Bikepacking & Touring
Curious about multi-day or overnight biking trips? Bikepacking and touring are ways of exploring by bicycle while carrying everything you need for an overnight or multi-day adventure. In 2027, join us for our newly launched Bike Travel Training Series, or take on one of our introductory summer overnight trips or a late-summer intermediate bike adventure!
Our Partners
Shifting Gears partners with two Bellingham-based organizations who support our mission to break down barriers to participation in outdoor recreation for women and non-binary individuals and foster inclusive outdoor communities:
LOAM Equipment: Designed and hand-crafted right here in Bellingham, LOAM Equipment creates durable, high-performance bikepacking bags built for Pacific Northwest adventures. LOAM generously donates bikepacking bags for our Shifting Gears bikepacking and touring programs and provides hands-on expertise, gear setup assistance, and ongoing support across our bike travel series, which helps ensure our participants are well-equipped and confident on their bike adventures.
BIKE Beyond is a program offering community for bike travelers in the PNW. BIKE Beyond supports and celebrates bike travelers across the PNW through a seasonal cycle of adventure:
Winter (Inspire): Gather for stories, conversations, and practical resources from experienced bike travelers from Bellingham and beyond. Join fellow Shifting Gears members at these events and get inspired to adventure on two wheels.
Spring (Empower): Join hands-on skill-building workshops to prepare for the bikepacking and touring season hosted in partnership with local organizations, including Shifting Gears.
Summer (Travel): Hit the roads and trails! Shifting Gears is offering four women’s trips in 2027: two 2-day introductory tours and two 3-day intermediate tours (including our Bike Travel Training Series).
Fall (Share): After a summer of adventure, cyclists come together to share our stories from our travels. Shifting Gears will host a women’s get-together where we can all share our personal travel stories, photos, tips, and post-trip inspiration.
BIKE Beyond x Shifting Gears Bike Travel Training Series
March - May 2027
Workshops & Trip Prep
May 21-23, 2027
Whidbey Island Bike Tour
Registration Opens February 2027
About the Bike Travel Training Series
Join Shifting Gears and BIKE Beyond for our comprehensive Bike Travel Training Series, a supportive, multi-part program designed for cyclists who are looking to build self-sufficiency on longer, multi-day routes.
The spring series begins with four hands-on workshops, in which you’ll develop skills in route selection and logistics, food planning, basic bike repair and maintenance, and refining your packing system on your bike. Alongside these practical workshops is the opportunity to attend a Q+A panel with experienced women bike travelers, who will share personal tips and advice for women on bike adventures. With guidance from experienced Shifting Gears trip leaders, participants will be taking an active role in the food planning and gear logistics for the Whidbey Island Bike Tour. Workshops will be taking place between March-May 2027.
These Training Series will culminate with a self-sufficient 3-day, 2-night bike tour on Whidbey Island on May 21-23, where you will be carrying your food, sleeping systems, and group gear alongside your own personal items on your bike. The ultimate goal is that you complete this program with the skills and confidence to chase your own bike travel dreams and adventures. Participants who register for the Bike Travel Training Series are expected to attend the workshops leading up to the bike tour in order to get the full educational experience!
Participants who complete this training series and who have First Aid/CPR certifications are encouraged to apply to become Shifting Gears trip leaders and help develop and lead future bike travel programs with us!
Recommended Experience
You feel comfortable riding a bike at least 45 miles on roads
You are familiar with road riding safety and group riding etiquette
You have been on a personal overnight bike trip or a Shifting Gears bikepacking or touring program before (recommended but not required)
Note: If you are brand new to riding a loaded bike or sleeping outside (or if you are not comfortable riding over 45 miles on paved roadways), we suggest signing up for our overnight Intro to Bike Touring or Intro to Bikepacking programs. However, prior overnight bike travel experience is not required to sign up for the Bike Travel Training Series!
Equipment Required
A well-maintained road, gravel, or touring bike, helmet, and sleeping bag and pad are required. We have a supply of bikepacking bags donated to us by LOAM Equipment, but we recommend using your own bike bags and equipment (panniers, frame/seat bags, or rack system) if you have them so that you gain more experience using your personal packing system. Shifting Gears will provide camp stoves and tents.
Whidbey Island Bike Tour
After completing the spring workshop series, join us in ushering in the bike touring season on this 3-day , 2-night trip, where we’ll explore Fidalgo and Whidbey Islands by bike. Fidalgo Island is known for the seaside town of Anacortes and Mt. Erie, while Whidbey Island - just to the south - is the largest island in Washington and the fourth-largest in the contiguous U.S. These islands are scenic, rewarding, and notably hilly, so get your climbing legs ready! Over the course of three days, we'll log over 100 miles across a variety of terrain and roads and gain a solid foundation of skills in self-sufficient bike touring.
Day 1: Anacortes to Fort Ebey State Park (~35–40 miles)
We’ll launch our ride in Anacortes, rolling south through the Anacortes Community Forest Lands and along the western edge of Fidalgo Island. Next, we’ll pedal across the iconic bridge over the narrow, churning waters of Deception Pass into Whidbey Island. From there, quiet island roads bring us past Oak Harbor and Penn Cove to our home base at Fort Ebey State Park, where we’ll set up camp for two nights and gather for a group dinner.
Day 2: Unloaded Island Exploration (~30–35 miles)
After a hearty camp breakfast, we’ll leave our heavy gear at camp for a day of unloaded riding through Central and South Whidbey. We’ll pedal through the historic farmlands of Ebey’s Landing National Historical Reserve with sweeping mountain vistas, stop for a stroll through the Price Sculpture Forest outdoor art park, and swing by historic Coupeville for a local snack. We’ll finish the day back at Fort Ebey with a bluff hike overlooking Puget Sound and another group dinner.
Day 3: Fort Ebey to Anacortes via Tommy Thompson Parkway (~35–40 miles)
On our final day, we’ll pack up camp and head back north along a fresh set of scenic roads. We'll cross Deception Pass Bridge once more and work our way up the eastern side of Fidalgo Island. For our grand finale, we’ll jump onto the Tommy Thompson Trail, a paved rails-to-trails pathway taking us across Fidalgo Bay right back to where we started.
Cost & Registration
Shifting Gears provides a tiered, income based registration system to ensure accessibility for everyone, regardless of financial status. We encourage you to choose the registration tier that best fits your income. The standard registration cost for a 3-day, 2-night bike tour program is $120, and your fees help cover essential logistics, experienced trip leaders, meals, as well as permit and campground reservation fees. Workshops are also offered on a tiered or pay-what-you-can basis.
Dates and details for the workshops will be shared in January 2027 and registration for the Bike Travel Training Series will open in February 2027!
Intro to Bike Touring
June 12 - 13, 2027
Bay View State Park
Registration Details Forthcoming
When & Where
Interested in overnight bike touring but not sure where to start? Join Shifting Gears for our beginner-friendly Intro to Bike Touring trip to Bay View State Park on June 12-13, 2027, with a pre-trip Packing Party on June 11 from 6-8 pm. This weekend getaway is designed to give you hands-on experience with gear setup, overnight camping, and loaded riding in a women-led, supportive, and non-competitive environment. On this tour, we’ll explore the quiet roads, rolling farmlands, and coastal views of Whatcom and Skagit counties while making new friends and building skills together!
Route Description
Day 1: Bellingham to Bay View State Park (~35–40 miles)
We’ll meet in Bellingham before rolling south past Lake Padden and Lake Samish. Leaving the city behind, we’ll cruise along quiet backroads featuring expansive views of the Skagit Valley countryside. Just before reaching camp, we’ll pedal along the peaceful Padilla Bay Shore Trail - a fantastic spot to slow down, take in the sights, and birdwatch over the mudflats. Upon arriving at Bay View State Park, we’ll set up our tents, relax by the water, and prepare a collaborative group dinner under the trees.
Day 2: Bay View State Park to Bellingham via Samish Island (~40–45 miles)
After waking up for coffee and a group breakfast, we’ll pack up camp, reload our bikes, and begin our ride back north. We’ll start with a flat pedal through the valley and make a scenic loop around Samish Island, taking in views of the San Juans. Save a little energy in your legs, though - the final stretch of our journey includes some rewarding climbs as we cross over the Chuckanut Mountains to make our way back into Bellingham, returning with new skills, great memories, and a weekend of bike travel under our belts!
Who
Organized by Shifting Gears in partnership with LOAM Equipment and BIKE Beyond, this program welcomes all women (queer, cis, trans) and nonbinary folks of all experience levels who are eager to explore the world of bike touring. The program will include 12 Participants, a Trip Leader, a Support Leader, and a Van Support.
Recommended Experience
This introductory course is designed for riders stepping into overnight bike travel. To ensure a fun and safe trip for everyone, we recommend:
You feel comfortable riding a bike at least 45 miles in a day. If you are unsure of your abilities, consider signing up for one of Shifting Gears’ road or gravel rides prior to the trip!
You are familiar with basic road riding safety, hand signals, and group riding etiquette.
You are prepared to tackle some climbing (including scenic ascents on the return trip) and ride alongside vehicle traffic on country roads.
No prior bike touring or camping experience is necessary!
Cost & Registration
Shifting Gears provides a tiered, income based registration system to ensure accessibility for everyone, regardless of financial status. We encourage you to choose the registration tier that best fits your income. Our overnight bikepacking and touring programs cost $80 for the weekend, and your fees help cover essential logistics, experienced trip leaders, meals for Saturday night and Sunday breakfast, as well as permit and campground reservation fees.
Registration details forthcoming.
Equipment Required
To participate in our Intro to Bike Touring program, each participant must have a bicycle and a helmet. During registration, we'll ask participants about their current gear setup, including their bike type, to ensure everyone is properly equipped for the adventure. Personal bikepacking or touring gear is not required for this program. Shifting Gears and LOAM Equipment will provide bikepacking bags and will assist with gear setup during the packing party. However, if you already have bikepacking gear, please free to bring it along!
Shifting Gears will supply tents and cooking equipment, but participants are asked to bring their sleeping pads and bags. Any gear that does not fit on your bike can be loaded on our support van and dropped off at the campsite. Please reach out to us regarding any gear needs, questions, or requests that will help make this program accessible for you.
Intro to Bikepacking
July 10-11, 2027
Larrabee State Park
Registration Details Forthcoming
When & Where
Join Shifting Gears for our beginner-friendly Intro to Bikepacking trip to Larrabee State Park on July 10–11, 2027, with a pre-trip Packing Party on July 9 from 6–8 pm. This weekend getaway is designed to give you hands-on experience with gear setup, off-road riding, and overnight camping in a women-led, supportive, non-competitive environment. On this overnight trip, we’ll bike from Bellingham to Larrabee State Park - Washington’s very first state park - and explore the scenic gravel trails, urban dirt paths, and coastal views of Samish Bay and the San Juan Islands.
Route Description
Day 1: Bellingham to Larrabee State Park via Gravel Trails (~20-25 miles)
We’ll gather in Bellingham to fit and load our gear - with bikepacking bags and packing guidance provided by LOAM Equipment. While the distance to Larrabee isn't far as the crow flies, we’ll take a scenic, circuitous route, weaving through town along a network of local gravel trails. This route gives us the perfect opportunity to practice bike handling skills on unpaved surfaces and get accustomed to how a loaded bike feels. We’ll take plenty of breaks along the way for snacks, lunch, and trailside tips before rolling into camp. Upon arrival at Larrabee, we’ll set up camp, relax by the bay, and prepare a collaborative group dinner together.
Day 2: Larrabee State Park to Bellingham (~11-12 miles)
After a restful night and a hearty group breakfast, we’ll pack up camp and gear up for our return ride. On our second day, we’ll take a more direct route back into Bellingham, enjoying the coastal views along Chuckanut Drive and local paths. We’ll stop off for a celebratory picnic lunch en route to reflect on the weekend before heading back to town and saying our goodbyes.
Who
Organized by Shifting Gears in partnership with LOAM Equipment and BIKE Beyond, this program welcomes all women (queer, cis, trans) and nonbinary folks of all experience levels who are eager to explore the world of bike touring. The program will include 12 Participants, a Trip Leader, a Support Leader, and a Van Support.
Recommended Experience
This introductory course is designed for riders stepping into overnight bike travel. To ensure a fun and safe trip for everyone, we recommend:
You feel comfortable riding a bike at least 25 miles in a day on paved and unpaved surfaces. If you are unsure of your abilities, consider signing up for one of Shifting Gears’ road or gravel rides prior to the trip!
You are familiar with basic road riding safety, hand signals, and group riding etiquette.
We recommend having a bike tire width of at least 1.5 inches (38 mm) in order to ride comfortably on off-road trails.
No prior bikepacking or camping experience is necessary!
Cost & Registration
Shifting Gears provides a tiered, income based registration system to ensure accessibility for everyone, regardless of financial status. We encourage you to choose the registration tier that best fits your income. Our overnight bikepacking and touring programs cost $80 for the weekend, and your fees help cover essential logistics, experienced trip leaders, meals for Saturday night and Sunday breakfast, as well as permit and campground reservation fees.
Registration details forthcoming.
Equipment Required
To participate in our Intro to Bike Touring program, each participant must have a bicycle and a helmet. During registration, we'll ask participants about their current gear setup, including their bike type, to ensure everyone is properly equipped for the adventure. Personal bikepacking or touring gear is not required for this program. Shifting Gears and LOAM Equipment will provide bikepacking bags and will assist with gear setup during the packing party. However, if you already have bikepacking gear, please free to bring it along!
Shifting Gears will supply tents and cooking equipment, but participants are asked to bring their sleeping pads and bags. Any gear that does not fit on your bike can be loaded on our support van and dropped off at the campsite. Please reach out to us regarding any gear needs, questions, or requests that will help make this program accessible for you.
The Rectangle Ride
September 10-12, 2027
Arlington, Sedro-Woolley, Rockport, Darrington
Registration Details Forthcoming
When & Where
Ready for a multi-day progression beyond our introductory trips? Join Shifting Gears for our Rectangle Ride, a 3-day, 2-night intermediate-to-advanced bike adventure through the heart of Snohomish and Skagit counties. This trip is built both for bike travelers who are stepping up their mileage and for seasoned bike travelers who are looking to connect, share skills, and ride with the growing community of Shifting Gears bike adventurers. Together, we’ll take on longer daily mileage, rolling climbs, and a mix of paved roads and gravel rail-trails in a women-led, supportive, and non-competitive environment.
Pre-trip Packing and Logistics: As this is a self-contained bike trip (without van support), all participants will be carrying group gear and food for the trip alongside personal items and sleeping setups. To prepare as a group, participants should plan on attending a virtual pre-trip logistics meeting and an in-person packing party, where we will divy up group gear and finalize our bike bag and gear setups. Dates for these two pre-trip meetings is To Be Announced.
Pre-Trip Documentary Screening: On an evening prior to our departure, we will host a showing of the Oso Landslide documentary. This film covers the tragic 2014 landslide in Oso, Washington - the deadliest landslide in U.S. history. Watching this together provides context and community grounding for our visit to the Oso Landslide Memorial on the final day of our ride.
Route Description
On this 3-day trip, we’ll ride “The Rectangle Ride,” defined by four distinct corners at Arlington, Sedro-Woolley, Rockport, and Darrington. We’ll cover over 115 total miles across a dynamic mix of gravel trails and quiet paved roads.
Day One: Arlington to Rasar State Park (~37-40 miles)
On the first day, we’ll launch our ride in Arlington, heading north along the smooth Centennial Trail to the historic Nakashima Heritage Barn. From there, we’ll pedal scenic backroads north toward Sedro-Woolley, passing Lake McMurray and Big Lake. We’ll then pick up the gravel Cascade Trail along the Skagit River, working our way to our home base at Rasar State Park. Upon arrival, we’ll set up camp and prepare a collaborative group dinner.
Day One: Rasar State Park to Whitehorse Campground (~40-43 miles)
On the second morning, we’ll pack up camp, enjoy breakfast, and set off toward Darrington. We’ll take a scenic detour along Baker Lake Road for a forest climb and a thrilling descent down Burpee Hill into Concrete. After crossing the scenic Concrete Sauk Valley Bridge, we’ll follow the Skagit and Sauk rivers to Whitehorse Campground in Darrington. Once settled, we'll gather for dinner and take a short pedal into town for a sweet treat.
Day 3: Whitehorse Campground to Arlington (~30-32 miles)
On our final day, we’ll pack up our bikes and roll onto the Whitehorse Trail. Mid-ride, we’ll stop to visit the Oso Landslide Memorial, taking time to honor the 43 lives lost in the tragic 2014 landslide. Our odometers will pass the 115-mile mark as we pull back into Arlington, having completed all four sides of The Rectangle!
Who
Organized by Shifting Gears in partnership with LOAM Equipment and BIKE Beyond, this program welcomes all women (queer, cis, trans) and nonbinary folks - from riders building their multi-day experience to seasoned bike travelers eager to ride with and foster our local community of adventurers. The program will include 12 Participants, a Trip Leader, and a Support Leader.
Recommended Experience
This course is designed for riders with previous overnight bike travel experience (such as past Shifting Gears bikepacking trips or personal touring/bikepacking experience). To ensure a comfortable and cohesive group ride, we recommend:
You feel comfortable riding a loaded bike 40–45+ miles per day on consecutive days.
You are comfortable riding on mixed surfaces, including crushed gravel paths and paved roads with vehicle traffic.
You feel confident handling a loaded bicycle on rolling terrain and longer climbs.
You are familiar with basic road riding safety, hand signals, and group riding etiquette.
Equipment Required
To participate in the Rectangle Ride, each participant must have a helmet and a well-maintained bicycle capable of handling mixed pavement and crushed gravel trails over multiple days (such as a gravel bike, touring bike, or hardtail mountain bike).
As a multi-day trip for intermediate and experienced riders, participants should bring their own bikepacking or touring bag setups, as well as personal camping equipment (sleeping pad and sleeping bag). Shifting Gears has a limited supply of donated LOAM Equipment bike bags available upon request. Please reach out to us during registration if you have gear questions or need assistance sourcing specific items.
Cost & Registration
Shifting Gears provides a tiered, income based registration system to ensure accessibility for everyone, regardless of financial status. We encourage you to choose the registration tier that best fits your income. Our 3-day, 2-night bikepacking and touring programs cost $120, and your fees help cover essential logistics, experienced trip leaders, camp dinners and breakfasts, as well as permit and campground reservation fees.
Registration details forthcoming.
FAQs
-
You will need a bike, helmet, and basic camping gear such as a sleeping bag, sleeping pad, cooking utensils, lunch/snacks, water, and appropriate clothing. We’ll provide tents and cooking stoves.
If you are missing any of the needed equipment, we’ll try to work with you and our partners on securing loaner equipment for you to use during the program.
-
All of our trips are for women (cis, queer, trans) ages 18+. Our bikepacking trips are designed for both newcomers and experienced riders alike. Whether you're just starting out or have some miles under your belt, we encourage anyone with a passion for outdoor adventure on two wheels to join us. Participants should be prepared to spend the entire day on Saturday and a substantial portion of Sunday outdoors and cycling.
-
Any type of bike is accepted for our bikepacking trips. Whether you have a mountain bike, gravel bike, or touring bike, as long as it's in good working condition, you're good to go.
For Intro to Bikepacking, we recommend having a tire width of at least 1.5 inches (38mm) in order to ride comfortably on off-road trails.
-
No bikepacking gear is required. We have equipment available to borrow from LOAM Equipment. During registration, we'll ask about your equipment needs to ensure you have everything necessary for the trip.
-
Our trips are designed to accommodate a range of fitness levels. On our introductory programs, expect to bike all day on both Saturday and Sunday, covering various terrains and distances. Participants should be prepared for moderate physical exertion.
For our longer-distance and hillier 3-day programs, we recommend being able to cycle at least 45 miles on roadways. Consider signing up for one of our Shifting Gears road or gravel rides to gain experience cycling longer distances prior to the bikepacking or touring program. -
Accommodations will include camping at Larrabee State Park or Spencer Spit State Park. Participants will need to bring their own camping gear (we'll provide tents) and we'll provide guidance on what to bring well in advance of the trip.
-
We ride rain or shine! Our trips are designed to be flexible, and we'll adjust the itinerary as needed to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience. Please come prepared with appropriate clothing and gear for changing weather conditions.
-
Yes, we will provide a packing list ahead of the trip. This list will include essentials like camping gear, clothing, bike repair tools, and personal items. We'll also discuss packing tips during the pre-trip packing party.
-
Participants will be provided with dinner on Saturday evening and breakfast on Sunday morning. Please plan to bring your own lunch, snacks, and sufficient water for the duration of the trip.
-
Full Refund Deadline: Participants are eligible for a full refund if they cancel their registration up to 4 weeks before the program start date.
Partial Refund Option: After the full refund deadline, participants may cancel their registration up to 2 weeks before the program begins and receive a partial refund. The partial refund will cover a portion of the registration fee, determined by our administration.
No Refunds Close to Start Date: No refunds will be issued for cancellations made within 2 weeks of the program start date. This policy helps us ensure adequate preparation and resources for the program.
Upcoming Programs
Select a date to learn more about specific programs and register to participate.