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 rid...