Kit list for a Newbie

[YetiTony]

New to this bikepacking, got my first night out in a couple of weeks and have booked myself on the WRT this year to throw myself into it. Started to compile some kit but interested to see what other people pack and in which packs so I can compare. Links to other threads would be useful as I am sure this has been discussed numerous times?

A brief snapshot of my kit at the moment:
Handlebar Drybag:
Sleeping Bag
Bivvy Bag

Seatpost DryBag:
Thermarest
Tarp
Tent Pegs/Guide Rope

Backpack:
Cooking Kit - Flameless
Food
Water
Spare Clothing

Most of my kit is from camping so is not the lightest at this stage so I need to be efficient.

Looking forward to your feedback.

T...

[Bearbonesnorm]

A typical kit list for me would be something like:

Bar Harness:
Quilt
Sleeping mat
Down jacket
Bivvy bag
Hat (in the shape of a bear)

Frame Bag:
Cooking kit - stove, mug, spoon, windshield, lighter
Food
Torch, first aid stuff, knife and maybe a little radio
Tarp pole

Seat Pack:
Tarp
Groundsheet
Pegs

Toptube Bag:
Fuel
Spares
Tools

Water on fork leg, map stuffed down jacket or in pocket. Sometimes I'll also use an OMM 6L bumbag for extra food and camera, etc.

I tend to view spare clothes as a luxury that isn't really required

[d45yth]

WRT Kit Lists
WRT Setups
(both links are on here)
If you were just looking for some basic kit lists, there have been one or two good posts covering that in the last couple of weeks.

[rudedog]

I've found that packing the seatpost drybag as tightly as possible makes it more stable as you can then get the straps really tight round it without the contents shifting as you ride. For me, its my tent (minus poles), pot+stove and then jamming my sleeping bag in to fill any spaces and make it as compact as possible.

[Ray Young]

I tend to view spare clothes as a luxury that isn't really required

Stu, what do you do if you arrive at your bivi spot and the gear your wearing is wet due to rain or perspiration, do you not get cold standing around?

[Bearbonesnorm]

Stu, what do you do if you arrive at your bivi spot and the gear your wearing is wet due to rain or perspiration, do you not get cold standing around?

Might sound a bit stupid Ray but I'll do what I can to keep dry through the day. Waterproof jacket and shorts, so at the end of the day if they're wet I just take them off. Slip into something more puffy and bear shaped for the evening.

I find that any wet/damp clothes tend to dry faster if you're still wearing them

[Ray Young]

My problem is that even with a good quality breathable jacket I start to sweat as soon as I exert myself, ie, uphill. Never tried waterproof trousers as I think I would then sweat even more but I might give it a go.

[Chew]

Slip into something more puffy and bear shaped for the evening

I now have rather disturbing imagane of you in a bear onesie now :?

[Bearbonesnorm]

I now have rather disturbing imagane of you in a bear onesie now

I'm thinking about swapping the moose onesie for a bear one

http://bearbonesbikepacking.blogspot.co.uk/

[nobby]

A typical kit list for me would be something like:

Bar Harness:
Quilt
Sleeping mat
Down jacket
Bivvy bag
Hat (in the shape of a bear)

Frame Bag:
Cooking kit - stove, mug, spoon, windshield, lighter
Food
Torch, first aid stuff, knife and maybe a little radio
Tarp pole

Seat Pack:
Tarp
Groundsheet
Pegs

Toptube Bag:
Fuel
Spares
Tools

Water on fork leg, map stuffed down jacket or in pocket. Sometimes I'll also use an OMM 6L bumbag for extra food and camera, etc.

I tend to view spare clothes as a luxury that isn't really required

I'd just taken a break from laying all my kit out on the table when I read this thread. Seeing Stu's comment above I took out just the things he listed. I can now see how a 8L seatpack can be big enough but I can't imagine how I'll manage without the pile of stuff that's left on the table

[Bearbonesnorm]

I'd just taken a break from laying all my kit out on the table when I read this thread. Seeing Stu's comment above I took out just the things he listed. I can now see how a 8L seatpack can be big enough but I can't imagine how I'll manage without the pile of stuff that's left on the table

What's in the pile on the table ?

[nobby]

What's in the pile on the table ?

Besides waterproofs and tools, tube, pump which I guess you carry anyway; these I think I need:
Spare glasses
Washing kit
Toilet paper and trowel
Spare T shirt

These I'd like to have:
flip flops
chairkit for air bed
Spare shorts, pants, & socks

These even I can't see the need for now I think about it carefully:
500ml folding cup, spare spoon and washing up sponge and liquid
a pair of trousers and swimming trunks

[Bearbonesnorm]

I think the key here is removing the word 'spare'. Anything spare (unless it's a tube, brake pads, etc) shouldn't be there. Rather than spare stuff, think multi-purpose ... 1 item, 2 or more jobs

[YetiTony]

Some great points I hadn't considered whilst reading all the threads. My kit list is increasing though because of it. Going to do a trial pack next week to see how it all fits.
I think like people say, if it is a spare it is redundant. Doing my first night out on 13th April so that will be a steep learning curve.
Some people have mentioned ground sheets. I had not thought of this and was going to use my Bivvi bag as the ground sheet. Do people think a ground sheet is worthwhile (added insulation)?

[Bearbonesnorm]

Some people have mentioned ground sheets. I had not thought of this and was going to use my Bivvi bag as the ground sheet. Do people think a ground sheet is worthwhile (added insulation)?

I'll carry a groundsheet if:

It's raining or the ground's going to be wet.
If I'm carrying a bivvy bag that won't fit a mat inside.
If I was using a cuben bottomed bivvy bag.
If I'm kipping on a bothy floor.

[YetiTony]

Had a quick practice on packing up the bags onto the bike at the weekend.

Went reasonably well with me getting most of my kit into them. I only have a 20 litre bag for the front. It is slightly large but will do for starters plus I think I can pack it down smaller.


Bikepacking Systems... by Yeti Tony, on Flickr


Bikepacking bag tests... by Yeti Tony, on Flickr

The only thing left for my backpack is some cooking kit and a jacket for the evenings.

Had a quick spin and felt pretty sturdy but not been on any rough stuff yet.

Also had a quick go at setting up the Tarp, need to get rid of the flat roof sections. Think this is a science in its self. Anyway will practice more with it.


Tarp Testing by Yeti Tony, on Flickr

[BRP]

The rear drybag looks like it needs pushing further into the nose of the harness to me?

[Ian]

When packing a dry bag for the Tiger it's worth putting a few soft things in last so that it adopts the tapered section better and will be more stable overall. Takes a bit of practice to pack your kit efficiently, both from the perspective of weight distribution on the bike and also from ease of access to stuff.

+ If you've not seen Stu's post yet, have a look here: http://bearbonesbikepacking.co.uk/phpBB ... f=8&t=1906

[YetiTony]

BRP, Ian,

You are correct. I had quite solid items in the drybag without much flex so it was hard to get it fully into the harness. Definitely something I need to look at. Will have a ponder on swapping around kit to make it more complient near the top.

Cheers...

[YetiTony]

+ If you've not seen Stu's post yet, have a look here: http://bearbonesbikepacking.co.uk/phpBB ... f=8&t=1906

Ian, Unfortunately away then, hopefully in the sunshine. Definitely something I am interested in though for the future...