Pocket Guide: How to Organise a Swift Campout

Now a decade-old tradition in the bikepacking community, Swift Campout is a global call to go bike-camping over the solstice weekend (21st - 22nd June). The longest day and shortest night, the ideal runtime for a good few miles on the bike before the sun sinks below the horizon. Swift Industries has been at it for years. We thought it about time we got involved, we’re stocked up after all.

Swift covers the what, where and how, so you can take all the credit… kidding. Let’s get into the dos and don’ts of gravel gatherings. The overnight setup, gear list and route plan are covered. It’s all you from here.

The overnight destination is worth locking in nice and early. Think about the size of the group, the length of the cycle, and the amenities required: clean water, tables to hang out at, showers, and good room to pitch tents and hang hammocks etc.

If rain is expected, space to store bikes under cover will save any wet saddle moaning over morning coffee. With a larger group, it’s worth smushing the campsite owner and reserving an open spot—more on this later—with space for a communal sit-down and firepit. Proper campout stuff, mallows and all. It’s also a good idea to think about distance, as you don’t want the last few hours of the ride to be a race against the setting sun or worse, you turn up to camp early with plenty more miles left in the legs.

How are you getting to your camp spot? Are you going to ride backroads? Dirt roads? Singletrack? A little bit of everything? It’s important to make this clear, as this will determine what kind of bike is best. Switch things up with a multi-route ride to keep things really interesting. For more on The Best Bikes for Bike Travel, check out our bikepacking guide. Hint: It’s the one you have, nothing fancy needed.

Point two, set the vibe right from the start. We opt for laid-back, easy miles and good company as the winning trifecta. But that doesn’t mean you can’t push it or get some tricky lines or hardy ascents on the map - it’s your Swift Campout after all.

What will people need to bring? Sharing your own packing list is a great way to get the conversation going. Riders might be able to share gear, more experienced bikepackers can share their knowledge and weather predictions. One of the great things about group camping is sharing equipment and supplies, reducing the amount of stuff each person (bike) needs to carry.

Maybe you can offer to lend gear to those who are new to camping? Fire up a group chat and make sure everyone’s covered. Give as much info as you can on the route, terrain, and if rain is expected, members can make their best judgments. Any supply drops to camp? If you’ve got larger tents, a firepit or any heavy items—celebratory cans of Brewgooder for us—then a pre-ride dropoff isn’t a bad shout. You could always put the word out and see if any newbie riders would prefer to stay light on the trail and set up early. It’s all good fun.

Depending on your group’s experience levels and the type of terrain you’re riding, the distance you travel will vary. The last thing you want for a group camp is to roll in after dark, as mentioned. Aim to be at camp with lots of time to hang out, make dinner, and get cosy around the fire.

For paved roads, distances from 20-40 miles each way tend to work well for overnights. The more technical the terrain, the shorter your ride should be. Make a map using Ride with GPS, share it with your crew, and add your ride to the Swift Campout Map Room. Coffee stops and a quick dip in the sea can make all the difference to morale.

May is the unofficial start of camping season, and spots tend to fill up. Many parks have group campsites that can be booked in advance, ensuring your entire group can be accommodated.

If your ride and camp spot can only hold a certain number of people, you’ll have to limit numbers or have a Plan B in mind.

We’ve found that creating an event on Facebook is a great way to gauge numbers, while using Eventbrite has the advantage of letting you collect campsite fees in advance, saving the hassle of collecting loose cash on the day. Once you’ve got numbers, a WhatsApp group can be a nice way to keep the conversation going. Riders can share thoughts on equipment, intro themselves and get stoked on the solstice celebrations.

It’s here, campout time… with larger group rides, it’s a good idea to split up into smaller groups based on anticipated pace. Some people want to get to camp as quickly as possible, while others prefer to stop for snacks and swims.

However you split up your group, make sure each group has a leader who’s committed to making sure every person makes it to camp safely and in good time for sunset. As the organiser, it can be super helpful to get everyone to write down their phone number and an emergency contact at the beginning of the ride, just in case it’s needed.

While we can’t tell you what to do, we can ask that you take it easy and stay safe out there. Put the group before yourself, save the beers for camp, and look out for each other on the road. We hope you and your crew can find pockets of meaningful escapism along the way. It’s the journey over the destination after all. Don’t rush.

Snap some pics for the gram, share good eats and take your time with the ritual of morning coffee making. Make new friends along the way and who knows, maybe you’ll start an annual tradition? Swift-ers for life.

Ride slow, roam far. Find freedom on the gravel tracks, the coffee stops, shared miles and sunsets. You’re sure in for some stunner views, good vibes, and future stories to tell. Why not share your Swift Campout with us?

#MyEscapism