Pace Calculator

1Understanding Your Daily Mileage

The average bikepacking trip covers 25 to 75 miles per day—a wide range that depends heavily on terrain, fitness, and how much time you spend in the saddle. Here's what real bikepackers typically achieve:

Data sourced from Exploring Wild and BIKEPACKING.com

2The Elevation Factor

Elevation gain is often the hidden trip-killer. Total climbing matters more than distance for predicting how hard your days will be. Here's how to think about it:

Daily climbing limits by fitness level:

• Beginner: 1,000-2,000 ft (300-600m) daily max before fatigue sets in
• Intermediate: 2,000-3,000 ft (600-900m) manageable for trained riders
• Strong: 3,000-5,000 ft (900-1,500m) for experienced bikepackers
• Elite: 5,000+ ft (1,500m+) race-pace climbing capability

Hike-a-bike reality: On steep grades above 15-20%, most bikepackers end up walking. Hike-a-bike pace is typically 1-3 mph—so a steep 3-mile climb can take an hour or more. Factor this into routes with sustained steep sections.

3Real-World Route Examples

Here's how experienced bikepackers pace themselves on popular routes:

Route data from Exploring Wild and route documentation

4Planning Your Rest Days

Rest days aren't a luxury—they're essential for completing longer routes. Cumulative fatigue builds over multi-day rides, and strategic rest prevents burnout.

Strategic rest day placement:

• Town stops: Combine rest with resupply, laundry, and real food
• Scenic locations: Plan rest at spots worth spending extra time
• Post-hard sections: After major climbs or technical stretches
• Buffer days: Keep 1-2 unscheduled rest days for weather delays or mechanicals

5Common Pacing Mistakes to Avoid

Even experienced riders slip up when planning bikepacking trips. These mistakes can turn an adventure into a suffer-fest:

6Season & Daylight Considerations

Available daylight directly limits how many hours you can safely ride. This calculator factors in seasonal daylight, but here's how to think about it:

7How Bike & Gear Affect Your Pace

Your equipment choices have real impact on daily mileage. The calculator accounts for these factors:

Need help choosing the right bike? Check our best bikepacking bikes guide or learn how to convert any bike for bikepacking.

8Building Your Trip Plan: Step-by-Step

Use these steps with the calculator above to create a realistic trip schedule:

1. 1

   Get accurate route data

   Use GPS data or route documentation. Don't guess—actual distance and elevation from reliable sources like Ride with GPS or official route guides.

2. 2

   Be honest about fitness

   Select the fitness level that matches your loaded bikepacking capability, not your unloaded training rides. When in doubt, go one level lower.

3. 3

   Research actual terrain

   Read trip reports to understand real surface conditions. A route described as "gravel" might include significant rough sections that dramatically slow progress.

4. 4

   Start with conservative hours

   5-6 hours of actual saddle time is typical for touring pace. 7+ hours daily is ambitious and requires good fitness and favorable conditions.

5. 5

   Add strategic rest days

   Place rest days in towns where you can resupply, do laundry, and recharge. One per 5-8 riding days is standard for multi-week trips.

6. 6

   Review and adjust

   Does the estimate seem reasonable based on route reports? If it's significantly different from published completion times, reassess your inputs.

7. 7

   Build in buffer time

   Add 10-20% to your final estimate. Weather delays, mechanicals, navigation issues, and serendipitous detours happen. Better to finish early than rush the ending.

9Frequently Asked Questions