How big a bag for a week's riding holiday

Northwind

OK, this is a proper "can't think for myself" post

Basically, I need a bag. Possibly an enormous one. We're off to A Quick Release the week after next for a week, I've got my bike bag sorted but how big a bag should i be looking at? Usually I live out of a 60 litre rucksack when I'm on holiday but that won't be enough.... I can put a lot of stuff in with the bike, the pads etc will be in there and possibly my assault suit if it'll fit but I'll still have helmet, several sets of riding kit, riding shoes, some spares and tools, my camelbak (might use that as a carry-on bag actually), ah, allsorts really. You know the drill I guess! Plus camera and helmet cam rig, books and that, all my diabetic kit...

So... How massive a bag? Local "cheap luggage shop" has a 120 litre trolleybag which really looks ridiculously big...

-liam-

Flying? Train? Car?

Mynameisdann

Nevermind

Northwind

Flying this time. Though it'll get used again o'course.

Uchiga

Lay everything you're going to bring out on the bed or in your biggest room floor. Stick everything you can in with your bike bag and see whats left. Then after looking at whats left then decide how big a bag you need and also se if you can pack anythign up smaller.

I've been on a weekend of racing with my Brother as just the Pit Crew so i didnt need to bring much. He had to bring his bike and a whole load of kit tent and god knows what else. Together we managed to fill the whole of his car with not much space left over...

Hope that gives you a rough idea as to how much rubbish you could bring with you :P

Joe_Pineapples

I use one of these bad boys:

http://tinyurl.com/3258pjk

http://tinyurl.com/34zgsmn

...and believe me when I tell you that it's fcuking massive!
On a recent trip to Morzine for a week, it easilly swallowed all my riding kit inc. helmet, leg armour, pressure suit, shoes, spare parts, travel documents, toiletries and all my clothes for time off the bike with plenty of room to spare. It didn't even get close to capacity.

It's got an extendable handle + roller wheels and looks pretty sweet.
What more do you need?!

Joe_Pineapples

Actually Northwind, I'm in Falkirk.
You can borrow it if you like.

trailpuppet

I use one of these;
http://uk.thenorthface.com/tnf-uk-en/activity/trek-travel/equipment/travel/el-gordo-large.html?colour=871
Tuck light wieght stuff into my camelback as hand luggage.
Do not forget to take tools out :oops:
Mnaged 3wks in Canada and 3 biking hols easily, keeping liesure wear to a min.

Cheaper alt;
http://www.gelert.com/categories/Rucksacs%20and%20Pacs/Cargo_Bags.aspx

biff55

Seriously , you wanna keep to that 60 ltr bag limit , you'll thank yourself later.

As recent posts have shown Northwind , we are clearly embarking on similar journeys.
i am going on around the world after biking in the USA and i am setting myself a baggage limit of 60 ltrs for upto 12 months of travelling.
golden rule of packing - dont take unless essential

120 ltr bag for one week ? feck , paris hilton would struggle to fill it

Northwind

biff55 wrote:

120 ltr bag for one week ? feck , paris hilton would struggle to fill it

With the price of the seats I'm considering just jumping into the bag and getting my mates to wheel me in

Joe_Pineapples, looks like a good one that, and thanks for the offer- I'll say no, it'll be worth me getting one anyway, but I appreciate it. Any chance I could take a wee bit of a lend of you and get you to quickly measure it? No bother if you can't.

mea00csf

more than 60litres and you'd be surely getting excess luggage charges from being too heavy wouldn't you?
60 litres is loads, when i go snowboarding i only take a 40litre holdall and that takes everything except my board, snowboard boots and bindings

Northwind

Depends what's in it, no? A lot of cycling kit is bulky but light and quite a lot of the space will be clothes too. Then again I guess that my rucksack's awkward shape isn't helping load it up, a 60 or 70 litre duffle will carry a load of stuff.

biff55

Northwind wrote:

Depends what's in it, no? A lot of cycling kit is bulky but light and quite a lot of the space will be clothes too. Then again I guess that my rucksack's awkward shape isn't helping load it up, a 60 or 70 litre duffle will carry a load of stuff.

i'm working on the basis for my trip all bike related gear goes in the bike bag.
whilst using a 60 ltr wheeled holdall for all clothes , toiletries and personal effects.
i'm not taking any bulky armour or bike clothing though as i'm more XC / trails than DH so will ride in just shorts / t-shirt / jacket. In fact considering leaving lid at home and buy new when i get there.

Edit ;
i'm aiming for 20kg each for both holdall and bike bag , should avoid all excess baggage charges if this target is made.

Joe_Pineapples

Northwind wrote:

Joe_Pineapples, looks like a good one that, and thanks for the offer- I'll say no, it'll be worth me getting one anyway, but I appreciate it. Any chance I could take a wee bit of a lend of you and get you to quickly measure it? No bother if you can't.

Northwind, I measure my bag at 850mm x 380mm x 500mm.....which I believe works out at around the 160 litre mark if my high school maths is correct.

Northwind

Thanks very much! That is VAST. If I fell in I'd never get back out.

Joe_Pineapples

Yip, but believe me, you'll be glad you had a bag too big, than a bag too small.

Northwind

Not if I fall in! AH, but there's room in it for a stepladder.

Joe_Pineapples

Well all I can tell you is that I think it's the ideal size. It'll take everything you'll need, pressure suit, helmet, the lot, and have room for all your other kit too.

And it's cheap as chips.

Northwind

It's a great price. But tbh I think it's probably just a bit too big, it's a fair bit bigger than the other bag which I thought was a bit too big in fact. I'm probably going to end up with a 90 litre north face duffle I think, either that or a cheapo tescos roller case But thank you!