Top tips and tricks for a bike packing trip
"On a bike-packing trip, I once used a pair of Chamois passed down to me from a family member, that they last used in the 90's !! Needless to say, it.was.not.comfortable. It is worth the investment. "
Summer is the time for adventuring! We caught up with Noeleen and Hayley who went on a very windy and chilly trip back in the spring, to find out what their favourite bits of kit are and what tips they have.
Noeleen has also biked the length of Aotearoa back in February, so has learnt some of this the hard way!
Favourite bits of kit:
- A Feedbag. Hands down. For all those delicious little snacks, easily accessible water. Pop in your sunblock and multi tool kit on the side pockets to whip it out whenever you need!
- Aeroe rear spider rack and thought it is a great set up! Really easy to use and convenient to take them off when you get wherever you’re going.
- A bum bag. I keep camera/phone/wallet and other important things in here. When I'm riding, it's attached on the top of my front handlebars bag, and then when I'm at the 3rd cafe for the day (maybe even more...), I take it off to bring in with me.
- A good pair of chamois/bibs (Bibs for life!). On a bike-packing trip, I once used a pair of Chamois passed down to me from a family member, that they last used in the 90's !! Needless to say, it.was.not.comfortable. It is worth the investment.
Top Tips:
- Always carry an emergency dyhydrated meal and high energy bar! You never know when you will be caught out late... most of the time in my case!
- Unless you know you can wild camp anywhere and can carry tonnes of food. Create a Plan A and Plan B for places to stay and get food / water on your trip. 60% of the time I am rolling with my Plan B!
- When you are riding, turn your phone to airplane mode to save battery life! Have a offline topo map downloaded, especially if you are doing back country missions - these are incredibly helpful. Oh, and always know how to read a topo map.
- A "can-do attitude, always fun and keen for a grind" friend. Makes the world of a difference to have someone to suffer and smile with you!
What great tips! Happy adventuring if you are getting away this holiday and don't forget if you need any more tips or advice, just head over to our Lifestyle store, 70 Stuart St.
