Bikepacking offers two approaches—go light and fast for big miles or pack heavy for a slower, immersive experience. Our ride on the Cohutta Cat, a 290-mile loop with 33,000 feet of climbing, started as a relaxed trip but quickly shifted when freezing temps set in. We adapted, pushing harder each day, riding epic singletrack, and battling exhaustion, especially on a grueling 100-mile day through the Cohutta Mountains and the Ocoee Whitewater Center. Through every challenge—cold mornings, tired legs, and fleeting thoughts of quitting—we kept moving forward. In the end, bikepacking is all about embracing the unknown, adjusting to the ride, and finding joy in the journey.