Gina Johnson
Bikepacking is a challenging outdoor activity that requires careful planning and packing. When it comes to carrying a tent and sleeping bag on a bicycle, there are several options to consider. The most common methods involve using bike bags, panniers, or racks to store and secure your gear. It is recommended to choose lightweight and compact items, such as a sleeping bag and mat that can be placed in a seat pack or handlebar pack. Tents can be strapped to the rear rack or stored in a saddle bag, but it's important to consider the weight distribution and handling of your bicycle. Portability and space optimization are crucial, and it's essential to prioritize essential items and safety gear.
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What You'll Learn
Packing light is key: opt for lightweight, compact gear
Packing light is key when it comes to bicycle camping. Opting for lightweight, compact gear will make your trip easier and more enjoyable. Here are some tips to help you pack light and efficiently:
Firstly, choose lightweight, compact gear whenever possible. This includes items such as a sleeping bag, sleeping pad, tent, clothing, and cooking equipment. For example, consider a compact sleeping bag with a good warmth-to-weight ratio, like the Rab Mythic, or a lightweight, insulated jacket for nighttime. Bivvy bags are also a great option as they are usually lighter and smaller than tents, providing basic shelter without the need for pitching a tent.
Secondly, utilise your bicycle's storage options effectively. Place bulky but lightweight items, such as clothes, sleeping bags, and sleeping pads, in your seat pack and handlebar pack. Heavier items should go in your frame pack to keep the bicycle's centre of gravity low and maintain handling. Stem bags, top tube bags, and bottle cages can also be used for smaller, frequently used items like snacks, water, maps, phones, and sunscreen.
Thirdly, minimise the number of items you bring. Consider what is essential and try to reduce bulk wherever possible. For example, you might opt for a bivy bag and tarp setup instead of a tent, or leave behind a pot and stove and opt for cold meals. If you're travelling with a partner, you can share the load and create more space for other items.
Lastly, if you need to bring a backpack, try to keep it as light as possible. A lightweight hiking or biking pack that is 20 litres or smaller is recommended. You can use it to carry water and other lightweight, odd-shaped items that don't fit elsewhere.
Remember, the aim is to keep your setup light and compact to maintain the agility of your bicycle. Test out your packing configuration before your trip to get a feel for how your loaded bike handles.
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Use bike bags to carry your tent and sleeping bag
When packing for a bikepacking trip, it's important to consider the weight and bulkiness of your gear. Tents, sleeping bags, and mats usually take up the most space and are the heaviest items to carry. To make the most of your bike bags, follow these tips:
Firstly, choose lightweight and compact gear. For example, a bivvy bag is a good alternative to a tent as it is lighter and smaller. When selecting a sleeping bag, consider its packability and warmth-to-weight ratio. Good-quality gear is often more expensive, but it can make a significant difference in weight and space.
Secondly, utilise different types of bike bags to maximise space and maintain stability. Use a seat pack or handlebar pack for lightweight, bulky items like your sleeping bag, clothes, and tent. If using a seat pack, ensure it is waterproof or place your sleeping bag and clothes inside a waterproof stuff sack first. Place the heaviest items closest to the seat post to minimise side-to-side sway. Similarly, be mindful of the weight in your handlebar pack, as too much weight can affect handling and steering. Aim for the handlebar pack to weigh about the same as your seat pack to keep your bike balanced.
Additionally, use a frame pack for heavy items like your stove, fuel, bike tubes, and extra food. This will help maintain your bike's handling by keeping the centre of gravity low. For frequently used items like snacks, water, maps, and phones, use stem bags, top tube bags, or bottle cages, which are easily accessible while riding.
Remember, there is no one-size-fits-all approach to packing your bike. As you gain experience, you will develop a system that works best for you.
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Place lightweight, bulky items in your seat and handlebar packs
Bulky, lightweight items are ideal for seat and handlebar packs. These bags are great for storing items that you don't need to access quickly or frequently throughout the day, as they can be a little tricky to get into.
Seat packs are a key piece of equipment for bikepackers and are a convenient place to stow bulky, lightweight items. They are more streamlined than a rack and panniers, which makes riding on narrow, technical trails much easier. Bikepackers often put spare clothes, a sleeping bag, sleeping pad, and tent in their seat pack. If your seat pack is not waterproof, make sure to pack important items like your sleeping bag and clothes in a waterproof stuff sack first. To minimise sway, place the heaviest items closest to the seat post. You can also put bulky food items in your seat pack, and if you don't have room for your tent inside, you can strap it to the top.
Handlebar packs are another good place for lightweight, bulky items. They are ideal for cylindrical items like a tent, and you can also put a sleeping bag and folded sleeping pad in there. If your handlebar pack is not waterproof, protect important items with waterproof stuff sacks. As with the seat pack, try to fill your handlebar pack so it weighs about the same as your seat pack to keep your bike balanced. You can also attach items like a tent to the outside of the bag.
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Put heavy items in your frame pack to maintain bike handling
When packing for a bikepacking trip, it's important to consider the weight and placement of your gear to maintain bike handling. One key strategy is to put heavy items in your frame pack. Here are some tips to optimise your packing and bike handling:
Firstly, understand the concept of centre of gravity. Placing heavy items in your frame pack keeps the bike's centre of gravity low, which is crucial for maintaining stable handling. Aim to position denser gear, like food, water bladders, or tools, near the bottom of the frame pack to achieve this. This is especially important if you're carrying weighty items like a stove, fuel, bike tubes, and extra food.
Secondly, utilise the space within the triangle of your bike's frame. A triangle bike frame bag fits snugly into the top rear corner of the centre triangle, allowing you to maximise storage while maintaining stability. If you're using a full-suspension bike, a custom-designed frame bag can fit around the rear shock, utilising the space not taken up by the suspension.
Thirdly, be mindful of weight distribution. While putting heavy items in the frame pack is essential, you also want to distribute weight evenly to avoid bulging. Internal dividers or stuff sacks can help with this. Additionally, consider placing long, narrow items, like tent poles, horizontally at the front of the bag, where there's often more space.
Finally, keep frequently used items within reach. Reserve easily accessible areas, like the main zipper opening, for essentials you may need during the ride, such as snacks, water, maps, and your phone. You can also use stem bags, top tube bags, or bottle cages to keep these items handy.
Remember, there's no one-size-fits-all solution to packing for bikepacking. As you gain experience, you'll develop a system that works best for you and your bike's handling.
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Keep frequently used items within easy reach, like in top tube bags
When packing for a bikepacking trip, it's important to keep frequently used items within easy reach. Top tube bags are ideal for storing small items that you'll need to access quickly and frequently while riding. These bags attach just in front of your seat post and are designed to be easily accessible while you're on the move.
So, what should you keep in your top tube bag? Well, think about the items you'll need to grab quickly and frequently throughout your ride. This might include snacks, such as energy bars, lip balm, sunscreen, or even a small multi-tool for quick repairs. You'll also want to keep your phone in a top tube bag, so you can access it easily for navigation or in case of an emergency.
Top tube bags are also great for storing items like your keys, wallet, or other small essentials. You might also want to keep a compact camera in there to capture those scenic moments on your ride. Remember, the idea is to keep your most frequently used items within easy reach, so you're not fumbling through bags while riding.
When choosing a top tube bag, look for one that is durable, lightweight, and waterproof. Some bags, like the Adventure Race Top Tube Bag, feature a technical waterproof outer and a two-way zip to keep your items dry during inclement weather. Reflective detailing is also a great feature to look for, as it boosts visibility and safety when riding at night or in low-light conditions.
By keeping frequently used items within easy reach in a top tube bag, you'll be able to quickly access what you need while on the go, making your bikepacking trip more enjoyable and efficient.
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Frequently asked questions
There are several ways to pack a tent and sleeping bag for bicycle touring, depending on your preferences and the type of bike you have. You can attach them to a rear rack using bungee cords, compression straps, or rope. Alternatively, you can use bike bags such as saddle bags, handlebar packs, and frame packs to carry your tent and sleeping bag.
If you want to travel lightweight and sacrifice some comfort, you can consider a bivvy bag. Bivvy bags are lightweight, usually waterproof, and can be set up anywhere without the need for pitching a tent. Another option is to use a hammock instead of a sleeping bag, which can be threaded through your sleeping bag to avoid the need for an underquilt.
In addition to your tent and sleeping bag, there are several essential items to bring on a bicycle touring trip. These include a sleeping pad or mat, a stove, fuel, water, food, maps, a first aid kit, and other safety gear. You may also want to bring entertainment supplies such as books or journals.
When choosing bags for packing your tent and sleeping bag, it's important to consider the space and weight of your gear. Look for lightweight and portable options that will maximize space. If you're buying individual bags, ensure that they have enough room to carry everything you need. Some brands offer bike bag systems that are designed to work together, providing more flexibility and ensuring that all your gear fits securely.
To pack your tent and sleeping bag efficiently, consider removing the tent poles and strapping them to the frame separately. You can also try to minimize the number of items you pack by opting for lightweight and compact options, such as an inflatable sleeping mat or a compact sleeping bag with a good warmth-to-weight ratio. Additionally, practice packing your gear and test it out on a short ride to get a feel for how your loaded bike handles.
