Paul_P

On the subject of can't-live-without coffee, I don't think I've ever seen mention of what to do when you like real milk or cream in your coffee. I certainly do and I'd go without coffee if I had to drink it black. For my last car camping trip I discovered heavy cream powder made from real cream. It isn't cheap, but once prepared it comes pretty close to tasting and behaving like the real thing.

GhostRider62

NIDO is full fat powdered milk. I've used powdered milk as a protein and fat source. It works well in coffee. I usually drink espresso but will use instant coffee sometimes

HectorStorm

The granny gear.

KC8QVO

When I was on the first leg of my Ohio to Erie tour in '21 I stealth camped one particular night. My mojo when stealth camping was to be packing before daybreak and rolling at daybreak. I did just that and in the first mile or so I came to a trailhead where I stopped for breakfast. Usually I would have a bit of coffee from the day before to reheat before I left stealth camps so that was what got me going. However, I cooked breakfast and brewed more coffee at the trailhead.

When I stopped there I found 2 people hanging in hammocks in the shelter house. Pretty weird. I've never seen anyone do that, but it was a pretty good idea. As I was clanging around with breakfast they got up and emerged.

Come to find out, the two guys were roller blading the Ohio to Erie in segments. They were going south and I was going north. They did not bring anything with them but a bit of water and some snack bars. No cooking gear or anything.

Now the kicker. The low temp that night was close to freezing. This was late October in Ohio.

I've never seen anyone so miserable and uncomfortable on my adventures.

Seeing that, I brewed a 2nd pot of coffee for them.

Never underestimate the power of:
A. The smell of coffee
B. A warm beverage to offer to fellow trail mates freezing their arses off

I do hope the two got a lesson on preparedness. I'm just glad I stumbled in to them that morning. Theres a reason I camped where I did and got going that morning when I did and went where I did.

staehpj1

Yeah, Nido is great. Also good for other stuff like on cereal, for cooking, drinking, whatever you use milk for.

I can't do without my coffee at home. I turn the pot on first thing. Perhaps strangely, on tour I have taken to drinking it only when I stop in diners. If I go a few days without I am fine. I guess I am not cafeine addicted. After a few days without the next cup is so good! Backpacking I carry Via and Nido.

GhostRider62

My wife knows to turn my espresso machine on if she gets up first.

When I was younger, I camped most nights but still never carried anything to make coffee. I'd get it in town somewhere. Nowadays, I usually stay in motels more than tents. Towns have places to buy coffee. I used to bring a stove and tea for colder and wetter climates, and it saved my butt more than once. But doing something like TA, there are not many stretches of road that I would not get a coffee sometime in the morning. I think Via is pretty decent and have used it cold. I had some when attempting a Thru (wiped out in the Smokies in snow in May, bad sprain was fun hiking out on) on the AT and it was great with sugar and Nido. Purist will die but one of my favorite breakfasts was 2 for $2 EggMcmuffins and a large coffee loaded with cream. Under 5 bucks, a ton of calories, a toilet, wifi, and a free charge of electronics.

KC8QVO

Can you elaborate on your tube tent? What is it? Can you close off the ends to protect from wind driven rain?

gauvins

KC8QVO mev's tent is somewhat similar to this poncho tarp that I plan to use instead of a tent next year. Usually pitched across the wind, and low to the ground if it rains. Experienced users do not report major issues. As I carry an umbrella, I could use it to close one end if the wind turns during a storm.

mev

Looks like it is no longer available, but here is where I ordered on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

It is one step up from those emergency shelters - in that is is at least as durable. It also unzips into a flat tarp.
It does not have an explicit method to close off the ends. However, it is long enough that I can shelter away from the rain. Not as good in areas with bugs (I've brought a separate bug net) but more of my cycling is west so that works.

Pratt

Attitude.
Whatever you bring, there can always be a situation you did not prepare for.
That said, I do plan based on my needs, desires and weaknesses, and review each trip to evaluate what I used and what I wished I had brought.

ShannonM

42x18.

Wouldn't build a bike without one.

--Shannon

PS: yes, this is a non-responsive answer. It is also both true, and funny, at least to me.

Brett A

It so depends on the region, duration and weather. But I like to have soft, cozy clothes for camp.

veganbikes

Baby wipes, great to clean whatever you need cleaned (all the cracks and cervices usually). Generally what I take can vary slightly here and there but wipes are always with me when I am camping/touring/bike packing.

Carbonfiberboy 

My wife and I like Napoleon's theory that an army (and cycle tourists and backpackers) travel on their stomachs. Thus we never go camp touring or backpacking without our Sigg Tourist Cook Kit: I bought ours in 1967 at Sporthaus Schuster in Munich, but they are always available on ebay, from $25 to $250. It's the ultimate in camp cookery. Works with a Svea 123 or any of the modern liquid fuel stoves. The pieces in the photo all stack.

Note: not every set on ebay has all the pieces pictured below.

Rick

Lights I like to head out around 3am.

roadfix

Voile Straps

indyfabz

I like to read late. Got tired of burning out headlamp batteries, so I bought a Kindle Paperwhite, which has a backlit screen. Very happy with it. Battery lasts forever, even at full brightness. And it recharges really quickly. Downloads of new material are also very quick. I was pleasantly surprised the first time I got a new book while using the Wi-Fi at a crowded restaurant. Probably weighs more than you average paperback, but saves space.

StarBiker

A sanity hat to wear before entering for any social media platform........

Roughstuff

Yup! 28 front 36 back all the way!

imi

A guitar

indyfabz

Hope you get one and get well soon.

ShannonM

If you have a Kindle, or really any e-reader, but especially if you have a Kindle, you need a software package called Calibre. Not only does it "jailbreak" your Kindle, allowing you to load e-books into it other than by buying them from Amazon, but it allows you to convert e-books into and out of Amazon's AZW3 format, which nothing else uses, and which your Kindle uses exclusively. You can also get your books off of your Kindle, which Amazon won't let you do. Basically, it turns your Kindle and your library into things that you actually own.

--Shannon

Lambkin55

I am way simple compared to the others on here...

A Red Cotton Bandanna
On tour a red cotton bandanna serves as my, handkerchief, pot holder, wash rag, towel, face-mask, sun shield, sweat-band, bandage, tourniquet, water filter, clothing patch, signal flag, clean work surface, cold compress, food storage, luggage tag, rope, toilet-paper, fashion statement, etc,etc,etc.

indyfabz

You wipe your butt before or after you filter your water?

JoeyBike

Comfortable saddle, proper footwear, gel gloves/bar tape, quality polarized sunglasses, sunscreen.
I am not going ANYWHERE without ^^those things.