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    How to Pack for a Bicycle Tour – My Complete Gear List



    One of the most intimidating parts of bicycle touring is knowing what to pack. It’s not uncommon to worry about overpacking, under packing, or just plain forgetting important stuff to pack. And probably the most common questions we get on our channel is “When are you going to do a video showing what to pack on a bicycle tour?” This video takes you through the what, the how and the why of efficiently packing those panniers for a successful bicycle tour.

    Here’s the list I use. Every rider and every trip is unique, and this list is meant to be added to and subtracted from to suit the person and occasion.

    STREET CLOTHES
    Shoes (1 Pair)
    T-Shirts (1)
    Socks (5)
    Underwear (5)
    Shorts (2)
    Swimsuit
    Pants (1)
    Short sleeve button up (2)
    Smart Wool underlayer

    CYCLING CLOTHES
    Cycling Shoes
    Cycling Shorts (1)
    Hat with Rim
    Water Bottles (3)
    Padded undies (2)
    Rain Jacket
    Arm warmers
    Leg Warmers
    Neck gator
    Head Scarf
    Sunglasses (2)
    Helmet
    Gloves

    TOILETRIES
    Scissors
    Deodorant
    Fingernail/Toenail Clippers
    Prescriptions (Counted out to days*)
    Glasses & Case
    Razor & Extra Blade
    Contacts wetter
    Contacts cleaner
    Toothbrush
    Toothpaste
    Hairbrush
    Contacts (3)
    Contact Plunger (3)

    FIRST AID KIT
    Band-Aids (assorted sizes & shapes)
    Ace Bandage
    Anti-Itch Cream (i.e. Hydrocortisone)
    Ibuprofen
    Voltaren
    Compress / Gauze Pads (med / large size)
    First-Aid Ointment (i.e. Neosporin )
    Adhesive First-Aid Tape
    Muscle Relief Cream (i.e. Icy-Hot, Sports Cream )
    Antihistamine Tablets (i.e. Benadryl )

    REPAIR KIT
    Parts
    Spare inner tubes
    Cleaning Wipes
    Fasteners
    Tools (multi, Phillips, Common hex, Pliers)
    Tire Levers
    Mulit-tool
    Chair
    Backpacking French Press & cup(s)
    Air Pillow
    Sleeping Pad
    Sleeping Bag

    ELECTRONICS
    All cords
    All Chargers
    Laptop

    CAMERA
    Ext Hard Drives (1)
    Extra Memory Cards
    Drone + Batteries
    Microphones + Extra cords
    Go Pro with stick

    EXTRAS
    Small Pack
    Cooler & “ice”
    Extra zip lock bags
    Riding Wallet
    Nylon Clothes line
    Sunscreen

    CAMPING
    Tent
    Mess Kit with plasticware
    Stove
    Gas Canister

    Related

    View 19 Comments

    19 Comments

    3. James Dooley on

      Thanks Roland. I don't take the laptop, but I do take a cheap android tablet with keyboard and mouse. It has an SD card reader and charges easily of a power pack. It is not great, but it allows me to copy SD cards, view movies etc.

    6. William Lee on

      Thanks for the tips, I was wondering what you have on your bike. I watched all your videos, but I didn't know about Julianna getting busted (lol). I'll be looking forward to your next solo biking tour.

    7. Gary Seckel on

      Interesting product details.
      Looking for your next bicycle tour videos!
      So many beautiful videos already (HUGE bicycle travel collection).
      Your tours are SOLELY about the scenery and related historic details,
      and are not at all ego trips!
      Thank you, Roland and Julianna, for taking us with you!

    8. Alethea Robinson on

      Excellent video on your set up. Organization is critical for keeping the bike balanced and more stable to handle. Good advice about labeling the bags. FYI Ortleib makes a set of 3 packing cubes that fit their rear panniers.
      Rule of thumb is to have the weight 60% on the back and 40% on the front.
      Thank you for sharing. So much good information

    12. Carmen Rae Delaney on

      Hello again, Thanks for the informational video. Yes, camping gear is awesome these days with so many options. I am working on a plan for my first bike packing adventure. It was great to get a few tips from you. Happy Trails!
      Carmen from Fargo

    15. Alan Johnson, Realtor-Sunbird In Paradise on

      Roland, first of all my wife and I truly love your videos, the scenery, and your excellent commentary during your rides.

      I must share a funny with you.

      I’m in my 60’s and did quite a bit of hiking, backpacking, and camping years ago.

      Last night as you were going through your camping gear, I made a comment to my wife how incredible today’s gear is as compared to what we used back in the day.

      Approximately 1 minute later you made the exact same statement.

      We both chuckled.

      Have a great one Sir.

    17. Cycliste Froissé on

      Bonsoir Roland,
      You must be a strong rider, that’s an impressive gear list.
      Tks for that.
      Laptop vs Tablet, Tubless tires + sealant vs tubes + patch kit, padded undies + regular shorts vs bibs are a matter of personal preference.
      About the later, AFAIK everywhere in continental Europe ( the UK is another conversation which we will NOT start) Lycra clad cyclists are a no brainer.
      You can go everywhere in your cycling gear without attracting oblique looks.

      Being immediately recognized as a cyclist, and a bicycle-tourist, even, has its advantages, you aren’t one out 80ish millions ordinary tourists in France per year, but a special one.

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