First timer’s packing list
Moderators: Bearbonesnorm, Taylor, Chew
First timer’s packing list
I’ve never done an overnighter on the bike, but with the nice weather on the way out for the year I feel like I ought to get one in soon if it’s going to happen in 2020.
Trouble is, I don’t have a load of kit to use: a bivvy, cheapy Podsacs bags that I’ve used a bit for commuting, a rubbish sleeping bag and self inflating mat.
What are the other essential bits and pieces I need before I give it a go?
Trouble is, I don’t have a load of kit to use: a bivvy, cheapy Podsacs bags that I’ve used a bit for commuting, a rubbish sleeping bag and self inflating mat.
What are the other essential bits and pieces I need before I give it a go?
Re: First timer’s packing list
A dangle mug is essential
- Bearlegged
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Re: First timer’s packing list
Usual stuff you'd take for a bike ride. Tools, tube, pump, food and drink, spare clothing (consider you'll cool down a fair bit when you stop). Other than that, it sounds like you have "the essentials" sorted. Everything else will be nice to have, and will fall into the category of making your trip more* enjoyable.
Hot drink/food? Some sort of stove and eating/drinking set up.
Likely to be a bit grubby and want to protect your sleeping bag? Spare clothes to sleep in, and/or a sleeping bag liner.
Crack on and give it a go.
*Unless it results in taking too much stuff, and the resultant weight/bulk makes things less enjoyable
Hot drink/food? Some sort of stove and eating/drinking set up.
Likely to be a bit grubby and want to protect your sleeping bag? Spare clothes to sleep in, and/or a sleeping bag liner.
Crack on and give it a go.
*Unless it results in taking too much stuff, and the resultant weight/bulk makes things less enjoyable
- Bearbonesnorm
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Re: First timer’s packing list
You have the essentials - something to sleep in, sleep under and a way of carrying it. Whether you need anything or at least much else, will largely depend on your plans. How long and where ... you could plan a trip around your kit.
May the bridges you burn light your way
- Escape Goat
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Re: First timer’s packing list
Restrap said all the cool kids are doing this... Heh.
I had a 25 year old sleeping bag that took up an entire saddle harness... Then went to Go Outdoors and spent a few quid on a smaller one that wasn't as warm. You don't need loads for a local overnighter at all. Even use a back pack.
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- whitestone
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Re: First timer’s packing list
You don't need all the kit, some of it helps but some bits tend to be "nice to have". You'll learn what does and doesn't work for you. I think I'd take a stove to make a brew in the morning, maybe some snacks.
If the sleeping bag's "a bit rubbish" I'd take some thermals and maybe a jacket of some kind otherwise the night could be a bit miserable.
If the sleeping bag's "a bit rubbish" I'd take some thermals and maybe a jacket of some kind otherwise the night could be a bit miserable.
Better weight than wisdom, a traveller cannot carry
- RIP
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Re: First timer’s packing list
ear plugs
pillow
open mind
beware midges if they bother you
Once slept under a tree next to the canal at 1am after an over-refreshed evening 10 miles away. All I had were the clothes I rode in including a jacket, water, lights, cash, phone, 1st aid, a few tools/spares, lock, door key. Admittedly it was summer and I only had four hours "sleep" but it was still a night out.
PS. A warm welcome, and good for you for taking the plunge. From now on you'll wonder why you wasted all that time in a proper bed .
pillow
open mind
beware midges if they bother you
Once slept under a tree next to the canal at 1am after an over-refreshed evening 10 miles away. All I had were the clothes I rode in including a jacket, water, lights, cash, phone, 1st aid, a few tools/spares, lock, door key. Admittedly it was summer and I only had four hours "sleep" but it was still a night out.
PS. A warm welcome, and good for you for taking the plunge. From now on you'll wonder why you wasted all that time in a proper bed .
Last edited by RIP on Sat Sep 19, 2020 9:30 am, edited 1 time in total.
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The sign outside the asylum is the wrong way round.....
"At least you got some stories" - James Acaster
- Escape Goat
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Re: First timer’s packing list
Ooh and take plenty of treats :)
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Re: First timer’s packing list
See, that's just wrong.ear plugs
Re: First timer’s packing list
Yep. I couldn't do that at all. Never going to happen.
Re: First timer’s packing list
I take them to commerical campsites due to the noise or festivals but a solo bikepacking trip - i can see no reason for this decison - on the plus side there is barely a weight penalty.
- RIP
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Re: First timer’s packing list
Just me then . I would say they are only part of my emergency kit for when I get woken up by generators at 4am and can't be bothered to move spot. I don't use them as a habit and certainly not when I'm in the middle of nowhere and enjoying the surroundings!
Last edited by RIP on Sat Sep 19, 2020 11:33 am, edited 1 time in total.
"My God, Ponsonby, I'm two-thirds of the way to the grave and what have I done?" - RIP
The sign outside the asylum is the wrong way round.....
"At least you got some stories" - James Acaster
The sign outside the asylum is the wrong way round.....
"At least you got some stories" - James Acaster
- Bearbonesnorm
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Re: First timer’s packing list
I read that as hobbit.I don't use them as a habit!
May the bridges you burn light your way
Re: First timer’s packing list
We said we weren't going to mention his hairy feet any more.
- RIP
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Re: First timer’s packing list
Or my strange predilection for searching for lost hordes of treasure.
"My God, Ponsonby, I'm two-thirds of the way to the grave and what have I done?" - RIP
The sign outside the asylum is the wrong way round.....
"At least you got some stories" - James Acaster
The sign outside the asylum is the wrong way round.....
"At least you got some stories" - James Acaster
Re: First timer’s packing list
Thanks for the reassurance everyone, sounds like I just need to get on with it and see how it goes - will let you know!
Re: First timer’s packing list
It's the best thing you can do. Just get out there. The rest will sort itself out.
Re: First timer’s packing list
I would also add if you go local and you are only say an hour from home the worst that happens is you pack up and head home and learn from the experience
Everyone made mistakes the first few times - almost certainly how much stuff you took
Have a great time.
Everyone made mistakes the first few times - almost certainly how much stuff you took
Have a great time.
- Escape Goat
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Re: First timer’s packing list
Yeah, enjoy your trip. Expect stuff to not quite go to plan and have fun!
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- RIP
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Re: First timer’s packing list
Oh and anyway, re earlier heckles about my excellent and carefully researched suggestions, which are lab-tested under exacting and tightly-controlled conditions laid down to international standards :
"My God, Ponsonby, I'm two-thirds of the way to the grave and what have I done?" - RIP
The sign outside the asylum is the wrong way round.....
"At least you got some stories" - James Acaster
The sign outside the asylum is the wrong way round.....
"At least you got some stories" - James Acaster
- BigdummySteve
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Re: First timer’s packing list
Pack them for Monday
We’re all individuals, except me.
I woke up this morning but I’m still in the dark
I woke up this morning but I’m still in the dark
- RIP
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Re: First timer’s packing list
Done! Along with the teasmaid, waffle iron, and breadmaker...
"My God, Ponsonby, I'm two-thirds of the way to the grave and what have I done?" - RIP
The sign outside the asylum is the wrong way round.....
"At least you got some stories" - James Acaster
The sign outside the asylum is the wrong way round.....
"At least you got some stories" - James Acaster
Re: First timer’s packing list
You're good to go then, if you can strap it all to the bike securely. Better to try it soon than delay because of shopping needs?a bivvy, cheapy Podsacs bags that I’ve used a bit for commuting, a rubbish sleeping bag and self inflating mat.
Kit lists can be as simple as something to sleep in and on, clothing for on and off bike, things needed to fix your bike. Maybe cooking kit if you want it. Basically pack what you would for a big day ride and add the overnight kit.
It's that easy. ...and why there's generally one fairly important or useful thing I forget per trip, never the same thing twice and always a chance for bodging/adapting/kicking myself
Re: First timer’s packing list
You seem to have your motivation.
That's the single most important part. The rest comes automatically. And if it doesn't, you won't die if you've forgotten something.
That's the single most important part. The rest comes automatically. And if it doesn't, you won't die if you've forgotten something.
That's less the trouble, but more a good starting point - take less poor show.