Packing list for cycle touring |
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The following list is based on what we took to the Pamirs in 2008.
Bikes and packing | Bungee nets |
- Bikes (Marin Muirwoods for both)
- Dropout spacers
- Duck tape, electrical pvc tape
- Polythene bike bags
- Pipe lagging
- Polythene for protecting saddles
See packing bikes for airoplanes.
- Bungees, toestraps
We now use motorcycle bungee nets to attach loose items to our racks. Theyre sold with 6 hooks, but only 4 hooks are used on a push bike: we should remove the middle ones on each side.
- Panniers, pannier racks
- Bicycle locks
- Lights
- Water bottles (and cages of course)
- 2 kitbags
So as to keep our baggage within the max 4 pieces, we put panniers and other luggage in 2 kitbags. Usually we leave them at a hotel, but if we will be making a lot of bus or taxi journeys we carry one with us to allow efficient packing.
- Locks for kitbags
- Small backpack
Stuffed in a pannier or bungeed on top; useful for walking around.
- Some plastic carrier bags
for keeping clothes dry, and keeping those of different degrees of smelliness apart.
Bike tools and spares
- 4mm, 5mm, 6mm long Allen keys
- Multitool
- Pedal spanner
- Small adjustable spanner
- Penknife
- Spoke key
- Pumps
- Tyre levers
- 4 spare inner tubes
- Puncture repair kit
- Spare chainlinks
- Bolts
Bolts holding pannier racks, toeclips etc. shake off all too willingly on rough roads.
- Wire
- Bits of tyre
to patch up bad damage.
- Spare cables
2 brake cables, 2 gear cables.
- Spare spokes
4 of each length.
- 1 pair spare brake blocks.
- Dry lube
- Rag
- Old toothbrush for cleaning chain etc.
Paperwork, books
- Passports
- Money stuff
nowadays usually plastic, but also local currency if we have any
- Airline e-ticket receipts, visa info, parking receipt, insurance
- Address list for sending postcards home
- Photocopy of instructions for complicated items
tent, stove, Colins alti, cameras...
- Maps, guidebook selections
We photocopy or tear out the pages of interest to us: we seldom take an entire guidebook.
- Books to read
We took 2 books to the Pamirs (one of which was interminable).
- Pocket foreign language dictionary
- Notebook and a couple of pens
We carry loose papers in a set of plastic document folders.
IT
- Cameras
Were both digital now. Tracey carries her camera (a compact) in a padded bag in one of her bottle cages, allowing quick access on the road.
- GPS
- Altimeters
Colin: a cordless VDO MC1.0+, which needs a couple of spare parts. Tracey: a Suumto wrist alti.
- Mobile phone
Optional, taken only when useful
Camping
- Tent plus repair kit.
A Macpac minaret.
- Sleeping bags
A good 3-season bag is sufficient for almost any cycle tour after all, you cant cycle on snow.
- Thermarests plus repair kit.
¾ length for Colin; a special full-size girlie pink one for Tracey
- Pillows
- Torches
A single Petzl LED headtorch which doubles as a spare light for cycling; one of our bike lights doubles as a spare torch.
Cooking
- Stove & stove gubbins
We have an MSR XG-K. The gubbins are the carrying bag, foil heat reflectors, cleaning kit and a couple of spare items.
- Fuel bottles as appropriate
- Sponge/scourer for washing up
- Ortlieb 10l water bag
Infinitely preferable to platypuses
- Pans
2 pans are sufficient for our cooking.
- Crockery
2 plastic dishes, 2 plastic mugs.
- Cutlery
2 plastic dessert spoons, one metal camping knife.
- Small containers for salt, sugar etc.
Or rather a large one for sugar. You can never have enough sugar on tour.
- Foodstuffs
We usually take packets of French dried soup with us (better quality than we could buy at our destination), and whatever sort of teabag we least detest at the time . Dried porcini and good quality cocoa powder are valuable luxuries.
Medical
Toiletries
Clothes for Colin
Warm weather gear:
- 3 brightly coloured cotton office shirts
- 1 pair cotton shorts
- 1 pair basic trekking trousers
cut back to ¾ length after too many encounters with chain rings.
- 3 pairs M&S cotton underpants
- 1 pair smartish trekking trousers which unzip to become shorts
- 1 floppy white sunhat
- 3 pairs white cotton socks
- 1 pair cycling boots
actually lightweight Goretex trekking shoes
- 1 pair beach sandals
- 1 pair sunglasses
- 1 pair cycling mitts
synthetic because less smelly after prolonged use.
- Swimming trunks
- 2 hankies
- Cycle clips
depending on which trousers I plan to cycle in.
Protection from cold and rain:
- Cycling cagoule
- Fleece jersey
- Long-sleeved thermal vest
- Thermal longjohns
Thermal undies are worn inside the sleeping bag for extra warmth, and to keep the bag clean.
- 1 pair non-white socks
to wear inside the sleeping bag.
- Fleece hat (the type which covers the ears)
- 1 pair warm cycling gloves
- 1 pair thin inner gloves
mostly useful around camp, but may be worn inside mitts for extra warmth
- 1 pair winter cycling longs
Extra clothes for travel:
- A smartish shirt
- An extra pair underpants
- An extra pair socks
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