What's in those bags?

I keep getting asked what kit I carry on the bike, in my panniers and in the strange red tubes on the front. A bit of a personal question if you ask me but I keep getting asked anyway so I thought I'd tip them out and show you. Nothing thrilling but actually my wordly possessions, excepting a few bits in an attic in London and a bag in a cupboard in Australia.

The panniers are bona fide ex postie issue panniers, so they fit very well and are easy to take on and off but are a bit too heavy for my liking.

We're I to do this again, I wouldn't bother with them but would do the two army surplus webbing bags slung across the bike thing, just like we did in Africa and Mongolia. But that said, these panniers are weatherproof and durable so you win some, lose some. 

I divide the contents equally to balance weight. Working from the picture, left it right, starting at the top:

Split between both panniers:

 * down jacket, Scrunches up small, very warm

* red waterproof bag containing wet weather gear - spare  
   buff, spare gloves, rain jacket, rain over trousers, Sealskinz  
   socks, baselayer top

* grey waterproof clothes bag - longsleeved shirt, zip off 
   trousers, tee shirts x 3, undies x 3, socks x 3

* waterproof bag containing sleeping bag and silk liner.

* Bed - see following picture as people always want to know 
   how it fits together and how small it packs. Fits into small bag same size as Helinox chair

* Helinox fold away chair

* wet wipes ( for when no shower is available & other sticky 
   moments....) loo roll,

* trainers for non riding days. Soap & moisturiser kept in 
   each one when I’m not wearing them

* bushman anti mozzie and other bitey thing spray  but                  
  Aeroguard is better and cheaper

On back rack, in small Ortlieb kitchen bag

* Deep plate ( doubles as a bowl or plate, very light)
* chopping knife, spork, lighter, pliers for holding billy can 
   handle

* Gas and stove ( folds away into little case) Prefer a petrol 
   stove but they are ridiculously expensive here, so using this 
   instead. It works and is still small.

* Vegemite. Nasty but makes stale bread taste better when
   hungry. Marmite is better.

* Chopping board. Goes with knife. Makes food prep easier
   Spatula. 
* Billy. 
* Flip flops ( thongs) for shower, beach, general walking
   about, swatting insects
* small bag of electrical plugs, chargers, spare batteries, golf 
   ball ( for sorting out my leg) earplugs in case

* Blue case - laptop, charger, hard drive, stick for uploading 
   photos

Left red drainage tube

* first aid kit - 3 x wound dressings, one triangular bandage, 
   one small crepe bandage, tea tree oil antiseptic, tube of anti 
   histamine cream, burn cream, eye drops. 

* microfibre towel 
* bathroom kit - toothbrush, toothpaste, Swiss Army knife 

   card, earplugs

Right red drainage tube

* hat, tyre levers, handpump, patches and glue, spare tubes x 

   2, laptop 

* Tools: ring spanners,  3 x screw drivers, spark plug tools, 
   sockets and handle. I could cut down on spanners.

My bed

I bought mine from Ultralite, who were bought out by Thermarest.

One mat, two side poles, twelve ‘feet’ twelve half struts. 

The best bit of kit I have. Very comfortable, doesnt puncture or rip, alows a comfortable sleep even on rocky ground. I store my jacket, riding pants and backplate under it when I’m sleeping which insulates me from cold air and gives more room in the tent.

Tent   Goes on front rack above headlamp

Bog standard dome tent. Cost $60.AUD. Netting inner tent, waterproof fly, porch for storing panniers. Dome tents are free standing and so can be put up anywhere - on hard ground, concrete, parking areas while waiting for ferries, shade while doing repairs etc. Buy cheap and get a new one of it fails. Multi season, all weather tents are expensive and unnecessary.

Riding Kit.

I always wear my gear, whatever the weather and however long the journey. I’d rather be warm than lose my skin in a tumble. But my stuff is warm weather friendly:

Jacket is armoured but has zip down panels on chest, forearms and back, allowing air to flow through. Despite being black, its very cool to wear, but warm and weatherproof when all panels are zipped up.

Back plate. Knox, Five panels,straps on under jacket, very comfortable to wear.

Kidney belt. Extra support for my dodgy back when riding off road.

Summer weight vented armoured  gloves. Veterans of Africa, Europe and Asia and now Australia, and still going strong

Riding pants. Love these. Re’ Vitt. Over trousers really, with zip up inner leg, armoured knees and hips. Full length mesh rear and side panels, light coloured for hot weather. I sprayed mine with stain repellent before using them (!) which keeps major dirt off, but machine wash them ( with armour in) or wear them while showering when they get too bad. If the mesh rubs your legs, lycra cycle shorts underneath solve the problem.

Meindle Army boots. Easier to walk in and cooler than motorcycle boots, waterresistant so I wear seal skinz when its wet.

Helmet is a white Airoh dirt helmet with visor. Light colour for hot weather. Bought in Australia as it has the all important 'approved' sticker which helmets from overseas don't despite being the same make and model. But its a sure thing to get fined on at a Random breath test or other stop.

Shades are De Walt safety glasses. Cheap,easy to replace, durable and they just work.

That's it folks........see, nothing thrilling or surprising!