With the new year cranking up, many will be making travel plans for the coming year. Whether it’s a bucket list race, dream vacation, or weekly drive to the start of your favorite group ride, I’m sure we’ll all be stuffing our bags with bike gear many times in 2018. Here are two of my favorite tricks for packing like a pro.
Roll it: When I stumbled across this trick, it changed the game. I was instantly able to pack almost twice as many items. I usually travel with carry-on sized bags only, so packing as much into a suitcase as possible is key. By rolling clothing rather than folding or stuffing it, you can fit far, far more. I also like to pack from largest items to smallest, stuffing little items such as socks and underwear into the leftover cracks and crevices.
Use your imagination: The other day I drove to the start of a ride, unpacked my bag, and quickly had that sinking feeling knowing I’d forgotten a key item… bib shorts in this case. I’d been so focused on bringing enough layers that I’d forgotten, quite literally, the one thing I couldn’t ride without. In my haste to get out the door, I’d forgotten some of my own advice.
The trick: I sit on the edge of my bed, or in a chair, and step-by-step imagine kitting up. Sometimes I’ll even gesture with my hands, going through each necessary piece, right through to turning my Garmin on, clipping in, and pushing off. Bibs, chamois cream (TMI?), HR strap, base layer, jersey, socks, shoes, items that go in jersey pockets, helmet, eyewear, gloves, bottles etc. I usually move mentally from feet to head, and then innermost layer to outermost accessory. It may sound funny or look strange to a passerby, but when I’ve taken the 3 minutes to do this, I’ve never forgotten an item.
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