2024 Bikepacking Community Survey
Thank you for taking ~10 minutes to complete this survey. Your input will help Bikepacking Roots better understand who bikepackers are, how and where you bikepack, and other important information that will allow us to help build a stronger, more diverse bikepacking community. Your responses will inform how we, as a national non-profit supporting the bikepacking community, can better support you.
General Bikepacking Questions
Which of the following best describes you? (For the purpose of this question, we’ll define bikepackers broadly as anyone who has embarked on a multi-day bike tour with some element of mixed-surface or off-pavement riding)
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I’m an experienced bikepacker.
I'm a beginner bikepacker.
I’m an aspiring bikepacker. I haven’t tried it yet, but I have a strong desire to do so.
Approximately how many years have you been bikepacking?
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< 1 year
1-2 years
2-4 years
5+ years
Please select all of the different types of riding that you participate in. (Select all that apply)
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Bike commuting or otherwise using your bike as transportation
Gravel cycling day rides
Mountain biking day rides
Organized group rides (any discipline - road, gravel, MTB)
Bike racing (any discipline - road, gravel, MTB, cyclocross)
Bikepacking (mostly off-pavement)
Road Touring (mostly on-pavement)
Winter fat biking
Other
How interested are you in each of these aspects of bikepacking? Rank each from 1 (not interested) to 7 (very interested).
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1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Companionship and community building
Traveling and camping without the use of a car
Traveling in remote areas
Experiencing landscapes and natural places
Long-distance racing
Personal challenge
Stress release
Learning about cultures and communities different from my own
It’s easier on my body than backpacking
The gear and equipment
What challenges do you face in reaching your bikepacking goals (select all that apply)?
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Available time
A bike suitable for my desired trip
Budget for gear or travel
Knowing where to go or how to plan a route
Having desirable/safe places to ride locally
The availability of public transportation to reach routes
Needing/wanting an adventure partner(s)
Physical preparedness
Anxiety and/or fear of riding alone
Confidence in bike mechanics/repair skills
Lack of mentorship or people like me doing a similar thing
No access to adaptive cycles or outdoor gear for different bodies
Feeling unsafe in certain areas because of my race/ethnicity
Feeling unsafe in certain areas because of my gender or sexual orientation
Other
Approximately how many nights per year do you spend out bikepacking, on average?
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I have not started bikepacking yet
Less than 3 nights per year
3-10 nights per year
11-20 nights per year
21-50 nights per year
Greater than 50 nights per year
What is your preferred bikepacking bike? (Check all that apply.)
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A rigid cyclocross, gravel or drop bar mountain bike.
A mountain bike, with front or full suspension.
A bike with fat or plus size tires
Other
What are ways that you most frequently go bikepacking? (Select all that apply)
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Solo
With a small group
With a larger group (5 or more)
With family (i.e., with children)
As part of a formal bikepacking event or guided group trip
Guiding/leading bikepacking experiences for others
As you get into bikepacking, what would be your preferred way to bikepack?
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Solo
With a small group
With a larger group (5 or more)
With family (i.e., with children)
As part of a formal bikepacking event or guided group trip
How would you best describe your preferences around camping/lodging while bikepacking? Select one or multiple options as appropriate.
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I generally seek out remote / undeveloped / backcountry camping where possible
I prefer to stay in developed campgrounds with some amenities when available
I seek out Warmshowers or similar hosts if convenient along my route
I will occasionally pay for indoor lodging if it is convenient along my route
I will pay for lodging as often as it is convenient along my route
I try to structure my trips around lodging options along my route
How far are you willing/able to travel to access bikepacking routes? (select all that apply)
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I want to leave on my bike directly from my home.
I am interested in routes accessible by public transit.
I am open to driving a few hours to bikepack.
I am interested in flying across the country (or abroad) to bikepack.
What sources do you use to choose and plan your bikepacking adventures and research your routes?
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Bikepacking Roots
Bikepacking.com
Adventure Cycling Association
Ride with GPS
Local or regional bike organizations
Other
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About Bikepacking Roots
How familiar are you with the organization Bikepacking Roots?
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Not familiar
1
2
3
4
Very familiar
5
1 is Not familiar, 5 is Very familiar
Do you interact with Bikepacking Roots in any of the following ways? (Check all that apply)
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I have visited the Bikepacking Roots’ website
I follow Bikepacking Roots on Instagram
I follow Bikepacking Roots on Facebook
I have donated before
I am a recurring donor
I have never heard of Bikepacking Roots before this survey
Other
Please rank the importance of each aspect of Bikepacking Roots’ work to you from 1-6 with 1 being the most important and 6 being least important.
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Please rank the following options 1 - 6
Developing and Sharing Routes
Building Community Through Events
Educational Initiatives
Promoting Diversity and Inclusivity in the Bikepacking Community
Advocating for the protection of the public lands and landscapes through which we ride
Advocating on behalf of the bikepacking community
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Routes
As we develop and share new routes, where are you most interested in riding? (Check all that apply.)
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Western US
Southwestern US
Midwestern US
Northeastern US
Southeastern US
Canada
Mexico
Other
As we develop and share new routes, how long are you interested in riding? (Check all that apply.)
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Weekend Routes (1-3 days)
Weeklong Routes (4-9 days)
Multi-Week Routes (10-30 days)
Month-Plus Routes (30+ days)
How many miles per day do you typically like to ride on a bikepacking trip (assume this is on your preferred mix of terrain)?
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Less than 30 miles per day
31 - 50 miles per day
51 - 70 miles per day
71 - 100 miles per day
>100 miles per day
How many miles do you think you would be comfortable riding each day when bikepacking?
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Less than 30 miles per day
31 - 50 miles per day
51 - 70 miles per day
71 - 100 miles per day
>100 miles per day
As we develop and share new routes, what surfaces are you most interested in riding? (Check all that apply.)
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Paved or gravel recreation paths
A mix of pavement and gravel/dirt road roads
An mix of dirt roads, two-tracks, and singletrack with minimal hike-a-bike
As much singletrack as possible, even if some of it includes sustained hike-a-bike
Other
How do you typically navigate when on a bikepacking trip? (select up to 3 methods that you use most often)
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Paper maps or cue sheets
Using Google Maps or similar
Using Ride with GPS via the app on your smartphone
Using Strava via the app on your smartphone
Using Kamoot via the app on your smartphone
Using GAIA GPS via the app on your smartphone
Using a bike computer such a Garmin, Wahoo or Hammerhead
Other
When planning a trip on an “established” bikepacking route, how important is having each of the following types of information to you? Rank each from 1 (not important) to 7 (very important).
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1
2
3
4
5
6
7
A GPS file of the route
Turn-by-turn directions for navigation
Water source locations
Resupply locations
Bike shop and outdoor store locations
Camping/Lodging options and locations
Points of Interest such as historical sites, viewpoints, waterfalls, etc.
Alternate route options
An elevation profile for each section of the route
Clear information about the difficulty level of the route
Narrative descriptions of what to expect for each section of the route
Photos of the route
A paper cue sheet
If you are planning a trip on a longer bikepacking route (>1 week), how interested are you in a guidebook that includes the following information? Rank each from 1 (not interested) to 7 (very interested).
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1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Indigenous history of the land which the route traverses
An understanding of the land management systems that the route traverses (federal public lands, state lands, etc.)
Geology and Ecology of the region
Information about local advocacy groups protecting the landscapes and supporting bicycle travel along the route
Detailed logistical information for the route to aid in trip planning
Have you ever ridden a route published on Bikepacking Roots’ website?
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Yes
No
Which route(s)?
Did you purchase a guidebook for the route(s)?
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Yes, a print guidebook
Yes, a PDF guidebook
No, I just used free resources available online
How satisfied are you with the Bikepacking Roots’ Route Guidebook resources?
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Not satisfied
1
2
3
4
Very satisfied
5
1 is Not satisfied, 5 is Very satisfied
How likely would you be to purchase another Bikepacking Roots’ guidebook or recommend it to a friend in the future?
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Not likely
1
2
3
4
Very likely
5
1 is Not likely, 5 is Very likely
What would be your preferred type of resource for a long-distance bikepacking route? (assume that these resources are in addition to a GPS route file with waypoints)
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A short, printer friendly PDF guidebook that can be printed at home (<10 full size pages)
A short, travel friendly foldable or pocket-sized printed guidebook
A longer, detailed PDF guidebook (>50 pages)
A longer, detailed print guidebook (>50 pages)
None, just the GPS track and waypoints is sufficient
What other suggestions do you have as Bikepacking Roots expands its Route Development work and Community Routes library in the coming years?
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Community
Are you familiar with Bikepacking Roots’ Regional Stewards program?
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Yes
No
Which of the following types of community events hosted by Bikepacking Roots would you be interested in participating in? (check all that apply)
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Virtual Events (workshops, speaker series’, etc.)
In-person bikepacking workshops hosted by Regional Stewards
Informal Local Overnight Campouts hosted by Regional Stewards
A Regional Bikepacking Summit
A Larger Nationwide Gathering
Educational events for people who are interested in leading bikepacking trips
Other
If Bikepacking Roots offered more educational materials or virtual events, which topics would you be most interested in? (check all that apply)
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Riders’ Stories
Route-Specific Info
Packing
Meal Preparation and Planning
Repair and Mechanics
Route Design
Navigation
Camping skills
Safety
Other
Have you checked out Bikepacking Roots' Community Events Calendar, which shares non-competitive, community-centered bikepacking events from groups across the country?
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Yes
No
Do you have any suggestions for how to improve the Community Events Calendar?
Do you have any suggestions for how Bikepacking Roots can improve or expand its Community Building and Educational Programming?
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Advocacy
What types of advocacy work would you like Bikepacking Roots to engage in? (Check all that apply.)
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Providing tools for engaging with lawmakers (ie. how to talk to elected officials, how to write an OpEd, etc.)
Providing advocacy tools for engaging with land managers
Advocating on behalf of the bikepacking community on nationwide Issues
Advocating on behalf of the bikepacking community on regional issues in your region
Advocating on behalf of the bikepacking community on regional issues, even if it’s not your region
Providing information about stewardship, like the Leave No Trace Principles for Bikepackers.
Other
How important are some of the following areas of advocacy work that impact the bikepacking community to you? Rank each from 1 (not important) to 7 (very important).
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1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Advocating to protect and/or expand bicycle access on public lands.
Advocacy focused on the general conservation and protection of the landscapes through which we ride (which sometimes may come at the expense of bike access).
Protection of public lands from harmful development and extractive industries such as mining.
Advocacy to increase the availability of hiker/biker campsites at public campgrounds.
Advocacy to support and improve No Turn Away policies at campgrounds for hikers and cyclists.
Advocacy to support and improve traveling with your bike by train or plane.
Advocacy for the improvement of safe cycling routes to allow more bikepacking routes to start in cities or other population dense areas.
What advocacy issues impacting the bikepacking community are you most interested in having Bikepacking Roots' support on? (your response can be general or discuss specific issues)
Are there other groups that you would like to see Bikepacking Roots collaborate with for the advocacy component of our work?
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Demographic Information
We collect demographic information so we can better understand the community of bikepackers that we are reaching and how to continue to support inclusion and serve the needs of a diverse bikepacking community.
How do you identify your gender?
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Cisgender Male
Cisgender Female
Transgender Male
Transgender Female
Non-Binary
Agender
Two-spirit
Prefer not to answer
Other
How do you identify your race and ethnicity? (Check all that apply)
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White
Black or African American
Asian
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
American Indian or Alaska Native
Middle Eastern/North African
Hispanic or Latino or Spanish Origin
Prefer not to answer
Other
What is your age group?
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25 or younger
26 to 40
41 to 65
66 or older
What country to you live in?
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If you live in the United States, what state or territory do you live in?
What setting best describes where you live?
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Urban center
Suburban
Large town in a non-urban center
Small town
Rural
Other
What is the highest level of education you’ve completed?
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Less Than High School
High School
Associates’ Degree or Professional Certificate
Bachelor’s Degree
Graduate Degree
Other
What is your approximate annual household income?
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Up to $50,000
>$50,000 to $100,000
>$100,000 to $200,000
More than $200,000
Prefer not to answer
Would you like to be entered into the survey giveaway to win a pair of Ombraz armless sunglasses or Bikepacking Roots' branded Titan Straps?
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Yes
No
Please enter your email to enter the contest. This will also add you to Bikepacking Roots' mailing list where we will share results of the survey as well as other updates on our work supporting the bikepacking community. You can unsubscribe at any time. Your responses to this survey will remain anonymous.
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If you would like to be added to Bikepacking Roots' mailing list where we will share results of the survey as well as other updates on our work supporting the bikepacking community, please share your email. You can unsubscribe at any time. Your responses to this survey will remain anonymous.
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Are there any final thoughts you would like to share?
Thank you so much for your time!
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