Hi there JMo.
All that talk about your camera and kit made me ask this q...Pls send us a photo of your kit all packed up and ready to go on trip?...would like to see all of that stuff in "action"...
Cheers
GB

Hi GB - this was the bike with both bags on - the green bag holds the tent, thermarest mat and sleepingbag (plus my Jetboil cooker), the black bag everything else. You can also see the Touratech tailpack which contained my tools, tube, puncture kit etc.

http://i492.photobucket.com/albums/r...8/DSCF0544.jpg

I also had a camelbak with 8-15l stowage (mainly for maps and latterly my Netbook too), and a mapbag that connected to the handlebars, along with my GPS unit.

Here is the same set up, but without the camping bag:

http://i492.photobucket.com/albums/r...x/Jmojeans.jpg

J xx

Wow, it really seesm that you know how to pack....and vacuum pack the stuff as well. Does't look so bulky as it sounds.
I'm insterested in all of this now and will certainly try and reorganize my stuff for the next trip coming up in en June 5 days out toward Northern Cape.
Winter is on it's way so i canno afford to pack a slimline sleeping bag, that makes it a bit bulky already.
Thanx anyway
GB

JMo..thank you for the wonderful thread. I have found your "packing light" good reading and very helpful.

I am amazed, you packed small.
I havee to buy smaller Thermarest and tent, then will be packed close to this.

Ni3ous, I recommend an Exped Synmat 7- CLICKY for being a good mat, and also packing small. I can pack it, a Snugpak Elite 3 3 season sleeping bag, a pillow and a spare baselayer top in my Kriega US20.

Thanks!

Thanks guys - I'm glad you found it helpful (or impossible!)...

It does take discipline, but what I tried to do each time is be realistic about what I would really need, and leave behind anything that didn't get used last time...

Obviously it depends on what sort of climate you are intending to travel in, but I've found that if you are riding most days, then all you need a (complete) change of clothes that you can wear on or off the bike - for example flip-flops take up no space, but I wouldn't want to ride very fair in a pair which is why I prefer 'action' sandals or trainers as the pair of shoes for off the bike - and clothes that are smart enough to wear in all but the fanciest restaurants...

Fortunately the almost universal acceptance of 'technical' and hiking clothing - safari shirts and lightweight trousers means male or female, you can have an off-bike outfit that takes up very little space.

Obviously on an extended trip (for example I was in the USA for seven months, from October to April), you'll probably end up buying one or two extra things as you go along, either to replace a worn-out item, or simply as and when you might need it - a second fleece, souvenir t-shirt or a pair of shorts etc, so it's best to have a bag that has a little extra 'cramming' space in... although each time you repack, I find my clothes seem to shrink and you find extra room - particularly in soft luggage. And you can always send stuff home in the mail if you know you're no longer going to need it and can't bare to part with it...

Jx

JMo, thanks for the effort explaining how to...
I found a picture how I pack, for a few days of outdoor exploring with camping in the woods. I need to stay light if we want to take some serious enduro.
I even did not take tha tent, only tart (2x2 metres), axe and some rope, to make tent in the bushes. Also didnt took the camp stove and cooking pans, only food in cans, that can be put and heated in the regular wood fire.
For longer than few days, I would need only about 5-7 L more luggage for extra pants, shirts, socks, food. And could travel for 7-10 days.
Then again... when you are packed for one week, you are also packed for a few months, just need to start washing the dirty clothes.

Packed light in heavy mud :P
http://www.shrani.si/f/17/1i/23T5g0L...cked-small.jpg

Campsite on that trip: in one hour we made tents, gathered woods for fire, made a fireplace and lid the fire...It was cozy and fun!
http://www.shrani.si/f/1m/BG/v3a4LMu...0-1024x768.jpg

excellent stuff!

I love wild camping and cooking with a real fire - I had a great time this summer with some friends on our way down through France and into Spain...

http://i492.photobucket.com/albums/r...0/DSC00585.jpg

When I was in the US, there was less opportunity to have open fires - not just the lack of material (in the desert!), but also various regulations... although if you're sensible (and take precautions to contain it) and out of sight, well... you know x

I think I'd still prefer a tent - if only to keep the bugs out in summer and the rain off in winter, but the basha between two bikes is a great way to do it if traveling with company...

Jx

note. the little green bag on the back was an extra I picked up en route - it's a kids folding camp chair that is still big enough for adults, but small enough to strap across the bike like so...