My 3 favorite solo bikepacking destinations: A female bikepacker's guide

First and most importantly: you can do this! When I started solo touring, I had a lot of insecurities. After doing it once, my confidence drastically increased. Trust me: once you set out, you will gain confidence every day.

There are some precautions you can take to feel safer before heading out:

• Plan your route ahead of time and identify places to camp or stay. For tips on wild camping, check out my other blog post: How to find the best wild camping spots while solo bikepacking
• I usually avoid big cities as I find them more stressful and potentially unsafe.
• Share your route with friends or family, or share your live location while riding.
• Check your gear and sleeping setup. I prefer the sheltered feeling of a tent for comfort and security.
• Make sure you have proper health insurance for the country you're traveling to.
• Save copies of your ID or passport in the cloud or on your phone.
• Have some extra cash/credit card somewhere hidden in your bags.
• Learn basic bike maintenance skills, such as changing a tube, plugging a tire, swapping brake pads.
• I personally never take a bike lock. Whenever I need to shop, I ask the store to place my bike somewhere safe.
• Having a reliable navigation device is crucial. In remote areas, bring a power bank to keep your devices charged.

Overall, I've never been overly fearful on my trips. Keep a healthy balance between reasonable precautions and enjoying the ride. If you prefer companionship, the Rolling Around App also lets you find travel partners!

I've cycled in many amazing places, and it's hard to rank them. These three destinations are places I particularly liked for solo touring.

Canaries

I'm generally a big fan of islands for bikepacking. The Canaries are mild and warm year-round and very versatile, with diverse landscapes and incredible nature. La Gomera has a relaxed, peaceful vibe with hardly anyone around. Gran Canaria also has remote mountain spots. People were friendly, curious, and always willing to help.

Japan

Japan consistently ranks among the safest countries in the world. Wild camping is absolutely possible, even in cities. I once left my tent, bike, and belongings in a park while I worked in a nearby café, and everything was perfectly safe. There's almost always a convenience store or vending machine nearby. Onsen (the Japanese thermal baths) are a great place to get a hot shower and bath before camping.

Thailand

Bikepacking in Northern Thailand was an incredible experience. Thailand is considered very safe and I met more bikepackers here than in many other places. Food and accommodation are affordable and accessible. Thailand's friendly locals make asking for help easy.

Oh, trust me, I learned a lot of lessons! Mainly good ones. From being insecure and a bit lost in the beginning, to gaining confidence and knowing I can do this. Bikepacking solo has taught me a lot: that I have much higher abilities than I thought and that I can find a solution for almost any problem. And that asking for help is totally fine too.

I luckily personally never encountered any dangerous situations, but of course, as a solo female bikepacker, you need to pay a bit more attention. However, don't let this stop you!

What I also learned from these trips is to really listen to what I need. Cycling in solitude gives a lot of space for thoughts, reflections, and also a lot more space to soak in where you are cycling. The route, the sounds, flowers, insects, the clouds, smells - you can really immerse fully without distraction.

Some benefits of solo bikepacking include:

• Freedom to start your trip whenever you want, without waiting to find a companion
• A confidence boost from solving problems independently
• Mindful time away from the noise of everyday life and other people's expectations
• Opportunities to meet like-minded travelers and form new friendships

Solo bikepacking as a female rider is an incredible way to explore the world, connect with yourself, and gain confidence on the road. So pack your bike, trust yourself, and embrace the freedom of riding on your own. You might be surprised at just how capable and resilient you are!

Happy riding!
Franziska