From foodz to snooze

In my last post I told the story of last month’s bikepacking mini-adventure around Sussex: two days of riding with a beautiful intense overnight stay at an off-grid campsite in a wood.

As the title suggests, I’m no expert at this, I just fancied doing an overnight bike trip. I think I’ll do more now as I loved it. It was totally in the spirit of this ‘Backyard and Beyond’ blog. I’ve put links in to any products I used in case you’re interested.

So this week I thought I’d recap what I thought went well, (‘Good’), and what didn’t (‘Bad”).

If you ride bikes it might be of interest to you, if you don’t, it might not. Sorry.

I’ve split it up into three parts – ‘Bike stuff’, ‘Food’ and ‘Clothing Etcetera’.

Bike Stuff

Good

A few weeks before the ride I had upgrades done to my bike which worked out super well. I decided that I would spend money on doing up my road bike which I really like, making it my own, rather than buying a new one. The Hope carbon wheels made climbing easier, especially when paired my new 11-34 tooth cassette. I’m also a convert to waxed chains now. I could ride this bike for weeks at a time, I love it. The work was done by the excellent Devils Bikes in Brighton.

Earlier in the year I paid for a bike fit. I wasn’t 100% sure if it was worth it. But I had no real aches or pains at all during or after the ride. Bike fits are a lot of money and you feel kind of underwhelmed at the time but it’s definitely recommended.

For navigation I used my iPhone 16 on a Quadlock and an app called Mapout, which I’ve been using for years. It worked great. Very simple. I don’t need more. 

The GPX of the route on the first day was planned beforehand using the web version of OS Maps. I specifically wanted to use narrow roads that would put cars off using them. I got this tip from a Jack Thurston interview (I love his Lost Lanes books and Podcast). I originally got the idea for the route from the excellent Sustrans Central Sussex & South Surrey pocket map, which I then forgot to bring.

I used 3 Restrap bags – on the handlebars, on the frame and just a small one behind the seat for tools. Pretty minimal. If I did more days I’d get a rack for the back, or perhaps just a larger frame and saddle bag as I like that setup. The good thing was I didn’t really notice the bags when riding, except a few early stops to balance the handlebar one which I had packed all wrong. I also really like their frame straps which I use for all kinds of things. Below is a pic showing them on my MTB securing allotment rhubarb and a long sleeve top. On the day they held a spare inner tube and the yellow sleeping mat.

Bad

I was wearing a Camelbak backpack which on the second day made my LH shoulder and neck hurt a bit. Next time I’ll either keep it much lighter (I packed it up with heavy food), or perhaps not wear it when road cycling where you’re hunched over more and they don’t work as well as on my MTB. 

My iPhone 16 lasted until late evening including all the navigation, but my spare battery pack died, so if I’m going to continue to use my phone I’ll need a lightweight power bank. Obviously a Garmin is a good idea, and I’ve had them before, but I’m testing just using my phone atm. Route wise I think I should include more places of interest along the way to keep it fun.

I saw a few too many drivers in unnecessarily big cars driving way too fast around the countryside. 

On the second day the Avenue Verte route included two sections of old railway converted to bike paths. It was great to be away from traffic but to be honest they’re a bit dull compared to the swooping roads.

Yet again though I didn’t research the second day route enough as parts were completely off road and crazy, through fields and up steep narrow rocky footpaths. On a road bike.

Food

Good

I took quite a bit of food as beforehand got a bit obsessed with the Outdoor BoysYouTube channel, a dude who cooks up great food in extreme Alaskan conditions. I was only going to a place outside Haywards Heath though. 

However I really liked prepping and cooking the aubergines, peppers, onions, jacket potatoes, and more. I also had flour to make into bread. I took all the food with me as it was a Bank Holiday and thought places would be closed. Plus I just thought it would add to the adventure, which it definitely did. 

I also took a Firepot dehydrated meal with me for breakfast. Actually this was a major learn – it was soooo easy to boil water and have a meal ready in minutes. Easy, yet kind of boring, but maybe I’ll just use them in future. Or maybe not though as cooking was fun.

When riding and running I always use basic SIS gels, supplemented by pittas with cheese on longer trips. This time it worked really well as the leftover pittas tasted great when toasted over the fire, melting the cheese, and dipped in tomato sauce from stolen sachets.

Bad

Carrying that much food plus a saucepan just for one night was way over the top. Potatoes especially are heavy – tho tasty cooked in the embers. I think dehydrated meals supplemented by a few easy things to cook on a fire might work better.

My mini saucepan proved to be too small to cook with and was heavy. 

I put too much water into the flour which straightaway made it unusable.

Putting regular tea bags in same container as mint ones made them all taste of mint. I could have also done with some powdered milk.

I felt I was missing some sugary treats, tho Sacha’s mum’s orange cake was something else.

Clothing etc.

Good & Bad

I kept changing my mind right up to the last minute, because of the weather forecast showing rain up until the day.. My choice was between Rapha’s Adventure range – shorts, technical t-shirts and long sleeve tops that could also serve as evening clothing, versus full Rapha Pro Team road kit – bib shorts, jersey, Gore-Tex jacket, and then separate evening clothes. I realise I sound like a wanker here, but hey clothing is a big part of cycling so F**k you.

On the day I went for the more relaxed adventure option, which was great, but that meant on the second day I smelt pretty badly of smoke and felt pretty scummy. I slept in it too. I think next time I might separate clothing into on and off bike kit, plus separate sleeping gear. Maybe less fresh food and more room for clothing.

I love my Seakskinz socks, cap and gloves. I will get more of their kit it’s great.

My Fizik Powerstrap gravel shoes were great on the bike (the velcro straps are easy to adjust whilst riding) and actually fine for walking around in the evening. I want some more of their products too. Poc helmet and sunglasses completed the look and were so functional I never really thought about them.

Bad

My secondhand Vinted-bought Patagonia down jacket wasn’t thick and warm enough as some down/feathers had come out, and the zip broke also. I was trying not to spend lots on a warm down jacket, but I think this was a mistake. I got too cold. I took leg warmers that proved too warm for riding and not warm enough for the night.

The worst thing about the whole trip was that my new sleeping bag from Ultralight Gear wasn’t up to the job and I got very cold and couldn’t sleep. This was where my inexperience showed. My hardcore bikepacking friend Tolis asked me last week what the tog rating on the sleeping bag was – I had no idea. He also said a thick mat, down-type trousers and special socks are best for keeping warm. I need to sort this area out for next time because the lack of sleep through being cold made the second day so much harder.

Taking a note pad was great and a nice change from using my iPhone. I could have done with a book to read as well. Maybe a map of the night sky would have been fun too. 

I was happy that the campsite didn’t have any electricity because my work involves technology and often I need a break from it. 

So that’s it for this week. Hope you enjoyed it. Let me know in the comments if you have any other tips or thoughts.

Thanks so much for reading, it means a lot.

Take care xx