What to Take

Travelling light is good. But going so light that you are cold, uncomfortable and hungry in the huts is not so good, and doesn't make for an enjoyable trip Do you want to eat energy bars for most of your trip because you don't want to bring a camp stove? If you are happy with that, then go for it, but consider bringing real food, real camp gear and real clothes. And as a result, you will need a bit more space. But keep in mind - you have to carry it all. And on the hills, that may mean pushing it all.

This a list of what I take on multi day Munda Biddi trail rides - use it as a starting point for your trip planning.

Handle bar bag: (note 1)
Lip cream	Bike sun glasses with clear lens separately	Cycle cap-for breaks
Packet of wet ones	Spork (spoon/fork)	Snacks	Current MB map
Notebook (or diary)	Pencil	Lightweight chain (note 2)	Sunscreen
Hand disinfectant	Follow My Ride Route sheet summary	Temp gauge	Toilet paper
Maps	Riding wallet with credit card, debit card, cash (note 3)	Mobile phone & charger	Light weight knife
Bum cream (see note 16)	Print out of Trail diversions	Toilet paper	Whistle

Cross bar bag:	PLB (note 22)	Solar battery charger (see note 20)

Camel back (See note 4) with 3 litre water bladder:
First aid kit (see our customised cyclists first aid kits here)	Voltaren, Panadol etc	Pocket knife	Phone charger
Ear phones	Reading glasses	Multi tool (or pliers)	Sweat rag (see note 23)

On bike:	Water bottles	Side stand (note 5)	Pump
Mudguards	Phone holder	Gloves
Compass velcroed to handle bar	Helmet
Tool bag on seat:	Tube, levers	Bike multi tool - see our Fix It Sticks tools here

Bike Trailer:	(Or Panniers)
Water bottle tool kits:	Screws, bolts, chain link (note 11)	CRC	Chain lube (see note 21)
Spare tubes x 2	Cone spanners	Spoke wrench	Rags
Fiber Fix spokes x 2 (note 12)	Chain breaker	Puncture repair kit	Hangar (note 13)
Cable ties	Tooth brush head (for chain cleaning)	Spline nut (note 15)	Gaffer tape
Rubber gloves (note 19)	Scrader/Presta adaptor	Tyre patch material
Long tyre levers	Sleeping mat repair kit

Waterproof bag:	2 x Sleeping mats (note 24)	Raincoat (see note 7)	Overshoes
Fasty strap (note 6)	Sitting mat (note 18)

Trailer Bags:
Camping:	Sleeping bag	Pillow-inflatable	8 x 5 tarp (note 7)
Head torch (note 8)	Sorbolene	Disposable razor	Shampoo

Cooking:	Matches	Stove	Billy, handle & lid
Spork (spoon/fork)	Powerade	Snacks	Rubbish bag
Plastic bowl	Powdered milk in zip lock bag	Soup	Tea
Coffee	Dehydrated meals (note 14)	Half a tea towel

Clothes:	2 pairs MTB shorts or nicks (note 17)	Small Towel	3 x Jocks, socks
2 long sleeve jerseys		Cycle shirts x 2	Compression socks
Compression bags	Thermals	Beanie	Long gloves
Jacket	Skins - compression tights	Thongs

Other:	Toilet paper	Ear plugs	Gastro tablets
Rehydrating powders	Other MB maps	Steripen & filter (note 9)	Tooth brush & paste

Spare Bob axle clips	Spare Bob tyre tube	BOB axle	Spare tyre (note 10)
Wire

Note 1

I use a Banjo Brothers 7 litre bag (it was $65 delivered, so over half the price of Ortleib), weatherproof and very good. The only mod I did was to put some velcro on the map pocket as I found the wind sucked the map out when going fast.

Note 2

My lightweight chain is a Master luggage lock from Bunnings about $14. It has a 3 number combination lock and about 50 cms of coiled plastic coated wire. It is very light, but is ideal for securing your bike, helmet and trailer when in a shop etc. It will only stop an opportunistic thief, but in small country towns this is all I was trying to guard against.

Note 3

I use the Bak Pocket brand cycle wallet on my weekend rides, so it just feels natural to bring it on multi day rides. Locally made and works well. See http://bakpocket.com/au/

Note 4

I prefer not to have a hydration pack or ruck sack on my back at the best of times, and I can't stand it in Summer, but the choice is yours. My Bob trailer has 4 water bottles, plus 1 on my bike, so I usually fill the hydration pack half filled (1.5 litres) of water and with heavier items that are not always used, but I may want to keep close to hand eg PLB, first aid kit, pocket knife.

Note 5

A lot of times on the trail it is hard to find somewhere to lean the bike when it has the trailer (a bike with panniers is usually easier). I use a Click Stand when riding with the trailer. It is a custom made stand that holds the bike at the right angle so it and the trailer don't fall over. Because it is an elasticised segmented aluminum pole (like a tent pole), it packs up small, clips on to the bike and weighs very little. It includes brake lever bungy cords to lock brakes on. I find it vey useful, and it was not expensive. See www.click-stand.com

Note 6

Try to avoid stretchy bungy type cords. I have flicked myself in the sunglasses with one, and had a friend shoot himself in the head with one while we were very isolated on the trail. Luckily it hit his forehead, but it bleed a lot, and the other rider with us was a nurse and fixed it with butterfly strips. I shudder to think what would have happened if it hit his eye.

Note 7

I usually spread this tarp out on the hut floors to keep my sleeping mats and bag clean. I also think it is handy for an emergency shelter should I not make the hut as planned. However, I have just purchased rain poncho that also unclips into a 2m x 1.5 m ground sheet - I am hoping this will do two jobs. It was about $30 at an army surplus store

Note 8

I use a super bright Cree headlight which can be "throttled" back. This saves battery life, but often when you are preparing dinner, reading etc you don't want a really bright light anyway. Carry spare batteries and make sure you can wear it over your helmet in case you have to ride in the dark.

Note 9

I have drunk the water straight from the tanks for at least 20 days with no affects. However I am getting more cautious as I get older, so I bought a Steripen with fine particle filter. It was $100, and it means that filling water bottles does take about 5 min each, but it is peace of mind.

Note 10

I have always carried tyre repair patches (I use a denim material about 50x 100mm). I had a tyre split on the rim about 70 km from the nearest town, and the split was too big for even several patches. I had to walk 10 km to the sealed road then flag down every passing caravan till one had a MTB on the back and sold me a tyre. All up, took about 5 hrs, so now I carry a fold up tyre. If my mates ever need it on the trail, it will cost them a new tyre when we get back, plus a carton of beer!

Note 11

When replacing chains, I use Wippermann or KMC chain links. It means you can undo a chain without tools for cleaning etc. A s a result, I carry a spare. I think most suit the number of gears in the rear cluster eg 7, 8, 9 or 10. Try your local bike shop or online, they should be less than $10.

Note 12

The FiberFix spokes (Australian's may spell them as FibreFix) are ideal for fixing broken spokes on the trail. It is not necessary to remove the cluster if it happens on your rear wheel. A broken spoke put extra pressure on other spokes, causing more to break. I have ridden about 100km with one of these on my rear wheel and I cannot recommend them enough. I am now importing them from the USA - see more details here.

Note 13

A hanger holds your derailleur on to the frame and is a sacrificial part that breaks if the chain jams up. Only about $10-$20 online or from your local bike shop and very light. No special tools or skills to replace it if it breaks either- you will see how to do it if it breaks. If you carry one, it will never break- just like having an umbrella! See how to fix one in "Emergency Repairs" page.

Note 14

I love my food, but at the Munda Biddi trail huts it is just a form of energy. The dehydrated packs taste fine to me, so I carry & eat those. I follow the instructions accurately ie I try to be exact with the water, I stir thoroughly and I let it sit for the designated time, or even abit longer. I always get the double meals- I am a big guy (100 kg) so I need the energy. Then when I get to a town I really enjoy someone's cooking at the local deli, cafe or pub.

Note 15

I carry a spline nut for removing the rear cluster. To use it, you need a big spanner or a vice- something I should be able to borrow in most towns, servos or on a farm. It is "just in case" item!

Note 16

Bum cream is essential on multiday rides. Unless you are already riding 8 hours a day, everyday, you will get sore! If you cannot get chamois cream on the trail, silic cream is available from most chemists. It is non-sticky, non-greasy protective cream which shields your skin, and is a great alternative to expensive chamois creams. Neither can completely eliminate soreness. Sudocrem is available at most chemists and will help soreness post ride.

Note 17

Many mountain bikers wear "shy shorts", which are baggy shorts with a lycra nicks inside. They are not as embarrassing to wear in small country towns, and have other advantages over lycra like pockets (not to be underestimated for their usefulness) and increased abrasion resistance in crashes, walking through bushes or when for sitting on rough surfaces.

Note 18

My "sitting mat" is a small piece of sleeping mat that I use to sit on the benches at the hut. Sit on the wood directly for a couple of hours is a bit harsh on your bot-bot after a day of riding!

Note 19

I can not stand filthy hands! The rubber gloves are for doing greasy work on the Trail when somewhere to clean up later is not available e.g. your chain comes off on the Trail and your soap is packed away, and you don't want to waste drinking water washing up. I use the disposable latex type and keep them in my tool kit - they pack up very small.

Note 20

You can use any of the following power sources on the Trail :
- Battery packs - can carry 2 or more full phone charges
- Solar panels - I have a light weight fold out solar panel that can fully charge my phone in a couple of hours
- Dynamo hubs (like this ) with USB outlets (like this ) means you have power whenever riding, without the drag of dynamos from years ago.
Whatever you do, don't forget your cables to connect power source to device.

Note 21

I use Rock and Roll Gold as chain lube. It leaves the chain quite dry, and in the usually dusty conditions on the Trail, I find it does not collect dust and make a grinding paste on my chain like wetter lubes.

Note 22

I carry a Personal Locator Beacon with me just in case. I usually ride alone, so it gives my family at home some reassurance that I can be found. It was about $300 from memory.

Note 23

A sweat rag does not sound glamorous, but it is actually a good quality flannel with a small carabiner so I can clip it to my hydration pack. It hangs out of the way on the back, but I can hook it forward with my arm when needed. It is ideal for wiping a sweaty brow at the top of a hill, wiping away rain, or tears of loneliness (yeah, right!). It has been used to stop bleeding as well.

Note 24

I originally used a self inflating mat with a foam mat underneath (for extra warmth and thickness). I am now trying a Karrimor Venture Mat, which is a lightweight and durable inflatable mat that is about 75mm thick. It has a built in foot pump, which makes inflation quick, and it rolls up smaller and is lighter than a self inflating mat. I can sleep on my side with this mat without lots of weight on my hips, unlike the thinner self inflating mats. After 3 nights on it, it seems to be going very well, although it is a bit more slippery than my other mats - you slide about on it!

This page is the property of Follow My Ride, a website detailing off road cycle tracks near Perth and in Western Australia.