Rob Britton has had a busy year. The 35- year- old Canadian spent the bulk of 2019 travelling the world competing for Rally UHC, his team since 2016. After spending most of October off the bike and getting some much needed rest, the time trial national champion is now ramping back up for the 2020 season. Britton takes an original approach to off-season training. In 2018, he prepared for worlds with a 1,700 km trip from Calgary to Port Renfrew, B.C. This past November, he flew to Japan for a nine-day bikepacking trip across the country. Here’s the gear he brought, how he packed and his most important bikepacking tips.
Pack for the climate
When choosing clothes, make sure you pack for the coldest theoretical weather. “If you’re going to ride in Spain in July, you probably don’t need an 850-fill down coat,” said Britton. “But if you’re rolling around B.C. in September, it’s probably a pretty damn good idea.”
Consider adding a few grams to your bags, in exchange for a warmer experience. “Japan was very nice, sunny and warm during the day but near freezing at night,” said Britton. “This requires a wide spectrum of clothing. In hindsight, I would have brought either a better insulated sleeping mat or colder rated bag.”
Be prepared for anything
When travelling in a new place, particularly if it’s remote, be certain of your route. “I’ve been left out in the cold because of some carelessness and thinking I knew the area well enough to not double-check my route,” said Britton.“Thankfully I was close enough to home but we came really close to setting up camp and going to sleep hungry.”
He recommends that bikepackers pack an emergency ready-to-eat meal. (“I haven’t had to use mine yet, but it’s a nice thing to know you have it just incase.”) As for other emergencies: “Gorilla glue, tape and a Leatherman, paired with a creative mind, can solve just about every problem,” he said.
Rob Britton’s packing list for nine days in Japan
Britton’s packing list for Japan is more or less the same gear he would use for any trip that lasts longer than two days in climates that range from 0 C to 25 C. The total weight of the gear comes to 13,856 g or 13.9 kg (30.5 lb.). Britton doesn’t have a strong opinion on what gear should go on which end of the bike, “I think it’s a bit of personal preference.” He said. Here is the breakdown of how he packed for his trip to Japan:
Bar purse total: 1,638 g
“A small bag with the important stuff that you can take off easily if you leave your bike unattended.”
- Revelate Design bar purse – 330 g
- Anker 20,000ma battery – 362 g
- Charging cords x3 (in separate dry bag)-128 g
- Chamois cream – 127 g
- Garmin inReach mini – 100 g
- Mobile pharmacy – 90 g
- Petzl 300l headlamp – 86 g
- Di2 charger – 70 g
- Coffee setup/filters/lighter – 66 g
- Anker fast charger wall plug – 65 g
- Garmin Edge 520 (backup) – 64 g
- Passport – 37 g
- Deodorant – 30 g
- Toothpaste 24 g
- Ride notes + pen – 24 g
- Toilet paper (in zip lock) – 14 g
- Toothbrush – 10 g
- Super glue x2 – 10 g
Top tube tool bag total: 647 g
- Revelate Designs Jerrycan – 85 g
- Multi tool ratchet/ torque wrench – 226 g
- Ground coffee – 200 g
- Leatherman – 167 g
- Spare parts(d hanger, disc pads, chain link, tire plugs/boot, co2 head) – 141 g
- Sea to Summit ultra sil nano 18 l pack – 28 g
Frame bag total:1731 g
“Sometimes I will keep a raincoat in here but for the most part it’s just accessories and stuff that doesn’t fit nicely into the other bags.”
- Revelate Designs frame bag – 300 g
- Spare tubes x2 – 250 g
- 1800 lumen light (rechargeable) 248g
- Flask w bourbon- 230 g
- Velotoze – 114 g
- MSR pocket rocket In case – 113 g
- Sea to Summit microfiber towel -110 g
- Gorilla tape – 100 g
- 2L water bladder – 80 g
- Rope (for things) – 62 g
- Liquid soap – 60 g
- Mini bottle of finish line wet lube – 30 g
- Thermarest patches – 12 g
- Ti Spork – 10 g
On me total: 1,422 g
- Shoes – 754 g
- Helmet – 310 g
- Glasses – 41 g
- Phone/wallet – 225 g
- Headphones -12 g
- Cycling cap – 30 g
- HR strap – 50 g
Bar bag total: 2,554 g
“I choose to keep my entire sleep system in here. Many people ask why I don’t use a bivy. Simply put, my tent weighs slightly more and takes up only slightly more space and is infinitely more comfortable than a bivy, especially when its cold and wet.”
- Revelate Designs Dry bag -201 g + 400 g (harness)
- Big Agnes fly creek UL2 platinum with ground sheet and stuff sack- 760 g+260 g (poles/pegs)
- Sea to summit spark 2 long- 530 g
- Thermarest neo air x lite – 340 g
- MEC air pillow – 63 g
Top tube snack box total: 426 g
“This is a hipster bike packing bento box.- it holds my Snickers and I love it.”
- Revelate Designs- mag tank bolt on. – 136 g
- Average food – 290 g
Saddle bag total: 4,435 g
“All my clothes are in here and some off bike sneakers (in a separate dry bag). I will usually pack it in reverse order of what I may need for the day. So camp and off bike clothes go in first and leg warmers, rain coat, extra gloves, hat, etc., go in last. Try and compress and roll this down as much as possible to avoid major sway-especially when you’re standing.”
- Revelate Designs – dry bag + harness -154 g+455 g
- Stove + bowl + gas – 268 g + 295 g
- Nike free (in small S2S dry bag)- 480 g
- Bib shorts x 2 – 380 g
- Rinko bag – 300 g
- Randonee trousers – 295 g
- Arcteryx cerium SL – 235 g
- Glide path baggies- 200 g
- Long sleeve merino base layer – 166 g
- Dangle mug – 160 g
- Free flow jacket S – 147 g
- Lulu lemon metal vent lite LS- 137 g
- Arc’teryx Norvan SL – 128 g
- Nanoflex leg warmers – 125 g
- Underwear x2 – 112 g
- Endur socks x2- 110 g
- Heavy weight gloves – 106 g
- Elderado t-shirt – 96 g
- Defeet wool gloves – 67 g
- Nanoflex arm warmers – 65 g
- Lightweight merino ss bass layer – 60 g
- Toque (not beanie or cap or wool hat) – 60 g
- AMP hp buff- 34 g
- Lightweight socks – 35 g
Extras on bike total: 576 g
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- Ottolock – 150 g
- Garmin edge1030+ mount – 167 g
- Front and rear blinker lights – 134 g
- Volier ski straps x4 – 125 g
