Gear List Kickbike

The kickbike can be loaded about 2/3 compared to what I used to carry on my bicycle, yet since I make only short tours I do not take certain items with me. All I think I need to take with me, which is rather a lot, still fits.

Usually I go in the clothes and shoes I intend to wear for the entire trip. This way I save space in the panniers. I do carry sleeping wear like a light cotton legging and shirt (either long sleeve for colder climates or short sleeve that can be a pair of change if needed). If I intend to kick in cooler weather I carry my old down jacket, which is fine with collecting burning holes at camp fires.

Generally I take a lot less food supply and water with me. With the bicyce I could load, if need be, 10 kilogram extra water and usually had a kilo of wheat flour to bake bread each morning. With the kickbike I am rather more depended or are forced getting used to meager rations.

To sleep well is the fruit for the entire day

Sleep has been always one of the most important things to look after. I look for quietness, a secluded spot and warmth and, obviously, it takes a lot of space to carry all of what I want. I think sleep, or being in camp has become the highlight.

• Hilleberg Soulo tent *
• groundsheet (builders market)
• Cumulus Quantum 450 down sleeping bag *
• Cocoon fleece zipper liner *
• Decathlon Forclaz Trek Pad outdoor foam seat
• Revelate Design Salty roll
• Decathlon Forclaz 700 ultra compact air structure mattress
• fleece blanket (used to protect down sleeping bag getting wet from condensation) *
• Term-a-Rest Air Head down pillow
• Sea to Summit ultra-sil 20 liter and Rei co-op 15 and 30 liter drawstring bags
• Petzl Tikka headlamp
• down air mattress plaid (to protect cold from below, hand made)

Total weight: 7 kilogram (2 kilogram less in summer/spring)

To eat well has become impossible but try anyway

Being used to a house kitchen with all possible items, including my own large vegetable garden and trying ways of rethinking food makes going back to camp food unpleasant in quite a few ways. Yet, I do not give up.

• Bushcraft-Essentials Bushbox outdoor stove XXL
• Optimus gas bottle with Doite burner
• Optimus clip-on wind shield for gas bottle
• Keith titanium double wall cup 300 ml with lid
• Snow Peak kettle No. 1
• MSR Seagull pot *
• Quechua plate
• kindling material, lighters and matches
• clip box to keep butter in
• cutlery and tea sieve
• tea towel, wash cloth and scrubby
• several Nalgene small bottles
• many ziploc bags with milk powder, black – herbal tea, spices, herbs, nuts, etc.

Total weight: 3.5 kilogram (food not included)

The vehicle is above the means of transport

The kickbike took long, a few years, to finds its best set up. In the process it took Geo’s panniers and front rack and we changed tires and handle bar. I made a few bags which are strapped to the frame and we got a frame bag which I could not made well enough myself. This is what works for me.

• Kickbike Cruise Max (original 10 kilogram)
• Schwalbe Jumpin’ Jack 20 inch at the back and Marathon 26 inch in front with Schwalbe inner tubes
• front rack (unknown brand as this was a gift)
• Planet Bike eco rack back
• Cateye Velo 7 cycle computer (odometer)
• mirror and handle bar ends attached to straight handle bar
• two REI co-op panniers, incuding 4 small water resistant drawstring bags
• two cages Salsa Anything
• two Sea to Summit Big River bags 8 liter (front wheel)
• Acepac framebag
• Sea to Summit Big River bag 4 liter (back rack)
• three bottle cages, two Zefal at front wheel and Schwinn at frame
• 3 bottles each one liter capacity (two wide mouth jars Nalgene and one EcoVessel)

Total weight: 16 kilogram (including empty water bottles, rainjacket, toolkit, panniers, small green- and Acepac frame bags)

First impression does not have an escape route

Two weeks without a shower does not mean you need to stink and look grungy. Sure, my hands are not manicured and smell of smoke clings to me like a crab to a rock in stormy sea weather. Just make sure your stinky shoes are out of the radius (mine are plastic barefoot Xero Shoes).

• toothbrush, toothpaste and tongue scraper
• dental floss
• nail clipper
• tin with shea butter
• small bottle with oil
• small mirror
• tick removal tool and tick oil
• lip balm
• small piece of soap
• brush for hands
• towel *
• wash cloth *
• toilet bag with whistle attached (always kept in the tent to blow when boars are close) *
• several earplugs
• enough underwear

Total weight: 700 gram (depending on change of clothes, winter gear, underwear, socks)

Do not leave with no glue

Which is what I did on my first short journey yet learned the hard way, I must carry these few spare and repair things (I can count on Geo to pick me up but that is not fair to him).

• several Allan keys
• a bunch of spare nuts and bolts
• about 4 tubes of glue, patches and some sandpaper spread through several places
• several lenghts of rip tie’s
• some duct and electrical wire tape
• two clamps
• piece of inner tube
• patches to repair air mattress
• Toppeak Road Morph pump *
• screwdriver and pliers
• levers
• pen to mark a puncture for easier fixing
• white cloth to place spare parts and bolts on when repairs need to be done
• all hold together in a self made strap bag that goes underneath the back rack (including a rain jacket)

Miscancelous

The kickbike and its entire set up for winter looks fair enough yet food is not included. Not being a fanatic about weight I can not say its total amount of kilograms. I think it is about… 25 kilogram, without water and food.

• Revelate Design Egress pocket front bag
• camera Fujifilm and batteries
• cellphone
• headphone *
• Manfrotto mini tripod
• battery pack
• cable to connect to battery pack
• Patagonia rain jacket
• lock
• spade
• toilet paper
• Ortlieb waterbag
• Katadyn BeFree waterfilter *
• very basic first aid kit
• pouch with embroidery
• book
• writing pad/pen
• several lenghts of cords, 2 elastic, some velcro
• two Sea to Summit 9 liter drawstring bags
• several lightweight drawstring bags to keep stuff organised
• fluor vest for visibility (mandatory in Hungary)
• back light
• pepper spray
• compass
• cellphone holder for handlebar

Total weight of front bag with camera, 5 batteries, cellphone, headphone, tripod: 2.3 kilogram

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* These items were bought for the cycling trip, and they’re still good. Some, however, needed a refill, lots of repair or (free) replacement.