acking routes, you may well find other cyclists doing the same or similar routes. It is not uncommon to join a group of cyclists all riding the same part of a tour.
How to go bikepacking as a solo female?
I feel like I can’t write this section without specifying that I am a guy. I appreciate that as a result, I have a very different view of bikepacking.
But I have spoken extensively to the women I know who bikepack, and asked them about how safe it is, and for any tips, they would want to pass on.
Most of the women I asked seemed to have similar views on bikepacking as the general group I surveyed. Overall, they felt “pretty safe” but all appreciated it was a personal decision, and there’s no wrong answer to whether you should go alone as a woman.
Most women I surveyed preferred to go with a partner.
What I did find was that women were much more likely to use the tips above than some of the men I spoke to.
Apart from those general tips, women also suggested a couple of apps specifically designed for safety on your journey.
“One Scream” and “Shake2Safety” were both mentioned individually, but others also used their built-in phone safety features.
The only other advice they noted was that they avoided areas where you only see men/groups of men without women or families around.
While it isn’t always the case, they all felt it was somewhere you wouldn’t want to be.
Should you take pepper spray when bikepacking alone?
When most people think about the topic of personal safety while traveling, they will immediately think about pepper spray. It is lightweight, small, and may well be worth having.
The first thing to consider is if pepper spray is even legal in the country you are bikepacking in. I live in the UK and so have never used it! (It’s illegal to carry here).
| Location | Legality |
|---|---|
| USA | Legal |
| Canada | Illegal |
| Europe | Dependant on the country and strength |
| Asia | Dependant on the country |
| Africa | Legal in South Africa but illegal elsewhere |
If you are planning to take pepper spray with you, make sure you know how to use it. You can buy practice pepper spray cans filled with water. And make sure not to spray it into the wind!
If you are in a country where pepper spray is illegal, consider taking a look at alternatives. These Kick Ass Key Rings come with a red spray you can use to ward off attackers.
If you will be traveling in bear territory, you might choose to carry bear spray and use it in either case. This can be useful for other predators you may encounter (bears, mountain lions, coyotes, etc).
Overall
Bikepacking is generally a safe hobby. Many people do it every year without issues, it is important though to ensure you are taking all the precautions you need to and most of all, trust your gut.
