Since her first overnight bike ride in 1992, Hana Black has cycled from China to Sumatra over nine months and spent four years bikepacking from Alaska to Patagonia. Locally, she has completed many brevets and countless shorter trips. She continually refines her packing list. With our focus on the cycle trails this issue, we asked Hana to show us what’s in her panniers. 

Bike

The most versatile bikepacking bike is a hardtail that can take 26-inch tyres, allowing the freedom to explore paved roads, gravel, ancient Inca foot trails and deserts. The Otso Voytek has been my choice for many bikepacking adventures, local as well as criss-crossing the Andes.

Gear choices

You’ll have more fun if you can keep weight low. My rule of thumb is to have my loaded bike light enough that I can carry it for river crossings or hike-a-bike. I adapt my packlist for each trip depending on conditions, terrain, length, and whether it’s an ultra event or a more relaxed ride.

Tent and sleep kit

For longer trips I use a Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL2 Bikepack HyperBead tent (shared between two). It’s super light with ShortStik poles that fit in my framebag. I love my Big Agnes Rapide SL mattress for  comfortable sleep and recovery, and a Big Agnes Fly Creek UL Zip Quilt is my go-to for summer. I always take a silk/polyester liner – it protects my quilt and mat and serves as a sarong, scarf and towel. 

Clothing

My clothing is a considered mix of merino baselayers for odour-free comfort, and synthetic midlayers. My favourites are an Earth Sea Sky Cosmo Merino tee, a Giro Cascade Stow softshell jacket with Tineli arm and leg warmers for cooler days, merino longjohns, a Macpac Nitro Fleece and a light synthetic or down jacket depending on the season.

Wet weather

Reliable wet weather gear is essential. For Tour Aotearoa I used an ultralight RAB Phantom rain jacket (I use a heavier jacket for winter riding), Tineli ¾ rain pants and Showa Temres 282-02 gloves. These fishing gloves have saved my hands many times.

Bags

Revelate Designs kit is my go-to. I use the Pronghorn Handlebar Roll for my sleep kit, stash water and snacks in two Mountain Feedbags, and keep electronics handy on the top tube in a Magtank 2000. Everything else fits into my Tardis-like Ranger Framebag and Terrapin 8L seat bag.

Essentials

For navigation without range anxiety, the Coros Dura Solar GPS bike computer has multi-day battery life and solar charging. I always run tubeless tyres and never leave home without a Wolftooth Encase pump, chain breaker, multi-tool, tyre plug tool and spare sealant. I use locally made Biomaxa Bio-lubricant and Chamois Cream. They’re lanolin-based and kind to your chain, backside and the environment.

Cooking

For ultra events I just carry a titanium spork. Otherwise I take a Toaks Titanium Siphon Alcohol Stove and a 550ml pot that doubles as a cup and bowl, or a 1l pot when there’s two of us.