I will be riding for three days, going to northern MN (overnight temp will be around 15º) and I doubt there will be much snow. For sleeping in the national forest, I’m planning to make a shelter on a bed of spruce boughs with my pad on top to keep off the frozen ground. I’m only sleeping one night outside, as I have a place to stay for the other night. The last day I will bike 100 miles home and start when it is still dark.
mkUltra_MN420 on
Hello, I have done a few bikepacking trips in the past, but this is my first bikepacking trip in the winter. months. I’ll be riding my Surly ICT with 29×3″ wheels and a front and rear rack with a frame bag. The picture is of the bike with the 26″ wheels but I’ll take my 29ers to be lighter and faster.
So far, I’ll be bringing:
* spare tube, pump, levers, CO2, allen wrenches, zip ties, multitool, knife, paracord (a lot)
* 15ºF sleeping bag, pillow, closed cell pad
* tarp (for shelter) and 2 hefty bags
* Cycling clothing
* shell jacket
* merino wool jersey/jacket thingy
* thermal bibs
* cycling shorts
* 45nrth boots
* pogies
* hella hi-viz gear
* headlamp, 2 bike lights, 1 rear light
* Garmin 530
* camp clothing
* 2 merino wool thermal pants
* 2 thermal shirts
* 4 pairs of wool socks
* winter hat and 3 pairs of different gloves (different “warmths”)
* hiking/hunting boots
* fire gear
* flint and 3 lighters
* dryer lint and fire starting sticks
* pruning saw
* Food gear
* Camping pot
* A little pan
* hiking stove and gas
* Food
* 4 instant mashed potatoes
* 1.5 lbs. smoked fish
* maple syrup (instant sugar)
* peanuts and gummy candy for riding energy
* 2 or 3 apples
* 1 lb. cheese
* charging block for phone
Pure-Reflection-2615 on
Looks good but a 15 degree bag in northern Minnesota sounds like the potential for a chilly night. I don’t know about the sleeping pad either. Wouldn’t consider that a northern Minnesota winter gear for me personally. Must be a warm winter up there also. Are you throwing some mittens in? I would take more food also. Looks like fun. Where are you going?
tracingovals on
I’d leave the CO2 at home and just use the pump. Also agree that a 15⁰ bag for 15⁰ temps will be chilly. I’d do a 0⁰ bag or add a sleeping bag liner.
If you’re concerned about comfort (re spruce boughs), I’d toss an inflatable sleeping pad on top of my accordion pad and call that good. The inflater thing might freeze shut, but stick it under your armpit for awhile to thaw and it’ll be ok. I’ve used the two sleeping pads like that in 5-20⁰f before.
Did you mention what you’re doing for water? There is some snow up north for melting, just be prepared for lots of added “fiber”.
4 Comments
I will be riding for three days, going to northern MN (overnight temp will be around 15º) and I doubt there will be much snow. For sleeping in the national forest, I’m planning to make a shelter on a bed of spruce boughs with my pad on top to keep off the frozen ground. I’m only sleeping one night outside, as I have a place to stay for the other night. The last day I will bike 100 miles home and start when it is still dark.
Hello, I have done a few bikepacking trips in the past, but this is my first bikepacking trip in the winter. months. I’ll be riding my Surly ICT with 29×3″ wheels and a front and rear rack with a frame bag. The picture is of the bike with the 26″ wheels but I’ll take my 29ers to be lighter and faster.
So far, I’ll be bringing:
* spare tube, pump, levers, CO2, allen wrenches, zip ties, multitool, knife, paracord (a lot)
* 15ºF sleeping bag, pillow, closed cell pad
* tarp (for shelter) and 2 hefty bags
* Cycling clothing
* shell jacket
* merino wool jersey/jacket thingy
* thermal bibs
* cycling shorts
* 45nrth boots
* pogies
* hella hi-viz gear
* headlamp, 2 bike lights, 1 rear light
* Garmin 530
* camp clothing
* 2 merino wool thermal pants
* 2 thermal shirts
* 4 pairs of wool socks
* winter hat and 3 pairs of different gloves (different “warmths”)
* hiking/hunting boots
* fire gear
* flint and 3 lighters
* dryer lint and fire starting sticks
* pruning saw
* Food gear
* Camping pot
* A little pan
* hiking stove and gas
* Food
* 4 instant mashed potatoes
* 1.5 lbs. smoked fish
* maple syrup (instant sugar)
* peanuts and gummy candy for riding energy
* 2 or 3 apples
* 1 lb. cheese
* charging block for phone
Looks good but a 15 degree bag in northern Minnesota sounds like the potential for a chilly night. I don’t know about the sleeping pad either. Wouldn’t consider that a northern Minnesota winter gear for me personally. Must be a warm winter up there also. Are you throwing some mittens in? I would take more food also. Looks like fun. Where are you going?
I’d leave the CO2 at home and just use the pump. Also agree that a 15⁰ bag for 15⁰ temps will be chilly. I’d do a 0⁰ bag or add a sleeping bag liner.
If you’re concerned about comfort (re spruce boughs), I’d toss an inflatable sleeping pad on top of my accordion pad and call that good. The inflater thing might freeze shut, but stick it under your armpit for awhile to thaw and it’ll be ok. I’ve used the two sleeping pads like that in 5-20⁰f before.
Did you mention what you’re doing for water? There is some snow up north for melting, just be prepared for lots of added “fiber”.