I sell a lot of Ortlieb Rackpacks through my internet shop, and to a lot of bikers heading out on trips, and I have passed on the same comment to various customers and clients regarding packing and particularly tents, but it still happens sadly...

I love the rackpacks and roll bags.. waterproof, volumous, rugged and easy to use etc. The problem is all to easy to stuff your gear in, stick it across the seat or panniers and to be too focussed on ensuring your load is not going to come free when packing your bike... Result.. bent tent poles, broken/damaged gear and extra costs, never mind the hassles on a long trip.

I don't know why I started it, but I have always rolled my tent poles and pegs into my tents when I pack them away, that way they are enclosed by padding of the tent and by consistantly packing this way it means I know I have packed the poles and pegs and not left them behind on a campsite...

So rackpack or roll bags, remember when packing what is under the straps that you are yanking tight with gusto.. I don't mind selling people replacement poles, but I would rather they were emailing me to tell me of their great trips rather than their desperate needs for spares.

Picking the right straps and points and planning your loading helps seriously avoid the issues. Get the right bag size for your gear, the right straps and practise. Load the bike, your gear and decide what you need to get your hands on first when you arrive at the campsite etc. Decide what gear might get wet, ie tents, cloths etc and decide how your going to deal with it.

I recommend people consider taking a couple of spare roll top dry bags for wet areas, and for storing muddy kit if you don't have time between stops to wash and dry it.

Prastice with your gear too... make sure you know how to use your tent, ie how it goes up, how it comes down, often they come supplied with only the minimum number of guylines and pegs. Make sure you have some hard ground pegs (most tents come with soft/standard ground pegs), enough guy lines and they are all attached, and not stuck in the bottom of the peg bag.
If your tent doesnt have one, get a tent emergency pole repair sleeve. I have given away my last two on campsites to folks who have broken poles, usually by walking on them when setting up and once by someone moving their bike.

Folding Tent Poles.. modern multi sectional aluminium tent poles that contain a threaded elasticated material should be folded in half then folded up from the former former center point out to the ends in double. Don't start at one end and work to the other.. by the time you get to the end the tension is very tight in the cord at the end and over time it weekens and will eventaully snap.

Get a ground sheet or foot print. I seriously recommend to all my customers and friends.. if you buy your self a good tent and want to ensure it lasts, get a ground sheet protector of some kind. Most manufactuers such as exped or noth face, hillberg etc do specific ones for their own tents, but you can also substitute for a cheaper tarp or plastic. Either way use something if you want your ground sheet to stay water tight.

Sleeping Mats - Nothing worse than not getting a good nights sleep. Anyone who has spent a freezing night struggling to sleep will know how torturous it can be. Don't skimp on a sleeping mat and sleeping bag if your going to be camping regularly or with a hetic schedule or in cold climes. A bad nights sleep, means tiredness, and being tired on a bike is dangerous.

Modern sleeping mats are often inflated by mouth, or by some kind of pump and its easy to over inflate and make them too hard. This can just as bad as being too soft, so again, try your mat out at home, experiment and find out how full you need it for your comfort zone.

Glasses, keys and fragile gear - Its easy to loose gear in your tent and even break things.. glasses, keys and the like. My exped tent has a couple of loops in the cieling for a "loft".. so its a great place to tuck my glasses stem through before bedding down and safely stops me rolling onto them or crushing them whilst doning gear or sleeping.. my keys go into a side pocket of the inner tent, so I know where they are and I cannot kneel on them and puncture the ground sheet. Of course I don't leave them there when I am away from the bike.

I hope these few odd tips help at least someone avoid a bit of grief..

All the best and safe travelling.

John : Gearpac

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safe riding and hope to see you out on the road. .. John..