In our last blogpost we told you about our first bikepacking adventure. Beforehand, we thought extensively about what we wanted to take with us and how we could stow it all on our bikes.
With a few weeks distance to the trip, we want to draw a conclusion. What was useful and what was unnecessary. What would we do again so and what different, all this in this article.
THE BAG ISSUE
How many bags do we need? What size do they need to be? Being on the road for the first time or planning to be on the road, you start asking yourself many questions.
Important: they need to be waterproof because late German summers also mean challenges in terms of weather. You cannot rely so much on the sunshine all the time.
Also, as spacious as possible, but not too big. After all, we want to reduce ourselves to the bare essentials and not take anything with us that is unnecessary.
THE WATER ISSUE
Staying hydrated while cycling is not always so easy but should not be underestimated.
Because of the bags, we decided on two bottles of Fidlock with 590 ml each. Through the magnetic system they have the advantage of being usable even with little space. No space-consuming bottle holders and the lid keeps the mouthpiece free of dirt in all weather conditions.
THE SET-UP
Which bags did Jana use?
My bike offers many attachment points on both the frame and fork; this allowed me to use a large frame bag and attach my water bottles to the fork, even though I only ride a 52 frame.
- Apidura Expedition Full Frame Pack (6l)
- Apidura Expedition Saddle Pack (17l)
- Apidura Expedition Top Tube Pack (1l)
- Apidura Backcountry Food Pouch (1.2l)
WHAT'S IN MY BAG?
The problem of taking more with you than you need is pretty simple and probably familiar to everyone. But there are some things you don't want to do without. The most important thing, of course, is snacks. When it comes to hygiene products, I go for small versions and bottled ones.
ESSENTIAL
Muc Off C3* Ceramic Lube Wet // Cash cards & cash (Ögon Smart Case Original) // Lighting (Light & Motion Vis Pro 100 Trail & Vis 180 Pro) // disinfectant // tissues // 2x bicycle tube
CLOTHING
Casual pants // 2 Casual T-shirts // Sports bra // 4 briefs // 2 short Velocio Jerseys // Rain Glove // Leg warmers // Arm warmers // 3 pair socks // Rain overshoes // Wind vest // Windbreaker // 1 long jersey // Baselayer // Cloth // 2 Velocio Bibs // Helmet + Sunglasses // Velocio jacket // cycling shoes // Outdoor Trail Sandals // Vans
ELECTRONICS
iPhone charging cable // XLayer Powerbank Micro 5.000 // Wahoo ELMNT Roam charging cable // Charging cable light // Charging cable Apple Watch (forgotten!) // Wahoo heart rate monitor
FOOD / SNACKS
Throat Candy // Clif Bloks Energy Chews Mountain Berry // Various Protein and Energy Bars // Salted Nuts // Vegan Chili Mayonnaise // Isostar Powertabs Cranberry
HYGIENE
Antibacterial Chamois Cream - Pour Femmes // Shower gel // Hydrophil toothbrush // Shampoo & dry shampoo // Toothpaste tabs for 2 // FFP 2 masks // Hairbrush // SPF 50 sunscreen // Handkerchiefs // Deo // Face cream
EMERGENCY SET
Anti-tick and mosquito spray // Tick forceps // Wound disinfection // Painkillers // Hygiene wipes or baby wipes
THE SET-UP
Which bags did Björn use?
My Grail is not the ideal bike for bikepacking, because there are few attachment points and the handlebars are not really suitable for bags. For this tour, the possibilities were sufficient, but if we still had to take a sleeping setup, that would be difficult. Whether I could somehow attach a handlebar bag, I would have to try.
- Apidura Expedition Frame Pack (3l)
- Apidura Expedition Saddle Pack (17l)
- Apidura Backcountry Downtube Pack (1.8l)
WHAT'S IN MY BAG?
ESSENTIAL
throat candy // bike lock // credit cards // ID // smartphone
CLOTHING
Wind vest // 1 long jersey // 2 short jerseys // Rain gloves // Baselayer // Leg warmers // Arm warmers // Cap // Loop // 2 Bibs // T-shirt // longsleeve // jeans // 3 boxers // 3 pair socks // Helmet + Sunglasses // Windbreaker // cycling shoes // Flip flops
TOOL
Tire Lever // Tubes // Air Pump // Multitool
ELECTRONICS
Camera // Lens // Memory cards // Camera batteries // Solar power bank // iPhone charging cable // Wahoo Elemnt Roam charging cable // Light charging cable // Wahoo heart rate monitor // Front and rear light (Light & Motion Vis Pro 100 Trail and Vis 180 Pro)
HYGIENE
Chamois cream // FFP-2 masks // Muc-Off Amino Recovery Balm // Allergy tablets // Pain ointment // Face cream // Deo // Toothbrush
CONCLUSION
After these (eternally long) lists, what would we change next time?
In general, we probably had a bit too much clothing with us. Considering that we had washing facilities, less would have been enough. Some parts were also unnecessary because of the weather, but so what is often not to estimate beforehand. So there rather have too much.
Jana is convinced she didn't really need her top tube bag. It is practical, but everything she had in it she could probably have stowed in her jersey.
Speaking of bags, I definitely have a food pouch on my list for next time. I have to test times with Janas Pouch, as I can attach the well to my handlebars, but practical these pouches are already very. Have more food within reach, transport an extra drink or have some technology in the DeepL access, all that would be possible with it.
We would also add band-aids and a warming blanket to our first aid kit, just in case.
You've probably seen a lot of charging cables on our lists, so we want to find out if there are any small, portable ways to replace them with multi-adapters to charge multiple devices at one outlet without having to carry a bulky multi-outlet. So far, unfortunately, we have not found anything.
Another important purchase that is on the list for us (especially if we want to be on the road next year with tent and Co) is a Leatherman (or a similar multitool). Since we have already started to inform us and it is exciting how nerdy this topic is and what these tools can do or offer everything.
When we talked about this résumé yesterday, we agreed that the very most important thing was one thing, the Chamois cream. We wouldn't really have expected that, since we never really use any otherwise, but from about the middle of day 2 it was a really good companion after all.
We hope this information will help you as inspiration or when planning your first bikepacking tour. Do you have any questions about any of the points? Do you have any further tips or do you think that something important is missing? We are looking forward to your comment!
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