Wales Packing List & More!

Hi everyone,

A few people expressed an interest in what I took with me to Wales on the recent trip I went on. I’ll break it down by what luggage it was in, the capacity of it, and also links for where I bought all of the bike gear. I’m going to stress that I’ve bought all of this myself, and I’m in no way endorsed by any of these companies (unless they would like to!). A lot of my stuff is from Infinity Motorcycles, just purely because I find them to be the best value out there.

I'm going to be upfront and honest in this post. I struggle massively with anxiety, so to seasoned travellers it probably looks like I've completely overpacked, but I'd rather have the tool or repair kit and not use it, than not have it and need it! If it means my brain shuts up about the “what ifs” then to me, it's worth bringing.

Something that's absolutely essential for me is good breakdown cover. I had an horrific time a couple of years ago with the AA when I was only half an hour from home (they left me at the side of the road for 5 hours in -3 degrees, but that's a story for another time...) so I've shopped around and I'm now with Asda Breakdown who I used last year when the Daytona decided it didn't want to start when I was in Yorkshire. They're absolutely brilliant and they had a proper bike recovery company (SOS Motorbike) come out to me within an hour and a half of my initial call. They kept me updated the whole time with where the driver was and when he arrived, he even did a volt meter check to make sure my stator wasn't fried. This gives me massive peace of mind as I did a fair bit of solo riding last year.

So, let's get into it!

Kriega US-30 Drypack 30L – Infinity Motorcycles

I like to use my Kriega luggage for things that absolutely can't get wet. I did a 4 day tour down to Cornwall and back last year where it rained every single day, but all of my clothes were bone dry. I can't recommend the Kriega Drypacks enough, they're my absolute favourite luggage system. I love the versatility of being able to clip them all together, and you can essentially tailor the system to your own needs.

• Clothes

• Shoes for evenings/off the bike

• Slippers & hoodie blanket: Don’t judge, I like my comforts…

• Nintendo Switch: Yes, I took my games console… We used it in the evenings to play MarioKart, obviously.

• Wash bag

  • All the essentials, plus dressings and antiseptic cream to deal with my skin condition (Hidradenitis Suppurativa) if I have a flare up. This is something I'm going to touch more on in another post, as I'd like to bring more awareness to biking with chronic conditions. If you don't already, give @bikerwithabag a follow, she's an advocate for biking with health conditions and is so badass!

• Hairdryer – the lodge we stayed at didn't have one so this was a bit OTT but I couldn't face putting wet hair in a helmet...

Kriega US-5 Drypack 5L – Infinity Motorcycles

This I use as my little maintenance pack, so it includes everything I might need to do maintenance on the bike whilst I'm away if I need to. This clips on top of my US-30. I do own one of the tank converters but I don't really like to use it when I can just clip it to the large 30L on bigger trips (plus I don't want to cover up that beautiful Gold Line paint job).

• Kriega Tool Roll – Infinity Motorcycles: This is actually my regular tool kit as everything in it means I can pretty much do any work needed on my bikes. I’ve needed it every time I’ve taken the Daytona on a longer trip... It’s filled with bits out of my Makita tool kit I got off eBay:

  • Spanners (various sizes for my bike)

  • Hex key bits

  • Torx key bits

  • Phillips head bits

  • Sockets (again, the right various sizes for my bike)

  • Ratchet handle

  • Screwdriver/bit handle

  • Scissors

  • Pliers

  • Snips

  • Spare fuses

  • Small torch

  • And, the all important cable ties!

• Tyre repair kit – eBay: I’m aware that the Scrambler 900 has tubed tyres, and I’d bought this kit when I was going to be taking the Daytona that’s got tubeless tyres, but in the end, I took it for @jon.rides as his are tubeless. The anxiety of getting a puncture was real, but I couldn't find a good solution for tubed tyres other than taking off the whole wheel and repairing the tube (which wasn't a feasible option for me, so I went with just having to call for recovery). If anyone's got a good solution, please let me know as this was something I was anxious about a lot due to getting a puncture on the Daytona whilst in Yorkshire last year!

• Side stand pucks: Various ones collected over the years! You never know when you might have to park on slightly soft ground, and the Scrambler weighs enough for me to be anxious about it sinking in.

• Michelin Tyre Inflator – Halfords: I can really recommend this, it’s USB rechargeable and a nice compact size to carry around, it’s also really quick inflating and it’s got a clip on valve, rather than those awkward screw on ones.

• Small first aid kit – Amazon: just in case!

• Head torch

• Chain Lube: just in case, I probably didn't really need to take this but wanted to keep on top of it.

I use an Oxford Cargo Net over the top of these, just so I can quickly pop stuff like a hoodie I've taken off or small bits and pieces there without having to undo any of my luggage.

Triumph Waxed Cotton Pannier 15L & Waterproof Cover (LHS only due to the high exhausts on the Scrambler 900 – I got this as an extra when I bought the bike)

• Clear Visor in an Oxford Visorstash Bag - Sportsbike Shop: my Shoei NXR doesn’t have a drop down sun visor so I use a smoked visor normally and carry a clear one in the super handy waist bag.

• Richa Typhoon Waterproof Suit – Infinity Motorcycles: thankfully I didn’t need it but took it just in case, it is the UK after all...

• Alpinestars SMX Z waterproof gloves - Infinity Motorcycles: I have these summer/mid-season gloves so they're waterproof but without the warmth and bulk.

Kriega R20 Backpack & XL Harness Pocket - Infinity Motorcycles

I like to take a backpack with me on longer trips so everything important I can keep with me when I stop at services etc. I love having the harness pocket so I can keep my wallet and sunglasses in there for easy access when I get off the bike.

• Phone charger

• Powerbank: essential to make sure all of my devices have enough juice on the move! The one I've linked I've just bought and it fast charges my devices, and also will fast charge from the wall when you're topping it up, which is awesome.

• Kriega/Hydrapak water bladder – Infinity Motorcycles: honestly one of the best things I've ever bought! As someone who has a chronic kidney condition (something you probably all don't know...), I have to make sure I'm hydrated all the time and this makes it so easy to just quickly grab a drink without having to take a bag off and rummage around looking for my water bottle. It also means I can have a quick drink without having to take my helmet off.

• Sunglasses

• Suncream: I always get the aerosol type, a bit more expensive, but it saves you having sticky suncream hands as you don't need to rub it in. Sensory overload if I can't wash my hands, I can't stand sticky/grubby hands.

• Disc lock

• Visor cleaner & cloth

• Cap

• Buff

• Paracetamol: something I always have on me in case I need it. With the conditions I have, it's something I tend to need a couple of times a week, so having it on me can help me get through to the end of a ride sometimes.

Bike Gear & Equipment

• Triumph Charlotte Goretex jacket: I got this from the old Triumph Outlet Store online, but I'm not sure it's going any more, sadly. I used to get a lot of my gear from there.

• Bullit jeans: I won these from a ladies evening at Ducati in Maldon a year ago. They're super comfy and I loved them, however they're only A rated and my thighs have eaten them already and rubbed a hole in the leg... I've replaced with Roadskin AAA rated jeans now.

• Alpinestars Corozal waterproof boots: I got these from the NEC show a couple of years ago for an absolute steal. I love the look of them on the Scrambler and (so far) they're waterproof.

• Alpinestars S-MX 2 Air mesh gloves: absolutely love these for summer, they're nice and cool.

• Oxford Seat Pad – J&S: I got this as the stock seat on the Scrambler 900 isn't particularly comfortable, and it just made the journey a little more pleasant.

• Quadlock handlebar mount, wireless charger and poncho: I've just got a new phone and I am fully entrenched in the Quadlock ecosystem so the first thing I bought was a new case. I've got wireless chargers on both bikes, in the car and also on my desk at work. The poncho for me is a must so the camera on my phone doesn't get scuffed or bugs splatted on it. I'm not so worried on the Daytona as it's behind the fairing/screen, but on the Scrambler, it's very much exposed so I always put the poncho on, regardless of whether it's raining! I also love the wireless charger, just click your phone on and you've got instant charging and you don't have to worry your sat nav app is going to sap all the battery life.

I hope this has helped those of you who haven't ever done a long journey or a tour before and it helps you decide what you want to take with you! As I said, it probably looks like I've massively overpacked for just a small trip, but I managed to get all of this onto a relatively small bike! Here are a couple of pictures to show you the luggage on the rear, as well as the pannier.