How to pack for a 3-day bikepacking adventure

... or at least, how I've packed

Someone’s bike somewhere along the GAP Trail.

My friend and I are endeavoring to finish the Pittsburgh to D.C. route next week. We’ve budgeted three days of riding. I think we can make it, but, we’ll see. I mean, it’s 339 miles. Cake, right? 

I’m not really sure why people find packing lists helpful, because there are always so many variables. What kind of bike are you riding? How many days are allowing for the trip? Where will you sleep? How much do you want to carry? How much can you carry?

Maybe these kind of lists offer some sort of underlying camaraderie. Like, yeah I’m about to do this. This person took this and this and this. I should too, because, I’m doing that same thing. And it’s gonna be awesome! And my experience will perfectly align with the author’s! 

I don’t know, there might be one or two suggestions that are actually helpful in reminding the prospective rider what to pack. For the most part, though, let’s just be honest: bikepacking lists are just easy content. Just list everything out and cross your fingers it pops up in “how to [fill in activity]” Google searches.

If you’re taking a similar trip, chances are you’ve thought through the logistics and you’ve been riding enough to know what you need and what you don’t. 

But mine will be different! It will be helpful! You will find value in this list! 

So here it is. This is what I’m taking next week.

The bike.

I’ll be taking my old Fuji hardtail MTB that I’m slowly converting to a gravel/adventure bike.

It would have been the ole road bike, but I’ve learned the route is mostly crushed limestone and gravel. I run 25mm tires on them because that’s how much clearance it allows, and, well, because it’s a road bike. I’ve run into gravel roads and trails on this bike and it’s not exactly pleasurable. Last year, during the OTET, there were some parts near Akron and Cleveland that were towpath gravel. Rutty and somewhat loose. It wasn’t terrible, but after riding all day my body said otherwise.

So I took the opportunity to buy some gum-walled Panaracer Gravelking tires for this trip. I’m excited to try them out. (I’ve always wanted gum wall tires.) 43mm in the front and 38mm in the back. The bike still has a suspension fork with 120mm of travel, but I’ll be locking it out for the trip. It also still has flat handlebars, unlike the dropbars all the gravel spirit riders are doing these days.

But the flat bars shouldn’t bother me. I actually like that I’ll be more upright that I’d be on my road bike. My shoulders and neck were in a world of hurt after the OTET last year.

My friend, by the way, will be riding his road bike. He runs 32mm Continental Gator Skin tires. His advantage, if we wanna analyze this for kicks and giggles, will be the weight savings. My guess is my rig is going to weigh more than his — but hopefully I’ll be more comfortable on my bike.

You know what though? Here’s the bottom line: we’re doing this to have fun. Who cares if our bikes don’t look the part? Run what ya brung, son.

Gear on me. 

• Cycling shoes with SPD clips

• A padded bike short

• A cycling shirt

• Outer shell shorts

• Gloves

• Tall cycling socks

• Helmet

• Garmin Instinct watch tracking my every move

• A 2L Camelbak filled with water + electrolyte mix. (Packed with electrolytes, phone, snacks.)

Gear on the bike.

• A 32 oz water bottle filled with … water.

• A borrowed Wahoo Elemnt preloaded with route

• A Germany frame bag that zips shut. (Packed with multi-tool, CO2 inflator, CO2 cartridge, tire lever, small hand pump, zip-ties, knife, extra tube)

• A Topeak Backloader 10L bikepacking bag that hangs off the seat post. (Packed with an extra pair of shirt, short and socks, sandals, bike lock, keys, sunscreen, poncho, first aid type stuff, tooth brush/paste, contact case with glasses, body wash, chargers for electronics)

• A light that mounts to the handlebar.

• I’d put a blinking light on the back of my Topeak bag but I lost it after a bumpy ride that sent it flying into an unknown ditch a while back. 

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And there ya have it, folks. I hope this helps someone somewhere. If not, I hope it was at least entertaining.

Oh, and here’s another note — for those interested. My riding friend works as a nurse and the network he works for does a lot of good for people. So he’s decided to raise money for Avita Home Health and Hospice through this ride.

Avita Home Health & Hospice is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing home care and hospice services, including wound care and palliative care, all in the comfort of our patients’ own homes. Their mission is to not turn anyone away because of an inability to pay. That is done through donations.

If you’re interested, you can donate to the cause.

Alright, cycopaths. Thanks for taking some time to read this today. If I overlooked anything for the trip, don’t hesitate to leave your suggestions in the comment section.