It’s 2014… and this will probably be my 14th yr in a row that I’ve gone bicycle touring in some location all over the world. This yr I’m conducting a 7-month-long bicycle tour throughout 14 completely different nations in Europe and Asia… and I’ll be documenting my adventures right here on the web site at Bicycle Touring Professional. See my detailed journey plans proper right here.
As a result of I’m so ceaselessly requested in regards to the gear, clothes and gear that I exploit on my bike excursions, I assumed I might take a second to share with you an in depth listing of every merchandise I’m carrying with me on my bicycle tour this yr.
Be at liberty to make use of this packing listing as a tenet on your personal bicycle touring adventures… or see my guide, “The Bicycle Touring Blueprint” for extra info on what to pack, how heavy your bicycle must be, what kind of motorbike and equipment it is best to use, tips on how to get your self (and your bicycle/gear) to the beginning of a motorcycle tour, what to anticipate when you hit the highway, and an entire lot extra. Plus, there may be much more details about what to pack for a motorcycle tour on the finish of this text (scroll beneath).
Co-Movement Pangea Touring Bicycle
The Co-Movement Pangea is my major bicycle touring automobile and crucial piece of kit that I personal. This on-road, off-road touring bike could be cut up in half with using S&S couplers, permitting me to fly the bike without cost and simply transport the bike on buses, boats and trains with minimal effort.
READ MY REVIEW
Shimano SPD Pedals
SPD pedals permit me to clip my biking sneakers to my bicycle and pedal with higher energy and management. This kind of pedal have to be used with an accompanying set of SPD sneakers.
BUY HERE
Axiom Journey Rear Rack
This light-weight aluminum rack isn’t actually designed for tremendous heavy hundreds or extraordinarily lengthy distances, however I’ve been utilizing it for the final a number of years and have had few issues with it.
READ MY REVIEW
Arkel AC LowRider Entrance Rack
I’ve been utilizing the Arkel AC LowRider Rack on the entrance of my touring bicycle for greater than 5 years now and it has by no means let me down. Constructed sturdy, however very light-weight. Extremely beneficial!
BUY HERE
Planet Bike Entrance & Rear Fenders
These cheap plastic and metallic fenders will assist to guard me, my bicycle and my gear from rain, mud and different highway particles. The fenders discovered on my bicycle in the mean time are designed for the 26 inch tires discovered on my touring bike.
BUY HERE
3 Water Bottle Cages
My Co-Movement Pangea touring bicycle is provided with mounts for 3 water bottle cages, maximizing the quantity of water I can carry.
BUY HERE
3 Water Bottles
You may spend some huge cash on fancy water bottles, however you don’t actually need something particular. I exploit white or clear water bottles (relatively than black or darkish coloured bottles) with the intention to preserve the temperature of my water down when biking in scorching climate.
Ortlieb Bike-Packer Plus Rear Panniers
These giant, waterproof panniers sit on the rear rack of my bicycle and carry all my tenting and digital gear. I’ve used these panniers for years and they’re nonetheless in wonderful form, regardless of affected by some slight beauty solar harm.
READ MY REVIEW – BUY HERE
Ortlieb Sport-Packer Plus Entrance Panniers
These two smaller waterproof panniers sit on the entrance rack of my touring bicycle and carry all of the meals, toiletries and clothes that I would like for my travels.
READ MY REVIEW – BUY HERE
Ortlieb Ultimate6 Plus Handlebar Bag
This excellent, waterproof handlebar bag sits on the entrance of my bicycle and carries my digital camera, pockets, navigational devices (smartphone), and various different small equipment.
BUY HERE
Blackburn Mars 4.0 Rear Bicycle Mild
That is the one official bicycle mild I carry with me on my travels. It’s small, vibrant, light-weight, and has a long-lasting battery that’s simply changed on the highway. I don’t carry the mount with me – simply the sunshine itself, which is well clipped onto certainly one of my rear panniers.
BUY HERE
Avenir Keyed Cable Lock
I’ve been utilizing this comparatively light-weight cable lock for greater than 10 years and it has labored splendidly on my travels. Sadly, it this lock is not in manufacturing and can’t be bought wherever on-line.
20 Inch Bungee Wire
I exploit a single 20 inch bungee wire to safe my tripod, tent poles and photo voltaic panel on the rear rack of my bicycle.
Axiom EnforceAir Professional Highway Bike Pump
The EnforceAir Professional Highway bike pump from Axiom is a protracted, highly effective and light-weight bicycle pump that capabilities as a flooring pump when in use.
READ MY REVIEW
Multi-Instrument
I carry a really generic bicycle multi-tool. There’s nothing particular about it. It has all of the Allen wrench sizes which can be discovered on my touring bicycle.
BUY HERE
Pedal / S&S Coupler Wrench
This can be a particular pedal / S&S coupler wrench that comes with Co-Movement Co-Pilot bicycles. The wrench lets you set up/take away your pedals and to open and shut the S&S couplers on the bicycle’s body.
Mini Adjustable Wrench
I carry a really small adjustable wrench for the bolts on my fenders and for any further repairs that may must be made to my bicycle’s racks, cables, panniers, and many others.
Spare Rack Screws
I all the time carry just a few additional rack screws in case the screws holding my racks, fenders, or water bottle cages rattle their means out of the bicycle body.
Patch Equipment & Tire Levers
I carry two tire levers and a small, light-weight patch equipment on all of my bicycle excursions. This equipment permits me to restore flat tubes and patch tube punctures.
BUY HERE
Spare Tube(s)
I carry not less than one or two spare tubes on all of my bicycle excursions. I exploit 26 inch Presta tubes in my touring bicycle wheels.
MSR Hubba 1-Man Tent
You’ll be laborious pressed to discover a lighter or extra compact tent than the MSR Hubba. This 1-person tent is the proper measurement for bicycle touring and can preserve you secure and dry throughout your cycle touring adventures.
READ MY REVIEW – BUY HERE
Vaude Sove Sleeping Pad
After destroying greater than 5 costly Exped and McKinley sleeping pads over the past two years, I’m now utilizing and experimenting with a Vaude Sove inflatable sleeping pad to sleep on every evening.
BUY HERE
The North Face Cat’s Meow Sleeping Bag
I’ve been utilizing the Cat’s Meow sleeping bag on my colder bicycle excursions for years on finish now. It’s not the smallest sleeping bag on the planet, however is has steadiness between measurement and heat. It’s simply sufficiently small to suit inside certainly one of my bicycle’s rear panniers.
BUY HERE
Petzl Headlamp
I exploit this headlamp to not solely navigate round my campsites at nighttime and browse books in my tent at evening, but additionally as a entrance bicycle mild when driving my bicycle after darkish.
BUY HERE
Folding Knife
I carry a small folding knife with me. I don’t use this for private safety (though I might use if that means if I needed to). As a substitute, I exploit the knife primarily for spreading jam on break, chopping up apples and getting ready my meals on the highway.
Titanium Spork
As a substitute of carrying a heavy fork and spoon, I carry this light-weight titanium spork as a substitute.
BUY HERE
Mini Lighter
With the intention to begin fires in my camp every evening I carry a small, mini BIC lighter. I favor a brightly coloured lighter so it’s simple to seek out inside my panniers and round camp.
BUY HERE
Giro Xen Helmet
This is a superb, light-weight bike helmet with a solar visor within the entrance and simply adjustable head straps within the again.
BUY HERE
Fox Racing MTB Jersey
I wish to put on biking garments that don’t make me appear to be a bike owner. The free MTB jerseys from Fox Racing permits me to step off the bicycle on the finish of the day and mix in with the individuals round me, irrespective of the place I’m on the planet. I’m carrying two jerseys with me on this tour.
BUY HERE
Fox Shorts
Reasonably than cycle and stroll round in spandex or Lycra, I select to put on a daily pair of shorts made by Fox Racing. I’ve two pairs of those, which I can put on on or off the bike.
BUY HERE
Columbia Rain Jacket
To guard me from the weather and preserve me dry in rain and snow, I will probably be carrying a light-weight Columbia rain jacket that packs up comparatively small inside my panniers when it isn’t getting used.
Patagonia Fleece Jacket
This fleece jacket from Patagonia retains me heat and permits me to stroll round in fashion with out making me appear to be a bike owner.
North Face Rain Pants
I’m anticipating to spend a number of days this yr driving in each mild and heavy rain storms… and I count on these waterproof rain pants to turn out to be useful on my travels.
Shimano SH-MT43L Sneakers
These SPD sneakers by Shimano have been designed for mountain biking, however work nice for bicycle touring as effectively.
BUY HERE
New Steadiness Strolling/Working Sneakers
As a result of I’m touring for thus lengthy, I’m bringing a pair of strolling/trainers with me along with my SPD biking sneakers. Having a pair of strolling sneakers makes my time without work the bike rather more comfy.
Denims
The one and solely pair of pants I keep it up tour. I all the time have a pair of denims with me in my panniers.
T-Shirts
I’ll have 4 completely different T-shirts with me at anybody time (1 to sleep in and three to stroll round/cycle in). I purposely choose T-shirts with no logos or art work on them.
Hat
I all the time carry a hat with me on my bicycle excursions. I exploit it primarily for my time without work the bike – to cowl the unhealthy hairdo created by carrying a motorcycle helmet.
Socks
I’m carrying about 4 pairs of black, ankle-length socks with me. These are the socks I cycle and stroll round in through the day. I select black socks as a result of they disguise filth effectively. I even have a hotter, thicker pair of socks that I sleep in at evening.
Underwear
A private alternative greater than the rest, I’m carrying 4 pairs of underwear on this yr’s long-distance bicycle tour.
Sun shades & Case
I’ve obtained a pair of Nike sun shades I’m carrying in a tough plastic case, carried inside my handlebar bag.
Seirus Facemask
Whereas I most likely received’t use this a lot throughout this specific bike tour, I’m bringing it alongside anyway. It’s light-weight and might do so much to maintain you heat in your tent or in your bike if the climate will get chilly.
13″ MacBook Professional Laptop computer Laptop
With out this laptop, I might not be capable of journey for so long as I do (typically for months on finish), nor would I find a way to take action a lot work on BicycleTouringPro.com throughout my bicycle excursions.
BUY HERE
Padded Laptop computer Case
I purchased my laptop computer case so way back, I don’t know what model or mannequin it’s. However it can be crucial as a result of I carry my most respected piece of digital gear within it.
Voltaic Fuse 6 Watt Photo voltaic Panel
This small, however highly effective photo voltaic panel will make it doable for me to recharge my smartphone every day in order that I can proceed biking for days on finish with out each having to entry the ability grid.
LEARN MORE HERE – BUY HERE
Journey Sensible All-in-One Energy Adapter
When touring internationally, I’ve to hold this with the intention to plug my electronics into the wall and recharge them. This adapter has a inbuilt USB charger on its facet as effectively.
BUY HERE
Canon T2i Digital SLR Digital camera (+ 4 Batteries)
My photographs have gotten so significantly better since I began carrying an SLR digital camera. It’s so much bigger than some extent and shoot digital camera (or the low-res digital camera constructed into my smartphone), however one of these digital camera forces you to assume earlier than you snap a photograph… and the top result’s so much higher due to that. Together with the digital camera I’m additionally carrying a battery charger and three spare batteries.
BUY HERE
Lowepro SLR Digital camera Tender Case
My SLR digital camera is carried inside this padded case. This case suits inside my handlebar bag and can be used when carrying the digital camera off the bike and in my backpack. I don’t use the shoulder strap that comes with this case.
BUY HERE
GGS Excellent HD DSLR LCD Foldable Viewfinder
This can be a unusual, however unbelievable helpful accent for my DSLR digital camera, which permits me to see the LCD display screen in vibrant daylight and is very helpful when capturing video to ensure that every little thing is in focus.
BUY HERE
Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM Commonplace Zoom Lens
That is the principle lens I’ve on my digital camera more often than not and, due to this fact, the lens I exploit for many of my photographs.
BUY HERE
Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 Digital camera Lens
I exploit this lens for portraits and close-up pictures. This lens is tremendous sharp!
BUY HERE
Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8 Vast-Angle Digital camera Lens
I’ve by no means used this lens on my bicycle excursions earlier than, however I’m bringing it alongside as a result of I believe it is going to be nice for photographing the slender streets and alleys I do know I’ll encounter all throughout Europe and Asia.
BUY HERE
Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini (Unlocked)
I will probably be utilizing this internationally unlocked Samsung Galaxy smartphone to name dwelling, make preparations with individuals I meet on my travels and hook up with the Web throughout my travels. I’ll primarily use it to take heed to music whereas I’m biking and as a navigational help. That is the primary time I’ve ever used a smartphone on a bicycle tour, so we’ll see the way it goes!
BUY HERE
Sony Earphones
That is certainly one of my most used items of drugs as a result of after I journey on my own I’m always listening to music, podcasts, language-learning tapes and extra.
Western Digital 1 TB Exterior Exhausting Drives
I carry two of those exterior laborious drives with me so I can backup all my photographs. Every laborious drive carries a single copy of every of my photographs, so if one laborious drive dies I’ve one other laborious drive storing the identical pictures. I additionally again up all my photographs onto Flickr.com.
BUY HERE
Columbia Half-Observe Backpack
I carry this small, light-weight backpack with me. I retailer my laptop computer and different digital objects contained in the backpack when I’m on the bike, and use the backpack when strolling round on foot. The backpack is saved inside certainly one of my rear panniers when I’m on the bike.
BUY HERE
Sony VCT-60AV Tripod & Case
As a result of I journey on my own a lot of the time, I carry a tripod so I can get photographs of me really driving my bicycle throughout my excursions.
BUY HERE
Toiletry Case
I exploit an affordable toiletry case that I bought from Walmart to carry all of my toiletries. Nothing particular.
Camp Towel
This small, light-weight towel is ideal for bicycle touring. It takes up little or no area and dries rapidly.
BUY HERE
Lip Balm
You gotta preserve your mouth clear – even when biking all over the world.
BUY HERE
Toothbrush & Toothpaste
You gotta preserve your mouth clear – even when biking all over the world.
Razor & Shaving Cream
That is for my face – not my legs. Ha!
Nail Clippers
On longer bike excursions, it’s important to hold a small pair of nail clippers.
Tweezers
I carry a small, light-weight set of tweezers, not just for private hygiene, but additionally to choose thorns and glass out of my tires, sneakers, toes, and many others.
Journey Measurement Shampoo & Lotion
Shampoo to scrub my hair and lotion to take care of my pores and skin (and occasional sunburns).
Sunscreen
I’ll apply sunscreen two or thrice per day whether it is particularly scorching and sunny.
Bathroom Paper
Blow your nostril and wipe your butt. It’s good to hold not less than one-half roll of bathroom paper with you always – particularly for those who plan to camp.
Cleaning soap & Journey Case
To maintain my physique clear, I carry a single bar of cleaning soap and a plastic case during which the cleaning soap is saved.
Passport
A vital when touring internationally, my passport is certainly one of my most protected private objects.
Zippered Journey Pockets
I carry all my money, credit score and debit playing cards in a zippered pockets. The zipper makes me really feel higher as a result of I don’t have to fret about something falling out throughout my travels.
Ping-Pong Paddle, 3 Balls & Case
I’ve by no means introduced a ping-pong paddle with me on any of my bicycle excursions up to now, however I need to make an effort on this journey to cease and play ping-pong with as could strangers as I can. In case you play ping-pong and I will probably be in your a part of the world, please contact me. I’d like to play a recreation or two with you!
Journal & Pens
Lastly, I’ve a small journal and two pens with me so I can preserve a journal about my travels and write down the names, e-mail addresses and cellphone numbers of any individuals I’d meet alongside the best way.
So, there you might have it! That’s every little thing I’m carrying with me as I journey throughout 14 nations in Europe and Asia on my 14th long-distance, self-supported bicycle tour.
Get 5 extra bike tour packing lists like this one and study extra in regards to the gear I like to recommend for self-supported bicycle touring inside my guide, The Bicycle Touring Blueprint.
[button_yellow url=”https://www.bicycletouringbook.com”]See Extra Right here…[/button_yellow]
Nonetheless hungry for extra bike tour packing lists? See this listing of every little thing you could possibly need to keep it up a motorcycle tour… however please be aware that you shouldn’t carry all of this stuff without delay.
[button_yellow url=”http://bicycletouringpro.com/jim-dirlams-complete-bicycle-touring-gear-checklist/”]Packing Record #2[/button_yellow]
Earlier than you permit a remark and say, “You’re carrying an excessive amount of stuff” or “Why are you bringing a ping-pong paddle with you on a bicycle tour?” let me first say this:
What You Select To Carry Relies upon On The place You Are Going And What Your Objectives Are
That is one thing I’ve defined over and over right here on BicycleTouringPro.com and inside The Bicycle Touring Blueprint, however I do know that some persons are new right here and so I really feel the necessity to say it once more.
When bicycle touring, the bike you experience, the gear you employ, the clothes you put on, the meals you eat, the variety of miles/kilometers you cycle every day, and the way you select to spend your time will differ from individual to individual relying on what your targets are… and, in fact, private desire.
I’ve obtained plenty of electronics with me on this bike tour as a result of I’m touring and dealing on the identical time. With the intention to be away from dwelling for thus lengthy, I’ve to proceed working whereas I’m on the highway, and the best way I do that’s by bringing my workplace with me. For this reason I’ve a laptop computer, smartphone, digital camera, and many others.
I’m bringing a ping-pong paddle as a result of I’ve realized over the past 14 years that as an amazing as bicycle touring is, I additionally want one thing enjoyable to do after I step off the bike on the finish of the day. After I was in Poland in late 2012, I began taking ping-pong classes and since that point I’ve received first place (in a low division) match and began taking part in frequently at a table-tennis membership within the state of Utah. So I actually like ping-pong and since I’m going to be touring via some areas the place ping-pong is very fashionable, I assumed it will be enjoyable to deliver my paddle alongside and see if I might discover the time and vitality to cease at a few of the ping-pong golf equipment alongside my route. Heck, bringing a ping-pong paddle with me isn’t almost as a loopy because the time I introduced a skateboard with me on my 2005 bicycle tour down the Pacific Coast of america and stopped and skateboarded at nearly each skateboard park alongside the best way! Others have introduced far greater, heavier and crazier objects with them on their bicycle excursions.
Issues I’m Purposely Not Carrying
You’ll additionally be aware that there are fairly just a few issues that different bicycle vacationer often deliver with them that I’m selecting to depart at dwelling.
For instance, I’m not packing:
A Range/Gasoline Bottle/Pot
Bicycle Shorts
A Racing Jersey
Mirror
Spare Chain
Spare Spokes
Bell
I’ve traded the range and prepare dinner pot that I’d usually carry for all the additional digital objects. For me and the targets I’ve set for this specific bike tour, the digital objects are much more essential to me than having a heat meal on the finish of the day. However this additionally signifies that I’ll be consuming plenty of chilly meals. If I need to get a heat meal, I’ll both need to exit to eat… or pay to lease an condominium or different such lodging the place I’ve entry to a range or oven.
Plus, I’m not carrying many additional bike components as a result of I’m going to be biking via part of the world the place it is going to be comparatively simple to discover a bike store and get help if one thing horrible have been to go mistaken with my bicycle.
Issues I’m Experimenting With On This Tour
On each single certainly one of my bicycle excursions over the past 14 years I’ve introduced not less than one or two issues with me to experiment with. This yr, the 2 major objects that I will probably be most keen on testing are my new Voltaic Fuse 6 Watt photo voltaic panel… and my new Samsung Galaxy S4 mini smartphone.
I used the Voltaic Fuse 4 Watt photo voltaic panel on my final huge bicycle tour throughout 24 nations in Europe and Africa… and it was superb. It allowed me to cycle round for days on finish with out ever having to plug into the principle energy grid. However this yr I wished one thing just a little extra highly effective, so I upgraded to the 6 Watt charger, which ought to give me extra battery life on my smartphone – a tool I plan to make use of closely on my travels this yr.
Talking of my smartphone, I understand I’m a bit behind the occasions right here, however this would be the first time I’ve ever used a smartphone on any of my bicycle excursions. After I began bicycle touring 14 years in the past, I had a cellphone with me, however it was so costly to make use of the cellphone (even in my very own state) that I by no means as soon as used it. Now, simply 14 years later, I”ll be utilizing an extremely high-tech piece of digital gadgetry that matches within the palm of my hand to take heed to music, navigate my course, publish photographs to the Web, replace the Bicycle Touring Professional web site, name my family and friends again dwelling, and an entire lot extra!
As a result of I’ve by no means used a smartphone on my travels earlier than, and since I’ll be biking throughout 12 or extra completely different nations this yr, I’m just a little nervous about how the cellphone will carry out as soon as I buy new SIM playing cards for it. As a result of I’m touring via so many various areas, I might want to buy a brand new SIM card for every new space. This might be each costly and irritating. I don’t know. However I’m experimenting with Worldwide smartphone journey this yr… and I’ll let you know the way it goes.
In Conclusion: My 2014 Bike Tour Packing Record
So, there you might have it! That’s every little thing I’m packing with me on this yr’s huge bicycle touring journey in Europe and Asia. When you have any questions for me about my packing listing this yr, be at liberty to depart a remark beneath. And for those who assume I’d find a way that will help you plan, put together for, or execute a bicycle touring journey of your personal, please see this web page for extra info on tips on how to plan, pack and put together on your personal unbelievable bicycle touring adventures.