Markus and Surly Krampus Highland Trail 550

Highland Trail 550 – Pictures and what to take

As my full report from the Highland Trail 550 is still to follow, I thought it will help to post my gear list for this year, to give you an idea on what to take on a multi-day trip in Scotland. After having cycled the route as part of the group start twice, I had a better setup this year compared to last year, with weight better distributed across the bike. After finally checking the forecast for the week ahead I packed some warmer and waterproof stuff, which turned out to be exactly the right decision. You can also check out my set of pictures from this year here to see the kit in action. A great thanks for the continued support from Charlie the Bikemonger, Edinburgh Bike Cooperative, Tineli UK, Apidura and Ison Distribution.

Markus and Surly Krampus Highland Trail 550

Bike Setup

Surly Krampus 29plus with Maxxis Chronicles, Hope Stainless Steel BB, Brooks Cambium C15, RaceFace NarrowWide 28t chain ring, Garmin eTrex20, Exposure Maxx D MK4, ESI Grips, Spot Gen3 Tracker

Alpkit Stem Cell x 2 (mounted on stem)

  • Deuter Flexi Bottle 2.0l
  • Camelbak 600ml bottle
  • Second bag filled up with food, normally waffles and oatcakes and bars

Apidura Medium Mountain Frame Bag

  • Specialized multitool
  • Manfrotto mini tripod
  • Park Tool patches
  • KMC chain link
  • Cable ties
  • 4 sets of Avid BB7 sintered brake pads
  • 5 and 6mm align key
  • iPhone charger and cable
  • Head torch
  • Spare camera battery and charging cable for lights
  • Spare Velcro straps
  • White Lighting Epic Ride 120ml lube and clothes to wipe chain
  • Surly 29plus tube
  • Lezyne pump with gaffa tape wrapped around
  • Spare brake and derailleur cable
  • Rema patches and paste
  • Park tool tyre levers

Apidura Accessory Pocket

  • Midge net
  • Plastic jar with peanut butter
  • Smidge spray
  • Sunscreen
  • Opinel knife and Snowpeak spork
  • Back light
  • Toilet paper
  • Montane windproof jacket
  • Bars, bananas and other food

Apidura Handlebar Bag Compact

  • Exped fold dry bag (blue)
  • Alpkit Airo 120 mattress
  • Set of printed maps in plasticvpocket
  • Bivy bag
  • Charger and power cable for camera
  • Long finger gloves
  • Gore windstopper gloves
  • Merino buff
  • Endura skull cap

Apidura Saddle Bag Regular 

  • Exped fold dry bag (green)
  • Travel towel (small)
  • 4 spare batteries for spot
  • 4 spare batteries for GPS
  • Tineli Intermediate  jacket
  • Swobo merino long tights
  • Spare 29plus tube
  • Defeet Woolie Boolie socks
  • Pink socks
  • Summer socks
  • Montane long sleeve base layer
  • Spare underpants
  • Spare Tineli bibs
  • Mountain Equipment Helium down Sleeping bag
  • Sanitary bag with toothbrush, paste, ibuprofen, penicillin, razer

On Body

  • Defeet Woolie Boolie socks
  • Tineli bibs
  • Montane Bionic Short sleeve base layer
  • Skins compression top
  • Defeet Kneekers
  • Specialized Sub zero gloves
  • Arm warmers
  • Alpkit cover for phone
  • iPhone
  • Canon S120 Camera in case with cleaning wipe
  • Montane waterproof shell
  • Tineli cycling cap
  • Specialized S3 helmet
  • Endura Stealth long tights
  • Tineli Aero short sleeve jersey
  • Shimano MW81 Goretex shoes