Bike camping is an absolute delight—and even more so if you care for yourself and your stuff when you arrive home. Here’s how to achieve the best post-ride reset.

Last fall, I found myself wheeling home from an especially wet, long, gritty weekend of bike camping. The (eye-poppingly beautiful) Sun Harvest 2025 return trip tried even some of Out Our Front Door’s strongest riders. At the end of the day, our hearts were full—and our bodies and bikes were beat.

As I unloaded my bike and schlepped up the three flights to my apartment, I honestly looked forward to my tried-and-true aftercare routine. It’s a recipe I’ve refined over nearly a decade of bike camping, so… it’s legit.

Whether you’re rolling in from a soggy slog or a dreamy extra-long tootle, this simple framework ensures that you’re ready for the next ride, both with your gear and with yourself.

1. Take care of you

Yes, schlep all your gear inside or upstairs or wherever you need to, but then just leave it be. Like they say in the airplane safety video, put on your own oxygen mask first.

Drink more water (and add in some energy drink powder). Scarf those leftovers in the fridge. Strip off those grimy layers, and step into a hot shower. Keep stretching. Eat two dinners. Drink something warm and cozy or cold and fizzy, depending on the season. Climb into bed at 8:00 p.m. if you please.

In short, treat. yo. self.

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2. Take care of your gear

Stuff comes secondary to self, obviously. But it’s important not to leave things lingering in damp or grit too long, so that you can be sure your gear is in ideal shape to support your next adventure.

So once your body is reapproaching baseline, assess the damage, toss in that first grubby load of laundry and enjoy the stank and soil disappearing from your favorite tee or chamois shorts by the effortless magic of a machine.

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If your gear got wet or dirty (tent, sleeping pad or cot, etc.), unpack it soon, and figure out your drying strategy. For me, in an apartment, that means opening up my XL clothes-drying rack to cycle through a few rounds of fan-assisted drying, then vacuuming up the dirt from my wood floors the following morning.

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For my friend Maggie, it means taking advantage of her dry backyard space to open up that gear and let the breeze do its work. Sometimes, sleep is a priority, so Maggie recommends attending to any wet gear in the first 24 hours. If you are getting any lingering musty smells after airing it out, read up on how to properly wash your tent: most just need very gentle cleaning with a homemade vinegar-and-water spray or specialized tech wash to protect the waterproofing.

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3. Take care of your bike

No, of course I didn’t lump in the bike with ‘your gear.’ Because your bike is obviously so much more than gear. It’s your adventure buddy. Your trusty steed. L'amour de ta vie. And it understands a) that you come first in this three-step list and b) that it will be a little more work than your gear, so if it needs to wait until the following morning, that’s A-OK.

There are eight million videos on the internet about cleaning your bike, so take your pick. But the general rundown is: a) gentle-soap-and-water the frame and such; b) degrease and regrease the more sensitive parts (chain, drive, and such—put that old toothbrush to work!); c) refill your tires, because they have been *through it;* d) schedule any advanced-level repair needs with your local bike shop; and e) give your bike a hug and kiss and tell it why you love it.

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Okay, I added that last one, but it’s extra important. Because the next time you mount that seat of glory, you want to know that you cared for your bike pal as well as it cared for you. And that the refresh process overall is part of the experience.

In sum, for bike camping aftercare, it goes: you, the stuff, your partner. All so you can be sure to enjoy many happy rides together for the years and adventures to come…

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