The guided Tour de Chequamegon run by Wheel & Sprocket was designed to be an introduction to bikepacking, and each year some riders have questions about what to pack. If you ask a dozen experienced bikepackers what they bring, you are bound to get 12 different lists. Individual preferences vary widely and there is so much great gear out on the market for bikepacking now that I hesitate to recommend anything specific. But it can help to have some specific recommendations, so below is what I generally suggest for this supported trip. I also list what product I specifically use as a reference.
I know there are repeat riders registered for this next trip, so feel free to offer your suggestions in the comment section below the post.
Bike
People have done this ride on everything from a vintage touring bike to a fat bike. The terrain varies from rough rocky ATV trails, hard-packed gravel, sand and mud. Narrower tires around 42mm like those on a gravel bike will definitely be faster over the long haul of all three days on this trip and get you through most everything. A mountain bike with 2.4″ wide tires with a suspension fork will trade a little speed for increased comfort. A plus bike or even fat bike will be beneficial in some of the rougher loose sections where a person on narrower tires may be forced to hike-a-bike. Dave’s Choice: Milwaukee Bicycle Company Feral 29er with 2.4″ Kenda Booster Pro tires set up tubeless.
Bikepacking bags (recommended) or rack and panniers
Our experience has been that racks and panniers can break on route because of the excessive vibration from rocky terrain. If you bring a rack, we suggest a very sturdy rack, ideally one made of steel. If you have a carbon frame, be sure the rack mounts are rated for the weight you intend to carry. Check with your bike shop if you have any questions. Bikepacking bags are designed for these kinds of stresses and that is what we recommend over racks. That said, we want you to give bikepacking a try, so ride what you have if this is one of your first trips before you buy a bunch of new stuff. Be sure you like bikepacking and have a better idea of what you want before you spend money on things you may not need.
Dave’s Choices: Salsa Expedition frame bag, Rockgeist Dr. Jones handlebar bag and Gondola dropper seat bag, Revelate Designs Gas Tank top tube bag and Mountain Feed Bag, custom stainless steel rear mini-rack for lightweight stuff in Sea to Summit 5L Big River bags.
Shelter
A tent is recommended, but riders may bring a hammock and tarp if they are willing to look for trees at the campsite. Not all campsites may have trees suitable for hanging a hammock. It can be nice to brind a two-person tent for a bit of extra room to store gear and spread out in camp after a long day in the saddle.
Dave’s Choices: Zpacks Duplex shelter.
Sleeping system
Sleeping bag or quilt, sleeping pad, camp pillow (splurge, these inflatable pillows pack teeny tiny and are way more comfy than stuffing close in a bag).
Dave’s Choices: Enlightened Equipment Quilt, Exped Synmat Hyperlite or Thermarest NeoAir Uberlite, Sea To Summit Camp Pillow
Coffee making system
Making your own coffee or tea in the morning is a fun ritual part of any bikepacking trip and people have lots of different ways to do it. We will provide hot water and coffee grounds, but you will need to make your own coffee.
Dave’s Choices: I like pour over, so I use the reusable filter from GSI and my venerable Snow Peak titanium mug with the Hotlips silicone lip guard.
Sport nutrition and hydration
Wheel & Sprocket will have both for riders to take each day, but if you are picky, bring your favorite with you.
Kitchen stuff and stove
We do all the cooking, so you will not need a stove. We will also provide paper bowls and compostable utensil for Oatmeal breakfast each morning. You can bring your own packable bowel, camp silverware if you want and do bring your own dangle mug or folding cup for beverages around camp so you have something to drink from other than a water bottle.
Dave’s Choices: I like the folding Sea to Summit X bowls and the GSI collapsable utensils
Hydration
Start the day with at least three water bottles on your bike or bring two and a filter system. There are many clear streams to pump water from along the route. Campgrounds will have wells with potable water.
Dave’s Choices: I’ve tried lots of filters, but love Sawyer Squeeze because it doesn’t require any pumping. For pump filters, I like the MSR Hyperflow, which is fast, easy to use and clean and attaches to a bottle. I also bring a 40oz single wall Klean Kanteen bottle for the downtube that attaches to the filter. I can also put this in the fire to boil water.
Camp towel
Even though there are no showers at the campgrounds where we will stay, there are lakes to swim in if it is warm enough. A camp towel is nice to have if it rains too.
Dave’s Choices: REI PakTowel
Baselayers
Two pairs of padded bike shorts of your choice or basic underwear. Watch the weather for
Dave’s Choices: I ride comfy saddles that don’t require padded shorts, so I just bring two pairs of Ex Officio underwear.
Socks
I bring two pairs and rain socks if the forecast calls for them. I keep one pair
Dave’s Choices: Made in Wisconsin Wigwam lightweight hikers and waterproof socks from Showers Pass.
Clothing
Clothing really gets into personal preferences, but the general rule is less is more when bikepacking. You don’t need a clean jersey or shirt each day. Because weather can change on a dime, I also suggest bringing some options along so you can pack warmer or lighter clothing the night before if the forecast changes. One rule of thumb I strongly recommend is to have a complete set of clean and dry clothing waiting for you in your vehicle for your return to civilization.
Bike shorts with chamois
If you guarantee that you start each day in a clean, dry pair of cycling shorts, bring three pair. It could rain during the day and the cool nights will likely not be warm enough for your shorts to dry if you wash them each night.
Dave’s Choices: I only bring one pair of shorts I have an old pair of Club Ride shorts similar to the Fuze.
Pants
I tend to ride in streatchy summer weight pants rather than shorts even when it is very hot to thwart bugs and skip the sunscreen. While the bugs have mostly died down by the TdC, I often still ride in pants. Most people prefer to ride in shorts, but having a lightweight pair of clean, dry pants for when you get off the bike is a nice luxury and keep you warmer during the cool evening hanging at camp. Tights work well for this too, and can be nice for sleeping if temps dip below your sleep system rating.
Dave’s Choices: Any summer weight, stretchy pant that dries quickly. For cool weather I like soft shell trousers.
Shirts
Two
Dave’s Choices: I ride in a long sleeve shirt for sunscreen reasons and to keep flies off my arms when they are in season. In hot weather a very lightweight, loose-fitting snap front shirt made from a wrinkled fabric that doesn’t stick to my skin or a summer SPF fishing hoodie seems as comfy as short sleeves. In cool weather I bring a wool flannel Kitsbow Icon Relaxed Fit shirt,
Rain gear
Bring a packable rain jacket for sure
Dave’s Choices: I bring a very packable rain jacket that is also one more layer in case I am cold at camp. If the forecast looks like a lot of rain, I will also add rain pants, but I won’t bring them if there is only a chance of precipitation. If rain is guaranteed for the majority of a trip, I will also bring waterproof socks. Mammut Rainspeed Goretex Shakedry jacket packs super tiny, but fabric is susceptible to tears or Pearl Izumi Summit WXB rain jacket which packs about twice as big, but is sturdier, has pit vents/pockets and the fabric feels good next to bare skin. Pants are Goretex Paclite Rain Pants and waterproof socks from Showers Pass.
Hoodie
Dave’s Choices: In warm weather I pack a lightweight, vented fishing hoodie and keeps the bugs off me. In cooler weather I might pack a merino wool hoodie. Bassdash SPF 50 hoodie or Kitsbow Kitsuma merino hoodie.
Bug head net
Bring one!
Dave’s Choices: While the bugs are generally not bad at the time of year when we ride, bring one of these anyway for at camp just in case. Any kind is fine, but I prefer the black color.
Footwear
Flat pedals and cycling shoes designed for them are ideal on bikepacking trips when you don’t want to pack extra shoes. They are comfy and work well on the bike, in hike-a-bike sections and in camp. If you ride in clipless shoes, you might want to bring some Crocs or sandals for wearing around camp.
Dave’s Choices: I ride in Wisconsin-made Thorogood leather work boots. But there are lots of more traditional cycling shoe options for bikepacking reviewed at bikepacking.com.