Planning to do this massive trip this summer. As most of you know, 18-60 year old Ukrainian men are forbidden to exit the country, so the only way for me to see my relatives is to travel to them, lucky for me, I acquired another country citizenship.
I’m a hardened cyclist and have already done some long bikepacking trips. I will be using a Trek ALR 5 with GRX 600 1x to 11×42, WH-570 with Schwalbe Almotion 50mm tubeless, Brooks C15 saddle, some upgrades like the Redshift top and drop grips, or basic aero bars.
Hydration is planned around 2 isothermal 550ml bottles (I hate drinking warm water in summer) and a 1.5L hydration bladder stuffed in the frame bag. Iso+ from Decathlon to help prevent bonks. Water supply from local drinkable water circuits or bottles from shop.
Nutrition : what I can find in restaurants and shops, so local and healthy if possible, fruit bars and gels if not.
Sleep : taking a MT900 tent, summer sleeping bag, inflatable mattress and pillow stuffed in a drybag in my rear saddle harness. I plan to sleep in campings along the route, or wildcamping if unavailable.
Safety : my phone and my head unit will be sharing my position with my family at all times. Still it won’t hurt to have a travel insurance, especially in Ukraine. Also thinking about something like an airhorn or a whistle to scare off wild animals, loose dogs or unpredictable individuals. A small first aid package includes bandages, compresses, paracetamol, ibuprofen.
Lights : Bontrager pro ion comes on a handy mount up front, some blinkers from Decathlon in plain light mode just to save the battery of the front light, magene rear radar.
Roadside maintenance: already have some basics like a multitool well suited for all bolts on my bike, a compact pump and tpu tubes in case tubeless won’t seal again, some tire plugs, tire patches, spare spokes, spare chain links, a chain breaker, tire levers and a hollowtech key.
Hygiene: soap, toothbrush and toothpaste capsules, microfiber towel. Also, a small trowel for the n°2 just in case. Suncream and chamois.
Miscellaneous: most of my stuff will go in drybags on fork cargo racks, including camping clothes. Sensitive things like documents or electronics will be in the front bag which is easily removable and will follow me everywhere if I need to lock the bike.
Going to try to do the whole trip on the bike, returning will probably be done by bus.
How’s that sound to you?
What would you recommend including in my gear list ? Or what would you remove?
Have you got any places in mind I should absolutely visit along the road ? Food I should try ?
Places I should avoid ?
I very much appreciate any of your input, thanks and have a lovely season and magical trips along the year !
by KiTooN
1 Comment
Sounds well prepared, what will you be doing the cooking on (did I overread it?) Also nice bike!