Preparing for a 7-Day Bikepacking Adventure in Rwanda

Preparing for the Land of a Thousand Hills

Dirt roads, misty hills, and the hypnotic zip of my freewheel hub—this has been my happy place. Now, Ethiopia’s highlands stretch before us, offering a whole new challenge. Typically, I explore with my wife and two boys Luke ad Ben, in an overbuilt adventure rig, a home on wheels outfitted with a rooftop tent, recovery equipment, and just enough gear to escape civilization for as long as we want. But sometimes, four wheels feel like too much. Sometimes, the best way to know a place is to strip everything back to two wheels and a few bags, let the road decide how the day unfolds.

This time, I won’t be alone. My friend Ned is in, too—a longtime rider, someone who understands the strange satisfaction of long climbs, bad food, and sleeping in places no one else would think to. This June, we’ll tackle a 7-day bikepacking route through Rwanda, famed for its emerald hills and warm, welcoming communities. But first, we need a trial run—a three-day ride to a crater near Addis Ababa. 

Located 155 km west of Addis Ababa, between Ambo and Weliso, Wenchi Crater is the perfect training ground. This breathtaking destination is home to an extinct volcano, with its summit reaching 3,380 meters above sea level. The crater itself holds a stunning lake, surrounded by lush valleys, cascading waterfalls, hot mineral springs, and vibrant farmland. A self-supported tour. A chance to test our gear, our grit, and our willingness to suffer before the real trip begins.

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Why Rwanda? Why Now?

Long before I spent days grinding up the switchbacks of Yunnan Province or hike-a-biking through knee deep snow on the Ducy-Ershim trail in the Sierra Nevadas, I stumbled upon a Bikepacking.com article about Rwanda. The idea felt distant, impossible even. That was before we moved to Ethiopia. You just have to get close enough to reach out and grab it. Now, standing on African soil, the dream is within reach.

My time in Southeast Asia consisted of more off-road overlanding than bikepacking, and I’m now realizing just how much of a toll Laos’ relentless humidity has taken on my equipment. Straps have turned brittle. Hook and loop fasteners don’t grab like they used to. Waterproofing has all but disappeared. Before we tackle the Land of a Thousand Hills, I need to patch, replace, and rethink my setup.

Ned and I have spent years riding separately, tackling our own mountains, chasing our own horizons. Now, we finally get to share the road, suffer side by side, push each other when the days stretch long and the water runs low. Rwanda feels like a milestone that I'll forever reference on my life's timeline.

But before we tackle the rolling landscape, we need to know if our legs, our setups, and our minds are ready. And there’s only one way to find out.

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A Three-Day Crater Loop: Testing Our Grit

Though we’ve only been in Ethiopia a short while, we’ve mapped out a three-day route just beyond Addis Ababa’s bustling edges. The plan? Replicate the challenges we’ll face in Rwanda:

• Elevation Gains – Ethiopia’s highlands don’t ease you in; they punish. Exactly what we need before Rwanda’s relentless climbs.

• Mixed Terrain – Gravel, tarmac, maybe even goat paths—perfect for a gear shakedown.

• Mental Fortitude – Bikepacking is as much about battling your mind as your muscles. We’ll push, we’ll break, we’ll ride on.

• Limited Resupply – Addis is a safety net. Rwanda won’t be. Better to learn hard lessons now.

If all goes well, we’ll roll out of this crater ride with our legs dialed in and our gear stripped down to what actually matters.

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Global Perspectives & New Realities

We've both spent years living between cultures, crossing borders where maps mean little, where food is whatever the local market offers, where language barriers force you to rely on gestures and good faith. Ethiopia is new to us, but the thrill of discovery isn’t.

• Cultural Curiosity – There’s something different about seeing a place from the saddle. You move slower. By tasting the dust in the air, you absorb more.

• Adapting to the Unknown – Routes disappear, weather tests you, and meals sometimes consist of whatever fits in your handlebar bag. That’s the game.

• Respectful Travel – Whether in Asia or Africa, or anywhere else on my bike, I am a guest first and I act accordingly.

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My Gear

I plan on riding my 2016 Niner RLT 9 that I've fallen in love with over the years. I have a Woho frame and top-tube bag, a blackburn seat bag, and Blackburn Anything Cages and Salsa Anything bags on my forks. My setup is dialed for the mix of rugged climbs, fast descents, and unpredictable terrain that Rwanda throws at you. I’m riding my 2016 Niner RLT 9 with a Sram Rival 2x11 drivetrain and 42mm Riddler tires, optimized for efficiency on long days in the saddle.  

Bag System & Packing Strategy

I’ve kept my load streamlined with a Woho frame bag, housing my essential tools and Shotblocks for quick access. A Woho handlebar bag carries my tent which will likely only consist of a rainfly and footprint to save weight—while the Blackburn seat bag stows extra bibs, rain shell, and sleeping bag. Up front, my Xlab top tube bag holds snacks and USB battery, keeping fuel and power within easy reach.

Essential Gear

Navigation is covered with a trusty Garmin 530, and lighting comes from a Niterider Lumina 1200 Boost headlight and Garmin Varia 515 rear light and radar, ensuring visibility for early starts and late finishes. My repair kit is minimalist but functional, including a spare derailleur hanger, tubeless plugs, and a multi-tool with chain breaker. 

Cooking and Coffee

My cooking device is an ultra-light Vargo Titanium stove. This is my go-to on international trips where finding or transporting butane can be a problem and I have the option to use either wood or alcohol for fuel. I use a nesting system with my Stanley Adventure 2 person kit and off-brand aluminum mug. I opted not to use their plastic cups that are included as they were a bit small and my mug can double as an additional pot. All together, the stanley and mug fit perfectly into my Salsa Anything bag. My camp multitool of choice has been my Leatherman Wave+ for over 10 years now.

Why This Setup?

This build balances efficiency and self-sufficiency—light enough to keep the climbs manageable but rugged enough to handle whatever Rwanda’s red dirt roads and mountain passes throw at me. Every item is intentional, cutting weight without compromising capability. If you're interested in bikepacking, check THIS ARTICLE.

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A Word on Regional Tensions

If you follow the news, you know about M23 rebels in eastern DRC and the geopolitical friction with Rwanda. Conflict looms over headlines, but reality on the ground is often different. As of now, bikepacking routes we've discussed remain open, safe, and full of the same kindness I’ve found in remote corners of the world. Still, we’re watching closely, knowing that flexibility is key. Plans may shift, routes may change. That’s Africa. That’s bikepacking.

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Ride On

The next few weeks will be spent grinding up the Wenchi crater, refining our gear, fine-tuning the balance between necessity and comfort. If all goes well, Rwanda is next.

Want to follow the journey in real-time? Join us on Instagram & YouTube @sidequestoverland for updates, mishaps, and raw adventure.

As I refine my gear and my fitness, leave a comment if you have any tips or questions.