The Original Women's Mountain Bike

Words by // Anka Martin

Images by // Sven Martin

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So, you want to do an overnighter (or two) with your bike? Let’s get packing! If you haven't bike packed before it’s easy to be completely overwhelmed about where to start and how & what to bring along, that you just keep putting it off. There is no better time than now to get out of the towns and cities and into nature to breathe some fresh air. Time to start checking off a few items on your bucket-list.

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There are many types and styles of overnight trips you can do, single day, multi day, out and back, point to point, big loops, gravel bike packing and self-supported epic backcountry MTB overnighting. This time, we’re talking about packing up your MTB and sending it into the wilderness.

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Here are a few tips and things to think about when planning and packing for your exploration outings. For starters, give yourself a few days to get everything together. It will take a few trips to master the art of minimalist packing and for your first trip you want to make sure you’ve got everything you need dialed and ready to go in plenty of time.

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Lay out everything you want to bring, then make that pile smaller by picking out just the things you need. You have to remember that backpacks get really, really heavy when you’re pedaling uphill all day.

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Every trip is usually slightly different in terms of what you pack, so do some homework to avoid forgetting something vital or taking something unnecessary. The lighter your pack, the more you will enjoy the riding. Pro tip, check on clean water availability at your destination and en-route, this can be one of the biggest weight savings. Your bike can usually fit two water bottle cages, use them. Shifting weight out of your pack and off your back will make a huge difference. Remember to bring purifier tablets, filters or a small Jet Boil to boil water if you are unsure.

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Make sure you do a proper weather check of the area before you head off on your adventure. But keep in mind, the weather can change quickly & catch you out, so the best defense you have against it, is to be prepared with the proper gear to stay warm & dry no matter the forecast. Most importantly, always trust your instincts. If you see that weather is turning for the worse or seeming unsafe, be ok with turning around or calling it. There will always be another day for bikes.

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Before we get down to the finer details and pack list suggestions, it makes sense to get on the same page with your partner or rest of your group. A lot of items can be shared but some items everyone should bring. For example, if there are four of you, you won’t need four chain breakers, pumps and pots but you WILL NEED four spare tubes, jackets and toothbrushes :-) get together beforehand and split the load.

Clothing: Small packable puffy jacket—a necessity in case of an emergency and perfect to wear when sleeping if you have a very thin sleeping bag. A little beanie to keep your head warm weighs almost nothing too. Rain jacket (GoreTex or similar) - always! I can’t over- emphasis this. We actually check guests' jackets when we do guided trips. Leggings/tights—yes, even for guys! If you feel conscious, just throw your riding baggies on over your tights for chilling around the campfire. It gets cold out there in the mountains even in the summer. Long tights also keep the insects at bay. 1 pair of extra socks, always nice to be dry and warm at night if you've had some river crossings. Base layer that dries quickly. Re-use your previous days riding kit—yep, even your chamois if you still wear those things like me. Air it out overnight or dry it around the campfire, but you’ll be happy at the weight you’ll save, trust me, having a smelly shirt beats carrying a heavy pack. I prefer merino wool clothing on these trips, as they don’t smell when you wear them for the second or third day straight. Don’t wear shoes with carbon soles! Most overnighter trips require some walking, pushing, river crossings and or scrambling, and I’ve seen really good riders lose their shit because of having to walk wearing carbon XC shoes. Sneaker type SPD shoes are also comfy to wear at night when you want to explore around the camp. We usually don’t bother taking knee pads, as these trips are more about the journey than extreme shredding. But if you’re comfortable riding with them the whole time, then take them, they make some nice, light, comfy ones to pedal in.

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Food: I try to always take real food prepped the day before whenever I can, but sometimes you just have to save weight and resort to dehydrated food, which is pretty tasty these days with lots of meal choices.

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I’ll pre make some peanut butter & jam or honey sandwiches to take with me, one for the ride in and then save one for the following days. Pies are also great to pack in for a mid-ride lunch. They both last well and become more delicious the next day when everything soaks into the bread. Dinner will be a dehydrated meal of sorts, usually a pasta. We also always take a packet of smash (dehydrated mashed potatoes) Sounds totally gross, but is absolutely delicious around a campfire for some reason. And more carbs right? Packets of two-minute noodles and Miso soup sachets are also delicious as an entrée that weighs nothing. A couple of tea bags and a biscuit or two is ideal when you need a little pick me up, or to enjoy after dinner while stargazing. Often when we plan a trip everyone has to bring a mystery treat to share for desert. We even pack small single serving plastic wine bottles. Just remember you have to ride out with all your trash. For breaky, oatmeal mix upgraded with some raisins and nuts. Just mix with hot water and add a peanut butter slug for a delicious topping. You need the protein and calories for the day ahead. Coffeeeeee. You get some pretty decent coffee bags these days. Yep, coffee snobs, don’t judge me, nothing beats a good flat white, but a Jed's coffee bag out in the middle of nowhere around a morning campfire is pretty hard to beat. If you have to have milk, just put a bit of powder milk in a zip lock baggie. Always throw in a few extra coffee bags for that friend of yours that couldn't possibly imagine drinking coffee from a tea bag. If our Jetboil has a plunger then real coffee grounds of course can’t be beat.

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Being out all day it’s nice to also pack in some small snacks and treats, salty crackers and those little wax covered baby bell cheeses always taste better in the outback, so does chocolate. Sour worms and peanut butter slugs are a go-to and a bag of crisps is always delicious to share (remember to open the bag to let the air out to save space).

Most importantly always be prepared to have some extra food and energy bars in case

you get stuck out in the woods for longer than anticipated or someone needs it for an emergency.

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Gear: What you pack, depends if you're going camping or if you’re going to stay in a hut somewhere. We’re so lucky with all the DOC huts we have in NZ, where if you plan right, you can usually find a bunk bed with a mattress and fire stove, so we usually only have to take our light weight summer sleeping bags.

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Weight distribution: Try to spread the weight a little, don’t carry everything on your back. Especially with a trail bike with a slack seat angle you really want to get some weight on the front. A stuff sack with your sleeping bag and puffy jacket etc can easily strap to your bars with a few bungies and not hinder your riding fun, just make sure you can still lift up your front while you ride off little drops. Taller riders can even stuff some things in a saddle bag and still have use of their dropper, just make sure you have correct clearance without OTB inducing rear wheel bite. Again, weight off your back and shoulders means more fun and less physical effort for you.

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Make sure you have a comfortable backpack, with hip and chest straps to carry everything else and try to do a test ride with it to see if it fits you comfortably. Make sure the bag doesn’t come up too high, otherwise it will hit the back of your helmet and make descending difficult by pushing your helmet over your eyes. I learned this the hard (or blind) way. Make sure to pack heavier items at the bottom of your backpack so it doesn’t get all top heavy on you. I usually line my pack with a trash bag or waterproof stuff sack & then pack everything in there to keep it from getting wet. Pack your snacks in a handy easy-to-get-to spot to avoid having to unpack your entire bag when you need a sour worm.

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It’s never a bad idea for someone to have a watch/ bike computer, to keep track of your mileage, or offline map if your route requires navigation. This is really useful if you get lost, or if you need to know how much further to go or if someone gets hurt to know your exact distance and location. Take a zip lock bag for your phone and electronics.

Remember to adjust your rear suspension with your fully packed backpack as you’ll be sagging for sure. And make sure to adjust before setting off so you can leave the shock pump behind.

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First Aid Kit: Make sure between all of you combined you have a decent first aid kit. Emergency Space Blanket Foldable splint Dressing Gauze Stretchy bandages (You can make a sling with a base layer or clothing item) Israeli bandage if you have one, great for applying pressure Alcohol swab to clean Alkaline wash to irrigate wounds Antihistamine tablets (If you're heading out with someone that is highly allergic, make sure they take an EpiPen with them) Ibuprofen Surgical gloves (They are the only gloves to actually keep your hands warm when you’re too cold to use them) Don’t bother with small plasters, just take the big stuff Imodium - nothing worse than a runny tummy when you’re in the woods Charcoal tablets, see above Water purifying tablets or something like a Lifestraw in case of emergency Sandfly/ mosquito lotion - they are ruthless in NZ! Ear plugs for all the snorers in the huts Sunblock PLB - Personal Locator Beacon especially when you’re heading into the backcountry with no cell phone service. You can also rent these if you can’t invest in one. Garmin also makes a neat device, In-Reach text communicator using satellites. Don’t forget your own toilet paper & matches to burn it! Nobody wants to share their TP.

Bike Tools: Once again plan as a group, for weight savings and to avoid duplication, just make sure the guy with the pump hasn't shot off ahead to claim a bed in the hut. If you are not riding as a group, pack accordingly.

Some essentials:

Derailleur hanger that fits your bike! This is so important and is the ONE item that can ruin your entire trip. Tube/s Multitool with tools that are long enough to actually work. A Leatherman with pliers,cutters and knife is also super helpful when it comes to bending rotors straight again or opening valves that are stuck. Chain breakers Quick links/power links and a few extra links of a chain. Pump with lots of duct tape wrapped around the pump. Always a life saver. Tire levers if you don’t have the knack like me. Tire plugs. Lots. Tire boots. Used energy bar wrapper, gel packet or $5 dollar bill can work Derailleur cable A few cable end caps Brake pads Zip ties Spare valve Core remover tool Small tyre sealant bottle Random bolts and nuts

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There is no better time than now to get out of the towns and cities and into nature to breathe some fresh air.

Always be mindful of taking things a bit easier when doing a backcountry adventure. You’re out in the middle of nowhere, so just keep that in mind when exploring.. It’s about the journey and the experience, not about any records or who rode the fastest. Enjoy that feeling of complete freedom of just pedaling and being totally self-sufficient. It’s one of the most satisfying and empowering feelings ever and I can bet that you’ll be hooked after that first adventure. The fun part is also in the preparation, there is no right or wrong way to do it, just experience. So give yourself time to do some research, invest in some equipment, or if you’re not sure you’ll like it, start off by borrowing some things. It is an ever-evolving practice of finding new tricks for your trips.

Remember, you don’t have to go far away to some exotic location to do this, it can be just a few hours pedal from town, even an after work Friday nighter. For those of you that prefer a few more home comforts, there is the car camping “glamping" option where you can throw it all in including the kitchen sink. Set up a base camp, lie in luxury and comfort in your roof top tent, and strike out on big day mission loops. Moral of the story is, don’t put this off any longer, get out there and enjoy all the amazing places waiting for you.