I’ve always had a soft spot for a low-budget adventure, and bikepacking has long been at the top of my list. This spring, my friend Nico (Semester 54 Apprentice) and I were sitting in Leadville’s City on a Hill Coffee Shop, dreaming up a biking trip to Washington’s famous San Juan Islands. With free public ferries and affordable campsites, it seemed like the perfect budget adventure. But there was a major obstacle: I had no bikepacking gear, and my budget was, well, basically zero.
At HMI, I’ve learned a thing or two about being resourceful. My mind immediately went to the HMI Gear Room’s “Free Bin,” a treasure trove of broken, well-loved, and retired gear that’s seen a lifetime of adventure. This bin is a goldmine for creative “upcyclers,” a place where one person’s trash is another’s perfect project.
Digging through the Free Bin is an art form. You have to look past the torn jackets and snapped poles to see the potential. As I rummaged, I stumbled upon a patched-up Black Diamond Mega Mid, a well-loved HMI tent. That’s when I found my solution. The tent’s durable, waterproof material would be perfect for a set of bike bags. I was filled with a sense of purpose—I would build my own bikepacking setup from this retired tent.
The process of designing and sewing the bags was a journey in itself. With no patterns to follow, I measured my bike and created my own templates out of cardboard. The sewing machine I rented from the Lake County Library became intimately familiar with my subpar sewing skills as I worked to create a bag that would fit snugly inside my bike’s triangle, and a dry bag for my bike rack.
There’s something deeply satisfying about making something with your own two hands. As I worked, I felt a connection to the gear I was creating. This wasn’t just a bag; it was a piece of my own ingenuity, a testament to what you can create when you’re willing to be a little creative. Plus, I knew a piece of HMI was coming with me on this adventure, a tangible link to the community that had taught me to be resourceful.
What is bikepacking? Similar to HMI’s backpacking expeditions—where you carry everything you need to survive on your back—bikepacking is all about strapping your gear onto your bike and hitting the road (or trail). From weekend glamping getaways to cross-country adventures, bikepacking is a form of self-supported travel that’s been gaining popularity. While you can outfit your bike with high-end gear from REI, I’ve found it’s a lot more fun (and rewarding) to do-it-yourself.
When the time came for our trip, the bags held up perfectly. Nico and I spent our days riding through scenic roads, the smell of salt and pine filling the air. We watched the sun set over Mount Baker, whale watched in the bay, and sampled every ice cream shop the islands had to offer. My homemade gear even attracted the attention of curious travelers. I didn’t have the best or most expensive gear, but I had gear that was uniquely mine, a setup born from a dream and a well-loved tent from the free bin.
This trip was a powerful reminder of what I’ve learned at HMI: adventure isn’t about having the perfect gear or the nicest setup. It’s about a willingness to be creative, resourceful, and to embrace the spirit of getting outside no matter what. You don’t have to be an expert to get out there, and you certainly don’t need the nicest gear to have a meaningful experience. It’s also about the amazing company you get to share it with.
The experience also reinforced the value of sustainability. Reimagining old gear and giving it a new purpose not only saved me money but also gave a second life to something that would have otherwise been thrown away.
So, if you’re dreaming of an adventure but feel held back by a lack of gear or funds, I encourage you to be bold, creative, and a little scrappy. Dig through a free bin, ask your friends for old gear, and don’t be afraid to try making something with your own hands. As you head out on your own journeys, remember that a piece of HMI—the spirit of resourcefulness, creativity, and community—will always be with you, reminding you that the best adventures often start with an idea and a little bit of discarded fabric.
