Great consideration needs to be given to the gear you carry when riding over multiple days in an unsupported environment. You need enough gear, water and food to keep yourself safe and comfortable.
Overview
When you choose to ride away from support services you need to be self reliant and independent when managing yourself and your bike. All the gear you take should have been tested out on practice rides before you go. Don’t take anything you don’t know how to use or won’t need, space and weight is really critical for you to enjoy your adventure. All potential weather conditions need to be covered. You need to be hydrated and fuelled for the complete length of the ride.
The gear list to follow is targeted at a 2-3 day adventure. For longer unsupported rides your ability to carry food should be given priority. Most off road tracks and trails in NZ can be completed by bike in 1-4 days. If you are combining tracks, or on a long journey, where the track ends and how you are restocking needs to be well planned.
For ideas on ways to carry your gear see How to Carry Gear – Multi Day Unsupported Riding
Start gathering and using your gear early in your planning.
Sleeping & Shelter
What you require will be dependent on the shelter that is available. The accommodation and the facilities, if any.
- sleeping bag & liner. The smallest sleeping bag you can find that matches the potential overnight temperature.
- tents/ bivy bags and inflatable mattress if no indoor option
Riding – the bike, the clothing
A serviced, cleaned and checked bike and a bike helmet that matches the type of riding (performance level helmet recommended)
Water bottle’s x2 or hydration bag with 3L bladder
Clothing
- Endurance riding padded bike pants/padded underwear and shorts
- Base layer, short or three quarter sleeve riding top (merino or synthetic)
- Mid layer, long warm riding top that can be worn under or over the base layer (merino if possible)
- Socks
- Riding shoes
- Bike gloves
Additional Clothing & Night Time Gear
- Waterproof jacket for riding
- Heavy weight merino jacket/puffer jacket for hut/tent
- Warm and/or waterproof long riding pants for bad weather
- Second riding outfit (riding top/bra/socks)
- Beanie
- Toothbrush/mini tube of paste & any personnel medication
- Bike light or torch
- Long sleeve top to sleep in and as back up, warm socks for hut/tent
- A device to capture moments and create memories.
Safety
- Compact First Aid Kit – compact (1 person in the group to carry)
- Emergency blanket – every member of the biking group needs to carry one
- Cellphone
- Personnel Locator Beacon (PLB) – It is likely that you will not always have cell phone coverage (one per group)
- Tour Riding tool kit that includes a mini pump
- Chamois Cream – will soothe or protect against chaffing, sores
- Sunscreen, Insect repellent, Lip balm (sun protection)
- Toilet paper – if facilities limited or small amount for emergencies
Cooking & Food
Cooking equipment may not need to be carried if your shelter/accomodation has these things
- Eating utensils, collapsible plate, spork, sharp knife (multi tool)
- Pot (one per group) – small items for cleaning pot
- Burner & gas, matches to light
Food
- We suggest planning for 3 full meals plus substantial snacks per day for every full day of riding
- Make a list of what meals you will require for each day of riding then allocate what you will eat at each meal. Keep your food lightweight (no cans) and dehydrated if possible
See Food Ideas for Multi Day Unsupported Riding
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