Last weekend my friend Laura and I did part of the King Alfred’s way, which you can read about here. As I embarked on my first bike packing trip I realised how much there is to plan, prep and take with you and it can be a minefield.
Bike bags
Originally I was going to borrow bags from my friend Helen but I have been luck to be supported by Evans this year with my plans that they supported me with some bike packing kit that included the following:
- Altura Vortex 2 Waterproof frame bag – I actually didn’t end up using this the past weekend as it is a much better fit for my gravel bike rather than MTB
- Altura Vortex 2 Waterproof front roll – this was amazing and fit on the bike perfectly plus had loads of loops to change where straps went and strap things on to
- Altura Vortex 2 Waterproof top tube pack – for longer road rides I always have a similar bag on the frame for easy access to nutrition
- Altura seat pack – an oversized saddle bag again with lots of straps to attach things to
- Patagonia 5L waist pack – essentially a bum bag to carry whilst riding
Quick Bag Review
The bags were amazing and I was really impressed and have the following feedback from their first use:
- they were easy to attach
- I particularly liked the foam pads to protect the bike from straps although you are bound to get some movement as you ride over technical terrain so there may still be some marks left but these definitely minimise the risk
- they cleaned up brilliantly with a baby wipe despite having a lot of mud on them – using a tap of water when home was also fab
- they fold down very flat when not in use
- the only thing I would say is because they are not normal zips to ensure they remain waterproof you do have to be conscious not to overpack them otherwise the track can come away and open
They are now packed away in a bag ready for the next adventure!
Kit Checklist
So this is the final list of what we took with us:
- Bike – (obviously) and again there is much debate on this with some people saying gravel bikes over MTB and others vice versa but we decided (mostly because of me rather than Laura) that we would do this on our MTBs. Laura is an experienced cross racer and far more comfortable with rough terrain on on a gravel or cross bike whereas my preference is MTB. Feedback showed opinions were split from those who had completed the ride so I would suggest go with what you are more comfortable with and I am happy with my choice!
- Bike bags – bike packing means you carry all of your stuff and with British weather being so unpredictable waterproof is always best, as compact as possible and that fit on your bike and are comfortable to ride with. My lovely friend Helen also lent me a number of dry bags so everything I packed went into a dry bag just to be doubly sure nothing would get wet.
- Sleeping bag – again as compact as possible and I was lucky that my husband had purchased one from Omm for when he did the half MDS ultra run, which was perfect and packs down very small and now in the sale too. There are different sleep options where you can have trousers that zip to jackets, which is what my friend Laura took. She also took a sleeping mat, which I didn’t – although light they are bulky and I can practically sleep anywhere so chose to leave that off my list but is personal preference.
- Tent/bivvy – again a bit of preference and we opted for sleeping bag with bivvy bag and also took some tarp that we made into a bit of a tent for two that covered us and the bikes (this genius idea was all Laura so I can take no credit here).
- Headtorch – for obvious reasons we are wild camping and so it gets dark and the headtorch is invaluable!
- Waterproof jacket – again British weather means this is a necessary. You are carrying minimal kit so don’t want it wet. I have a lightweight jacket from BioRacer that packs away in a drawstring bag that is fab.
- Thermal jacket – sounds bulky but I have a thin Specialized thermal jacket that packed down small, is lightweight and was a god send for when you stop cycling and are sweaty that soon turns to chills so essential to wrap up quickly.
- First aid kit – hopefully do not need but very good to have for obvious reasons. Also an emergency blanket and poncho just in case.
- Essential toiletries – baby wipes, toilet wipes, travel deodorant, travel brush, sudo cream, lip balm, travel toothbrush and toothpaste, mini towel, hand sanitiser, earplugs. You cannot underestimate the power of a wild camping wash to freshen up! Sun cream too because much as we moan about British weather it could be sunny and sun stroke/burn is no fun. Also don’t forget bug spray as you will get eaten alive as I did even though I was covered.
- Bag for rubbish – work off the logic of leaving no trace. If you have rubbish or used items then bag it up and take it with you!
- Money – cards and cash.
- Battery pack – useful for phone as well as bike computer for the route. Also make sure you take the right cables for various devices if needed.
- Bike computer – my wahoo was ready with the route loaded.
- Bike lights – one front and one back light, we were aiming for long days so living by the logic of be safe and be seen.
- Bike spares – 2 inner tubes, tyre levers, quick links, pump, puncture repair kit, multitool, like the first aid kit you hope not to need it but being prepared for various eventualities is the best approach.
- Chamois cream – yep that! I took a few of the Her individual sachets so they were smaller and lighter to carry.
- Bike lock – there were two of us but if you need to go to shops, toilets etc have a lock. We both have these compact locks from Hiplok that are perfect for cafe stops.
- Helmet
- Cycling sunglasses
- Water bottle – I took one but ran out three times so would definitely either look to take two next time or a hydration vest of some sort – you need to judge by your set up and if you are using a frame bag or have a bike that allows for two bottle cages.
- Spare clothes – take what works for you. I wore padded bib shorts, a base layer, technical top and my trusty five ten shoes. Also took a gillet, arm warmers, spare top and spare socks in case of wet feet and a buff – so versatile! Lightweight leggings for off bike, woolly hat and another top. Laura took spare bib shorts and honestly I think next time I will do the same!
- Food – we knew there would be stops on route so were not planning to take enough food for the whole trip though had enough electrolytes, fuel we knew worked for us when cycling and of course a couple of emergency gels. Laura had got me a hip flask for my birthday so we had some gin (for post riding not whilst on our bikes obviously).
- Miscellaneous – cable ties, electrical tape and string.
It looks like a lot of stuff but you can see from the pic that it fit nicely in the bags I used. I filled the bags as follows:
- Top tube bag – nutrition, tyre levers, puncture repair kit, multi tool, cable ties, mini tube of lube with electrical tape wound round it, chap stick
- Handlebar bag – thermal jacket, hat, gillet, waterproof jacket, bivvy bag, toileteries
- Saddle bag – spare inner tubes, sleeping bag, spare clothes
- Waist pack – battery pack, charger cables, bike lock, money, tissues
Some items mentioned in this post were gifted from Evans Cycles but all opinions are my own.
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