Bikepacking Navigation

Multiple times a year the bikepacking forums and message boards for the Arizona Trail Race, Tour Divide, Colorado Trail Race, and others explode with people asking questions about Bikepacking Navigation. With technology always evolving, there’s always new and better ways to navigate. As always, not everyone navigations the same way.

What follows is some but not all of the most current/common ways. A big part of figuring out how to best navigate is to first know which method works best for you. Know your strengths and weaknesses when it comes to the subject and actual navigation.

Navigating the complex world of GPS can be very confusing and frustrating if you don’t know what you’re doing. If this describes you, keep reading as I’ll try to cover the most common questions.

Popular Resources:

Bikepacking Resources

Planning Aids

Bikepacking Gear

Rider Survey's

GPS Units

For the longest time the gold standard for bikepacking navigation was the Garmin eTrex 20x or 30x, (Garmin has upgraded the eTrex series to the 22x, and 32x). These handheld hiking units were pretty much the only options out there for quite a while.

Today Garmin also offers users its Edge series of smaller bike specific GPS computers. They even have solar powered units now. There are also new companies like Wahoo and Hammerhead too, and some riders still use their cell phones.

I put together a Google spreadsheet with the most popular units for comparison. (If you have data to add, please email us using the contact page.)

As you can see, there are many options to choose from. To figure out which one is best is up to you. Read on to find out which is best for you and your adventure.

Handheld Units

As mentioned above handheld GPS units have been the gold standard since the early days of bikepacking. They are typically easy to use, offer sufficient battery life, and a handful of useful data points like speed, avg. speed, moving time and others.

The main reason why handheld units have been the gold standard, is they were all that was available until cycling specific GPS computers arrived. Because they were all we had for an option, another standard was born, the 10k GPX file size. This was the maximum size GPX file handhelds could handle. Because of this any new option in bikepacking navigation should be held to this.

Pros

They have the ability to handle the common 10k GPX track which is the standard when it comes to bikepacking.
Easy to use.
Battery life and options to power them, (AA batteries or run off your generator hub and now solar.
Durability
They won’t overheat in the sun like a cell phone.

Cons

Lack the bike specific features the newer bike computers have.
Depending on which units you compare, some hand held units have smaller screens.

Bike Specific Units

In recent years Garmin along with others like Wahoo and Hammerhead have developed cycling specific GPS computers. These units offer the user almost endless options related to cycling data and connect ability (cell phone, trainers, lights, power meters, and third party apps).

Pros

Multiple bike specific features.
Interface with your cell phone and other training devices via bluetooth.
Ability to make on the fly changes to route without the use of a computer.
Turn by turn navigation.

Cons

Some have limitations when loading large files like the ones bikepackers use. (See Below)
Battery life (Rechargeable batteries mean one must have a generator hub or a power bank, or stop to use a wall socket to recharge. Solar charging units are now available too.
Ability to load third party maps is limited.

Cell Phones

Pros

You’re probably already carrying it with you.
Option to choose any number of apps like Ride With GPS, Map My Ride, or others to navigate.

Cons

Cell phones tend to over heat in warmer temperatures, especially when mounted to ones handlebars.
Battery life, (Rechargeable batteries mean one must have a generator hub or a power bank, or stop to use a wall socket to recharge.)

PLANNING AIDS

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Large Track Issues

While researching the newer bike specific units now on the market (as well as owning one), finding out if they can handle longer tracks like the Tour Divide was extremely long and frustrating. Comparing unit to unit was difficult as well, as the different companies use different terms for the same thing.

Hard answers were difficult to get, and they still came with exceptions. Hammerhead is the only company who designed and tested their units for long routes. Below is what I found out from Garmin, Wahoo, and Hammerhead.

Garmin

The Edge series does not give a file size limit like the eTrex series does. They do specify that there is a limit of 200 course points “waypoints/locations/favorites” (these are the waypoints you manually add to call out things like water or camping locations. They are NOT waypoints one thinks about when talking about the 10k GPX file).

While talking to an employee at Garmin, they were able to upload the 2021 TD 10k GPX track to their 1040 edge, but since they were located in Arizona, there was no way to test if the unit would be able to work properly. They did indicate it was very slow to load the file (that said the unit did have other files on it which might have slowed it down).

Wahoo

When it comes to the Wahoo Bolt and Element the answer of it working with a 10k size GPX file is not so clear. They claim there is no file limit, “While we do not have a file limitation, Turn by turn navigation is limited to 200km for route files that do not include embedded cues and Take Me Anywhere navigation is limited to 100km.” -Wahoo.

With the above in mind I attempted to load the 10k Tour Divide GPX file to my unit and it failed. I was able to load a GPX file with 24,499 waypoints at 846 miles. I then cut the 10k Tour Divide file to 5000 at 1273 miles, which also failed. But the same file cut down to 4750 at 1164 miles did load.

I spoke to Lael Wilcox and she uses a Wahoo, and she had this to say. “I think for the Tour Divide I broke the route into 10-15 pieces– usually starting and ending at resupply points. It worked really well.”

Hammerhead

I spoke with the crew at Hammerhead and this is what they had to say about file size limits, “The Karoo 2 doesn’t have a hard limit to the size/length of a route that you can use on the device. When the team was improving the way that the Karoo handles long routes, it was thoroughly tested for reliability with routes over 3,000 miles long – the longest routes our sponsored athletes were loading on the device. I’ve loaded routes over twice that and they loaded and started navigating, but I did not test it completely by navigating the entire route. I have no reason to think it would not have, though.”

The only limitation along these lines is that the Hammerhead Dashboard route creator supports creating routes of up to 100 waypoints – they can be thousands of miles long but you can only use 100 actual waypoints when creating a route in that tool.” This should be a non issue as one loading at 10k GPX file would not be using the route creator.

Summary

So in summary, if you decide to use a GPS specific cycling computer over a handheld GPS unit, only the Hammerhead will work as it’s designed to with a route as long as the Tour Divide. As Garmin and Wahoo have not tested their units for routes as long as the Tour Divide, they may or may not work, if they do it would be with limited features. Most likely, you’ll have to divide up the track into multiple ones.

If you were to take Wahoo’s advice and divide up your Tour Divide 10k GPX file into 120 mile segments, you’d have to load 23 files to your unit. I was not given a suggested file size for the Garmin as they claim their unit has an unlimited file size capacity.

The bottom line, in my opinion, is that handheld units like the eTrex series are still the winners. They are easy to use, require much less work, have superior battery life and are not limited when it comes to loading the standard 10k GPX file used in bikepacking. The K.I.S.S principle comes to mind when thinking about bike navigation. Load it once, follow the line on the screen.

GPS TIPS

Things to think about concerning GPS units:

Make sure your GPX track is a color other than that on the base map (so you don’t follow the wrong line).
While on route, be sure to check your GPS after every turn. It’s easy to miss a turn and go miles off route if you don’t check your location regularly.
If you have a touch screen be sure it works with your gloves (dry and wet).
Check to see how well can you see the screen in bright light.
Carry spare batteries at all times.
Research battery saving tips for your unit of choice.
Secure it well.
Know your device inside and out.*
Have a back up track loaded in case the first one gets corrupted.
Use your phone and a third party app like GAIA or Ride with GPS loaded with the route as a back up.

*The most important thing you can do when it comes to GPS units is to become a master using the one you have. Use it and use it often. You don’t want to go into a race or tour without really knowing your unit. Know how to trouble shoot any error you might run into.

Helpful Articles

Setting up your eTrex 20/30 is made super simple with this article by Francis Cooke.

Garmin offers many choices when it comes to base maps to help you navigate.

There are plenty of other GPS choices that work well. You can read how to choose a hand held GPS at Outdoor Gearlab.

Pro-Tip

Kerry at KLite has this to say:

“In my opinion the Garmin Etrex GPS range is the most simple and best GPS for long range riding…..”

Alternate Devices

For those looking for added safety the Garmin InReach and Zoleo are both acceptable options one can use in junction one’s GPS or phone. The InReach is a 2 way satellite communication device that can send and receive messages, weather, and has a small display with map, among other features. The Zoleo is also a 2 way satellite communication device that can send and receive messages via bluetooth with your own phone. For more on personal location beacons like these, checkout our post SPOT tracker & Trackleaders Setup.

Garmin InReach for SPOT tracker & Trackleaders setup with GPS tracking & two-way messaging.

Garmin InReach Mini2

Cost: $400
Battery Life: Up to 14 days (while using default 10 min tracking).
Battery Type: Rechargeable internal lithium ion.
Messaging Capacity: 2-way
S.O.S Function: Yes
Device Integration: Smartphone and watch
Local Accuracy: 3 meters
Visual Map Display: Yes
Dimensions: 3.9 x 2 x 1 inch
Weight: 3.5 oz

Requires a monthly subscription.

Zoleo

Cost: $200
Battery Life: Up to 200 hours
Battery Type: Lithium ion.
Messaging Capacity: 2-way
S.O.S Function: Yes
Local Accuracy: 3 meters
Device Integration: Smartphone
Visual Map Display: No
Dimensions: 3.6 x 2.6 x 1.1 inch
Weight: 5.3 oz

Requires a monthly subscription.

Apps for your Phone

The most common apps you’ll see being used for bikepacking navigation today are GAIA GPS and Atlas Guides.

Having an app on your phone as a back up is a great idea. For some it may even be your primary means of bikepacking navigation. Either way both of these apps will assist you in reaching your goals, whatever they might be. Like with your GPS unit be sure you have a firm grasp on how to operate the app.

GAIA GPS

The preferred app for outdoor adventures is GAIA GPS. Like most apps available, there is a free version and two pay ones. The Member Level is what 90% of users will need. It allows you to download maps for offline use. The cost is $20 a year.

To get the most out of your GAIA experience take the time to watch the suggested user created videos and tutorials on GAIA’s site. Like with any piece or gear you bring with you, know this app inside and out before heading into the woods.

FarOut Guides

Guthook Guides or Atlas Guides started as a hiking app but have added bike routes for both the CTR, AZTR, and Wild West Route to their apps. One thing to note is the mountain bike route shown on their app isn’t the exact “race” route. You can read more about this in my resupply post.

Key Features:

Works offline
Downloadable maps
Shows turns, water, gates, bridges, highpoints, and more
Town list with what’s available
Elevation profile

Uploading GPX Files

How to upload GPX files to one’s device is always a common question for newbies. Don’t worry it’s quite simple.

Download the GPX file to your computer (Note where it saves it).
Plug in your device.
Open a second window so you can see the downloaded file and also the Garmin device folder in the second window.
Copy or drag the GPX file into the GPX folder on your Garmin.
Unplug your device.
Navigate to the tracks area of your device and choose the file you just transferred to your device.

I know I said it was easy, and some of you out there will find these directions won’t work for you for and number of reasons. A simple Google Search will deliver a ton of solutions.

Pro-Tip

One of the easiest and most common navigating mistakes when bikepacking is not checking your position often enough. A good basic rule of thumb is to check your position at EVERY turn.

Some intersections have similar routes and you won’t know if your on the right track until you travel a bit. Because of this it’s a good idea to check your position after making a turn.

Planning Your Route

MAPPING WEBSITES

There are many websites you can use to create, track, and find routes. Here are just a few.

GAIA – Your best option as a back up to your GPS unit.

MapMyRide – One of many great resources for creating your own route.

BikeMap.net – Created by enthusiast cyclists with the goal of sharing awesome bike tours with other cyclists. Now with more than 1,000,000 registered users.

Google Earth – Do you need words here…

Ride With GPS – Empowering people to get outside, reconnect with nature, and embark on two-wheeled adventures.

MTBProject – User submitted trails and information database of mountain bike trails.

Trail Forks – Trailforks is a mountain bike trail database & management system for riders, builders & trail associations.

PAPER MAPS

Not many use them but paper maps are still available for certain trails and always a good back up in case your electronics crap out.

National Geographic Maps

Benchmark Maps

Adventure Cycling Association

Colorado Trail Map Book

Arizona Trail

Resources

Article – iPhone Vs. Garmin GPS
Website – TopoFusion.com

MORE RESOURCES

Read these next or checkout the main resource page.

PLANNING / GEAR RESOURCES

PLANNING AIDS

1 2 3

Checkout all our Planning Aids at our store. (Tour Divide, GDMBR, AZTR, CTR, Kokopelli Trail, TNGA, Coconino 250, and Bay Circuit Trail). SOBO & NOBO, as well as metric versions are available depending on the route.

TRIPLE CROWN GEAR

1 2 3

Dive into all three gear lists from the Bikepacking Triple Crown, and find pros & cons; things I’d do differently; and tips.

“IF I RODE…” SERIES

1 2 3

In depth look at what I would bring for gear and why, if I rode the Tour Divide, CTR, AZTR, Kokopelli Trail, and Bay Circuit Trail again.

RIDER SURVEYS

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Curios to know what gear other riders used to get to the finish line? Checkout our Rider Surveys to find out what works or to take the survey yourself.