Quite often in the IPWR Dotwatcher FB group, as people consider giving Indipac a crack themselves, there are questions about the gear choices of riders. While we were clearly not travelling as lightweight as many Indipac participants do, and packing for two on a tandem is a whole different scenario, here’s our contribution to the resource pool with a new category here on the blog.

I’ll start with screenshots of our packing list, and then gradually add more posts with more detail and, where relevant, a bit of a review. They’ll probably end up being in no particular order as it will depend on the mood I’m in, whether Marc is available to contribute to the technical specs and tools side of things, and also in response to any specific questions that anyone might have.

I also might come back and edit these gear lists as we remember inclusions/exclusions; this packing list was based on what we packed to start with. We did adjust where some items were stored as we went. We also sent stuff home from Adelaide and Melbourne, but then bought warmer stuff in Melbourne for the final leg – stuff we didn’t want to lug across most of the country.

We did make a resolution to edit the list once we got home, while it was all still fresh in our memory. Guess what we didn’t do?!

As per our blog, we had done a few tandem tours before Indipac, and so we obviously had the basics and more, tailored to our personal preferences. Even with that sort of touring, everyone is different with what they choose to include or not, and so it should be for Indipac. To be honest, if you don’t already have some basic cycle touring/long-distance basic preferences (and experience), then maybe you should be doing a bit of that first before tackling Indipac!

So, previously we toured with panniers and carried some half-decent off-bike clothes for when we stayed in towns. We didn’t, however, carry camping gear, because we always stayed in motels/hotels/cabins, and didn’t want to carry all that stuff.

Once we decided to do Indipac we knew that panniers would be way too bulky and that we’d have to go bikepacking style, with frame bags of some sort. While we hoped not to camp, we knew we would absolutely have to carry ‘sleeping out’ requirements. The choices there range from bivvy bags through to a tarp or even a tent.

We then started with our previous packing list and then adapted it. That adapting included culling, replacing/upgrading but also adding. We weighed everything! (The kitchen scales lived on the coffee table for months! Our daughter, when visiting, did raise her eyebrows about how that might be interpreted by anyone who didn’t know us well!) It also included some rather passionate … errr… discussions…and negotiations…. about what ‘comforts’ would have to be done without.

Some of these significant purchases had to be made, in the climate of Covid border closures at the time, with the knowledge that we might not end up doing it! The frame bags were one such expense that we had to rationalise at the time. If we didn’t end up doing Indipac, well, we could still tour with them – and maybe use the bar rolls to carry some extra clothing instead of the camping stuff.

We also had been picking up advice from previous (and current) Indipac alumni from the FB group. The UHF radio was the main example of an item we bought based on these recommendations.

We also sought the advice of our wonderful friend Chris, a medical GP and Audax/PBP (Paris-Brest-Paris) alumnus! for his recommendations with regard to just-in-case medications to take.

In some cases, we bought an item and then later found a better (lighter) option and bought that. (The sh** shovel is the item that comes to mind there!) In another instance, we bought one each of something, and then only took one! (Ref: the infamous airlite towel debate).

Suffice it to say, Australia Post/StarTrack and various courier companies became very familiar with our address in the months leading up to our departure! We received our last delivery – a brighter lumen tail light – on the day before we left – a Sunday!

A couple of things weren’t a success, and we would try to do better ‘next time’. Hahahaha! No, there will NOT be a ‘next time’; we will not be doing Indipac again! When we get back to normal touring, we will, however, probably stay with the frame bag/bar roll setup.

We have been wearing camelbaks on the tandem for years now – ever since a 100-mile (Brooms Head to Coffs Harbour) ride on a really hot day. Marc got severe cramps in his legs from not drinking enough. It’s harder at times on a tandem to coordinate reaching down for the bidon – so it’s something you tend to maybe put off. With a camelbak you create minimum disturbance, so you’re more likely to drink whenever you need.

We had these reflective vests since doing the Newcastle Overnight ride several years ago. We started out with both of us wearing them if we were riding in the dark, and then decided just me on the back wearing one would do.

Categories below – as soon as I’ve done up a page with detail I’ll come back and hyperlink it.
(Happy to prioritise anything on request.)