Solo Bikepacking - Why You Should Push Outside Your Comfort Zones

In 2019 I was the recipient of the Neil Mackenzie Adventure Grant. A Grant created in honour of Neil Mackenzie, an accomplished scientist and outdoorsperson who passed away in 2015 on Joffre Peak, near Pemberton, British Columbia, Canada. The Grant was created to support outdoorspeople to pursue adventures and acquire the skills required to explore mountains as safely as possible.

I submitted an application the night before after a friend told me I would be a good fit. Going to Scotland had never been something I dreamed of. But what I did long for was an opportunity to push my boundaries and remind myself that being a woman doesn’t make you any weaker or less capable. My bikepacking adventure on the Highland Trail 550 was exactly what I needed.

Before this trip, I had never spent time in the backcountry alone (except for my three-day pre-trip adventure to test my gear). I was scared and completely out of my comfort zone. Would I be able to fix my bike if something happened? Was I prepared to tackle the weather? How do people bike by themselves all day long? These questions constantly came up before the trip.

Of course, there were plenty of challenges during this adventure. I overcame wet weather, strong winds, a flat tire with a broken pump, loss of navigation tools, and more. But what I gained far exceeded these events. I build resiliency and trust in my abilities. Being a woman in the outdoors, I had learned to question my judgment. I sought the advice of previous partners first and made decisions based on their recommendations. This trip forced me to re-connect with myself and believe in my values. When I came back from Scotland, I had a new outlook on life from more aspects than simply backcountry preparedness. I felt clearer about who I was and confident in decision-making through work and personal roles. The biggest takeaway was to trust your gut. By really taking the time to reflect on myself, I was able to see who I was. I highly recommend spending time pushing yourself in whatever way, big or small, to foster a better understanding of yourself. Remember - you are capable of anything.

Interested in learning more about the HT 550 bikepacking route? Read my trip report here.