In September 2023, I attempted the Cross-Washington Mountain Bike Route (XWA) solo, which is an approximately 700-mile long bikepacking route from La Push, on the west coast of Washington to Tekoa, at the border with Idaho. This was be my first bikepacking trip over three days long, and I was looking forward to the challenge. It has an interesting mix of moist PNW greenery and hot dry climate, and on the eastern side of the state, often follows the Palouse to Cascades trail, which is the former Milwaukee railroad route. It is a mixture of ups and downs, single tracks and roads, towns and cities, and it a very fun route indeed!
I learned a lot on this trip and hopefully you will enjoy my blunders, or at least avoid them if you are considering doing this route yourself. Although in the end, I did not quite follow the prescribed route to a T, I had a lot of fun, and would love to go back and do the entire thing in the near future!
Please feel free to leave any questions you have in the comments or let me know if you have done this route before and what your thoughts were!
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Logistics and costs of my journey on the XWA: https://youtu.be/iqtcv4w4ArM
My Bikepacking Tips playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLDvmfIGlo2FaKUt2UTCiDRlAbIpLPqYOv&si=9nNzl67N6ZXnnUi6
How to get started bikepacking: https://youtu.be/0tw7qbKzv6w
My essential bikepacking gear: https://youtu.be/XznwPWpZDeU
My favorite bikepacking apps: https://youtu.be/6sdBLlonDsg
My Favorite Backpacking and Bikepacking Gear: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/25M9CLKAQM0AD?ref_=wl_share&tag=travelspot03-20
Here is what else is in my pack:
The Big Three:
Cocoon Silk-Cotton Travel Sheet: https://amzn.to/48VHOzP
Western Mountaineering Ultralight 20 Degree Down Sleeping Bag: https://amzn.to/3OpaWFT
Thermorest NeoAir Xlight Regular Size Sleeping Pad: https://amzn.to/4eA547C
Big Agnes Tigerwall UL2 Tent: https://amzn.to/3B35GES
Essentials:
Swiss army knife: https://amzn.to/4fUbMq7
Picaridin bug repellant: https://amzn.to/3CDEtcq
Electronics:
Garmin Inreach Mini: https://amzn.to/3ZrXyXX
Anker 20,000 mAh Battery Pack: https://amzn.to/3AExGys
Nitecore 400 Lumen Headlamp: https://amzn.to/4i7e4UB
Belkin 24W USB Charger: https://amzn.to/3BfSI6R
Kindle Paperwhite: https://amzn.to/4i1v1zZ
Coros Axex 2 GPS Watch: https://amzn.to/4fxqyDi
Jabra Elite 75t Earbuds: https://amzn.to/4ePQb0Z
Ascher Bike Front Light: https://amzn.to/4g7nM7z
G Keni Bike Rear Light: https://amzn.to/3OtiMyq
Extra Clothing:
Reef Flip Flops: https://amzn.to/3YXebcH
Mountain Hardware Ghost Whisperer: https://amzn.to/3Oik7rN
Kitchen:
MSR Pocket Rocket: https://amzn.to/4fRUx9j
Platypus 2 L collapsible bottle: https://amzn.to/4fCFmR2
Katadyn BeFree 1L Water Filter: https://amzn.to/3YSmKFE
TOAKS spork: https://amzn.to/490bifO
Misc.:
Stance ankle socks: https://amzn.to/40A4sLO
Patagonia fanny pack: https://amzn.to/4encOtB
Goodr sunglasses: https://amzn.to/4fzOgyv
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