Wednesday, 14 Apr 2010
There is an advrider thread about packing for camping trips that gave me the idea for this page. I’m going to Death Valley this weekend and thought I’d document my packing. Yeah, I bring way too much stuff. So what? I’ve got the space and proved last year that I can still pick up the bike when loaded.
Before packing
I’ll start off with the stuff that is always on the bike, trip or no trip. The tank bag contains my alternate gloves, a Petzl head lamp, binoculars, a 1 litter water bottle with cup, compass, hats (wool and baseball), and my P&S camera for on the road shots. Side pockets hold some carabiners, various power/re-charge cords, and some sun screen in a small bottle.
The small bag that sits under the tail rack, above the tail light holds parts of three different tire repair kits, a small amount of electrical and duct tape, some wire, a leatherman, and a bungie net. The tail bag holds my camera equipment.
top layer
The left (small) zega case holds more gear in several layers. The top layer, shown in this pic, currently contains a fleece sweater in a stuff sack. It may not look like it, but I can also fit my heated liner and the goretex liner from my R2P pants in here with a touch of room to spare. The handle on the left is to a short machete used for splitting fire wood, making kindling, or digging a fire pit or latrine if necessary.
middle layer
bottom layer
The middle layer contains a gorilla pod, a bike cover, and my tool kit which sits vertically. It is almost the exact depth of the pannier. Under the middle layer are the things not often accessed (but still easy to get). They include spare bulbs, cord & clothes line, maps, misc gear kit, rain pants, and a cooling vest.
rope at the bottom
misc kit bag
At the very bottom of the pannier is some rope. It is the only thing I’ve never used. It is small enough and light enough that I carry it, anyway. The misc kit bag contains an air gauge, pump, jumper cables, multi meter, cable ties, velcro straps, emergency tape, a siphon, and a pancho.
That’s the stuff that lives on the bike. More pictures tomorrow when I pack for the trip.