Home > VIMFF 2026 > Claudia Bastien
Claudia Bastienis an endurance athlete, bikepacker, and storyteller based on Canada’s west coast. She has spent years moving through remote landscapes by bike, on foot, and in the mountains, with a focus on long distance self supported travel.
In 2024, Claudia completed a nearly 5,000 km solo unsupported bikepacking journey from Canada to Mexico and later attempted to establish a new bikepacking route along the remote west coast of Australia. This expedition required navigating extreme distances between resupply, harsh conditions, and constant problem solving on the ground. She is also fresh off riding the iconic Baja Divide route in Mexico, where her systems, gear choices, and packing strategies were tested daily in demanding desert terrain.
Claudia’s approach to bikepacking is practical, honest, and rooted in real world experience rather than theory. She is passionate about helping others feel more confident stepping into bikepacking whether it is a first overnight trip or a longer more remote route. In this workshop, she brings her actual bike, bags, and gear straight from the Baja Divide to share what worked, what did not, and what she would change next time.
A hands-on bikepacking workshop with real-world Baja Divide experience, demystifying gear, packing strategies, and self-supported travel confidence.
Curious about bikepacking but not sure where to start? Or already planning a trip and full of gear questions?
BikePACKING 101 is a casual, hands-on workshop designed to take the mystery out of packing and help you feel confident heading out on your own.
Fresh off riding the iconic Baja Divide route in Mexico, Claudia Bastien brings real-world experience and her actual bikepacking setup straight from the trail. Hosted in the relaxed, social space of R&B Brewing, the session begins with a short visual presentation and a comparison of bikepacking setups from three very different trips, showing how terrain, climate, and remoteness shape gear choices.
From there, the workshop dives into the essentials: bike and bag configurations, gear selection, first aid, repairs, clothing, food and water systems, electronics, and hygiene—what worked, what didn’t, and what would change next time. The focus then shifts to packing strategy, including how to organize and load the bike for efficient travel.
The session wraps with an open Q&A, and every participant leaves with an exclusive, printed, in-depth packing list and gear guide created specifically for this workshop.
Expect honest answers, real-world experience, and gear that has truly lived on the trail.