The preview post covered the route, so this one is just what I am packing. Everything on the bike plus what I wear on the flight comes to about 19 pounds in the panniers and 4 pounds worn.

The gravel bike rental comes with a rear rack and a front handlebar bag with a pump, patch kit, spare tube, multitool and tire levers, so I don’t need to carry those spares separately.

The tent and poles fly in a rolling checked suitcase that will stay at Klement’s family’s house in Ljubljana during the ride. Mike is bringing a camp stove and Klement has gas canisters from previous trips, so I don’t need my own. Most campsites have restaurants, so I am relying on town food and cold-soak backups.

The overnight lows in the mountains will dip to 4-10°C (39-50°F). The layering system needs to handle cold morning starts, long climbs that heat up fast and technical descents that cool down just as fast. I am still debating whether the Keen Commuter SPD sandals plus Xero sandals spread is worth it or if I should just bring a pair of Samba ADVs and call it done.

Packlist

Sleep System

  • Naturehike Cloud Up 1 tent (1 person)
  • HangTight 20 degree quilt
  • Therm-a-Rest NeoAir sleeping pad (first generation)
  • Therm-a-Rest inflatable pillow

Clothing — Worn

  • Kirkland Aviators Mirrored sunglasses (prescription)
  • Walz black cap
  • Buff merino wool neck gaiter
  • Merino.tech charcoal tee
  • Endura Cargo bib shorts
  • Cycling gloves
  • Darn Tough quarter mid-weight cushioned socks
  • REI Co-op sun sleeves
  • Keen Commuter SPD sandals

Clothing — Travel, Spare, Off-Bike

  • Patagonia Nano Insulated jacket (orange, worn on flights)
  • Outdoor Research Foray II rain jacket (green)
  • Wind breaker jacket (cold descents)
  • Senchi Designs A90 half-zip hoodie (black, untested)
  • Tasc long-sleeve shirt (black)
  • REI Co-op Active Pursuit joggers (worn on flights)
  • REI black running shorts (on the trail 8-inch, doubles as swim trunks)
  • Wind Dance pants
  • Wool and Prince underwear (worn on flights)
  • Pearl Izumi liner shorts (spare)
  • Merino.tech heather tee (flight and camp shirt)
  • Gas station gloves (cold morning descents)
  • Burton Tree Trucker hat (flights)
  • Uniqlo black underwear (spare)
  • Darn Tough quarter mid-weight cushioned socks (spare)
  • Xero Trail sandals (flights and town)

Bike Tools and Spares

  • Keen footplates and bolts
  • SPD cleats (spare pair)
  • Chain quick link
  • Chain lube (small bottle, consumable)
  • Bike mirror (compact)
  • Leg strap (Green Guru)
  • AAA batteries (2, for rear light, consumable)
  • AA batteries (2, for front light, consumable)
  • Bandana (chain grease rag)

Electronics

  • Apple iPhone SE 2022
  • Anker travel adapter
  • Bike light (front)
  • Bike light (rear)
  • Bike light (mini rear, spare)
  • RovyVon Aurora A5 Luminous flashlight (camp)
  • Apple wired earbuds
  • Assorted cords (USB-C, USB-micro, Lightning, Coros adapter)
  • 10,000mAh battery pack
  • Coros Pace 4 watch (nylon band)

Toiletries and Health

  • Travel toothbrush
  • Travel toothpaste (consumable)
  • First aid kit (bandages, tape, ointment, meds, vitamins, allergy, earplugs, tweezers, toothpick)
  • Hand sanitizer (travel size, consumable)
  • Crystal mini deodorant (consumable)
  • Dr. Bronner’s custom bottle (consumable)

Misc

  • Passport
  • Wallet
  • ROAV sunglasses (transition lenses, worn on flights)
  • Sea to Summit DryLite towel (50x100cm)

Kitchen

  • Disposable plastic spoon
  • Small peanut butter jar (cold soak jar for oatmeal)
  • Toaks Titanium 450 cookpot (hot water and coffee)
  • Vapur collapsible 0.5L water bottle (extra carry to camp)
  • Heavy duty string (clothesline)

Bags and Organization

  • Rolling suitcase (checked, holds tent poles and stakes, stays at Klement’s family’s house during the ride)
  • Nanobag 19L sling (food carry and plane personal item)
  • Ortlieb Back-Roller Classic panniers (2, carried on the rear rack)
  • Topeak 15L dry bag (clothes bag)

Purchase upon Arrival

  • More on-bike food (bars, gels, recovery powder)
  • Sunscreen
  • Water bottles (2 disposable 1L for the cages)
  • Spare brake pads (maybe, depending on what the rental needs)

Still to Sort

  • Find a small can opener (P-38 style) for campfire beans or sardines
  • Gas station gloves to replace the ones in the photo
  • Settle the footwear: Keen Commuters plus Xeros or just Samba ADVs (lighter, but no SPD)
  • Zip-lock bag for wallet and passport so I can keep them on my body when it gets sweaty

The coffee in the photo made it, but the 9 individual oatmeal zip-locks for the cold soak jar did not. I might cut down how much coffee I actually bring, but the nutrition and sustenance load will be heavier than what the photo shows.

Everything fits. Let’s see if it works on the road.