1. Choose the right bike

Your bike will be your best friend over the next few days. For bikepacking, an all-road or gravel bike is ideal: sturdy enough for unpaved paths, yet light enough for long distances. Wide tires of at least 40mm provide comfort and grip, while tubeless tires reduce the risk of punctures. Test your bike fully loaded before you set off to make sure everything is in order.

2. Distribute your luggage wisely

A well-distributed load makes the difference between a comfortable ride and a nightmare. Use frame, handlebar, and saddlebags, and make sure your belongings are securely fastened. Place the heaviest items close to your bike's center of gravity. This will keep it stable, even on steep hills and rough trails.

Also read: How to prepare for a multi-day cycling trip

3. Think about water and food

In the wilderness, stores are scarce. Expect to need at least 2 liters of water per day, and bring a filter or purification tablets in case you encounter rivers or lakes. Food should be nutritious and light: nuts, energy bars, and dried fruit are ideal, but a small pasta or rice meal in the evening can do wonders for your energy.

4. Prepare for overnight stays

Self-supported camping often means camping in the wild. An ultralight tent or bivvy sack is easy to carry and quick to pitch. Check the climate and choose a sleeping bag suitable for nighttime temperatures. Find a safe spot, out of sight, protected from wind and rain. This way, sleeping in the wilderness becomes an experience instead of an inconvenience.

Also read: 10 handy tips for cycling in the mountains

5. Navigation is essential

Getting lost is not an option. A GPS or bike computer with preloaded routes is essential. But don't forget a paper map and compass as a backup. A phone with a power bank helps, and for areas without coverage, a satellite communicator can be a lifesaver.

6. Learn to repair on the go

In the wilderness, there's no one to fix your flat tire or chain problem. Make sure you have a multi-tool, tire levers, spare tubes, and a pump. Practice changing a flat tire, lubricating the chain, and adjusting the brakes beforehand. That way, you won't be faced with any surprises.

7. Test your setup on longer rides

Practice makes perfect. Do a few multi-day rides fully loaded. This way, you'll see if everything fits comfortably, if your food and water are properly distributed, and if your bike's mechanics are reliable. It's easier to spot minor problems at home than in the middle of the wilderness.

Also read: Setting goals for a Granfondo

8. Plan for the unexpected

Weather conditions, route problems, or equipment failures are all part of the experience. Plan ahead: bring a small first aid kit, a rain jacket, extra food, and tools. Being prepared means you can stay flexible and your adventure won't be abruptly ended by something minor.

9. Train your body and mind

Self-supported bikepacking requires endurance, but also mental strength. Long days in the saddle can be demanding, especially in remote areas. Learn to stay calm and focused, enjoy the silence, and be prepared to respect your own limits.

10. Enjoy the freedom

The best thing about a self-supported adventure is the absolute freedom. No schedules, no hotels, no shops. Just you, your bike, and the nature around you. Let go of the stresses of everyday life and immerse yourself in the landscape. The challenges along the way make the reward all the greater.

Conclusion:

A self-supported bikepacking event is a completely different experience than a weekend cycling through the Netherlands. With a good bike, smart luggage management, sufficient water and food, a safe place to sleep, and the right mental preparation, you can make your adventure a success. It requires planning and self-reliance, but the freedom and satisfaction you gain are unparalleled.

Also read: CYCLOsportive Adventure: Expedition Dolomites

De juiste band kan het verschil maken tussen een vloeiende rit en een dag vol slip, lekke banden of verloren tijd. In dit artikel bespreken we de belangrijkste factoren: breedte, profiel, druk, tubeless opties én praktische tips voor onderweg.

Waarom bandenkeuze cruciaal is

The strade bianche variëren van compact gruis tot los, stoffig grind. Vaak hard gravel en niet al te technisch. Dat vraagt om:

• Grip in alle richtingen – bochten, klimmetjes en afdalingen over grind vereisen zijdelingse grip.
• Comfort over lange afstand – 40 km ruw terrein is geen kleinigheid. Comfortabele banden verminderen vermoeidheid.
• Lekbestendigheid – scherpe steentjes en oude stukken asfalt kunnen je dag vroegtijdig beëindigen zonder de juiste setup.

Bandbreedte: 30 mm tot 35 mm

Voor Strade Bianche raden experts de volgende breedtes aan:

• 30 mm: prima keuze voor rijders die snelheid op asfalt belangrijk vinden, maar toch extra grip willen op de gravelstroken.
• 32 mm: de balans tussen comfort, grip en rolweerstand.
• 35 mm: maximale grip en comfort op het onverharde gedeelte, ideaal voor minder ervaren gravelrijders of zwaar beladen fietsen.

Waarom breder beter kan zijn:

• Groter contactvlak → betere grip op grind
• Lagere druk mogelijk → meer comfort
• Vermindert vermoeidheid over de 40 km onverhard

Profiel: hybride voor asfalt én gravel

De GF Strade Bianche combineert asfalt en onverhard. Kies een semi-open profiel:

• Centraal loopvlak: licht geribbeld of glad voor snelheid op asfalt
• Zijblokken: voor grip in bochten en op losse stukken grind
• Extra bescherming: anti-leklagen voor meer zekerheid

Tubeless: bijna een must

Tubeless banden bieden grote voordelen:

• Lagere druk → betere grip
• Sealant sluit kleine gaatjes automatisch
• Meer comfort en vertrouwen

Voor beginners en gevorderden is tubeless vrijwel altijd de beste keuze.

Drukinstellingen: tubeless vs. binnenband

De juiste druk hangt af van je bandbreedte, type montage en persoonlijke voorkeur. Hier is een richtlijn voor 30 mm, 32 mm en 35 mm:

Tips:

• Start altijd aan de lage kant van het bereik bij de eerste meters om te voelen hoe de band reageert op het terrein.
• Tubeless kan veiliger met lagere druk rijden dankzij de sealant en minder kans op pinch flats.
• Binnenband: hogere druk nodig om door de gravelstroken niet te “plakken” of door te slaan.

Reserve en voorbereiding

• Take reservebanden of -wielen mee
• Sealant checken
• Minipomp en CO₂-patronen
• Test je banden vooraf op vergelijkbaar terrein

Praktische keuzes per type fietser

Conclusion

Voor de GF Strade Bianche wil je banden die snelheid, grip en comfort combineren. 30 mm, 32 mm of 35 mm zijn alle drie valide keuzes, afhankelijk van je voorkeur en ervaring. Tubeless, goed profiel en de juiste druk maken het verschil. Met de juiste banden wordt de 40 km onverhard geen hindernis, maar juist het mooiste deel van je rit.

What type of tires should I use?

The Strade Bianche is a race with a mix of paved and unpaved paths. This requires tires that provide grip on the gravel and are fast on the asphalt. For this classic, it is important to choose tires that offer the right balance between speed, grip and durability. The ideal tires for Strade Bianche are wide, with a light profile that provides sufficient grip on gravel roads, but is also suitable for fast asphalt strips.

The ideal tire width depends largely on your riding style and preferences. Tires with a slightly coarser tread for gravel roads can help minimize the loss of grip, while a tire with little tread optimizes your speed on the asphalt. Tubeless tires are recommended for Strade Bianche, as they reduce the risk of punctures and make the riding experience smoother.

Tire choice for the gravel bike at Strade Bianche

The gravel bike is designed for rougher surfaces and therefore offers more flexibility in tire choice. At Strade Bianche, the unpaved sections can be quite challenging, so it is important to choose tires that offer both comfort and grip on the gravel. For gravel races or rides on Strade Bianche, a tire width of 35 mm is ideal. This provides sufficient cushioning for the rough surfaces and reduces the chance of punctures, while still being able to ride fast on the asphalt.

Gravel bike tires often have a coarser tread than a road bike, which helps to maintain traction on loose, rocky terrain. If comfort and control are important to you, you can opt for tires with a more open tread on the sides for better grip in corners and on loose surfaces. If you decide to take part in GF Strade Bianche with your gravel bike, choose the narrowest gravel tire you can buy with the least tread possible.

Also read: Trento Gravel Escape

Tire choice for the racing bike at Strade Bianche

Although the racing bike is not traditionally intended for gravel, it is the best choice for GF Strade Bianche. Most racing bikes come standard with narrow tires, but for the Strade Bianche it is wise to consider wider tires. A tire width of 28 mm is the minimum, 30 mm is ideal. These widths are always fast, but offer more grip and comfort on gravel roads than 25 mm tires. It is important to choose a tire with a profile that can handle the asphalt, but also has sufficient grip on gravel paths.

For road bikes, it’s usually best to opt for mixed-terrain tires, such as semi-slick tires. These tires have a smooth tread for speed on asphalt, but with enough grooves on the sides for grip on dirt roads. Tubeless tires are also recommended here, as they significantly reduce the risk of punctures, especially on the rougher sections of the route. By opting for these tires, you can get the most out of the Strade Bianche without sacrificing speed or grip.

Also read: Strade Bianche Trail

Conclusion

Choosing the right tires for the Strade Bianche depends on the type of bike you ride and the balance you’re looking for between speed, grip, and comfort. Gravel bikers have more freedom to choose wider tires with a coarser tread for extra grip on gravel roads, while road cyclists will benefit from wider mixed tires that can handle both tarmac and gravel. Regardless of your choice, it’s important to choose tires that you feel comfortable with so you can ride the GF Strade Bainche with confidence.