Packing the ST for 2 Up travel

[ST2UP]

I love travelling on the bike with my special lady......or my wife if she cannot go, but its interesting to see the thought process of a couple when packing the pannier bags.

Our last big trip together, Middelton 2013 we put the 3 pannier bags on the table, the first 3 items we each packed summed the process up and caused great  .

Mine.....tyre repair kit, first aid kit, wet weather stuff

Jean.....hair straightener, makeup case, then changed hair straightener for a bigger hair straightener cause it heats up faster than the smaller travel one....followed by a comment of I will leave my knickers at home before I remove the my hair straightener from my luggage

But we managed just fine.....2 people, 3 panniers and a Tankbag for 16 days travelling through and prepared for the high temps of the Hay plains and the lows of the Vic Highcountry......1 panniers sole purpose was bike related equipment and wets.

So with some fore thought and packing technics that will hopefully be discussed here......it is very possible to travel 2 up, light and in comfort.

Cheers

Chris

[Pocket STocker]

Although we do manage, and Chris wont admit to it, I could see a trailer in our future. 

[alans1100]

I'm not sure how we'd manage without a trailer for anything longer than an over nighter where we would be staying with friends or family.

[StinkyPete]

Chris and I have done a number of two-up trips.   She gets one pannier, I get the other and we share the top box.   However, without a trailer, taking camping  gear as well is out of the question, so trips are limited to 7-10 days staying in cheap cabins etc, to keep costs down.

Clothing can be made more compact by putting your clobber in a sleeping bag compression bag, and squashing the blazes out of it.

[Pocket STocker]

We found we can comfortable travel for 4 days between need of a washing machine etc, I roll our cloths tight for the purpose of packing.

We have found we save room by doing away with our winter liners for our bike Jackets & Pants and replace them with Icebreaker 200 merino thermals, we then carry a polar fleece jacket each for middle layer on and off the bike.

By using LDComfort under wear which have the obvious long distance riding advantage, they also can be hand washed and dry before the next days travel. So no need for multiple sets of under wear.

To travel light and be comfortable Chris looks at hiking type equipment and clothing to adapt to the bike, compact and quick drying.

 


Jean