PackRaft & Friends BikeRafting Trip
Experience Katahdin Woods and Waters in a Guided Group Adventure
Join us for a fun introduction to “bikerafting” as we ride through Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument and paddle down a mellow stretch of the East Branch of the Penobscot River—with our bikes! Friends is teaming up with PackRaft Maine to offer this unique adventure in a guided, learning-focused day of discovering new skills and appreciation for this special place.
Bikerafting offers a new way to explore the woods and waters of the monument. Packrafts are lightweight, inflatable boats that roll up to a small, packable size. Packrafts can easily be packed in a backpack or on a bicycle, which allows for a lower impact paddling trip that avoids the point-to-point car shuffles.
For this introductory trip, the focus is on learning skills and enjoying the beautiful landscape! We’ll keep the pace relaxed with an 8–12 mile, no-drop bicycle ride followed by a 6–10-mile paddle. No previous packrafting or bikerafting experience is required! However, participants should be very comfortable biking and paddling 8–12 miles and be comfortable on the water.
You will need to bring a bike in good working condition, suitable for riding with a light load on dirt roads. (Not sure if you have the right bike? See more details below or check in with Alex at acstrong@packraftmaine.com.) It is a good idea to visit your local bike shop before the trip to have them check your bike and to advise you on any additional things they suggest you carry in a basic repair kit for your bike. If you have not used your bike in a while, clean and lubricate your chain.
Packraft Maine will provide the packable rafts and all required paddling equipment, including lifejackets, as well as all the necessary straps and bags to attach boats to bikes and bikes to boats. We’ll take time to practice the core skills of bikerafting, including loading paddling gear onto your bike, inflating the rafts, and securely rigging bikes onto the boats.
We will meet in the morning at the historic Lunksoos Campground and boat launch in Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument, about a 30-minute drive from I-95 Exit 264. After introductions and a review of the plan for the day, we’ll begin with an overview of bike and water safety and discuss our land and water routes. We’ll cover loading boats onto bikes and attaching bikes to boats, followed by basic paddling techniques and tips for biking with a load. Most of the day will be spent learning by doing—a terrific introduction to bikerafting.
Trip Details
WHEN: Saturday, June 27th at 9:00 a.m.
WHERE: Lunksoos Boat Launch, Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument
WHO: Open to everyone! Fitness level required: able to bike up to 10 miles and able to paddle up to 10 miles.
COST: $200 per person
(Sorry, registration is not quite ready – coming soon!)
WHAT TO BRING (*items optional):
- Bike – A gravel or hybrid bike, hardtail mountain bike or fat-tire bike are best, but any bike with a wide (at least 1.75″) tire can work. Bike should be tuned/tested for good working order and clean.
- Bike helmet
- Flat tire repair kit – 1 spare tube, patch kit (or plug kit for tubeless wheels)
- Chain repair kit – 1 speed link, 1 short section of chain (both must match chain)
- *Bike tire lever, chain pliers and tool
- *Bicycle multi-tool
- *Bikepacking bags
- Recommended clothing and accessories (avoid cotton!):
- Wool socks
- Wool/synthetic underwear or bike short liners
- Quick-dry shorts or pants
- Quick-dry long underwear
- Long-sleeve shirt
- Short-sleeve shirt
- Lightweight rain jacket
- Reflective vest or jacket
- Midweight warm layer/s such as fleece, wool, or down jacket or pullover
- Sunglasses
- Closed-toe and -heel shoes to stay on in the water (not sandals or crocs)
- *Dry shoes for biking (crocs are a popular lightweight choice for biking) or extra dry socks to wear with wet shoes
- Sarong or lightweight towel
- Food and water bottle- Easy to pack, not easily squished, trail snacks are best: granola bars, fruit, PB&J, trail mix, carrot sticks, etc.
- Sunblock and insect repellent
Depending on weather, many of the items listed above may not be needed and can stay in your car – but it is better to have them just in case! When packing, consider that you will be carrying everything you bring on your bike – pack as light as possible.
EQUIPMENT PROVIDED by PackRaft Maine:
- Inflatable rafts, paddles, PFDs, and whitewater helmets
- Water filter
- Drybag for personal items
- Bikepacking bags (please bring yours if you have them)
- Basic bicycle repair tools
- Bike tire pump
- Hand sanitizer and soap
PackRaft & Friends BikeRafting Trip
Experience Katahdin Woods and Waters in a Guided Group Adventure
Join us for a fun introduction to “bikerafting” as we ride through Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument and paddle down a mellow stretch of the East Branch of the Penobscot River—with our bikes! Friends is teaming up with PackRaft Maine to offer this unique adventure in a guided, learning-focused day of discovering new skills and appreciation for this special place.
Bikerafting offers a new way to explore the woods and waters of the monument. Packrafts are lightweight, inflatable boats that roll up to a small, packable size. Packrafts can easily be packed in a backpack or on a bicycle, which allows for a lower impact paddling trip that avoids the point-to-point car shuffles.
For this introductory trip, the focus is on learning skills and enjoying the beautiful landscape! We’ll keep the pace relaxed with an 8–12 mile, no-drop bicycle ride followed by a 6–10-mile paddle. No previous packrafting or bikerafting experience is required! However, participants should be very comfortable biking and paddling 8–12 miles and be comfortable on the water.
You will need to bring a bike in good working condition, suitable for riding with a light load on dirt roads. (Not sure if you have the right bike? See more details below or check in with Alex at acstrong@packraftmaine.com.) It is a good idea to visit your local bike shop before the trip to have them check your bike and to advise you on any additional things they suggest you carry in a basic repair kit for your bike. If you have not used your bike in a while, clean and lubricate your chain.
Packraft Maine will provide the packable rafts and all required paddling equipment, including lifejackets, as well as all the necessary straps and bags to attach boats to bikes and bikes to boats. We’ll take time to practice the core skills of bikerafting, including loading paddling gear onto your bike, inflating the rafts, and securely rigging bikes onto the boats.
We will meet in the morning at the historic Lunksoos Campground and boat launch in Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument, about a 30-minute drive from I-95 Exit 264. After introductions and a review of the plan for the day, we’ll begin with an overview of bike and water safety and discuss our land and water routes. We’ll cover loading boats onto bikes and attaching bikes to boats, followed by basic paddling techniques and tips for biking with a load. Most of the day will be spent learning by doing—a terrific introduction to bikerafting.
Trip Details
WHEN: Saturday, June 27th at 9:00 a.m.
WHERE: Lunksoos Boat Launch, Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument
WHO: Open to everyone! Fitness level required: able to bike up to 10 miles and able to paddle up to 10 miles.
COST: $200 per person
(Sorry, registration is not quite ready – coming soon!)
WHAT TO BRING (*items optional):
Depending on weather, many of the items listed above may not be needed and can stay in your car – but it is better to have them just in case! When packing, consider that you will be carrying everything you bring on your bike – pack as light as possible.
EQUIPMENT PROVIDED by PackRaft Maine: