Singlespeed: Bikepacking with the Kona Unit

Just set off, load up your bike with everything you need to survive in the wilderness, adventure right on your doorstep - that's the idea behind bikepacking. For us Central Europeans, this seems difficult, because despite all our fantasies, being the only person for miles between Hintertupfingen and Kleinschmalbach, encountering bears and wolves and roasting a fish you've caught yourself by the fire in the evening and then crawling into your tent seems pretty unlikely. Thanks to the lack of bears and wolves, the high density of civilisation and the ban on game fishing and wild camping.

However, Finnish blogger and bikepacker Erkki Punttila - alias Erik Plankton - has fewer such obstacles. The Everyman's right makes it possible: he simply loads the new Kona Unit onto his old fishing boat, sails a little way down the bay into the sunset and off he goes on his adventure. Ok, he is only allowed to light the fire at designated fireplaces without prior notice. The accompanying video awakens a yearning for adventure.

Bikepacking tips from Erkki Puntilla

If you want to eat up a lot of kilometres, you have to get up early. There's no way around it. So here are a few tips on how to get a good start to the day. But sometimes it can also be refreshing to simply not have a plan: sleep in, have breakfast, set off when you feel like it, go bird watching, take a nap... Whatever gives you the most pleasure, because that's what it's all about.

For an early start

It's best to prepare everything as much as possible before you go to bed. Fill the kettle with water, get food and drink ready, then it will be quicker in the morning. (Please note: this does not apply to areas where bears live!)

• Make sure your alarm clock goes off really bloody loudly. Preferably in the furthest corner of the tent, then you have no choice but to get up.
• Opens the valve of the air mattress directly.
• Stands up and lights the kettle.
• Only now switch off the alarm clock.
• Put on your clothes for the day on the bike.
• Pack up the sleeping bag.
• The water should now be boiling. Use it to make coffee. Porridge also provides a good start to the day. (Hardcore version: first spoon the porridge out of the bowl, then add instant coffee powder to the bowl and pour boiling water over it. Once you've drunk the coffee, there's almost nothing left to wash down!)
• Coffee too hot? Don't wait until it cools down, start packing your things.
• Finished with breakfast? Then stow the rest of your things in the bags, pack the tent with a change of clothes in the handlebar bag.
• Let's go! With a little practice, this morning routine takes barely 15 minutes.

For long days with many kilometres

• Start with a light, easily digestible breakfast (e.g. porridge with water instead of milk).
• Ride for 1-2 hours, then take a break with a second breakfast.
• Pack provisions so that you can eat them during the journey.
• Eat a snack once an hour, even if you're not hungry. This will help you avoid hunger pangs or cravings and you won't need a lunch break. Just keep cycling and always remember to eat regularly.
• Always drink enough! I always have a bottle of supplements and a bottle of pure water to hand. Drink at least every half hour.
• The right provisions (well tolerated, long-lasting, lots of energy) are usually not so incredibly tasty. A reward system with small amounts of your favourite sweets or salty snacks can help. Attention: A whole bag of jelly babies at once is not meant!
• Don't stop for a bite to eat, but do treat yourself to something. By the way: For those who can stomach it, supposed "sins" are also allowed: e.g. buy three cheeseburgers, eat one straight away, put the other two in your pockets and then munch on them while driving. The feeling of munching on a cheeseburger at 25 kilometres per hour on a gravel road is simply divine.

Not just for night driving:

• Install the lighting before it gets dark. Then you can simply switch it on later and you're ready to go.
• Know your material: How long do the batteries last at which lighting level?
• Save energy: Switch the lights to the lowest level on smooth roads and paths. Only use more light if the trail makes it necessary.
• Always have a backup with you, or at least a second high-quality, waterproof lamp for camping. Having no light at all if one fails can be very unpleasant. A hub dynamo is also practical, allowing you to charge the batteries of your mobile phone, GPS device or lights during the day.
• Always pack straight away. It also helps to memorise where things are. That way you can find spare batteries, spare clothes and food even with your eyes closed.
• Packing with a system: Put important things that you need frequently or quickly right at the top. For example, I always have my tent and a layer of spare clothes within easy reach in my handlebar bag.

We did it!

Once you have reached a goal, celebrate a little. It doesn't matter whether it's the end of the journey, whether you've climbed a summit or passed the 200 kilometres per day mark. Think of a good reward and take a picture. Whilst you will have forgotten all the exertions later, it will be etched on your retina forever.

Click here for the Blog by Erkki Punttila. A trip along the Baltic Sea is also included.

The "Unit" is the single-speed bike from Kona that has now been specially refined for bikepacking. Here you will find all information.