Heather Heynen's Spearfish 280

Bikepacking is not for everyone. More than anything, it requires gumption and grit. Gumption to get out there. Grit to see it through. 

For a continuing story of gumption and grit, here's an update on the burgeoning bikepacking journey of local fitness and wellness expert Heather Heynen. 

Spearfish 280 map (from bhexpedition.com website)

Two years ago, Heather dreamt up and then completed a three day solo, self-navigated bikepacking trip on a self-created route from home that covered 193 miles and 16,000 feet of elevation gain on every kind of surface. That's a lot to unpack in one sentence, and it's worth doing. Thankfully, Heather eloquently expressed her experience in a heartfelt article How Going Solo Will Change Your Life. Read it.

Last month, Heather's journey led her to tackle Jason Thorman's new Spearfish 280, a challenging single track and mixed surface bikepacking route through the Black Hills of South Dakota. Once again, Heather went right at that challenge and gracefully shared her unvarnished account. Bikepacking The Spearfish 280.

Whether you bikepack or not, her story is compelling and inspiring.