Start the week topic; Travelling light

[Andy M]

I was going to add the comments below to the Home Made panniers thread below, but thought as I was changing the subject...

The panniers on the link below look good:

http://www.moonshiners.org.uk/oildrumpanniers.htm

However, the general level of loading to me suggests this chap hasn't gone far and has yet to meet mud, snow, galeforce winds etc. This set me thinking as to what the **** could be in all those bags? Even if he is going RTW, to me he'd be better with a lot less stuff. 18 HP, 2.75" wide tyres, drum brakes and luggage piled above your head doesn't look like the recipe for 300 mile days and peaceful beers on the campsite with a job well done, or is that just me?

I know one element which would make me take a really good look at that pile of gear: Money. I guess I've always had enough not to worry about the odd fiver or dumping something that's not entirely used up. Rather than carry fifteen T-shirts on a three week trip, I'll carry three, plus a bottle of travel wash and i'll buy shirts as I travel. The result is half a bottle of travel wash given away/dumped in the last week of the trip and a trail of part worn ASDA cheap brand shirts strewn across the wastebins of a continent. Worst case of course is that you are 300 miles from the shops and it's rained for two weeks so you can't dry anything, in which case I'll be the stinky bloke who gets a table to himself in the bar!

The question then is: Is it only me that goes to this sort of length to avoid having a duffel bag tapping on the back of my helmet everytime I brake?

Andy

[guest295]

That's the way to go. You can wash clothes and strap them on where the wind will dry them. A plastic sheet and light rope will make a shelter if you need one. the less you're carrying, the farther you can go.

[guest27]

Had a friend stay a few years back - he was hiking around Europe just seeing where the freebies took him - was a YAnk.  He had a small day sack with all he needed - two pairs of microfibre trews and two shirts.  Washed and dried in 20 mins.  Plus undies etc of course.

Apart from falling off in microfibre t-shirt.. could not see that more is really needed - then I pack to go away.

Teacher at school used to vacuum pack his clothes - one to a bag - when he went walking in Iceland, and a load of addressed mailers.  Just posted his dirty washing back to his wife and mum....

R

[squirrelciv]

When my home made panniers failed I went on a kit shrinking exercise. Most of the savings have been in the kitchen department, but clothes (or lack of) is another way of saving space. Easy wash/dry stuff, a thinsulate fleece and going 'commando' can help as can open sandals for when your not on the bike (no socks to pack). I'd go for taking a spare of everything, just in case of a soaking and sa bar of washing soap.

[SteveC#222]

Just finished reading 'Dreaming of Jupiter' by Ted Simon - his re run of his original 1974 trip done when he was 70!  Good read (But not as good as the original trip).  It was interesting to note than on both trips he had discarded a lot of the kit he started with.

Following on from Pat's last post,   The downside of riding singles is that you don't have a great deal of luggage space.  Like Pat I've trimmed my kit down to fit in a pair of medium sized throwovers.
My basic weekend kit is as follows:

Gelert Nakina plus tent
Blacks down sleeping bag + liner + inflatable pillow
inflatable airbed
Camping Gaz Tristar stove + single saucepan which doubles as a plate + Stainless Mug + irons
basic washbag
Small folding stool

Also take a couple of emergency meals - Uncle Ben's flavoured rice
If I'm going for the weekend I eat at cafes/pubs so I only really take enough to make a tea/coffee.
i usually buy a bottle of water and milk when i get to the campsite/rally.
basic change of cloths

Oh yes paracetamol and earplugs!!



I'd be interested to know what the rest of you take to a rally? (assuming we are not talking Dragon/elephant)




 

[guest18]

That's the way to go. You can wash clothes and strap them on where the wind will dry them. A plastic sheet and light rope will make a shelter if you need one. the less you're carrying, the farther you can go.

There speaks a man from a country with relatively predictable weather! 
It's a tough one and it depends how minimal you want to go, I have various levels of "lightweight" depending what I'm doing, and how long I expect to be out. It is perfectly possible to carry all you need except food and water refills for long term (eg weeks if not months) in a daysack. If in doubt ask an infantryman or para (or ex squaddie), these huge bergens you see on telly are 99% equipment 1% personal kit...

Myself, the minimum I would take and expect to be comfortable for more than a couple of days in temperate conditions would roughly be: Thermarest, bivi bag, lightweight sleeping bag(snugpak). "Crusader" mug, water bottle, spoon and small stove. Penknife. Lightweight shelter sheet and bungees, four alloy tent pegs and some string (covers all eventualities  ) "Zoot suit" to wear while washing your one set of clothes. Half a towel, half a bar of soap, 35mm film canister of toothpaste, couple of packets of baby wipes, half a toothbrush, razor. Couple of 99p lighters. erm... think that's it. Should all go in a daysack/topbox!

Obviously it will change a little depending where you are, what time of year, what you're planning to do etc. but that's a reasonable starter for a week away biking in the uk sometime from spring through to autumn (assumes you're wearing warm waterproof bike gear).

When do we get on to discussing/justifying our choices? 

[squirrelciv]

My weekend rally kit comprises
tent
sleeping bag
self inflating mattress
The small trangia army cooker (this acts as all my plates too)
water carrier
Cool bag
mug
knife/fork/spoon/can opener set + sharp knife & mini chopping board
cooking oil, tea, garlic, stock cubes & washing up liquid in a little bottle (buy all other food when I get there)
lighter
tourch
mini stool
wash bag, microfibre towel, talc for feet & small first aid kit
1 spare set of clothes suitable for the weather report for that week end (or my best guess)

Did take a chico BBQ once, but it was a bit OTT so I've been working on a 'bucket BBQ' which hopefully I can bring to the annual.

[guest27]

Guess the people to ask for minimal kit would be an alpinist - not only have to fit it all in a climbing sack - but carry it up  a rock face too - I know of them taking a karrimat, but making loads of 1" holes in it to cut the weight by 30%, half toothbrush - little kids ones work well - etc.

Got all I needed for a fortnight on the IoM - camping - into a pair of throw overs and a tank bag - oh tent strapped across the throwovers, girly on the back - cannot remember what we took mind.

R

[guest40]

Oh Hell, I take the kitchen sink!!!
Seriously, Ive recently travelled two up to a 2 niter camp with my son.
The MuZ carried:
Traveller Panniers and son with back pack : First aid kit, trangia cooker, eatin tools and cups, 2 changes of clothes(each), waterproofs(lightweight) A small 12 volt power supply and 2 neon light bars,( lots of light, little weight and low power draw) binoculars and 2 hand held vhf cb's. Tools ,Tent with fly, airmattresses, sleeping bags, torches. camera, sunnies and sun hats, basic tools. Some packet soups and enough food for 1 meal each (using shops on way.. bugger, not much open New Years weekend haha )

[trophydave]

Since selling the Trophy with its large panniers capable of carrying the kitchen sink I have reduced my camping gear a lot.Usually it fits into a tank bag and a 20 litre dry bag,not including the tent.Sleeping bag,air bed/self inflating matress,wash kit,a few clothes,waterproofs,a few small bits and bobs thats about it.Usually I don't bother with cooking gear.Normally at rallies I avoid the dog burger stalls and go off site to a cafe/pub for food if possible.If the budget is tight then the stove comes along and it's tins of all day breakfast type stuff.The only problem with the Transalp is that my tankbag doesn't fit it so I have bought a larger 40 litre dry bag to try out.

[bullet350]

PORRIDGE!

 fills your belly, and takes up very little space on the bike. Also water or milk is available everywhere.

 it's surprising just how light you can travel in Europe, but it all depends on two factors:

 Weather & Cost.

 i know people who go 'touring' across France on superbikes, taking a map a t-shirt a pair of boxers and a credit card.
its not cheap (30mpg at 130mph plus) but if you can afford to why not? i enjoy camping but even then, after a long day in a wet saddle the B&B gets my vote.

 if you can guarantee the weather then a fair wack of the usual baggage can be jettisoned (best done at home not on the M2). However during my 6 days in France last year it rained for four and a half of them.

bullet350

[Bill Rutter]

I thought that I took the "Kitchen Sink" route until I saw Colin Hilliard and Steve "Pickfords" Dalby and their array of gear. I always pack far too much, especially in the clothing department. For the Annual Rally say, I will change shirt for the Friday evening session, fresh clothing for the Saturday daytime, maybe a full change Saturday evening and mix n'match for the journey home on the Sunday as I know there's a hot bath waiting...so:
4 x shirts
1 x fleece
2 x jeans/shorts
1 x walking shoes

plus enough underwear and socks for the weekend (and loads of deodourant  )

This is, of course in addition to the regular riding gear and boots. Plus Trangia, fuel, cutlery, and a torch/lamp. I think that's it really. ( n.b. notice no cash to buy a round  )

[steveD]

Hey I thought that I travelled "well prepared" until I helped Colin H unload at the last Annual. I could hardly carry just one of his bags and he had two as well as two fully loaded panniers. The problem with big panniers is that you tend to fill them and they just get heavier and heavier. But then I always used to travel by myself and get into all sorts of predicaments so I tend to take enough tools for sensible repairs plus lots of spares like clutch cable, throttle cable, clutch lever, brake lever, spare bulbs, cable ties, medical kit, survival kit as well as an array of cooking and camping gear, waterproof overclothing, spare clothing, douche bag, tent, spare mobile with charging kit, torches, poncho, tyre repait kit, wash bowl, water carrier, maps, spare gloves, waterproof socks, undies, tee shirts, jumpers, warm hat, head torch, bottle of wine, wine glass, Trangia, cutlery kit, tinned meal and rice, tea bags, cereal, tent, inflatable bedroll, slleping bag!

Have I forgotten anything? Yet when I gop away on the SRX I just take a sleeping bag, tent, spare socks and a toothbrush and of course beertokens!

[Bill Rutter]

What.....no condoms? 

[steveD]

They are in there somewhere! Why are you asking?