Gear List- How to pack for a weekend bike trip

6/27/2016

-Weekend Bike camping near Chicago
The Sub24O/Bike overnight gear list

Keep it light and work with what you have. If this is your first time out for a weekend bike trip and you are new to bike camping, then you have options on how to pack and where you can stay dependent on gear you already have. Down below you will find there are essentials to bring on every trip no matter your lodging preference. After the first trip, you'll know what you'll want and prefer for your next bike overnight. Your Local Bike Shop is a great place to start and ask for advice to help set you up for your weekend jaunt.

The Essentials
These are the essentials to keep you self supported and going the distance, no matter if you are camping, staying at a cabin, hotel or at friends house.

Always Bring:
- Your Bike!!
- Cash and Credit
- Two spare inner tubes
- Water bottle
- BIKE LIGHTS, front and rear
- A lock for your bike
- High energy snacks
- Multi bike tool kit
- A Map- paper or electronic

*Pro Bike Camping Tip- Always bring Bike lights no matter what! Even if your trip is entirely planned for the daylight hours you may find yourself staying at a restaurant too long or you're having so much fun on the beach you leave a little later than you originally planned too. Next thing you know you are riding at dusk or at night. So do not put yourself and others at risk, Always have Lights. A top priority on your weekend gear checklist.

Camping Gear List

Tent
Sleeping bag
Sleeping pad
Personal items
Bungee cords
extra water proof bag

Most camping gear comes in waterproof bags/stuff bags. Confirm with your outdoor retailer that the travel bag it comes in is waterproof. You can also wrap individual items in stuff sacks or a reuse a plastic bag to ensure water does not penetrate your gear.

*Pro Bike Camping Tip- bring extra bags just in case it rains and your sac may not be completely water proof. You do not want to be sleeping in a wet sleeping blanket.

Hotel Gear List

Just a seat post bag to carry essential items
Water bottle in water bottle holder
Your I.D. and cash/credit

This is by far the lightest way to travel and the most comfortable. Eat at restaurants and buy snacks at convenient stores along the way (But always pack at least one backup energy snack in your pack just in case the next store is faraway). Sometimes there is a downside, usually hotels sit outside the State Park and you may miss out on some great scenic views and the natural splendors of your local area. Make sure you don't pass up the opportunity to know more about the features and wildlife of the local area, so stop in the State Park or Preserve, you'll be surprised on what you'll discover.

Clothing

Dress for the season and dress in layers. In the spring and fall the outside temps may be great to wear a T-shirt but when biking the wind can make your chest, hands, and fingers cold. Bring a pair of gloves and a sweater/windbreaker if need be. If a little rain is in the forecast bring a rain jacket. Don’t be afraid of the rain!!! Some the best views is when a storm is on the horizon. If weather gets intense there are usually shelters along the way to sit it out for the moment. This is also a great time to break at a dinner or a pub as well.

What to Wear/Bring for a Typical Weekend Bike Adventure:
- One shirt and shorts to bike in
- One wind breaker/rain jacket
- Two pairs of socks
- Two pairs of under garments
- Swimwear for FUN
- One extra sweater even if it's hot outside, the evenings get cool or a storm could blow in.
- One Pairing of clean comfortable sleep wear: Aka a clean fresh/dry shirt & shorts to sleep in (switch to sweater and sweatpants for colder temps)

Other Stuff To Bring
You might want to bring, a photo device, pain killers, comfortable cushion bike gloves, sunglasses, sunscreen, lip balm, and information to share.

**TIPS**
• Panniers or Basket/Crate or Shoulder bag?
If you do not have a back rack or basket to carry your essential and personal items, then make sure the book-bag/backpack/shoulder-bag you bring fits you comfortably for long durations and the straps are adjustable. We highly suggest to purchase a back rack if you do not have one already. A bike back rack will improve this trip and any future riding you do on your own. A bike rack will also keep the weight off your shoulders. See our Bike Set-up article to learn more about carrying your gear on your bike
• Keep it light and keep it tight!
Secure your belongings and keep highly used items accessible when packing. Light weight usually makes for a more enjoyable ride; So don’t bring your living room furniture on the ride. And Avoid dangling straps, they can get entangled in the wheels and cause an accident; Be smart and protect your safety.

Author: Andrew St. Paul

Comments

What does your gear list look like? We'd like to hear about what you took on the ride. What worked and what didn't. Drop us a comment down below. Or submit your weekend bike camp story to us to have it featured on the website. We always like hearing about new stuff, tips and tricks and what you consider essential for riding in the Lower Lake Michigan Basin Area. Enjoy the Ride