If you are planning to ride the Paparoa Track in March/April 2020, don’t get too stressed about what gear you need and how to carry it on your bike. If you are one of those super fit types planning to ride the entire track in one day, you will be able to get away with limited gear. But staying overnight in a hut/huts is such a great experience that shouldn’t be missed. However, it will mean you will need to plan and carry your gear wisely to have the best riding experience. Here we have complied a list of gear you will need to pack and some tips on how to carry this on your bike.
What Gear to Pack
Carrying your Gear
This much depends on your bike set up. Bikepacking.com has some great information on the various different set-ups for carrying your gear.
With our hire bikes, we provide a Thule Tour Rear Rack fitted with a 30 litre dry bag. Our choice is to put your spare clothing into a series of plastic bags and then into the dry bag. You can never be too prepared! This gear plus the food will fit into the gear bag that will be strapped to your carrier. The proviso is around the size of your sleeping bag.
What About Wearing a Pack?
If necessary, you can carry a small lightweight backpack – which could contain your water bladder and hence avoid water bottles.
What you must avoid is carrying a significant large pack because these are just incredibly uncomfortable and makes your riding experience really bad. And we mean reaaallly bad!!!
An example of what not to do – A mountain biker carrying a large back on their back, pushing their bike 🙁
