I lately printed the whole packing checklist for my bike tour in Europe this previous summer time (2016), however I’m in South America now and I’ve packed just a little otherwise for this specific journey.
A lot of my gear has stayed the identical, however there are some main variations between my Europe bike tour packing checklist and the one I’ve now for my biking journey in South America. Most notably, I’ve modified from crimson to blue Ortlieb panniers, I’ve added a motorbike lock to my checklist of important gear, and I’ve eliminated my SPD footwear and pedals from the checklist of substances I’m carrying with me on my bicycle.
As I’ve mentioned with my earlier bike tour packing lists, I encourage you to make use of this packing checklist as a tough guideline to your personal bicycle touring adventures… or (higher but) see my ebook, “The Bicycle Touring Blueprint” for extra data on what to pack, how heavy your bicycle must be, what sort of bicycle and equipment you need to be utilizing, the way to get your self and your bicycle/gear to the beginning of your bike tour, what to anticipate when you hit the street, the way to discover free and low-cost locations to remain every night time, and an entire lot extra.
Co-Movement Pangea Touring Bicycle
The Co-Movement Pangea is similar touring bicycle I’ve been driving since 2012. I’ve ridden this bike throughout greater than 40 completely different international locations all world wide and it’s the bike I selected to make use of but once more on my biking adventures this yr in South America (Ecuador and Colombia). That is the kind of bike you need for a visit in South America, as it could actually deal with each on-road and off-road driving.
Flat Aluminum Bike Pedals
I’ve been biking with SPD bicycle footwear for the final 12+ years now, however for this specific bike tour in South America, I wished to attempt one thing just a little completely different. So, I left my SPD footwear and pedals at house and opted to journey with solely a single pair of flat-soled footwear. Due to this fact, I’m utilizing common flat aluminum pedals on my bike tour in South America this yr.
Axiom DLX Streamliner Disc Cycle Rack
The Axiom DLX Streamliner has a narrower profile than different rear bike racks, which reduces the area on the prime of the rack for carrying gear, however in any other case it’s , cheap bike rack. I’m not utilizing a photo voltaic panel on this specific bike tour, so there’s no want actually for additional area on the highest of my rear rack.
Arkel AC Lowrider Entrance Rack
I’ve been utilizing this identical entrance bike rack on my bicycle touring expeditions all world wide for the final 12+ years. The Arkel AC Lowrider is an excellent entrance bike rack that I’d extremely advocate.
Planet Bike Entrance & Rear Fenders
There’s nothing fancy about my fenders. They’re low-cost plastic 26 inch fenders produced by Planet Bike.
3 Water Bottle Cages
I’ve obtained three of those water bottle cages mounted to the body of my touring bicycle.
3 Clean Bicycle Water Bottles
It’s fairly tough to discover a bicycle water bottle that isn’t plastered with logos, however I managed to search out just a few clear plastic water bottles that work nicely for my biking adventures.
Ortlieb Bike-Packer Plus Rear Panniers
The Ortlieb Bike-Packer Plus panniers are my favourite bicycle touring baggage. They’re massive sufficient to hold all my gear, utterly waterproof, and good wanting. The pannier is proven right here with a shoulder strap, however I don’t pack or carry that strap with me after I’m touring.
Ortlieb Sport-Packer Plus Entrance Panniers
Ortlieb Sport-Packer Plus panniers are excellent, waterproof bicycle touring panniers for the entrance of your bicycle. As soon as once more, the product is proven right here with the included shoulder strap, however I don’t pack or carry this strap whereas I’m on the street.
Ortlieb Final 6 Handlebar Bag
I can’t think about bicycle touring with out my Ortlieb Ultimate6 Handlebar Bag, which I take advantage of to hold my pockets, cameras, and numerous bicycle instruments.
Knog Blinder Circle USB Bike Gentle
I’ve been utilizing this Knog Blinder Circle USB bike gentle for a number of years now and it continues to perform nicely for my travels by bike. I not often apply it to the bicycle (principally only for biking by way of tunnels), however I do use it very often as a light-weight for the within of my tent within the evenings.
Blackburn Central 50 Rear Gentle
That is my first yr utilizing the Blackburn Central 50 rear bicycle gentle and it has labored nicely for me to date. The battery lasts fairly some time and I by no means had another issues with the sunshine throughout my travels.
Blackburn Atom SL 4.0 Bicycle Pc
The Blackburn Atom SL 4.0 bicycle pc is one other new addition to my packing checklist this yr. The battery on the sensor died after only one month on the street, however that was simply changed and the pc as an entire has been working flawlessly ever since.
20 Inch Bungee Wire
I take advantage of this quick bungee wire to hold my tripod (and different miscellaneous gadgets I would decide up alongside the way in which) on the highest of my rear bicycle rack.
Lezyne Sport Drive HV Hand Pump
The Lezyne Sport Drive HV hand pump is a reasonable bicycle pump, nevertheless it labored flawlessly for my travels in Europe this summer time, so I made a decision to deliver it with me to South America as nicely. It’s compact, light-weight and straightforward to make use of.
Origin 8 Multi-Device
I purchased myself a brand new multi-tool this yr after my previous one had develop into worn. The Origin 8 wood multi-tool is just a little on the heavy facet, nevertheless it has all of the Allen wrenches, screwdrivers, and such that I would like.
Pedal/S&S Coupler Wrench
This is similar small (however not very gentle) pedal/S&S coupler wrench that I’ve been carrying with me for the final 5 years. I take advantage of the wrench to put in and take away my pedals, in addition to to tighten and loosen the S&S couplers that permit me to separate my bicycle in half. See my evaluate of the Co-Movement Co-Pilot journey case for extra data on how this works.
10 MM Wrench
My fenders have a small 10 mm nut that’s used to carry the fenders in place over the tires. Due to this fact, I’ve to hold this small wrench with me within the occasion that these nuts ought to ever come free or want adjustment.
Spare Rack Screws
Rack, fender and water bottle screws are infamous for wiggling free in the course of the lengthy days of biking on a bicycle tour. That’s why I all the time carry not less than two or three additional rack screws with me – simply in case.
Patch Package & Tire Levers
If I get a flat tire, I can often restore the flat with a fundamental restore package and two further plastic tire levers.
Spare Tube
Within the occasion of a flat tire, I all the time have not less than one spare bike tube on me always.
Huge Agnes Copper Spur UL 1-Man Tent
The Huge Agnes Copper Spur UL is a small, light-weight tent that feels fairly large inside when you set it up. I purchased this tent due to how small and lightweight it’s and it’s turned out to be my favourite bicycle touring tent ever. Extremely beneficial!
Vaude Sove Sleeping Pad
I’ve used dozens of various sleeping pads and mats through the years, however the Vaude Sove is, by far, the perfect sleeping pad I’ve ever used. It’s excellent for summer time bike touring, however not preferrred for winter biking expeditions.
Marmot At all times Summer time Sleeping Bag
This small, light-weight sleeping bag is good for a summertime bicycle touring expedition. The Marmot At all times Summer time sleeping bag is insulated with down, so even within the cooler nights of spring and summer time, this sleeping bag will doubtless preserve you heat.
Gerber Folding Knife
This small folding knife is carried in my handlebar bag and may be accessed rapidly if want be. However the primary objective for this knife is for meals preparation.
Titanium Spork
A light-weight titanium spork is the one kitchen utensil I’m carrying on my bike excursions nowadays (except you depend my folding knife, in fact).
Giro Revel Bike Helmet
The day earlier than I left on my journey to South America, I spotted that my previous Giro Xen bike helmet was damaged and will not be used. So I rushed round to my native bike and sporting good shops in quest of a brand new helmet for the journey. The Giro Revel wasn’t my first selection, nevertheless it was in inventory and it match nicely. I want the visor have been just a little greater (to assist defend me from the solar), however in any other case it’s a good, cheap bicycle helmet.
Nike Sports activities Jersey
I introduced solely two jerseys with me on my bike tour in South America this yr. I introduced this darkish blue Nike sports activities jersey (which wasn’t designed for biking particularly – it’s the identical jersey I wore on my bike tour in France’s Loire Valley) and the long-sleeved Fox MTB jersey you see under.
1 Fox MTB Lengthy-Sleeve Jersey
I purchased this long-sleeved biking jersey from Fox, considering that I’d not often, if ever, put on it, nevertheless it has turned out to be my favourite biking jersey ever. The jersey is gentle sufficient that I can put on it even in sizzling climate, and since it’s long-sleeved, it helps to maintain the solar from burning my arms.
Volcolm Shorts
I don’t journey in a pair of particular bicycle shorts. I simply cycle in a pair of black Volcolm shorts – like the sort you would possibly discover at your native surf/skate store.
REI Rhyolite Rain Jacket
The REI Rhyolite rain jacket is fashionable and tremendous compact. It’s very light-weight and may be squeezed into any empty areas you may need inside your panniers, nevertheless it isn’t very heat, so it must be used along side a a lot hotter, insulating jacket.
North Face Hooded Sweatshirt
I had packed a Patagonia fleece jacket for my insulating layer on my bike tour in South America, however after I was on the airport and leaving for my journey, I left the jacket within the automobile. Whoops! So, as soon as I arrived in Quito, Ecuador I purchased this very fundamental North Face hooded sweatshirt. It’s light-weight and far more snug than the fleece jacket I had packed initially, however I don’t understand how nicely it’s going to work as an insulation layer on the bike. We will see!
North Face Rain Pants
I’ve obtained a fundamental set of North Face rain pants. I not often cycle in these pants really, and use them extra at night time to sleep in than for another objective.
Quechua Forclaz Flex 3 Climbing Footwear
As an alternative of packing two separate pairs of footwear (one to put on whereas driving the bike and the opposite to stroll round in) I made a decision to pack solely a single pair of flat-bottomed footwear for my bike tour in South America this yr. I picked up these Quechua Forclaz Flec 3 climbing footwear in Romania final summer time and I made a decision to put on them on this journey as a result of the only real of the shoe is so extremely agency – which is nice for biking and climbing.
Light-weight Denims
Off the bike, that is the one and solely pair of pants that I put on. They’re a light-weight pair of black denims. As a result of they’re black, they work nicely in each formal and casual environments.
T-Shirts
Nothing particular right here. I carry just some T-shirts with me on my bike excursions. One among these T-shirts I used to sleep in and the others two are worn when I’m exploring off the bike.
Fox Flex 45 Match-Flex Hat
As quickly as my bike helmet comes off my head, I instantly place this Fox Flex 45 baseball cap onto the highest of my head. It’s 100% crucial for masking up helmet hair after an extended day within the saddle.
3 Pairs of Black Socks
I’ve 4 pairs of black socks packed for my bike tour in South America this yr. I put on these socks whereas I’m biking and when I’m simply strolling round city.
3 Pairs of Underwear
I rotate between the three pairs of underwear that I carry – with one pair nearly continually being within the technique of being cleaned or dried.
Nike Sun shades & Case
I don’t know precisely what mannequin of sun shades I’ve, however I do know they’re made by Nike. They do job of blocking out the solar, however they pinch the again of my head and fall off my nostril fairly simply. I wouldn’t advocate them… and I’m within the technique of looking for a brand new pair of sun shades.
DJI Phantom 4 Quadcopter/Drone
The massive addition to my bicycle touring gear checklist this yr is the addition of the DJI Phantom 4 Quadcopter (or drone). Carrying the drone, distant controller, battery charger and spare propellers is just not quite a lot of enjoyable (as a result of it’s fairly massive and weights fairly a bit), however I’m able to match the drone inside one in all my rear panniers and carry it with me as I cycle. Watch the movies from my bike tour in Europe this yr and also you’ll see that the Phantom 4 obtained me some spectacular pictures and movies from my travels!
13″ MacBook Professional Laptop computer Pc
As a result of I’m not simply bicycle touring, however working from the street as nicely, I carry my MacBook Professional laptop computer pc and charger with me. It’s fairly heavy, however I’m grateful to have it when the time comes for me to take a seat down and do my work.
Padded Laptop computer Case
My pc might be a very powerful merchandise that I personal. That’s why, after I’m bicycle touring, I do every little thing I can to try to defend it. And that features wrapping the pc in a padded laptop computer case after which putting that case into my padded backpack inside one in all my rear panniers.
Journey Sensible All-in-One Energy Adapter
Despite the fact that Ecuador and Colombia use US-style retailers, I introduced my Journey Sensible All-in-One Energy Adapter with me to South America – simply in case. I additionally introduced it as a result of it has a USB charger on its facet, which makes it tremendous straightforward for me to recharge my smartphone and bike lights with out having to plug in my pc.
Canon T2i DSLR Digital Digicam
My Canon T2i DSLR digicam is getting fairly previous and might now be bought for less than $215 USD, nevertheless it has produced some wonderful bike tour pictures for me through the years. I carry the digicam in my handlebar bag so I can rapidly snap pictures from the street.
Lowepro SLR Digicam Smooth Case
So as to defend my DSLR digicam, I carry it on this Lowepro SLR Digicam mushy case. The product is proven right here with each a shoulder strap and a hand grip, however I reduce them each off (to save lots of weight) and don’t use both of them.
Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM Normal Zoom Lens
That is the lens I take advantage of for many of my bicycle touring and journey pictures. It doesn’t produce the sharpest pictures on the planet, however its zoom lens makes it probably the most helpful of all of the DSLR digicam lenses I’m carrying.
Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 Digicam Lens
When the state of affairs is correct, I’ll pull out my Canon 50 mm lens and use it to take some actually high-quality pictures. It is a mounted lens, which produces tremendous sharp pictures, however can actually solely be utilized in sure conditions.
Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8 Vast-Angle Digicam Lens
For panorama pictures, inside resort room pictures, and video running a blog, that is the lens I resort to first. It has a slight bubble to the picture that’s noticeable in movies, however not a lot in nonetheless pictures.
Canon Powershot ELPH 350 HS
The Canon Powershot ELPH 350 HS is my go-to digicam for video running a blog.The overwhelming majority of my movies this yr have been shot on the small, light-weight point-and-shoot digicam.
Samsung Galaxy S5 Mini Worldwide Smartphone
For mapping out my route, listening to music/podcasts, studying overseas languages and easily entertaining myself, my Samsung Galaxy S5 smartphone is my finest bicycle touring instrument.
Sony Earphones
Once I crawl into my tent at night time, the very first thing I often do is plug my earphones in and begin listening to a podcast. From time to time I’ll cycle with the earphones in my ears, however that not often ever occurs.
Western Digital 2 TB Exterior Laborious Drive & Case
The entire pictures and movies I shoot on my bicycle touring adventures is saved on this single Western Digital 2 TB laborious drive. Along with the drive itself, I’m additionally carrying a Western Digital exterior laborious drive case, which helps to guard my laborious drive from the bumps and grime concerned with bike journey.
Patagonia Refugio 28L Backpack
I spend quite a lot of time without work the bike after I’m touring, and I wish to have a backpack to hold my issues round in throughout these moments. The Patagonia Refugio 28 L backpack is new to me for this bike tour in South America, however I prefer it to date.
Jobi GorillaPod SLR Zoom Tripod
For my bike tour in South America this yr, I left my common tripod at house and opted to make use of this a lot smaller and lighter Jobi GorillaPod SLR Zoom tripod. I haven’t had sufficient expertise with it but to provide it a full evaluate, however I do like its dimension and weight advantages.
REI Toiletry Case
All of my toiletries are carried on this single REI toiletry case. I’ve not listed the person toiletries that I’m carrying, however I’ll inform you that for this specific bike tour in South America, I did pack a camp towel – an merchandise I didn’t embrace in my 2016 bike tour packing checklist for Europe.
Pack Towel
Whereas I didn’t really feel the necessity for a pack towel in Europe this summer time, I made a decision to deliver my pack towel to South America, as a result of I knew I’d be staying in low-end inns and hostels – lots of which could not come geared up with contemporary towels for its friends.
Passport
As a world traveler, I don’t go anyplace now with out my passport.
Buxton Zippered Journey Pockets
I purchased my Buxton zippered journey pockets at Staples a number of years in the past and have been utilizing it as my go-to bicycle touring pockets. I like the truth that it’s zippered, so I don’t have to fret about my money, bank cards or ID falling out.
Journal
Lastly, I selected to journey this yr with a light-weight journal and a single ballpoint pen. Whereas my smartphone can be utilized for all types of note-taking, there are particular instances when old school pen and paper are precisely what you want.
That’s my full 2016 bike tour packing checklist for my biking journey in South America. Click on right here to see how this gear checklist compares to what I carried on my 2015 bicycle touring expedition and my 2016 bike tour in Europe.
Lastly, I must reiterate what I’ve mentioned with different packing lists I’ve printed right here on Bicycle Touring Professional: You shouldn’t essentially pack like I’m packing right here. I’m carrying way more electronics than the typical bicycle vacationer wants to hold – as a result of I would like these electronics to do my work right here on the Web because the Bicycle Touring Professional. You, nonetheless, ought to pack a lot lighter. So, use this packing checklist as a free guideline to your personal bicycle touring adventures, however please don’t see it as one thing that must be emulated precisely.
If you wish to see light-weight packing checklist, please see this text I’ve written on the topic or decide up a replica of “The Bicycle Touring Blueprint,” which incorporates a number of completely different packing lists that you should utilize to plan and put together to your personal unbelievable bicycle touring adventures – wherever they occur to be on the planet.
When you have any questions or feedback about something I’ve talked about on this article, please go away a remark under and I’ll reply to you simply as quickly as I presumably can. Thanks!
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