Agree with you that cake is superior fuel for bikepacking. My Mum baked me a bananna and date loaf to take on the wrt. Pros 500cal per thick slice ( no butter) and delicious Cons doesn't like moisture. Butter makes it even better though

I used a backpack(out of necessity) with a bar harness on this years wrt, I was luckily able to get a harness off wildcat in time otherwise my pack would have killed me. As for 129lb trailers my fellow rider on the wrt found it was great for losing weight as he came back over a half stone lighter ; ...