What's on Your Bikepacking Micro-Adventure Kit List?
The #NorthWestRoad is a three day micro-bikepacking adventure. Starting in Lymington on the South Coast, it will take in the English regions of the Cotswolds and Gloucestershire hills, before heading into Wales through the Wye Valley and up to the Shropshire Hills; the micro-adventure ride will then finish in the city of Manchester. The route promises to be varied and challenging route, with daily mileages in the region of 180 kilometres—mostly on small country lanes and B-roads.
This is the kit that I have personally selected for this micro-adventure bikepacking tour...
Luggage and Camping Kit
- Arkel Orca 25 Small Waterproof Panniers
- Prototype Frame-bag
- BTR Waterproof Wedge Saddlebag
- BTR Deluxe Pannier Rack Top Bag
- Nordisk Telemark 1 LW Lightweight Tent
- Rab Neutrino 400 Down Sleeping Bag
- Vaude Performance Sleeping Pad
- Rab Incline Light Lightweight Casual Shorts
- Rab Infinity Microlight Down Jacket
- GripGrab Merino Tee
- Polygiene PackTowl Microfibre Towel
- OverBoard Waterproof Bags (reviewed here)
- FlipFlops
My camping kit for this trip is minimal, as we will be riding close to towns along the route – so we will be able to pick up evening meals and supplies as we ride. Highlights of this section include the Rab Neutrino 400 Down Sleeping Bag, which is luxuriously soft, warm and lightweight. The Rab Infinity Microlight Down Jacket offers more protection than most down jackets thanks to the Gore Infinium windproof outer. A Polygiene treated microfibre towel is ideal for evening washes.
Riding Kit
- GripGrab Endurance Bib Shorts x2
- GripGrab Ultralight Climber's Jersey
- GripGrab 3-Season Base Layer
- GripGrab Ultralight Mesh Base Layer
- Rab Phantom Waterproof Jacket
- Sportful Fiandre Light Wind Jacket
- GripGrab AquaRepel Arm Warmers
- GripGrab Merino Lightweight SL Socks x2
- GripGrab Solara Cycling Gloves
- GripGrab Merino Multifunctional Neck Warmer
- Smith Trace MIPS Helmet
- SunGod Vulcans Sunglasses
- Giro Code TechLace MTB Shoes (with SoleStar Insoles)
- Black Mamba Latex Gloves (added waterproofing)
You will recognise a lot of this riding kit from the #CelticCrossTrail kit line-up. The GripGrab jersey, shorts and gloves are my standard riding wear, while the Sportful Fiandre Jacket and Rab Phantom Hooded Jacket offer protection from the elements.
Wash Kit
- Sportique Chamois Cream
- Baby Wipes
- Toothbrush and Toothpaste
- Suncream
- Weleda Calendula Body Wash
- Razor
Weleda Calendula Body Wash is a great natural body wash that contains anti-microbial calendula extract; perfect for cleaning up after a day on the bike, and great as a hand wash. (Use the code TIM24 to get 30% off at Weleda.co.uk)
Electronics and First Aid
- Spot X Bluetooth Sat Messenger and Tracker
- Goal Zero Venture30 PowerBank
- Petzl Headtorch
- LifeSystems Micro First Aid Kit
- Hammerhead Karoo 2 Bike Computer
- Wahoo ELEMNT BOLT Bike Computer [reviewed here]
- Exposure Lights Six Pack Front Light (power bank)
- Exposure Lights Blaze Rear Light
- Charging cables in waterproof bag
The Spot X Bluetooth tracker is a fantastic piece of kit for peace of mind; it allows you to broadcast your position to a private (password accessed) online map, so your loved ones can keep an eye on your progress; as well as being a back-up messenger device in case something goes wrong and you are out of mobile signal in the mountains. The Hammerhead Karoo 2 bike computer has become my go-to choice for adventure navigation.
Tool Kit
- Spare 28c Tyre
- LifeLine Inner Tube x3
- Lezyne Lever Patch Puncture Repair Kit
- Lezyne Tyre Boot
- Chain Links x2
- Lezyne RAP14 Multitool
- Gerber Suspension Multitool
- SRAM Inner Gear Cable (spare)
- Pedal Cleat and Bolts (spare)
- Smoove Chain Lube
- Lezyne Road Drive Pump
- Cable Ties
- Spare Brake Pads
- Black Mamba Workshop Gloves
- Vel Contingency Derailleur Hanger
- Spare Bolts (various sizes)
- Gorilla Tape
- Insulation Tape
At first glance this looks like an extensive tool kit to take on a bikepacking trip, but in truth it is a selection of smaller items that could get you out of a tight spot if a mechanical hits. A note-worthy addition to your normal toolkit is the plier equipped Gerber multi-tool.
Bike – Kona Rove Titanium Custom Build
The Kona Rove was my bike of choice for the #7Countries7Passes tour and the #RoadsFromRome. The bike is fitted with a rear pannier rack, SRAM 1X drivetrain, and Tune Dreckschleuder 700C wheels.
Total loaded weight (empty bottles) – 22 kilograms.
Total loaded weight (empty bottles) – 22 kilograms.
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