I recently returned from a 4-week bike tour through France and Spain, carrying all of my own kit and camping along the way. Some people have commented that they can’t believe I travel so light, while others have said “how the heck do you fit all that on a bike?” You can fit a surprising amount of stuff on a bike. Of course, the heavier the bike, the harder the journey. Here is a list of what I took with me.
Bicycle Touring Checklist
Essentials:
- Bicycle with a rack (mine is a Jamis Nova)
Bike Accessories:
- Panniers (I use Ortlieb – they really are the best, waterproof, durable, simple but perfect design)
- Frame bag
- 2 Waterbottles
- Headlight / Tail light
- Bike computer for recording mileage / speed (mine is a Cateye Enduro 8)
- Bell
- Bike lock
- iPhone mount (I used a Quad Lock and can’t recommend it enough)
- Bungee cords
- Fuzzy dice (or some other trinket on your bike deliver mojo and lift your spirits – I had a little pendent from my sister, and collected stickers from the places I visited along the way)
Bike Tools:
- Air pump
- Patch Kit with Tire Levers
- Spare Inner Tubes
- Chain Lube
- Bicycle Multi-Tool
Camping Gear:
- Tent (Mine is an MSR Hubba HP 1-person tent)
- Sleeping bag
- Air Mattress (I use a Therm-a-Rest ProLite)
- Headlamp
Camp Cooking Gear
- Backpacking Stove (I adore my MSR Pocket Rocket)
- Fuel for stove (bring extra in case you have a hard time finding the fuel you need en route)
- Lighters for the camp stove
- Cooking pots (I have Snowpeak’s Multicompact Titanium Cookset which I love.)
- Mug
- Cup (Nérac cups are great! And versatile!)
- Utensils: Folding knife, spoon, fork (or Spork!), wine bottle opener
- Coffee making stuff (I use the Hario V60 plastic 1-cup coffee dripper, in which case, don’t forget filters, too!)
- Washing up liquid and quick dry towel (REI’s are handy)
- Tea Towels (Good as napkins, or mini picnic blankets, or to dry dishes, or anything! You will always find uses for them!)
- Water “tank” (Handy at the campsite. I just used a 2L plastic bottle which you can crumple and uncrumple as needed – top tip from Mike! But Platypus also makes nice collapsible water holders.)
Cycling Clothes
- Helmet
- T-Shirts (I went for a merino wool t-shirt and tank top over cycling jerseys which are more versatile for off-the-bike shenanigans)
- Cycling Shorts (at least 2 pairs)
- Underwear (Icebreaker Merino Wool Underwear, it’s expensive but so good! I recommend at least 3 pairs.)
- For the ladies – Sports bras (2)
- Socks (Smartwool Merino Socks for me)
- Cycling gloves
- Clippy Cycling Shoes
- Merino Wool Long Sleeve Short (for cooler days)
- Waterproof Jacket
- Waterproof Over-Shoes
Camp / Town / Beach Clothes
- Pair of shorts
- T-shirt
- Flannel shirt
- Fleece
- Hat
- Walking shoes
- Sandals
- Bathing Suit
Personal Items
- Watch
- Sunglasses
- Eyeglasses
- Sunscreen
- Insect Repellent
- Lip Balm
Toiletries
- Quick Dry Towel
- Washcloth
- Soap / Shampoo
- Deoderant
- Toothbrush, Toothpaste, Floss
- Toilet Paper (You will want this!)
- Wet wipes
- Skin Cream / Moisturiser
- Nail Clippers
- Tweezers
- Vitamins / Medication / etc
- Ear Plugs
- First Aid Kit
- Ibuprofen
- Anti-Chaffing Balm (You will want this.)
Important Documents
- Wallet
- Driver’s License / Passport
- ATM Card
- Credit Cards
- Cash
- Travel tickets
Gadgets & Travel Goodies
- Phone (which also serves as camera)
- iPad + Case
- Phone / iPad Charger
- Universal plug adapter
- USB Battery Pack (For charging on the go. I use an EasyAcc Classic 10000mAh Power Bank which gives me about 2-3 iPhone charges.)
- Personal Locater Beacon (I use a Spot Gen 3)
- Spare batteries for electronics, headlamp, bike lights, etc
- Guidebook (France en Velo was my friend)
- Notebook
- Pens
Food
I obviously topped this up as I travelled – French markets are the best! But these are the staples I tried to always have on hand.
- Stuff sack to keep all the food in
- Salt and Pepper
- Individual spices (stored in film canisters)
- Porridge oats
- Quinoa and/or bulgur wheat
- Dried fruit and nuts
- Coffee & tea
Things I wish I had brought:
- Clothing line for drying stuff
- A few bin bags and packing tape for packing my bike for the ALSA bus in Spain
- Picnic blanket
- Air pillow (maybe?)
- Camp chair (ThermaRest’s chair kits are pretty cool)
Optional Extras
This is stuff I didn’t bring but I could see being useful, especially in cooler climates.
- Cycling Long-Tights
- Waterproof Trousers
- Fall/Winter Full-Finger Gloves
- Skull Cap
- Snood
- Trousers for wearing off the bike
- Binoculars
- More bike repair stuff, that I probably wouldn’t know how to use (bicycletouringpro.com has an epic list)
Monica I will never need this list because I honestly cannot see myself cycling any kind of distance but I am in total awe of your accomplishment. We did nearly 2000 miles in the car on our French trip a few years ago and I cannot even begin to fathom cycling half that as you did. This is such a brilliant post which I have shared with Tony as I know he will certainly want to replicate your trip in his lifetime. Congratulations again!
Now can we please plan our India trip??
I’m saving this list because one day I’ll do a Monica and this could be useful. I notice you include anti chafing balm although I seem to remember this wasn’t in your original list.
I’ve since googled France en velo and I’m adding it to my wish list. Not sure about cycling through India Vashi. Need more than anti chafing balm given my penchant for street food.