Back when I was still able to run, this lot used to go in my 25 litre OMM rucksack. It now goes in my 22.5 litre Topeak MTX bike bag. For water, I used a bladder in the compartment in the OMM, instead of the plastic pop bottle I use now. I needed no padded pants or the packable rucksack when running. Photographs are from when I revisited Carrog, in February 2019.
 |
| Camping kit, essentially the same whether cycling or backpacking. Foreground: My Topeak MTX bag. Yep, it all goes in. |
Camp
- Tent (Terra Nova Laser Photon)
- Sleeping Bag (Snugpak Merlin, PHD Minim 400 (in Merlin stuff sack) in cold weather)
- Air mattress (Neo Air)
- Travel pillow
- Katadyn water filter
- Waiter's friend
- Cook set (itemised bottom of page)
- Meths. in 'flip spout' bottle
- Matches
- Mug, Bowl, Spork
- Bivi bag (home made, breathable, high vis.)
- Head torch*
Food
- 2 X Pasta meals
- Instant coffee
- 2 X muesli portions, premixed with powdered milk.
- 2 X instant noodles
- 2 X Flapjack*
- 300 ml bottle of water
- 500 ml bottle of cola
- 1 litre bottle of water
- Sandwiches, usually six
- Bag of peanuts/Bombay mix
This is a minimum food list. Enough for the ride, breakfast and an evening meal even if I can't shop. I like my veg and fruit (not to mention beer), so try to plan to pass a shop at a convenient time. When running, it may be necessary to eat the veg and fruit/consume the beer at the time of purchase.
Clothing (additional)
- Padded pants
- Pants
- Long trousers, zip off legs
- Merino long johns
- Merino long sleeve top
- Waterproof top (Montane Minimus jacket)
- Down pullover (PHD Minimus)
- Ultralight packable rucksack
- Spare shirt
- Flat cap
- Spare socks (severity according to season)
- Beach shoes
- Waterproof over trousers (Innov8 Mistlite)
- Windproof top (if not wearing it)
- Micro fleece jacket or pullover
- Sleeves
The packable rucksack is for day walks etc. It is also very handy if I have to shop before camping up, i.e. with the Topeak bag still full.
In winter, I might be wearing some of the 'additional' clothing. Typically, I will wear; cycling hat and helmet; nice bright Hawaiian shirt (cheerful and fairly hi-vis), padded pants, board shorts, short socks, trail running shoes (do me for walking, running and cycling).
I wear the beach shoes for kicking around in the tent and on the campsite more than for their intended use. They are light and pack easily, I have found them to be a very good and practical alternative to carrying a second pair of 'proper' shoes.
Toilet bag
- Interdental brushes
- Toothbrush
- Dentifrice.
- First aid kit*
- Wet wipes*
- Ibuprofen
- Paracetamol
- Hand gel*
- Towel (micro fibre)
- Sun cream (in small hand gel bottle)
- Toilet paper
- Meds
Communications and other
- Phone
- GPS (Mio 300)
- 5 AH backup battery*
- 12 AH backup battery
- USB Mini cable*
- USB Micro cable
- Personal Video Player
- Extra spare tube
- Cash and card*
- Bifocal specs*
- Maps and compass
- Cable lock
- Toolkit & spares
- Pump & puncture repair outfit
Food
- 2 X Pasta meals
- Instant coffee
- 2 X muesli portions, premixed with powdered milk.
- 2 X instant noodles
- 2 X Flapjack*
- 300 ml bottle of water
- 500 ml bottle of cola
- 1 litre bottle of water
- Sandwiches, usually six
- Bag of peanuts
- Head torch*
- Lidded pan
- Windshield/pot stand
- 'Hobo stove' meths burner
- 'Straw box'
- Fuel in 'flip spout' bottle.
- Scourer, detergent.
I'll do a page on my home made cook set at some point. It weighs very little, needs next to no maintenance and has lasted me years.
All loaded up, windproof tied outside for this trip, as conditions were marginal. As it happened, it stayed tied on for the whole journey.
