My First Ever Bikepacking Weekend on the O2Feel Equo – And I’m Officially Hooked
I’ve always loved riding bikes. Family rides, commuting, rail trails, carrying kids, groceries, dogs… bikes have always been part of life. But bikepacking? Sleeping in a tent, carrying everything on the bike, riding all day and waking up somewhere completely different? That was brand new territory for me.
Last weekend, I finally gave it a go.
And honestly? I get it now.
Melbourne Bayside to Yarra Junction – 95km of Adventure
The plan was simple:
- Ride from Melbourne Bayside to Yarra Junction
- Camp overnight
- Spend Saturday abseiling in the mountains
- Ride home Sunday
A proper little micro-adventure powered by bikes, campfires and fresh air.
I used the O2Feel Equo Adventure, fitted with the Maxi pannier bags and front rack, and packed everything I needed for the weekend:
- Tent
- Sleeping bag
- Warm clothes
- Food
- Cooking gear
- Toiletries
- Snacks (lots of snacks)
- Coffee essentials, obviously
Looking at the pile before departure, I honestly wondered if I’d overpacked. But once it was loaded onto the Equo, it just… worked.
The bike felt stable, balanced and surprisingly nimble, even fully loaded.
The Beauty of Rail Trails and Back Roads
The route was one of those rides that reminds you how much incredible riding exists right on Melbourne’s doorstep.
We followed a mix of:
- bike paths
- quiet back roads
- gravel sections
- and the stunning Lilydale to Warburton Rail Trail
The trail itself is magic. Tall gums, winding rivers, tiny townships, old bridges and long peaceful stretches where all you can hear is tyres rolling on gravel and birds overhead.
There’s something about travelling by bike that completely changes the pace of a weekend. You notice things you’d miss in a car:
- roadside egg stalls
- changing light through the trees
- the smell of eucalyptus after sunset
- tiny bakeries
- random sculptures
- rivers you suddenly want to swim in
And because you’re carrying your little home on the bike, every stop feels intentional.
My First Real Test of the Equo Adventure
I already knew the Equo was versatile, but this trip gave me a whole new appreciation for what it can do.
The 720Wh battery was brilliant.
I mainly rode in:
- Eco mode
- and Tour mode on hills or gravel sections
Even over the full distance with gear onboard, I still had enough battery to comfortably get home.
That’s one of the things people often underestimate about eBikes and bikepacking. You don’t need maximum power all the time. Using assist strategically makes a huge difference. Eco mode gave just enough support to keep the ride enjoyable without draining the battery.
Instead of arriving exhausted, I arrived excited.
And that changes everything.
Carrying Gear Without the Drama
The setup worked incredibly well:
- Maxi panniers swallowed an amazing amount of gear
- the front rack carried lighter bulky items
- weight distribution felt natural
- and packing/unpacking at camp was easy
No backpacks.
No sore shoulders.
No sweaty riding.
Just comfortable touring.
I also loved that the bike still felt fun to ride unloaded once camp was set up.
Campfires, Cold Mornings and Sleeping Outside
There’s something deeply satisfying about arriving somewhere entirely under your own power.
We rolled into camp dusty, tired and hungry, set up tents, lit the fire and cooked dinner as the temperature dropped.
The next morning was freezing — proper crisp Victorian camping weather — but waking up surrounded by trees and bikes made it worth every cold toe.
Coffee tasted better.
Breakfast tasted better.
Even packing up camp felt exciting.
I think that’s the magic of bikepacking. Ordinary things suddenly feel memorable.
From Bikepacking to Abseiling
Saturday took a slightly unexpected turn from rail trails to ropes.
We spent the day abseiling in the mountains with ridiculous views across endless forested valleys. Standing on top of granite cliffs looking out across Victoria’s ranges after riding there the day before felt surreal.
And yes… I was nervous.
But just like bikepacking, sometimes the best adventures start with:
“I’m not sure I can do this.”
Then suddenly you’re halfway down a cliff grinning like an idiot.
The Ride Home
By Sunday morning, I didn’t want the trip to end.
The ride home felt different. More relaxed. More confident. Like something had clicked.
I stopped worrying about:
- distance
- gear
- battery range
- whether I’d packed correctly
Instead I was already thinking:
“Where should I ride next?”
That’s probably the biggest surprise of the whole weekend.
I expected to enjoy it.
I didn’t expect to become completely hooked after one trip.
Why the O2Feel Equo Adventure Was Perfect
This trip reinforced something we tell customers all the time:
You don’t need a hardcore touring bike to start adventuring.
The Equo Adventure handled:
- gravel trails
- sealed bike paths
- country roads
- camping gear
- long distances
- and steep sections
with ease.
The upright riding position kept things comfortable over long days, the motor support removed the stress from heavy loads, and the battery range opened up possibilities I probably wouldn’t have considered on a regular bike.
It made adventure feel accessible.
And that matters.
Thinking About Trying Bikepacking?
If you’ve ever thought:
- “I’m not fit enough”
- “I don’t know where to start”
- “I could never carry all that gear”
- “Maybe one day…”
This is your sign to just try it.
Start small.
Ride somewhere local.
Pack less than you think you need.
Bring snacks.
Take your time.
Because once you realise you can carry your weekend on a bike and disappear into nature under your own power… it changes the way you see riding forever.
For me, this was the first trip.
It definitely won’t be the last.
