Entirely depend on the climate in which you are going. I have to go prepared for 3.75 seasons year round regardless of forecast. We've had tornados, flooding, hail, snow, sunny and clear even, sometimes on the same trip. Temps can range from 90 and dry to 20 and wet/frozen. So if you go bikepacking in an area like the Colorado Rockies, you may experience dangerous conditions if you follow the "it's 24 hours so you can't go wrong" ethos. We have people who die here every year because they are under prepared in equipment and knowledge. Then there are folks who have knowledge and use that to compensate for taking less gear, but that always involves greater risk and less enjoyment from my perspective.
So, what are the best conditions you could see? What are the worst conditions you could see? What will you need for each of those? That's what you should take. If you aren't sure how to answer those questions, then take too much and hone it down with time. Know and have and know how to use the 10 essentials (google them). -- sleeping bag/clothing combo for 10-10 degrees colder than you think you will encounter. -- Tent or tarp or hammock. -- Water and means of resupply if not carrying enough -- Food is likely the least critical issue. 24 hours and you can do fine with nothing if need be. -- Know how to make a fire, even if you're taking a stove of some sort. -- Bike maintenance: I carry what I carry on any ride. tube, pump, tire irons, allen tool, patch kit, and chain tool. -- Have maps and know how to navigate with map and compass if need be, regardless of if you have GPS or not. The great thing about an S24O is that if you have the basic ability to have shelter and make fire, you will survive and learn whatever comes your way and do better next time (which will be sunny and warm the whole time). Daunting as this may seem, it's best to know the extreme possibilities and be prepared for them so you are comfortable and have fun in the most-likely-scenario of reasonable weather and a great time! With abandon, Patrick On Friday, June 27, 2014 10:06:37 AM UTC-6, Edwin W wrote: > > I am headed out on my first s24o tomorrow with my cousin. I would love to > hear the packing list for various folks, as while I have biked nearly > everyday for most of my life, I am a city slicker. > Tell me about what you bring bike maintenance-wise. > Tell me about what you bring camping-wise. > Tell me about clever ways to keep beers cold at a campsite near Nashville > (hot and humid). I'll be able to pick up cold beers and ice a few miles > from our destination, but then what? > > Edwin > -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
