Bikepacking Weekend 2025

This October, our popular bikepacking weekend returns for a third year! Enjoy a beautiful overnight trip on scenic gravel road in the beautiful Almaguin Highlands.

Date: October 3-5th, 2025

Included in registration:

• 3 nights of camping - Friday through Sunday (Sunday night is optional).
• 2 days of Fall riding on Almaguin's beautiful gravel back roads! Different routes each day.
• Supported by experienced facilitators.
• Optional free gear transport to the overnight camping location. Carry what you want! Fancy bikepacking bags not needed. 
• Warm 'second dinner' by Santosha Farm at the overnight campsite.
• An experience designed to meet you where you are and help you take the next steps towards independent bikepacking adventures.
• Hangout with other cyclists and bikepackers and grow the community.
• Private group campsite with beach.
• Campground includes showers and full service bathrooms. 

Friday night accommodation option:

Arriving later on Friday or don't want to spend too many nights camping?  Stay Friday night in our on-site accommodation the LINNK.

Friday night accommodation $50 + HST.  Booked directly - contact us for details.

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2023 event photos:

Who is this event for?

This introductory weekend is designed to help cyclists try out bike packing in a supported environment that will include opportunities for both educational and practical experiences.  Some gravel riding experience or MTB experience is recommended, as the routes will feature local gravel road.  Participants do not require prior bike packing experience or camping experience, but they are required to provide their own gear.  If new to camping, participants will be in the company of experienced folks that can assist.

Do I need fancy bags? Nope, a gear transport service will be provided.  Participants will need to carry the minimum amount of food and water they need to complete the daily rides but will only need to carry additional gear if they want to.

Bikepacking Weekend Overview

General schedule:

• Arrival on Friday, October 3 and overnight camping at Missing Link Adventure Tours
• Friday night hangout time and learning sessions with experienced bike packers and adventure riders - campfire hangout
• Riding to the overnight site at Mikisew Provincial Park on Saturday
• Riding back to Missing Link Adventure Tours via a different route on Sunday and optional overnight camping

Key elements of the weekend are:

• Hang out and learn from experienced bikepackers and learn while doing.
• Ride some awesome routes in the beautiful Almaguin Highlands during the incredible fall colours season.

About this years facilitators!

2025 facilitator details to be confirmed.

Update - Ry Shissler will be returning for 2025! 

Host site:

Missing Link Adventure Tours (Google maps link)

805 Stisted Road North, Burk's Falls, ON, P0 A1C0

Bikepacking Route and Riding Details:

Snapshot of optional daily routes. Finalized GPX files to be provided to participants prior to the event.

• Mainly gravel roads with some trail (a few kms) OR an alternate route on all gravel roads
• Remote riding with some opportunities to refuel, including the legendary Cornball General Store.
• Total distance is approx 115km with 1400m total elevation over the 2 days of riding (expect moderately challenging terrain) - participants will have lots of time to complete the daily rides.
• Follow vehicle available for heavy or additional gear.  Carry what you want while riding!

Gear Required:

• A gravel capable bike. The standard route includes some atv trail as a small percentage of the overall route, or there is an alternate that uses municipal gravel roads.  Typically, the roads are hard-packed with some loose surface marbles. A 28 width shielded tire is recommend.  A gravel bike is not necessary.
• Participants should source there own gear, including a tent, sleeping bag/setup, cooking equipment etc.
• Algonquin Outfitters in Huntsville (40min south of the main site) has a great outfitting department.
• In Toronto, Dismount Bike Shop, has a great selection of bike packing gear
• To support participants trying to make their own meals, a supplemental dinner option will be available for additional charge.
• Gear transfer service will be provided. This will enable participants that do not have bike packing specific bags or those who don't want to haul all their gear (maybe you have a big tent - no problem, we'll get it to the overnight campsite). We do recommend that you have sufficient on-bike storage for water, riding food and tools/tubes.

Note on food:

Fueling your ride, especially when having to source on route or carry ingredients, is a huge part of the challenge of self-sufficient bike packing.  We invite participants to focus on trying and failing safely with food and meal prep during this weekend - even if it means your cooking gear is transported for you. 

For example, participants might want the full experience of making all their meals, supplying and carrying all their gear and being self sufficient. Or, they may be looking to gain experience with the process of packing and unpacking, trying out gear, making food etc. WITHOUT the need for carrying all their gear while riding.

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