Minimal travel gear.. some thoughts on what to pack

I don't do a lot of solo riding & camping, but when i do, i like to keep it simple. There's something about getting away from other people & conversation.. words & other's thoughts. ..just the sounds of nature, & the bike when riding.

Our ears are inundated with noise, advertising, loud music, machinery, vehicles, etc. It's rejuvenating to get away with no sounds.. no noise.. just the quiet of nature & the great outdoors. Most of the time we are constantly interacting with family, work, media, etc. Alone & quiet we renew our acquaintance with ourselves & the great unknown. Mystery & eternity re-introduce themselves. Our minds & souls are renewed. Our focus on life restored.

Not much is essential.

As far as travel gear goes, i decided if i wasn't using something almost every day, i could manage without it. It does show us what we really need, & what we think we need. In the past, i took too many clothes & other stuff. It's easy to wash things when stopped, & out west, they will dry out quickly, especially if i bring more poly stuff.. socks, underwear & shirt. I wash them, then they're ready to wear in the morning. If there's no water around, i don't wash things.

I'm also not into lots of cooking when travelling on the bike. If there's not a local cafe around, you can always get something at the gas station. Anyway, i've found i enjoy riding with less.. i'd rather be lighter when i get into tough terrain than weighed down with a bunch of unnecessary clutter. Maybe i'm trying to get away from all my clutter at home.. years of hoarding have complicated my life with too much junk. When i ride, i leave it all behind.. part of the isolation therapy that solo riding provides.

I basically have my riding gear that i wear. I wash it when stopped (undershirt, socks, underwear, etc). I have some 'civvies' for going out or even when camping. Nylon pants, shirt, sandals. Hat & mosquito head net are nice in buggy spots. Here is my travel package list:

Ride gear:
Helmet, gloves, boots.
Mesh riding jacket with rain cover (slips in zippered back pocket).
Riding pants, knee guards.
poly underwear, underarmour type t shirt, coconut socks
Long sleeve fleece shirt & pants if cold weather traveling.

Nylon pants, long sleeve nylon shirt, flipflops, hat, head net.
sleeping bag, hammock (doubles as ground cloth), tarp for rain cover.
Camera, cell phone, gps, chargers, wallet.
Water bottle, snacks, sun block, whiskey flask(optional!)

Small tool kit, tire irons w/wrenches, patch kit, bicycle pump, zip ties, elect. tape, first aid kit, folding lock blade knife, flash light.

I have my first aid kit (which is the one thing that has increased) in a number plate bag. In it is also a string type sack/backpack in case i have to walk some distance carrying stuff.

Everything fits in my tank bag & the 2 panniers. I put the sleeping bag, tarp & hammock in a tail bag. Everything weighs less than 20#.. probably closer to 10 without the tools. The point in having a light weight bike for travel is being light weight. If you pack 100# of gear on board, you might as well get a bigger bike to haul it.

I've not had problems with bears or other wild animals.. hopefully it will stay that way. I camp pretty close to the bike, & i have an air horn on it, so i hope if some woodland creatures were scoping me out, i could let out a blast from that horn to discourage them, somewhat. Other wise, i'm left to chucking rocks at them, poking them with sticks, then a knife vs. teeth fight if all else fails. I'm pretty fearless around animals.. they have a sense of that & usually leave you alone. Usually.

I prefer the simplicity of not cooking. You have to stop for gas every so often, anyway, so i refuel myself then, too. When travelling i usually only eat 1 or 2 big meals a day. I'll have some jerky or trail mix in my bag for snacks. I fill my water at the gas stops, & get a gatorade or soda.

A hammock isn't all that comfortable.. if there are some thick leaves or grasses around, i prefer to lay the hammock down as a ground cloth & put the bag on that.. especially if it's cold. Hammocks are notoriously cold without a sleeping pad. But if you're carrying a sleeping pad, you don't really need a hammock.

It's always a work in progress.. i don't obsess about it. I just try to keep it simple. Part of 'getting away from it all' is the simplicity of things. With less to manage or think about, i have more freedom for deeper philosphical musings.. or wondering what i'll have for my next meal.. always a highlight!