Wish List Trips: Bart’s Bikepacking Adventure in Turkey
Gravel climbs, tough terrain, and stunning views.
This holiday, we’re wishing big.
We asked our staff:
If Santa put a plane ticket in your stocking, where would it be to, and what gear would you pack to go with it?
Bart is a seasoned bikepacker and has his eye on a trip through the Cappadocia region of Turkey. Rugged trails, massive views, and great food? Sign him up.
“I’ve been to Turkey a couple times now — just little tastes — and every time I’ve left wanting to see more. It’s a big, hilly country. October or November would be perfect: cooler weather, fewer people, cheaper flights.”
Ride, camp, repeat
Bart’s ideal trip is a bikepacking tour across the country: rough roads, rolling hills, and plenty of pedalling. Much like his Morocco trip last year, it would be a mix of camping and staying in local apartments or Airbnbs when they pop up along the way.
Bart’s a guy who likes a challenge. The days that are hardest, where you’re scrambling through rocky paths or shouldering your rig up a steep climb, are the ones he looks forward to the most.
What he packs (and why)
“I pack light, but not ultralight. A few comfort things always make it in: like my beard trimmer, and one decent outfit in case we hit a restaurant.”
Here are some of the essentials he’s counting on for a trip like this:
- Trek Checkpoint SL5 His go-to ride for bikepacking missions
- Rab Xenair Jacket Lightweight, versatile, and warm under a shell or on its own
- Petzl Actik Core Headlamp Rechargeable and bright
Other regulars:
- Pearl iZUMi Bib Shorts He always brings two pairs — the Pro for big ride days and the Attack for everything else
- Pirelli Gravel H Tires “They’re friggin awesome”
- A Buff It’s a sleeping mask, hat, sunglass wrap, head cover… you name it
Advice from a seasoned rider
Bart’s not one to overpack, and he’s got systems in place to keep it that way.
After a trip, he lays everything out into three piles:
- Stuff he used
- Stuff he didn’t use
- Emergency-only gear he didn’t use but needs to bring anyway
Then it’s time to trim. “Can something do two jobs instead of one? Can I leave it behind next time?”
His prep tips for anyone considering a trip like this:
- Ride local trails with your fully loaded setup
- Do an overnight shakeout trip to a nearby campground
- Start with a route like Morocco’s Atlas Mountains: rugged, remote, and eye-opening
“You wake up hearing mosque calls to prayer at 5:30 in the morning. It’s a reminder you’re not in Canada anymore.”
