Route Direction: The GNBR is plotted to move riders from west to east, but certainly as a whole or as individual segments it can be reversed. As a rule, the predominant wind direction across the prairies and Newfoundland is from the west, but this is known to change.

Route Alternatives: You’ll notice that for each of the segments, the route file presents several options for riders to deviate from the main route. These are presented as a Control point of interest on the route file. This can allow riders to take advantage of easier or shorter options if feeling less adventurous. There are also alternatives that give riders a more demanding option.

Be Bear Aware: A huge swath of this route takes place in bear country (grizzles and black) so be sure to take the necessary precautions. This includes bringing along bear spray and never keeping food in your tent.

Route Changes: Although all attempts will be made to scout every inch of this route at least once, land access rights, acts of weather and local laws can change route access. Routing is subject to change at any time. If you encounter any issues with the route that demand alterations please let us know through the contact form. And if you’re local to a part of this route and you know of an alternative, better routing option then again please let us know.

How to Ride: How to ride the route? Let’s go with the acronym DIAWYL – Do It Any Way You Like. (Thank you Patrick from Bikes or Death podcast for putting this out there.) Ride solo, ride with a group. Ride fast, ride very slow. Ride with a media crew, ride without any social media presence. Ride with a sag wagon, ride only self-supported. How you want to take on this route is all up to you and don’t let yourself feel pressured to take a different path. Just be respectful of the land and communities you are passing through. Here is an excellent visual explanation from Bikepacking Roots on how to properly Leave no Trace.

*** This ride is an enormous endeavor. Before going out there to ride this route, I highly recommend you spend time looking through the official website at www.greatnorthernbikepacking.com and carefully plan your trip.

It’s a big decision, but deciding on the best type of bike to tackle this mammoth route is tricky. Bike recommendations for the GNBR are more about comfort than anything specific; so most off-road capable bikes should suffice. There is no perfect bike for a route this long that moves through so many different riding terrains. At times you’ll feel like you are overbiked and at other times underbiked. Overall, it’s advised to tackle the route on a beefier set-up than a fast gravel bike to better handle the vast array of riding surfaces. A bike more focused toward rugged gravel and mountain biking with bikepacking style luggage will allow you to better enjoy the journey. For reference, you can view the bikepacking.com rigs for events such as the Atlas Race, Arkansas High Country and Tour Divide as examples of good set-ups for this route.

Route Changes: Although all attempts will be made to scout every inch of this route at least once, land access rights, acts of weather and local laws can change route access. If you encounter any issues with the route that demand alterations, please let Matt know through the contact form. And if you’re local to a part of this route and you know of an alternative, better routing option then again please let us know.

Route Direction: The GNBR is plotted to move riders from west to east, but certainly as a whole or as individual segments it can be reversed. As a rule, the predominant wind direction across the prairies is from the west, but this is known to change.

‍Route Alternatives: You’ll notice that for each of the segments, the route file presents several options for riders to deviate from the main route. These are presented as a Control point of interest on the route file. This can allow riders to take advantage of easier or shorter options if feeling less adventurous. There are also alternatives that give riders a more demanding option.

Where you want to rest your head a night is completely up to you. Options include paid campgrounds, “wild” camping where appropriate, motels, resorts, Warmshowers and Hipcamp listings. The iOverlander site can be a great resource for locating camping spots and they have an excellent app. Campedium (app also available) and Freecampsites.net are other useful sites for locating camping areas along the route in Canada and the US.

Too many to name.

It’s nearly impossible to clearly state the difficulty of this route because of just how varied it is as you travel from one side of the country to the next. There are demanding sections like those snippets of hike-a-bike and killer inclines and much less arduous parts such as smooth rail trails. Weather, fitness and speed of riding (sleep deprived or not) will also play a role in how demanding the route is. Overall, consider this a true adventure and one that will surely test you physically and mentally on more than one occasion.Since this is an adventure bikepacking route, you should always expect the unexpected. Not all segments will work out as planned. Snow, high water crossings, road and bridge damage, deadfall trees, wildfires, land ownership changes and a robust weed season can turn what was a passable section into something that requires a diversion. Bears and other wildlife are present on the route as well. You didn't choose to cycle across North America for a tame environment, did you? Cell service will be limited at various points throughout the route, so a satellite communication device is your best bet to stay in contact or get help should an emergency situation occur.