Starting from Luxembourg, I biked 1600km over 19 days to reach Morocco. My route took me through France, Andorra, and Spain, then across the sea on a ferry from Barcelona to Tangier, with another 300km ride to my hometown. This was my first bikepacking trip, and it was full of both challenges and rewarding moments.
The first days were tough—muddy roads, knee pain, and fatigue made me question if I could keep going. Nearly every part of me hurt, but I’d committed to this, so I pushed through, taking 2 rest days after the first 2 days, which helped my body adapt and let me get back on track.
Each day brought something different. From tough climbs and cold weather to small villages with friendly hosts, I didn’t wild camp; instead, I stayed in hotels, Airbnbs, and with Warmshowers hosts, which meant careful planning for each day’s end point—a challenge in itself.
Sticking to a budget led to creative ways to save on food and accommodation, which also brought memorable encounters and unexpected solutions.
From tackling steep Pyrenees passes to navigating chaotic Moroccan roads, I faced and managed many risky situations: fear of bears in the Pyrenees, getting hit by a car (not seriously) in France, a self-caused crash on a downhill stretch, encounters with wild dogs, worries about bike issues far from any help, and the dangers of local traffic in Morocco.
This journey taught me to focus less on time and more on the moment. Biking an average of 7 hours a day, I learned that you get where you’re going when you let go of rushing and focus on each pedal stroke.
This trip has set a new standard of travel for me! Huge thanks to the bikepacking community on this subreddit for the inspiration and support.
Gear: I used a Connway MTB hardtail 29’ with a North Face Base Camp 30L rear bag, packed upside down for extra storage on the sides. My handlebar bag was a budget Rhinowalk, and a small top tube frame bag rounded out my setup.
Here are some photos of the trip!
by EngineerNo1054