Bikepacking and electric: Do bikepacking and e-bikes go together? A report

It's the middle of October. Probably the warmest days of the month. After weeks of gloom with thick clouds and rain, the sun is finally shining again. Perfect for the upcoming plans. At around nine in the morning, a few people get off the train at Salzburg Central Station. In cycling gear, with cycle helmets and goggles. And with a big blue bag full of bikepacking bags. "Well, have they forgotten their bikes?" might be what the uninvolved think at the sight.

Bikepacking with e-bike

I'm one of those people with a cycle helmet and cycling gear. And no, I haven't forgotten my bike. A few metres outside the station, bikes and the rest of the group are already waiting. I'm about to embark on a première, actually several:

1. The first short bikepacking tour of the year. I've hardly been on the bike this year due to injury.
2. The first real ride on an e-bike. So far, I've only done laps around the editorial office.
3. Cycling together with Max Riese, who planned and organised this tour. Max Riese is an ultra-cycling athlete, who is really fast and set a new world record in the Triple-Everesting this year.

>> The fascination of Everesting: cycling up the highest mountain in the world

>> New altitude world record by e-bike in Davos Klosters

Next to the station, we set up the bikes, have the handling of the e-bikes explained to us and attach the bikepacking bags to the gravel bikes. "I'll load two more modes onto your bike," says Florian Tischhart, Marketing Manager at Bosch E-Bikes Austria, and explains exactly what each mode means.

And then we're off. The small group looks forward expectantly to the two days ahead. We cycle along the WOSSA bikepacking route, which Max Riese has elaborately developed together with tourist centres. We stop at several points and pull out our Brevet card, which has questions on it. We try to answer the questions and Max explains the background.

There are around 60 kilometres on the plan every day with around 1000 metres of altitude. Not really that much for me. Actually! But this year it is. Even 30 kilometres feels like a long way. The reason: I had a back problem, as they say, and could only sit down in pain. For months.

When I received the invitation to the tour a few weeks earlier, I thought: e-bike and bikepacking. Does that fit? Do I fancy it? And more importantly: Can I manage the distances and the metres in altitude? After a short period of reflection, I was convinced: Yes, I want to and yes, I can do it! I want to be open to new things. The motorised gravel bikes give me security and confidence.

In practice, my suspicions are confirmed. If this tour wasn't on e-bikes, the group would probably be completely torn apart within the first few kilometres. The differences in performance are huge.

Our route and equipment

The route of our two-day circuit is based on the WOSSA route. WHERE... What? WOSSA is the name of a 567-kilometre gravel bikepacking route on which you can explore the water cycle in the Alps by bike. It is challenging, but can be customised to suit the individual. If you like it extreme, you can cycle the route in one weekend. I like it extreme. Nevertheless, my recommendation is: take your time, because there is a lot to discover and learn on and along the route.

The WOSSA bikepacking route

If you want, you can divide the route into 3 shorter laps and cycle on several weekends. Or you can take more time; an exemplary division is seven stages. This leaves enough time to complete the tasks on the Brevet map, take breaks, recharge e-bike batteries and enjoy the wellness facilities at the hotel. The Brevet map, a free paper map with tasks to solve along the way, is available from the tourist information centres in the participating regions.

The bikes

Since Bosch invited us on this tour, it's clear that our gravel bikes are equipped with Bosch motors.

• Wheel: KTM Macina Gravelator SX 20
• Motor: Bosch Performance SX
• Battery: Bosch CompactTUBE 400Wh
• Price: 3999 Euro >> available here

Packing list for 2 days of cycling with overnight stay in a hotel

My packing list for two days of cycling with an overnight stay in a hotel, between 6 and 15°C are forecast during the day.

Clothing on the bike

I have most of it on. I stow the rain jacket in my Bikepacking bag Evoc Seat Pack WP 8.

• 1 pair of cycling shorts: short cargo bib shorts Offers additional storage space, for example for an action cam
• 1 pair of socks: Fingerscrossed Off Road
• 1 jersey: Merino long-sleeved jersey
• 1 Baselayer
• 1 sports bra: For cycling, I love a lightweight merino bra that fits loosely, like the Icebreaker Women's 125 Zoneknit Racerback Bra
• 1 waistcoat: with front lining
• 1 Rain jacket: I can wear them when it's too cold for the waistcoat or if it rains
• 1 pair thin gloves: It is particularly cold in the mornings and evenings; but even in midsummer I almost always wear gloves as protection and for better control

Clothing for hotel, arrival and departure

Jeans are actually a no-go for me on a bikepacking tour. Too heavy, takes up too much space. This time I decide to go for it because I want to go to an event straight after the tour. I don't want to go there in sports leggings.

• 1 pair of jeans
• 1 fleece jumper
• 1 T-shirt
• 1 pair of socks
• 1 pair of pants

Hygiene and first aid

• Toothbrush & Toothpaste
• Sun cream with SPF 50
• Tweezers
• Mini first aid kit and Rescue blanket

Bicycle

• Mini Allen set from SQlab x Wera
• Electronic air pump
• Spare tube I didn't have one with me (but I should always bring one)

Miscellaneous

• Snacks: Gels and vegan gummies

Conclusion: This is what e-bikepacking really is

The first day quickly shows how the engines are able to smooth out the big differences in performance. At least uphill. On tarmac and on Gucci gravel, i.e. the finest, fast-rolling gravel, the speed at the top sometimes rises to over 25 kilometres per hour. I can't keep up with that. But everything soon settles down. The leaders know that at over 25 kilometres per hour, the group will break up - and pull the brakes. Going uphill, I experience something that is only possible with a motor. Max rides up the mountain at his own pace, almost without assistance, I switch to turbo mode and can simply keep up.

Admittedly, my legs don't have too many watts left in turbo mode because the motor does most of the work. In order to be challenged and enjoy the e-assistance at the same time, I would have to

• either shift down a gear or
• overtake Max and drive faster.

I know something similar from group rides without an e-bike. Sometimes it's a bit too fast, sometimes too slow. We stay together as a group. So a motor doesn't mean that you don't have to make an effort.

Once we arrive at the hotel, all the bikes are hooked up to the power supply so that we can get back to Salzburg the next day without any worries. And when we get back on the bikes, I realise that my legs had to work the day before. Today I look at my wattage more often. On average, I don't pedal any less than on a non-motorised bike. I'm just faster on the climbs.

Then it happens: Heidemarie Paul, Marketing and Communications Manager at Bosch eBike Austria, looks at her battery level indicator. The second day is a tough one. And turbo mode is draining just as much energy as the cold she has just recovered from. There's not much juice left in the battery. Not in her legs either. Will we make it to Salzburg?

The mood in the group towards e-bikes is mixed. One says "next time again without a motor". But most of them are positive. To be honest, most of them wouldn't have been at the start without a motor. For reasons such as "I'm still feeling my cold too much", "I've got my back", "so many metres in altitude", "can I keep up?" The tour showed:

• E-bikes can connect people of different ability levels
• Bikepacking with e-bikes is possible
• E-bike tours can be just as challenging as tours without a motor.

In the end: relief! Heidemarie's battery has lasted. We remove the bags from the bikes, throw everything back into the big blue bag and walk to the train.

E-bike packing: that's what matters

However, the decisive factor for a successful bikepacking tour with an e-bike is the infrastructure that makes the whole thing possible. Without the possibility of charging the battery, frustration can quickly set in. With these tips, you'll be well prepared:

• When planning your route, pay attention to e-bike-specific infrastructure: Where are there charging stations?
• Test in advance how far and how many metres in altitude you can cover with your e-bike battery and pack a range expander to be on the safe side
• Note that more weight drains your battery faster
• Note that the charger is large and needs a lot of storage space in your pockets
• Book bike-friendly hotels or ask where you can park and charge your bike
• Pay close attention to your route planning: carrying sections are much more challenging or even impossible to master on a heavier bike

And now: pull out your diary and plan your own tour!