As the mantra for any long distance trip is always light, light, light! . . . what spares would you carry?

In my case, thinking of an unassisted, solo, lots of dirt roads, across Australia trek (say 7000km over a couple of months) with relatively long distances between towns but with reasonable size towns at the end of each stretch on a relatively new bike, I like the idea of minimalist travel but also like the security blanket of some spares (even if I never use them).

So option 1 - the minimalist; carry no spares but a simple, very basic puncture repair kit (few patches, bicycle pump, tyre levers) and nothing else and virtually no tools.

Option 2 - The Rolls Royce option; including a good puncture repair kit (spare tubes, patches, 12v pump, 3 good tyre levers, G clamp help to break the bead), spare sprockets and chain, chain breaker, spare battery (LiFe type, very light), spare rectifier/regulator, spare levers, spare cables, few spare bolts and the usual bodge stuff (gaffa tape, cable tyres, oil, grease, wire, bulbs, fuses) combined with a good (fit for purpose) tool kit. Plus any other specific xt660z recommended spares. I figure most of this option would fit comfortably in the bottom of a soft pannier but the sprockets and chain are heavy!

On my last trip (many, many years ago) on a very second hand old 2 stroke dirt bike (Yamaha DT250) I carried no spares (not even a puncture repair kit! . . . more though ignorance and poverty rather than any well thought out plan! and it all worked out okay. Not that we much room on these small light bikes anyway.

So what would/do you carry?