp, we know how daunting it can feel to embark on your first gravel bike trip. That’s why our tours are designed to support you at every stage, with caring guidance, smooth logistics, and a motivating group atmosphere.

Whether you go solo, with friends, or seek a personal challenge, we help you cross the threshold and gain confidence on several days of cycling.

👉 Discover our all-inclusive gravel trips tailored to your level.