Packing list for your multiple day-trip with the Mountainbike

Before you head for a longer adventure with your bike you need to do a lot of planning and research. Set up your route, read the weather forecast carefully and know who you are going with. One of the crucial decisions is – the overnight stay. You can sleep in mountain huts or built a tent underneath the open sky. If you are staying in a hut, you can usually count on some basic equipment such as bathroom, kitchen and beds – so you don’t need to carry tent, sleeping mat or camping stove with you, but always check beforehand which facilities are offered in the hut. You should grab at least a 20 liter to 35-liter backpack, if your backpack is too big and heavy it might lower your riding stability.

Part of you planning is also the storage of your equipment, if you are about to go for a camping bike adventure, you should consider transferring some of your equipment into diverse bags attached to the fixed construction of your bike. The handlebar bag is great for something light like a sleeping bag or spare clothing; saddlebag or panniers are here for some heavier loads such as a tent or kitchenware. Keep in mind, that balancing on tight single-trails with heavy camping equipment won’t bring much to your mountain biking experience – so my personal recommendation would be to go for an overnight stay in a mountain hut if possible.

To have the right equipment with you means having a good building stone for your trip, and be ready for anything.

WHAT TO BRING FOR a multi day MOUNTAINBIKE TOUR

Take enough time to plan your trip and as much time to plan your packing strategy. If you know your riding partners beforehand, make a list of everything you need to bring on the trip and split it between the crew, you will probably need only one piece of each when it comes to repair-tools.

Essential bike equipment and protectors

Before going on with the multiple day tours you should put your bike for a service, have a professional in your local bike shop look at your bike and service your forks and shock. Have your shifter set up right and brakes mounted on comfortable position, so you have to do no or as little as possible repairs on your bike along the way. If you are going through towns, check our local bike stores and write down the opening times, you might need their help at some point. And make sure your saddle is your best friends – otherwise things can get uncomfortable very fast.

Well fitting mountainbike shoes, helmet and protectors are essential for any bike trip.

Mountainbike clothing

For more days on your bike you will consequently need more than one set of clothing. For up to a week of adventure you will need about 2 sets of shorts, 3 bike jerseys and a pair of bike underpants. Think about the variability of your clothing, for some long sleeve as well as short sleeve jersey. Don’t forget about apparel which will keep you dry in rainy conditions, such as jackets or bike shorts/pants from GORE-TEX Active material. And pack insulation layer as well as enough of base layers which you can also use for off the bike times or sleeping.

Comfortable compression bike socks are must to keep your hard-working legs going strong. Two sets of gloves are essential if some get wet or you just need a change for a while.

Mountains bike tools and accessories

On longer trips pretty much anything can happen, if you have been biking for some time now, you know bikes break at the least convenient times. The best thing would be to bring your whole toolbox with you, but since tools and spare parts are not exactly light-weight, you have to choose wisely. If you know that you are passing through some towns, get in touch with local bike shops to make sure they have some spare parts you might need, such as brakes, brake pads, tires, etc.

If you travel in a group split all tools and spare parts, so you can take one from the bulkier tools such as pumps for tires and shock. Have a good muti-tool with you with chain tool and spoke wrench, otherwise take those separately. You will need a good lock which will secure your bike during the overnight stay. Some further parts such as derailleur hanger and cable might come in handy and are small and light to pack with you.

Have enough tubes for the whole group and watch out for the right wheel sizes. Headlight or headlamp can help you to get to your sleeping place of choice safe once the sun drops down.

Camping equipment

On multiple day tours you can stay in huts, bike hotels or build your own camp. If you decide to camp, it means that you will need some more equipment with you: tent or tarp, sleeping bag, sleeping mat or hammock and something to make food on a light and packable camping stove with light-weight kitchenware are camping essentials.

If you are staying in an alpine hut, take your sleeping bag or a sleeping bag liner with you.

Food and hydration

Mountainbiking is very demanding, and especially with warmer temperature you will need a lot of water for the day to drink and later to cook with. Therefore make stop for refilling water a fixed part of your tours. You can split your water into bike bottle and a hydration bag. The same with the food, plan wisely portion for the day and be aware that your body will need a lot of energy and you will probably feel hungry a lot. Helpful meals are dry foods which you can top up with hot water such as pasta or rice with various nutritious sauces. You will need some additional help of performance food, such as gels or energy bars to regulate your minerals intake to avoid muscle cramps.

Personal items

This list will be full of small but very helpful gadgets and equipment. Make sure you have everything for your safety, first-aid-kit, cell phone, money and credit card, ID. emergency information, maps and GPS device. Plan on how to charge your electronic devices along the way, with solar chargers or if you have the possibility to access electricity at some point. Don’t forget to take good sunglasses with you too.

Other than that you will need some useful items for the times off te bike: packable towel, toiletries, dry bag for the rainy days to keep the rest of your clothes dry, and off the bike clothing and footwear (flip flops or slippers will do). To protect your skin from irritation bring enough sunscreen, chamois cream and insect repellent with you.

Find the complete list of our suggested equipment for a multiple mountain bike tour below or download a handy printable pdf.

Any of the three packing lists is a recommendation based on experience of Sport Conrad employees. It can be adjusted to your personal needs and preferences. You don’t necessarily need to take everything with you, but always choose carefully and plan your trip wisely.

→ Have a look on the complete list of our recommended packing list for multiple day tours with your mountainbike or you can download the list in a pdf format ready to print.

You plan more tours?

→ Bikepacking: That’s what you need for your day trip

→ Bike care: How to keep your mountain bike rollin’