• So I'm going on my first ever bike packing excursion with a good friend from home that's prepping for tcr.

    I fly home (ireland) with bike Friday night, get battered at a stag Saturday night, then hit the road with my mate on Monday morning.

    We're getting the first train from Dublin to Sligo to spend 5 days riding as much of the wild Atlantic way we can fit in.

    Touring experts, what am I missing for a 5 day adventure:

    Sleeping:
    Tent, mat, sleeping bag

    Off bike:
    Merino t-shirt, down jacket, shorts, underwear x2, shoes, wooly hat

    On bike:
    Jersey x2, bibs x2, arm warmers, knee warmers, gloves, rain cape, base layers x2, socks x2, shoes, helmet, bike tools, tubes, quick links, lights

    Other stuff:
    First aid kit, knife, powerbank, baby wipes, microfibre towel, chamois creme, sun creme, bug repellent, toilet paper, soap, head torch, deodorant

    Bear in mind space is very much at a premium right now. I've got a restrap bar and saddle bag which are already well packed. All sleeping stuff in saddle bag and maybe a few other bits, everything else in the front. Will likely just bring a single large water bottle and a tool bottle with tubes and tools.

    It's a bit of a far cry from track racing...

  • If you want proper TCR prep, take way less than that.

    Sleeping kit seems fine.

    Offbike - just the down jacket and hat.

    On bike - bibs x2 is fine but just one set of everything else will do.

    Otherstuff, seems fine.

    If you want to tour, do a tour but you should be aiming to spend your time only cycling/sleeping/eating, unless you're planning on a leisurely attempt at the TCR.

  • Love that Sunday doesn't even register as a day, post stag touring sounds great, packing list looks good, do you have a small trowel for number 2's, I see you have bog roll. One thing I bought on a trip was a small tarp, didn't weigh much and was good for a quick shelter when it pissed it down or covered the bikes at night, probably more of a luxury, but if your mate is biviying he may already have such a thing!

  • Good list. Always good to cut out anything unnecessary. Do you need two base layers? I almost never wear one.
    Also, rather than shorts for off bike, some light trousers are always in my bag. Nice in the evening/first thing in the morning which is the only time you're off the bike. For off road bikepacking I'd always be in baggys on the bike anyway.
    Just my tuppence worth.

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