As the elected most organised packer of the Bike the UK for MS team, I am going to talk through my must haves for our trips as a route leader. It can certainly be difficult packing for your first trip, but after having a few goes this Summer I have found the best way that works for me, and may help you.
Camping Gear
You don’t need the most expensive and most definitely don’t need the biggest tent for our trips. A two-person, double skinned tent is perfect. Your tents go separately in the van so you don’t need to worry about your box space when it comes to the compactness of your tent when packed up and now would be a great time to look for any summer sales for a bargain if you don’t have one already. Make sure you have tent pegs packed with them, as this mistake has been made in the past!
A sleeping mat or air mattress is personal preference; we’ve even had camping beds used on our trips but remember that it does go in your box. Personally, I have a roll mat for ease and no risk of ending up on the floor halfway through the night, but that’s something Felix could tell you more about. In conclusion – check your air mattresses keep their air before bringing it on the trip! A camping pillow is a great comfort to have especially on a sleeping mat. Once again this is personal preference. Takeaways, cafes and meal deals get me through my trips; however, a gas stove or jet boil is a good item to have for a healthier diet than me! I do make sure I bring cutlery though, which is an easy item to forget and always comes in handy.
Clothes
As route leaders you will be in and out of the vans all day. It is important to wear things that are comfortable as well as all-weather appropriate. Alongside the obvious underwear and clothes needs, there are a few must haves when route leading a trip as you will be outside when camping and at rest stops. Waterproofs – a waterproof rain jacket is essential, and I would recommend waterproof trousers. Nothing fancy and expensive, some basic over trouser waterproof have put me in good stead, especially on the Lon Las Cymru trip this year!
There has not been a single trip this year where I haven’t worn my jumper. As route leaders you may be waiting out of the van at rest stops for an extended period so something to keep you warm, even in the dryer weather is needed. Layers are your best friends, and long sleeve layers are even better when fighting against the midges in Scotland. Something that can be easily forgotten are pyjamas; some accommodation is shared in halls so some form of pyjama is required.
A few things that are nice to have is evening wear and a form of slip-on shoe. Once you’ve reached camp and showered its nice to spend some time in camp at dinner, some comfortable clean evening wear is nice to have. Having shoes like sliders and flip flops are great to have especially when heading to the showers or to the toilets during the night at camps. I like to be optimistic and pack one pair of shorts, you’ll find trousers will be a go-to the majority of the time. My first trip I was too optimistic with the shorts to trouser ratio!
Toiletries
Along with the usual toiletries you would pack for any kind of overnight stay, you must also remember any kind of items required for camping. Personally, I have some hand wash leaves and hand sanitiser just in case there isn’t any at rest stops or camping sites. I also have face and body wipes for similar reasons. The most forgotten toiletry items are toothbrushes, towels and sun cream.
Smidge spray and midge nets are an absolute essential on the North Coast trip unless you are an absolute warrior like our route leader Katrina – you can certainly tell she lives in Scotland!
Things to Have on Hand During the Day
Instead of a rest stop box I have a backpack that comes in the footwell of the van with me. This has my food and anything I want during the day. This is where I will have my charging leads and a portable charger as you may be using a lot of battery communicating with riders or following a gpx route. Although a portable charger isn’t necessary due to having the Jackery power supplies, it is great to have one so you can charge your device away from the back of the van and on the move.
Other items like sunglasses, a water bottle and a travel mug also great to have on hand. These items aren’t necessary but they are small and great to have during the trip for sunny, hot and cold occasions.
How to Pack
Ultimately the best way to pack depends on the trip and type of transport you are taking to get to and from our trip destinations. But you must also consider the bag you pack in must also go in the van, ideally in your tub. For me, and I must admit this was a specified buy with the cycling trips in mind, I have an 80L foldable duffel bag which is the same volume (although not dimensions) of the box my stuff must go in.
A couple of things I use to help me utilise space and keep organised throughout the trip are a vacuum bag for my sleeping bag and pillow – this primarily helps me get all my stuff in one bag, as well as taking up less space in my box. Packing cubes help keep all my clothes organized throughout the trip and means no hectic rummaging in my box. These are definitely not necessities, but it does make my life a little easier in the mornings when getting ready for the road.
