Are you planning on going on a bike tour and aren’t really sure what gear you need to pack? In this video, I break down every piece of gear that I pack on my bike tours- from tents to toiletries, this video will get you on the right track and leave you feeling confident when you pack up and hit the road!
Bike: Surly Long Haul Trucker
Racks: Tubus Tara and Tubus Cargo Evo
Tires: Continental Tour
Fenders: Planet Bike Cascadia
Saddle: Terry Butterfly Century
Handlebars: Salsa Cowchippers with Brooks Microfiber Bar Tape
GPS: Garmin Edge 520
Pedals: Shimano GR500 Flats
Lights: Bontrager Ion Pro 1300 Lumens with Flare
Panniers: Ortlieb Free Front Rollers and Back Rollers
Handlebar Bag: Ortlieb Ultimate 6 Free
Tent: Marmot Tungsten 1P Ultralight
Sleeping Pad: Big Agnes Q Core SLX
Sleeping Bag: Feathered Friends Egret Nano 20
Stove: Pocket Rocket
Rain Jacket: Shower’s Pass
Rain Pants: Pearl Izumi
Helmet: Bern
26 Comments
Don’t you share some stuff with your dad or do you have everything twice on tour? Have a nice season. Greetings from Switzerland.
Great video – my channel just got recommended to me and I am so happy. Subbed. I cannot wait to go on my 1st bike tour/camping trip =)
Here r some ideas to consider!!
1. Bandanas- my neck burns easily!! I covered it!! And to cover the face with all of these fires that r happening nowadays!!
2. 2 fully sunglasses- one shaded and one cleared for the sun, wind, rain, freaking bugs, and exhaust fumes!! Lol!!
Love ur videos and u guys stay safe!!
This is a (personally) well used and very cheap tip on how to keep your hands warm and dry in pouring rain and icy conditions. Buy a pair of over sized long sleeve Latex washing up gloves, the ones that reach close to your elbows. Wear them over your existing riding gloves to keep them dry and your hands warm. You can either wear them over the sleeves of your current rain coat, or better still put the washing up gloves on first over your normal riding gloves and long sleeve shirt (or jumper) which will cover close to your elbows then wear your rain coat over that. If the cuffs of your rain coat are elasticated wear your rain coat as you normally would but with the cuffs elastic tight around your wrists and the washing up gloves. Any rain water entering between your rain coat sleeves and washing up gloves will only penetrate a little way with the long sleeves of the washing up gloves keeping your shirt (or jumper) dry. The Latex gloves give a good non slip grip on your handle bars as well. Good to see you've invested in a rear vision mirror, very wise lady. Do you use a low cost effective kick stand or if you don't have something convenient to lean your bike against, (like your tree) or do you lay it down in the dirt as so many long distance riders do. A kick stand is convenience in its self and protects both your bike and your kit as well. In sandy or muddy conditions where a kick stand can sink down, get a metal (not plastic) screw on jar lid, say 100 to 150 mm diameter. With the thread side of the lid facing up, glue, or silicone a screw cap from a water bottle onto the centre of the larger lid. In soft conditions place the foot of the kick stand into the water bottle cap, so the kick stand foot won't slip off the large jar lid. The wide surface of the larger lid offers a wider bearing area that will prevent the kick stand from sinking into sand or muddy conditions. This set up weighs virtually nothing and can be stored under a panier flap I feel the same way about my kick stand as you do for your rear vision mirror (which I use as well. Never ride without one). All the very best in Health, Wealth and Happiness for your trip.👌✌👍👍
Thank you for the nice video. I have been a fan since your TransAm. Question, How do you clean your water bottels on tour?
After several days mine get dirty/moldy. At home I use bleach.
Thank so much I going to do some camping and your tips are brilliant. Had a look at the Feathered friends, they have great products! Thanks again!
I think I had the exact same power bank, and it lasted about a week lol. Ordered an Anker now instead and will test it out a 4 day trip next week.
YouTube recommended this video to me!
Greetings from Ukraine!
💙💛
this is a sweet young woman and it is a pleasure to hear of her travels and see her equipment choices.
1000th subscriber here. Great video and great channel 👍🏼 keep up the good work
Sweet rig!
I am curiuos what tire width you commonly use. I have been using a Slasa Journeyman which came with 2.1" but for going on a mainly road tour I switched to 40mm or 1.57". I commonly do a mixture of pavement and gravel.
Hi again Aspen. Non gear related question. As a Kentucky native, and bicyclist, is your state's reputation for mean packs of dogs and non-bicycle friendly roads and drivers true?
where in the south are you from? i am from the south to. and i love biking and bike touring.
dat was funny, dat dog aint going in doz panniers!! ha ha!! i like your gear set up. but i am leaving in 2 weeks for my rail trail tour. i am using just rear panniers and sleep system on top. i like using a frame bag. i don't cook so i carry lots of trail bars and gu gels. i like nutella and pbj's . after i long day biking i like showers, but i just get a cowboy bath wid a water bottle and wet wipes. do you use a front light on your bike? anyhow you know more about touring than i do. but everybody is different. Good luck!!
What a great presentation thank you so much
Thank you so much! I've been a motorcycle camper for decades, but I'm going on my first bicycle trip with a friend in just a couple weeks. 300 miles in a week! Your suggestions have really helped me figure out how I'm going to distribute gear between my four panniers!
Nice video Aspen! One thing I take with me that is very handy and versatile is a merino wool neck buff/gaiter. This can also be used as a beanie (we call them touques up here in Canada) on colder mornings or while sleeping. Here's a good video that gives other ways to use it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=47KhhB616jM
I'm struggling to fathom the logic on having a white rear facing light. It's illegal here in the UK.
Great video and well thought out kit and packing arrangement. Thanks for sharing.
Great setup, I wonder if you made a list for yourself depending from which season. Anyways….very efficient and I like that handle bar bag! Thanks, greetings from Holland, Jan
Much love to you and your family
What size tires are those
Great setup! You have so much experience already.
Great tips! How do you (and Dad) handle laundry on extended trips? I always hear horror stories about wearing shorts for too long (saddle sores, etc).
Excellent info! I’m also from Kentucky and an avid cyclist! I did a tour around Montana in 2019 and touring on a bike is absolutely the best!