Bikepacking Packing List for Ultra Cycling

Clothing

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Bib shorts (x2 minimum) One on, one clean. Changing at overnight stops prevents saddle sores. Required
Base layer (x2) One active, one sealed dry for emergency thermal reserve. Required
Jersey or riding top (x2) One to ride, one to sleep or rest in. Required
Waterproof jacket Fully taped seams. Must pack small enough to grab quickly. Required
Insulating mid-layer Packable down or synthetic. Put it on the moment you stop in cold. Required
Arm warmers Versatile — on/off quickly without stopping. Required
Knee/leg warmers or bib tights Essential for pre-dawn cold and alpine descents. Required
Gloves — lightweight (x1) For cool mornings and descents. Required
Gloves — waterproof/winter (x1) If wet and cold conditions are expected. Recommended
Helmet Check retention and straps before the event. Required
Helmet cover / rain cover Dramatically reduces head heat loss in cold rain. Recommended
Cycling shoes Check cleats and BOA dials/velcro before packing. Required
Overshoes / shoe covers Waterproof or thermal depending on expected conditions. Recommended
Cycling socks (x3) Merino preferred for multi-day. Change at least daily. Required
Casual shoes or sandals Bikepacking: for camp use. Ultra: optional for checkpoint rest. Recommended
Casual clothes (one set) For town stops, rest days, and end-of-day comfort. Recommended
Buff / neck gaiter Doubles as face covering in dust and warmth at night. Recommended
Skull cap / thermal hat Under helmet for cold mountain or night riding. Recommended
Sun cap / cycling cap Under helmet for shade and sweat management in heat. Recommended

Protection & Safety

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Navigation

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GPS head unit with route loaded Route downloaded and verified on-device. Backup battery charged. Required
Phone with offline maps Separate device from GPS. Route downloaded to offline storage. Required
Compass Last-resort navigation if both electronic devices fail. Recommended
Paper route overview / cue sheet Printed backup of key junctions and checkpoints. Recommended

Lighting

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Front light — main (x1) High-output. At least 600 lumens for unlit roads. Required
Front light — backup (x1) Smaller/lighter. For if the main light fails mid-stage. Required
Rear light (x2) One on bike, one on bag or person. Never ride at night with one. Required
Charging cables for all lights Know which cable each light uses. Label them if needed. Required
Headtorch For checkpoint tasks, tent setup, and mechanical fixes at night. Recommended

Tools & Spares

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Nutrition & Hydration

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Water bottles or hydration pack Minimum 2L capacity. Know source distances before each stage. Required
Electrolyte tabs or powder Minimum 1 per hour in heat. Prevents cramping and hyponatremia. Required
Ride food (enough for stage + 50% buffer) Gels, bars, rice cakes, real food. Never leave a supply point under-stocked. Required
Water filter or purification tablets For remote stages with uncertain water sources. Recommended
Caffeine (gels, tabs, or coffee sachets) Save for night sections and the pre-dawn low. Don't use early. Recommended
Reusable food containers For storing leftovers and reducing single-use packaging. Recommended

Documents & Admin

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Passport / ID Required for international events and border crossings. Required
Race number / brevet card Check mounting instructions. Must be visible at checkpoints. Required
Emergency contact card (waterproofed) Name, blood type, allergies, next of kin. On your person, not just phone. Required
Cash (local currency) Card machines fail. Remote shops and cafes are often cash only. Required
Travel insurance documents Especially important for events in remote or international locations. Recommended
Hotel / accommodation bookings Printed or saved offline. No signal at the door is a real scenario. Recommended

Bike Setup

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Sleep & Bivvy

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Sleeping bag or quilt Rated to expected low temperature minus 5°C for safety margin. Required
Sleeping mat Insulation from the ground is as important as the bag above you. Required
Tent or bivy bag Bivy is lighter. Tent gives more comfort in sustained rain or insects. Recommended
Tarp Lightweight shelter option. Pairs with a bivy for versatile protection. Recommended
Pillow (inflatable) Weighs almost nothing, significantly improves sleep quality. Recommended
Eye mask + earplugs Transforms sleep quality in any light/noise environment. Recommended

Cooking

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Camp stove Gas canister stoves are lightest. Alcohol stoves work but are slow. Recommended
Gas canisters (x2 minimum) Know where to resupply on your route. 110g canisters for multi-day. Recommended
Pot / cook set Titanium is lightest. 750ml is enough for one person. Recommended
Spork or spoon Long-handled spork reaches the bottom of freeze-dry pouches. Recommended
Lighter / matches (x2) Two ignition sources in waterproof bags. Recommended
Freeze-dried or instant meals High calorie, low weight. Test before the trip — some taste awful. Recommended
Biodegradable soap For washing pot and hands. Use away from water sources. Recommended

Comfort

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Toothbrush + toothpaste Travel size. Oral hygiene matters on multi-week trips. Recommended
Wet wipes / baby wipes Camp "shower". Essential for chamois area cleaning at stops. Recommended
Small towel (microfibre) Packs tiny when dry. Doubles as cooling towel in heat. Recommended
Toilet paper + trowel Trowel for Leave No Trace cat holes. Pack out used TP in a bag. Recommended
Insect repellent DEET-based for high-mosquito regions. Essential for summer camping. Recommended
Power bank (10,000+ mAh) For charging phone and lights between checkpoint power stops. Recommended
Phone charging cable + wall adapter Know which cable every device uses. A missing cable at a checkpoint hurts. Required

Packing Checklist

Clothing

Protection & Safety

Navigation

Lighting

Tools & Spares

Nutrition & Hydration

Documents & Admin

Bike Setup

Sleep & Bivvy

Cooking

Comfort