Getting Ready for Bikepacking Shake-Down Ride: Planning with the Crew

There’s a unique thrill that comes with the first warm days of spring—the sun feels brighter, the air smells cleaner, and suddenly, all those winter dreams of bikepacking feel a lot closer. For me and my crew, the arrival of bikepacking season is a sacred event, marked by gear checks, over-caffeinated group chats, and enough route-planning to rival a military operation. This year’s excitement is turned up a notch because my buddy Corey just got his first gravel grinder. He’s been itching to take it out for a real adventure, and we’ve got just the plan: a shake-down ride on the Frog Lake Loop.

The Frog Lake Loop, a 45-mile route in Mount Hood National Forest, is the perfect overnighter to kick off bikepacking season. With 82% gravel roads and 13% singletrack. The route also includes stops at four pristine alpine lakes, it promises just enough challenge to shake out gear kinks without leaving us wrecked for days. It’s got everything we need for a shake-down: gravel descents, some punchy climbs, and enough views to justify the extra snack weight.

So if you’re dusting off your frame bags and dreaming of nights by the campfire, follow along as we plan the perfect shake-down ride. From gear lists and packing tips to route highlights and the all-important snack strategy, here’s how we’re getting ready for summer in the saddle.

Next Adventure is the place for your bikepacking gear and beyond! Check them out online or instore in Portland, OR!

A shake-down ride is essentially a dress rehearsal for bikepacking season—a chance to test gear setups, dial in packing strategies, and make sure that new saddle isn’t secretly a medieval torture device. It’s also a low-stakes way to see how Corey’s new bike handles loaded gravel without the pressure of a multi-day trek. The goal isn’t speed or high mileage—it’s to find out what works, what doesn’t, and how many Stroopwafels it takes to prevent a mid-climb meltdown.

The Frog Lake Loop ticks all the boxes for a solid bikepacking shake-down ride:

• Distance: 45 miles—enough to shake out kinks but short enough to bail if things go south.
• Elevation Gain: 2,998 feet—enough climbing to remind us why squats are a thing.
• Terrain: 82% gravel, 13% singletrack, and a bit of pavement to keep things interesting.
• Highlights: Stops at Frog Lake, Clear Lake, Little Crater Lake, and Timothy Lake for swims, snacks, and scenic campsites.

The route starts and ends at Frog Lake Sno-Park, meandering through dense forests of Douglas fir and ponderosa pines before linking a series of lakes via smooth gravel roads and the occasional rooty singletrack. It’s a tour of classic Mount Hood National Forest scenery, with enough variety to keep things fun and enough remote stretches to test gear setups without putting us miles from help.

The Bike Setup: Gravel-Ready and Balanced

For Corey, this means figuring out how to load without turning it into a tail-wagging mess. For the rest of us, it’s a chance to dust off bags, adjust tire pressure, and remember which pocket has the snacks. Here’s our setup:

• Tires: 40mm gravel tires for most, with enough tread for loose stuff but not so much that it drags on pavement.
• Gearing: 1:1 granny gear for the climbs—because humility is part of bikepacking.
• Bags: Frame bags for heavy stuff, seat packs for clothes, and handlebar rolls for tents and sleeping gear. Balance is key.

Packing Light but Smart

Bikepacking gear choices are a mix of necessity and wishful thinking. Here’s what we’re packing:

• Shelter: Lightweight bivy sacks for the minimalists and one tent for the guy who still wants a bit of luxury.
• Sleeping: 20°F sleeping bags and inflatable pads—no one wants a cold, sleepless night.
• Clothes: Layers for chilly mornings, rain gear because it’s Oregon, and an extra pair of socks.
• Tools: Spare tube, pump, multi-tool, chain breaker, and zip ties—because something always breaks.

Corey’s plan to wear a backpack was quickly vetoed in favor of a borrowed seat pack and a lot of explaining about aerodynamics.

The Snack Strategy: Because Calories Don’t Count

The unofficial rule of bikepacking is you can never have too many snacks. Here’s what we’re bringing:

• Salty: Trail mix with extra pretzels and jerky.
• Sweet: Gummy bears, Stroopwafels, and chocolate-covered espresso beans for the climbs.
• Hydration: Electrolyte tabs for water bottles and a mid-ride Coke for emergencies.

The beauty of the Frog Lake Loop is in its balance of challenging climbs, scenic lakes, and just enough singletrack to keep things interesting.

1. Frog Lake: The Starting Point

A quick swim, a snack break, and we’ll be off—heading into a mix of gravel and doubletrack through towering firs. The air will smell like pine and sun-warmed dirt, and Corey will be grinning like a kid with a new toy.

2. Little Crater Lake: A Geological Oddity

This spring-fed pool is a surreal stop—clear, deep, and so cold it makes your bones hurt. We’ll stop long enough for water refills, some photos, and a lot of shivering.

3. Timothy Lake: The Overnight Stop

Campsites ring the shore, offering sunset views of Mount Hood reflected in the water. We’ll spend the night here—boiling pasta on the camp stove, swapping stories, and figuring out who snores the loudest.

With less than a month to go, we’re all about hill repeats, core work, and trying not to think about how far 45 miles feels with a loaded bike. Here’s how we’re prepping:

• Intervals: Short but brutal—because punchy climbs are the name of the game.
• Endurance Rides: 20 to 30 miles with some gravel to remind the legs what’s coming.
• Core Work: Planks, squats, and the occasional yoga session—because bikepacking is a full-body sport.

Gravel descents, lakeside campsites, and that inevitable moment when we realize someone forgot the coffee.

This isn’t just a shake-down ride—it’s the unofficial kickoff to summer. It’s about testing gear, pushing our legs, and figuring out what works before the big trips. But more than that, it’s about embracing the unexpected. Mechanical mishaps? Route changes? A little too much mud? Bring it on.

Bikepacking is about adventure, friends, and carrying enough snacks to feed a small army. It’s the feeling of rolling into camp as the sun sets, unpacking gear in a perfect lakeside spot, and sharing stories around a fire. It’s that first morning stretch after a night in a tent, the crisp air waking us up before we even touch a cup of coffee (assuming someone packed it).

It’s about the climbs that test our patience and the descents that make us feel like kids again. The quiet miles where we get lost in thought and the moments when we can’t stop laughing. It’s pushing through headwinds together, celebrating small victories, and knowing that no matter how the ride unfolds, we’ll end up with stories worth telling.

So, here’s to summer rides, new gear, good company, and the kind of adventure that keeps us coming back for more.

With the shake-down ride planned, we’re officially on the countdown to summer bikepacking. The gear’s dialed, the route’s set, and the stoke is high. Whether it’s lake swims, gravel climbs, or post-ride beers at the trailhead, we’re ready.

Bikepacking season is on—see you out there. Got your own shake-down ride planned? Share your route and tips—we’d love to hear about it!

Group Gear (Shared Equipment)

Gear will be split among the group. Items may vary based on conditions and trip needs.

Cooking & Water

• 2x Stoves (Each person carries one)
• 2x Fuel Canisters (Each person carries one)
• 2x Water Filters
• Extra Water Reservoir

Bike Tools & Repair

• 1x Bike Pump
• 2x Bike Repair Kits (Tube, tire levers, extra sealant, etc.)
• 2x Navigation Devices (Combination of Gaia and Garmin GPS)
• 1x Satellite Communicator

Safety & Miscellaneous

• 2x Bear Lines (Optional, depends on wildlife activity)

Personal Packing Checklist

Camping & Cooking

• Tent
• Sleeping Bag or Quilt
• Sleeping Pad
• Headlamp
• Stove + Fuel (group gear)
• Spork
• Mug/Cup
• Water Filter (group gear)

Cycling Gear

• Helmet
• Eye Protection
• Gloves
• Bikepacking Bags

Tools & Repair Kit (group gear)

• Chain Lube
• Pump
• Plug Kit
• Extra Sealant
• Spare Tube
• Tire Lever
• Tire Boot
• Master Links
• Derailleur Hanger
• Zip Ties
• Extra Valve Core

Clothing (Spring Conditions)

• Puffy Jacket (Cool nights expected)
• Sunshirt
• Rain Jacket (Potential spring showers)
• Wind Jacket
• Extra Clothes for the car ride home
• Merino Wool Tights
• Chamois (if used) + Chamois Cream

First Aid & Toiletries

• Toiletries
• Sunscreen
• Chapstick
• First Aid Kit Essentials
• Lighter
• Small Knife

Food & Water

• Water (1.5 - 2L, refill spots available)
• Food:
  • 1 x Breakfast
  • 2 x Lunch
  • 1x Dinner
  • Snacks galore

Other Stuff

• Camera Kit
• Fishing Gear
• Power Bank (Not planning on bringing for this short trip)