Couple things I've learned over the last few seasons bikepacking in the Pacific Northwest and California: 1. Wool is king, wear it everywhere. Synthetics and jerseys just arent worth how fast they stink and get sticky if you're out for more than a weekend. Especially important are socks, good quality wool socks will keep your feet healthy which is really important 2. Camp shoes, a cheap pair of thongs/slides after a long day in the saddle feel amazing, important to feel comfy at camp for morale, also stepping out to pee at night. 3. Aero bars are really nice for long stretches, mostly just to rest your arms and upper body (I would say more appropriate for touring on roads though) 4. SOAP. Bring soap, both to wash up when possible in a stream after a long day, but also after poop 5. Trowel and toilet paper. Even if you dont think you will have to poop in the outdoors, knowing you cant wipe if you'll have to is a personal hell 6. Something to do in your tent in the evening, get your mind to relax a bit after working all day. I do a book or sudoku. 7. Bug spray/sunscreen 8. Seperate trash bag. You will make trash. Pack it out.
Waterproof socks… I know I was skeptical at first too. They’re great for stopping the wind too. Sandals + waterproof socks = feet stay dry and sandals dry from wind super quick too
I think you got everything, but it would have been nice to see all the kit packed in the bags and on the bike, just so we know it is possible! More bike packing content, please - need some inspiration to get through the Welsh/UK winters ready for the summer adventures!
We'll see what we can do! Bike packing in winter is hard work... worth it though! Did you catch out winter adventure? 👉ua-cam.com/video/ma1uOzil4SY/v-deo.html
One thing to consider is that if you're a short person your bike will have a lot less space for bags. For example, there might not be space for a frame bag, handlebar bags touch the front wheel, etc.
Amazing! Bikepacking for me is the best cycling experience you could get. Few tips from me: -Spend time choosing your sleeping bag. Being too hot isn't as bad as being too cold, but you won’t get a good night’s sleep. If you're a side sleeper, consider NOT going ultralight mummy bag, but having a large footbox. I suggest Nemo "spoon" bags or Sierra Designs zipperless bags -A good inflatable pillow is essential for me. Sleeping and recuperation is critical! Rolled clothing doesn’t cut it. I use a Decathlon ”Helium pillow”. -Nice to have: an electric inflator. When setting up camp every day, you don’t want to spend time blowing into your mat, or fiddling with a pump sack. Mine doubles up as a camp light and emergency powerbank so 8t doesn’t feel like unnecessary weight. -Bring a friend! Chat along the way, share experiences, but also share carry weight.
Tried the bikepacking bags but after several journeys in torrential rain I went back to a simple pannier n bar bag set up. Being able to access your kit without playing Tetris in the rain is much easier. Whatever you use tho, just enjoy it
Trowel, for digging a hole in case you need to answer a call of nature (always do this responsibly, well away from water and burn your toilet paper in accordance with your local codes for outdoor access) I use a twig stove (Honey Stove) that can also take a Trangia burner for coastal trips etc, so also carry a few sachets of burn gel in my med kit just in case. Always carry a lighter and a few matches in case the ignition doesn't work on your gas stove if you're using one. Military ration packs are a great way to get these and also useful things like water purification tablets, sachets of coffee/tea/sugar, hand wipes and toilet paper. Try and use a cook pot that can nest with a water bottle in a cage, to save space in your pack. Luxury item, particularly at this time of year when it's getting dark quite early, is a tablet so you can watch a film or read ebooks etc
It was a great video and covered pretty much everything except 1. We didn't get to see all that kit packed on a bike. It looked like it wouldn't all fit. Most of us also don't have an El Alto sized bike to fit things on. Bike packaging for me and the kids next year. Thank you GCN for all the adventure and kit content.
Hey thanks for watching, glad you found the vid useful! It all does fit - I promise, but agree was a little short sighted by myself to miss this off. I think packing depends on the trip you're taking on too, duration, resupply options etc - With saddle pack, frame pack, handlebar bag, fork bags or pannier options you'd be suprised just how much you can get onto your bike. Although, always important to remember that anything you do pack you're carrying round with you! Enjoy the adventures!!
@@conordunne219 I mostly fear fitting in the 3 bulky items. Tent, sleeping bag and mat. Travelling with kids I will be carrying the bulk of it. You should give the Highlands a go for bikepacking, some good cafe stops too.
Great video, will definitely use this as a reference when planning my first bikepacking trip! Also love that you included a first aid kit; in fact I think carrying some essentials such as a gauze and a disinfectant is a good practice in general as it allows you to continue riding after minor mishaps or crashes. I bought this spray thing that covers up bruises and such while keeping the wound from being infected and it allowed me to continue my rides even after bruising my knees or elbows.
yeah GCN always seems to forget bike locks! I don't know where they're riding but there's not many places I wouldn't be putting a lock on my bike overnight. Maybe if I'm sleeping in a bivi snuggled up to my bike it would be ok!
Hey Conor - couple of suggestions to add in addition to the toilet kit/trowel mentioned in the comments I always carry some parachute cord (20 ft) super light and always using it for something and also some individual hydration drink mix packs (a couple per day) along with a few gels and bars. If its going to be buggy a midge head net is also a good call.
Nice video! The topic I really like. Now then, that we know what to take with us, maybe in the next video Connor will show us how to pack all this in a reasonable manner? Sound funny perhaps, but this can be a real issue actually.
Very good list! Especially the tip to bring lights even in the summer is very usefully. On my last big trip a day, that should just be 8 of hours in the saddle, turned out to last until midnight. The only light, I had with me, was a torch zip tied to my handlebars. Not what I've planned.
Hahahah we've all been there with the makeshift lights 😂 Head torch and a bike light isn't a bad idea! Especially for off road riding - eyes on the trails at all times 🔦
If your bike frame isn't Conor-sized and you carry bottles, make sure a frame bag will fit before purchase. It's 2023 - camping quilt, not bag - preferrably down in any case. IMHE down is a LOT less fuss than suggested. (I've had several quilts for years and still no smell - never washed any of them - and normally they have a DWR coating so not hard to keep dry normal rain conditions. Either way - camping 101 - Unless really hot out you'll absolutely need a sleeping pad to insulate your body from the ground. Even with a bag the bottom insulation useless since it is compressed. (Air is what insulates. This why a quilt is superior choice.) There are no "4 season" bags (or quilts - or pads.) Setup for expected temps.
The secret to tubeless and tubed is doing it yourself. This is my first year riding tubeless and the bike shop did the original install. I wish I did it myself just to get familiar right away. After this year for my use (road) it is really great.
definitely want to give some gentle bikepacking a go. I have ME/CFS though so use an e-bike which might restrict me to readycamp sites or bunk houses with poer for an overnight recharge!
I go super light, but I do not camp, I credit card it. WalMart has super light camp shoes that are invaluable to me. Hard to find the super light ones, but they are around! Also his rain jacket was not for deluges, just for intermittent showers or light drizzle (I know, because I have one). For that, I have a Decathlon cheapie, with a a hood, which you can also wear over your poofy jacket if necessary.
I’d like to see Conor pack all that stuff onto a bike the size of mine! I’d love to have the option of using bikepacking bags but any that would fit my bike wouldn’t hold much of anything.
What's your experience with these strapping cages on carbon forks? Afaik it's not being recommended to strap them on carbon forks. I'd love to have this extra option on my road bike but I don't want my fork to break.
Personal choice here but I wear trail runners when bike packing so I don't need another pair of shoes, this is also in no small part due to lots of paths around me being very narrow or old canal paths with sections you can't ride on.
Great suggestion. People new to bikepacking may also be new to riding 6-10 hours each day. That can cause “chafage” as other GCN personalities have mentioned. A little soothing chamois cream every two hours is a lifesaver!
Athens-Stockholm seems to be around 2,500-3,000km. This could be 100-150km per day, maybe, with a random break day here or there and maybe some cheat nights in hotels/hostels where you can recharge and wash up...etc. You might wanna do less per day (or more!!) but it really depends on your fitness level and how fast you actually wanna go. It also depends on the route (is it hilly or flat? road or gravel?). Whatever the daily effort, you need to make sure it's sustainable and you can do it again the next day and the next... etc. I would: 1. Definitely try a shorter route for 3-5 days to practise and see what it's actually like 2. Plan the route well (on Komoot or something) 3. Find out what areas/countries are safe to cycle through (are Kosovo and Serbia safe? I don't know) 4. Find out rules on camping in different countries 5. If you're staying at hotels/hostels, find out if they have any bike storage facilities. 6. If you're planning to taking any kind of public transport at any point (a ferry maybe?) check for strikes 7. Plan for the weather shift between mediterranean and Scandinavian and between your start date and a month later! I think #1 is the most important one because it'll show you where you have issues to address (fitness not enough, missing kit, not enough planning... etc) I hope this helps
Never bikepacked but thru-hiked the apalachian trail in the USA. So based on that experience, pack everything in the video, don't forget toiletries and water solutions. Probably at most pack food for like 3 days at a time or something? Don't think you'll ever be far from a supermarket in Europe. You'll get fit on the way. Start slow and ramp up the kilometers as you go along. Don't start close to winter because the north gets very cold. Maybe get a sawyer water filter that screws on most plastic PET botles so you can get water from streams in the more remote areas. Other than that, plan your bike route on some dedicated bike route planner and have at it.
@@rnedisc i don’t think anyone can “get fit on the way”. The whole trip might last a month or so. You can’t even train for a 100k ride in one month. Maybe it’s different with hiking? Definitely make sure you’re fit enough before you start
Thanks Conor and crew...ok , you don't have nuts ? And ..the bear sound ...mmm , needs work dude . Thanks to the person filming , for laughing like we all would ...
There used to be bike touring with proper panniers that fit on racks. Front and rear racks. None of this floppy, wibbly-wobbly 'packs' that is tied onto the saddle. Do it right.
There is no chance all of your kit goes onto your bike. This video is a good overview of everything you could take. But each trip requires you to select the kit accordingly. You'll learn from experience.
But you didn't actually put all the kit you showed onto a bike. Show us how you load the bike for a 2 week trip. Disappointed with this video, plenty of chat, no substance.
1:57 Why is it nowadays, for a product that has some sort of issue, another product is released? In this case by the same company. As a pallet cleanser, try flicking through the Rough Stuff Fellowship's archive to see how our ancestors managed... 🙄
Did we miss anything? Let us know your bikepacking essentials! 👇
What about bike trailers? ..Are they worth a shot or are they just a waste of money?
You missed toiletries such as toothbrush and toothpaste. Plus either surgical alcohol or soap maybe even shampoo
Couple things I've learned over the last few seasons bikepacking in the Pacific Northwest and California: 1. Wool is king, wear it everywhere. Synthetics and jerseys just arent worth how fast they stink and get sticky if you're out for more than a weekend. Especially important are socks, good quality wool socks will keep your feet healthy which is really important 2. Camp shoes, a cheap pair of thongs/slides after a long day in the saddle feel amazing, important to feel comfy at camp for morale, also stepping out to pee at night. 3. Aero bars are really nice for long stretches, mostly just to rest your arms and upper body (I would say more appropriate for touring on roads though) 4. SOAP. Bring soap, both to wash up when possible in a stream after a long day, but also after poop 5. Trowel and toilet paper. Even if you dont think you will have to poop in the outdoors, knowing you cant wipe if you'll have to is a personal hell 6. Something to do in your tent in the evening, get your mind to relax a bit after working all day. I do a book or sudoku. 7. Bug spray/sunscreen 8. Seperate trash bag. You will make trash. Pack it out.
@@HAL_NOVEMILA for highway touring maybe but once you get off paved roads they are hell
Waterproof socks… I know I was skeptical at first too. They’re great for stopping the wind too. Sandals + waterproof socks = feet stay dry and sandals dry from wind super quick too
I think you got everything, but it would have been nice to see all the kit packed in the bags and on the bike, just so we know it is possible!
More bike packing content, please - need some inspiration to get through the Welsh/UK winters ready for the summer adventures!
We'll see what we can do! Bike packing in winter is hard work... worth it though! Did you catch out winter adventure? 👉ua-cam.com/video/ma1uOzil4SY/v-deo.html
Thre was such a huge pile of stuff I doubt one bike would be enough Especially if you carry the biggest first aid kit I've ever seen!
One thing to consider is that if you're a short person your bike will have a lot less space for bags. For example, there might not be space for a frame bag, handlebar bags touch the front wheel, etc.
Amazing! Bikepacking for me is the best cycling experience you could get.
Few tips from me:
-Spend time choosing your sleeping bag. Being too hot isn't as bad as being too cold, but you won’t get a good night’s sleep. If you're a side sleeper, consider NOT going ultralight mummy bag, but having a large footbox. I suggest Nemo "spoon" bags or Sierra Designs zipperless bags
-A good inflatable pillow is essential for me. Sleeping and recuperation is critical! Rolled clothing doesn’t cut it. I use a Decathlon ”Helium pillow”.
-Nice to have: an electric inflator. When setting up camp every day, you don’t want to spend time blowing into your mat, or fiddling with a pump sack. Mine doubles up as a camp light and emergency powerbank so 8t doesn’t feel like unnecessary weight.
-Bring a friend! Chat along the way, share experiences, but also share carry weight.
Tried the bikepacking bags but after several journeys in torrential rain I went back to a simple pannier n bar bag set up. Being able to access your kit without playing Tetris in the rain is much easier. Whatever you use tho, just enjoy it
Hahahah playing tetris in the rain, we've all been there! 😂
Trowel, for digging a hole in case you need to answer a call of nature (always do this responsibly, well away from water and burn your toilet paper in accordance with your local codes for outdoor access)
I use a twig stove (Honey Stove) that can also take a Trangia burner for coastal trips etc, so also carry a few sachets of burn gel in my med kit just in case. Always carry a lighter and a few matches in case the ignition doesn't work on your gas stove if you're using one. Military ration packs are a great way to get these and also useful things like water purification tablets, sachets of coffee/tea/sugar, hand wipes and toilet paper.
Try and use a cook pot that can nest with a water bottle in a cage, to save space in your pack.
Luxury item, particularly at this time of year when it's getting dark quite early, is a tablet so you can watch a film or read ebooks etc
Conor is my bikepacking spirit animal. You can tell he gets that same wanderlust addiction to get into nature and go exploring.
Have you seen his Slow Pro Tour films on GCN+? He has been to the Canary Islands, Crete and most recently the Philippines! 👉 gcn.eu/slowpro
@@gcntech next video bike packing with Ollie’s new light Bike
@@tony5269 We might struggle to get Ollie bikepacking 😂 - ua-cam.com/video/TqzGI3OuJ3Y/v-deo.html
@@gcntech 🤣🤣🤣
It was a great video and covered pretty much everything except 1. We didn't get to see all that kit packed on a bike. It looked like it wouldn't all fit. Most of us also don't have an El Alto sized bike to fit things on. Bike packaging for me and the kids next year. Thank you GCN for all the adventure and kit content.
Hey thanks for watching, glad you found the vid useful! It all does fit - I promise, but agree was a little short sighted by myself to miss this off. I think packing depends on the trip you're taking on too, duration, resupply options etc - With saddle pack, frame pack, handlebar bag, fork bags or pannier options you'd be suprised just how much you can get onto your bike. Although, always important to remember that anything you do pack you're carrying round with you! Enjoy the adventures!!
@@conordunne219 I mostly fear fitting in the 3 bulky items. Tent, sleeping bag and mat. Travelling with kids I will be carrying the bulk of it.
You should give the Highlands a go for bikepacking, some good cafe stops too.
For a stove, it's best if you get one with a piezoelectric lighting mechanism as matches tend to struggle if the. wind picks up.
Great video, will definitely use this as a reference when planning my first bikepacking trip! Also love that you included a first aid kit; in fact I think carrying some essentials such as a gauze and a disinfectant is a good practice in general as it allows you to continue riding after minor mishaps or crashes. I bought this spray thing that covers up bruises and such while keeping the wound from being infected and it allowed me to continue my rides even after bruising my knees or elbows.
Quick
can you make a video of actually putting al that stuff ont he bike, would be really helpfull
Conor already did one here! 👉 ua-cam.com/video/Gn_DA0nY2Gk/v-deo.html
Thanks for the tips,Conor.I think we still need bike locks though if staying in a Caravan park or camping grounds.😀👍🚴🚴♂🚴♀
yeah GCN always seems to forget bike locks! I don't know where they're riding but there's not many places I wouldn't be putting a lock on my bike overnight. Maybe if I'm sleeping in a bivi snuggled up to my bike it would be ok!
Bike locks is a great shout! Would you lock the bike to the tent? If anyone tries to take those bikes, you're waking up 💤
Hey Conor - couple of suggestions to add in addition to the toilet kit/trowel mentioned in the comments I always carry some parachute cord (20 ft) super light and always using it for something and also some individual hydration drink mix packs (a couple per day) along with a few gels and bars. If its going to be buggy a midge head net is also a good call.
Nice video! The topic I really like. Now then, that we know what to take with us, maybe in the next video Connor will show us how to pack all this in a reasonable manner? Sound funny perhaps, but this can be a real issue actually.
Very good list! Especially the tip to bring lights even in the summer is very usefully. On my last big trip a day, that should just be 8 of hours in the saddle, turned out to last until midnight. The only light, I had with me, was a torch zip tied to my handlebars. Not what I've planned.
Hahahah we've all been there with the makeshift lights 😂 Head torch and a bike light isn't a bad idea! Especially for off road riding - eyes on the trails at all times 🔦
If your bike frame isn't Conor-sized and you carry bottles, make sure a frame bag will fit before purchase.
It's 2023 - camping quilt, not bag - preferrably down in any case. IMHE down is a LOT less fuss than suggested. (I've had several quilts for years and still no smell - never washed any of them - and normally they have a DWR coating so not hard to keep dry normal rain conditions.
Either way - camping 101 - Unless really hot out you'll absolutely need a sleeping pad to insulate your body from the ground. Even with a bag the bottom insulation useless since it is compressed. (Air is what insulates. This why a quilt is superior choice.)
There are no "4 season" bags (or quilts - or pads.) Setup for expected temps.
I want to see you pack all this stuff! How’s it all going to fit into those bags
Maybe that's the next video? There is a real art to packing properly too 👀
Hey Connor, what about the bathroom kit, paper, shovel, some taint wipes…..
The secret to tubeless and tubed is doing it yourself.
This is my first year riding tubeless and the bike shop did the original install. I wish I did it myself just to get familiar right away.
After this year for my use (road) it is really great.
definitely want to give some gentle bikepacking a go. I have ME/CFS though so use an e-bike which might restrict me to readycamp sites or bunk houses with poer for an overnight recharge!
For riders of small bike, like me size 50cm, i recommend a hipbag for items like powerbank, spare parts, wallet etc.
Thanks... and be ready for when a mounting breaks on a savage ride!
I use a camping hammock, mosquitoe net, and tarp..super light and easy to set up out of the rain and wind.
Those Silca gear wipes are great
A small sit pad is nice to have. Something like the thermalite zseat.
I go super light, but I do not camp, I credit card it. WalMart has super light camp shoes that are invaluable to me. Hard to find the super light ones, but they are around! Also his rain jacket was not for deluges, just for intermittent showers or light drizzle (I know, because I have one). For that, I have a Decathlon cheapie, with a a hood, which you can also wear over your poofy jacket if necessary.
Awesome vid! Do you have a list of the gear used?
What brand of dry bags were being used? They looked like they were paper thin which is great. Thanks
I’d like to see Conor pack all that stuff onto a bike the size of mine! I’d love to have the option of using bikepacking bags but any that would fit my bike wouldn’t hold much of anything.
It said what on the sleeping mask? Great video!
Details for that light mount pls.
Put a tick remover in the first aid kit.
ref mobile phones ,I use a Doogee ,they are heavier but bullet proof & mine has a 8000mh battery ,You can actually use it to power other items .
Please make a video about cooking food whilst bikepacking
What's your experience with these strapping cages on carbon forks?
Afaik it's not being recommended to strap them on carbon forks. I'd love to have this extra option on my road bike but I don't want my fork to break.
Any suggestion for packable off the bike shoes?
Personal choice here but I wear trail runners when bike packing so I don't need another pair of shoes, this is also in no small part due to lots of paths around me being very narrow or old canal paths with sections you can't ride on.
Chamois cream!
Great suggestion. People new to bikepacking may also be new to riding 6-10 hours each day. That can cause “chafage” as other GCN personalities have mentioned. A little soothing chamois cream every two hours is a lifesaver!
Spare rear derailleur hanger. That's a common point of failure.
What would be a sensible plan to ride, let's say, from Athens to Stockholm and how fit should you be to even start seriously considering it?
Athens-Stockholm seems to be around 2,500-3,000km. This could be 100-150km per day, maybe, with a random break day here or there and maybe some cheat nights in hotels/hostels where you can recharge and wash up...etc.
You might wanna do less per day (or more!!) but it really depends on your fitness level and how fast you actually wanna go. It also depends on the route (is it hilly or flat? road or gravel?). Whatever the daily effort, you need to make sure it's sustainable and you can do it again the next day and the next... etc.
I would:
1. Definitely try a shorter route for 3-5 days to practise and see what it's actually like
2. Plan the route well (on Komoot or something)
3. Find out what areas/countries are safe to cycle through (are Kosovo and Serbia safe? I don't know)
4. Find out rules on camping in different countries
5. If you're staying at hotels/hostels, find out if they have any bike storage facilities.
6. If you're planning to taking any kind of public transport at any point (a ferry maybe?) check for strikes
7. Plan for the weather shift between mediterranean and Scandinavian and between your start date and a month later!
I think #1 is the most important one because it'll show you where you have issues to address (fitness not enough, missing kit, not enough planning... etc)
I hope this helps
Never bikepacked but thru-hiked the apalachian trail in the USA. So based on that experience, pack everything in the video, don't forget toiletries and water solutions. Probably at most pack food for like 3 days at a time or something? Don't think you'll ever be far from a supermarket in Europe. You'll get fit on the way. Start slow and ramp up the kilometers as you go along. Don't start close to winter because the north gets very cold. Maybe get a sawyer water filter that screws on most plastic PET botles so you can get water from streams in the more remote areas. Other than that, plan your bike route on some dedicated bike route planner and have at it.
@@rnedisc i don’t think anyone can “get fit on the way”. The whole trip might last a month or so. You can’t even train for a 100k ride in one month. Maybe it’s different with hiking?
Definitely make sure you’re fit enough before you start
How do you secure your bike and gear overnight if traveling solo?
What about a battery charger and cables ? I take one with me any time I ride.
Yes, great addition to the list!
Take bears into consideration. What about Si's beloved cows?
You forgot spare mech. hanger.
I laughed until I cried at the Ginormous Leprechaun's 'bear' sound. (
Thanks Conor and crew...ok , you don't have nuts ? And ..the bear sound ...mmm , needs work dude . Thanks to the person filming , for laughing like we all would ...
Woho saddle bag stabilizer, you can thank me later
A 1 man bivi tent is the way to go....
Problem for me is that I’m short, so I can’t fit some bags on my frame
There is no way you can fit everything you presented in the bike packing bags you suggested at the beginning of the video 🤣
All that stuff, might as well just pull a trailer!!!
There used to be bike touring with proper panniers that fit on racks. Front and rear racks. None of this floppy, wibbly-wobbly 'packs' that is tied onto the saddle. Do it right.
There is no chance all of your kit goes onto your bike. This video is a good overview of everything you could take. But each trip requires you to select the kit accordingly. You'll learn from experience.
PERSONAL LOCATOR BEACON & BEAR SPRAY.
But you didn't actually put all the kit you showed onto a bike.
Show us how you load the bike for a 2 week trip.
Disappointed with this video, plenty of chat, no substance.
Next video showing how to get that lot on a bike please!!!
Don't visit me after a few days on the road if you're taking nothing to wash with! 😂
American BEERS are actually the least harmful, when camping.
1:57 Why is it nowadays, for a product that has some sort of issue, another product is released? In this case by the same company. As a pallet cleanser, try flicking through the Rough Stuff Fellowship's archive to see how our ancestors managed... 🙄
The background music prevented me from listening.
Reusable zip ties.
"bosh" the most useless and ridiculous word, period.