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?

A dangle mug is essential

Borderer wrote: ↑Fri Sep 18, 2020 11:24 pm A dangle mug is essential

Well yeah, obviously. I’ll also be taking my dangle-Crocs, dangle-aeropress and dangle-disposablebarbecue. Non-negotiable.

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

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.

Borderer wrote: ↑Fri Sep 18, 2020 11:24 pm A dangle mug is essential

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.

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.

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 .

Ooh and take plenty of treats :)

ear plugs

See, that's just wrong.

ScotRoutes wrote: ↑Sat Sep 19, 2020 10:03 am

ear plugs

See, that's just wrong.

Yep. I couldn't do that at all. Never going to happen.

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.

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!

I don't use them as a habit!

I read that as hobbit.

Bearbonesnorm wrote: ↑Sat Sep 19, 2020 11:25 am

I don't use them as a habit!

I read that as hobbit.

We said we weren't going to mention his hairy feet any more.

Or my strange predilection for searching for lost hordes of treasure.

Thanks for the reassurance everyone, sounds like I just need to get on with it and see how it goes - will let you know!

vleapgate wrote: ↑Sat Sep 19, 2020 11:59 am Thanks for the reassurance everyone, sounds like I just need to get on with it and see how it goes - will let you know!

It's the best thing you can do. Just get out there. The rest will sort itself out.

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.

Yeah, enjoy your trip. Expect stuff to not quite go to plan and have fun!

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 :

RIP wrote: ↑Sat Sep 19, 2020 11:23 am Just me then . I would say they are only part of my emergency kit for when I get woken up by generators at 4am

Pack them for Monday

Done! Along with the teasmaid, waffle iron, and breadmaker...

a bivvy, cheapy Podsacs bags that I’ve used a bit for commuting, a rubbish sleeping bag and self inflating mat.

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?

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

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.

vleapgate wrote: ↑Fri Sep 18, 2020 11:13 pm Trouble is, I don’t have a load of kit to use

That's less the trouble, but more a good starting point - take less poor show.