Whether you’re riding alone or with a group, learning to listen to your body is key on a bikepacking trip.

Hearing your muscles and mind will help you to create a consistent and enjoyable pace, that’ll allow you to take in the surroundings and breathe in the world alongside you. Getting an injury or even slightly unwell on a trip can make you want to pack up and go home, so to avoid an unwanted u-turn take steps to prepare the way.

Stretch and touch base. Before leaving camp, be sure to do a few calf raises, touch your toes and generally warm up your legs before riding. If you don’t do your stretches then try to do a slower ride at the start of the day, and speed up when you’ve warmed into the route.

In this video I describe a small injury on my first bikepacking trip.