Equipment
Saved Tuesday 11th March, 2008 3:56pm by Peter Creagh
Edited Saturday 13th September, 2008 5:39am by Peter Creagh
What to pack?
Have you thought about this yet? There is no easy answer as we all vary in our needs and personal approaches to such matters.
You have no doubt heard of the practical advice regularly given to world travellers, backpackers etc... “lay out all the gear you deem essential to the trip, then cut it by half.” There is a lot of good sense in this as most of us pack too much (security hang-up perhaps?)
I saw some extremes on the 2003 Epic ride. At one end of the scale was the minimalist “roadie” approach – a tube, water bottle and a Powerbar (you can always borrow a pump). Such frugality reminds me of the old outback definition of a dingo’s breakfast, “a quick piss and a sniff around.”
You do need more than this.
The ultra-cautious rider totes a 25 litre storage daypack complete with 3 litre hydration bladder, tubes, tyre, first aid kit, lights, abundant food, chain links and fixer, puncture outfit, large selection of spanners keys and other tools, rain and cold weather gear, spare rear derailleur and hanger, spokes and keys, pump, GPS – the list just goes on and on. If there’s space just cram it in. These are good people to be with in case you have a problem (though they could be a tad slow).
Most of us will lie somewhere between these extremes. I lean decidedly towards the cautious end of the scale.
I like to be self–contained on all MTB trips and vary the gear taken according to the likely demands of each trip. A good yardstick is the distance involved; if you can easily walk back to base and don’t mind that prospect, then why burden yourself – take nothing at all. Conversely, with a distance of 100km through the bush you need plenty of back-up supplies.
All of us have to make decisions on just what to take. My list follows:
- a hydration backpack with 3 litres of water
- tool bag with Allen keys to fit everything, chain breaker with spare links and pins, spoke key, puncture outfit, bit of cloth tape to fix tyre slits, tyre lever, Phillips screwdriver
- pump
- first aid kit with concentrated anti-septic solution, dressings, tape, bandages, Savlon, splinter probe, tissues for clean-up and Gastrolyte on case of severe dehydration
- spare tube
- chain lube (Small container)
- food
- money – handy in case you get lost and blunder into some country pub with steak sandwiches and a coldie
- mobile phone
- spray jacket for rain or cold
- small tissue pack – clean-ups, toilet etc.
- compass and map of the area
- spare tyre – there is a real chance of a ripped tyre on the sharp rocky terrain and this means end of race and probably big walking. Carrying a spare avoids all this grief. Mine is a folding semi-slick at 360 grams. These make ideal get-home spares. If you have any friends (I obviously don’t) carry one between you.
- sunscreen (small container)
That’s all for now folks. Just bear in mind that I have no friends, I am a nondescript person riding an unmarked bike with an unlisted number and “no” you can’t have my spare tyre or red salmon sandwich.
Dale Garvey (oldest competitior to compete in the 100km Classic at the age of 67 in 2004).
