The last days before the departure are always tough. Organize the trip, fix your last business problems, clean the house just to have it in a minimal standard condition, check all the amazing websites you found about your trip and must of all... prepare the bags, panniers or trailer.
The funniest and scariest thing is the final check of the material you are bringing along with you: something I include today in the bags, I leave it out during the next trip. Once departed, I always remember I left something really important right on that table (or in that closet)...
This balancing exercise (weight/volume and comfort) keeps repeating at each departure, so we decided to make a checklist for bicycle touring, pointing out everything that could be useful on a bicycle trip.
In this article
The following checklist was born on the days prior to our bicycle trip to the Andes and it is a complete list of what you might need on a bicycle tour, but this doesn't mean you have to carry all these things with you. Based on our experience, some things carried during the trip stay down in the panniers unused. The ability of an expert bicycle tourer is knowing how to reduce this percentage to the minimal, without being with no clothes or useful objects.
Remember, in general, the duration of a trip is not proportional to the weight of your luggage, so a weekly trip will require the same amount of things than a monthly trip, more or less. The main variations in weight and volume depend on the season you are traveling in (winter/summer...), on the type of trip (cycle path, MTB, in autonomy...), on the place (Polar Circle/ Tropics...) and on the sleeping conditions (wild camping + own food / restaurants + hotels).
So here you have the bicycle touring checklist divided in categories.
Bicycle Accessories
- Rack (front and/or rear)
- Waterproof panniers (front and/or rear)
- Trailer
- Handlebars bag
- Waterproof fork bag (for tent and sleeping bag)
- Saddlebag
- Water Cages
- Cyclocomputer
- Rearview mirror
- Front light
- Rear light
- Bell
- Chain and lock
Bicycle Tools
- Mini air pump
- Spare inner tubes
- Inner tubes repair kit (glue+ patches)
- Multitool (Allen key + chain breaker)
- Spare chain links
- Allen wrench (6,7 and 10)
- Tire changer
- Chain lubricant
- Shifter cable
- Brake cable
- Spare spokes and nipples
- Spare screws and bolts
- Plastic tie Brake pads
Bicycle Clothes
Summer clothes
- Helmet
- Cycling jersey (2)
- Cycling overall (2)
- Cycling gloves (1)
- Cycling socks (5-6)
- Cycling/trekking shoes (1)
- Sunglasses (1)
Winter clothes
- Long cycling jersey (1)
- Long cycling overall
- Breathable underwear (short and long) (1)
- Winter gloves (1)
- Arm warmers (1)
- Leg warmers (1)
- Rain and wind jacket (1)
- Waterproof pants (1)
- Cap (1)
- Winter socks (2-3)
- Shoe covers (1)
Casual Clothes
- T-Shirt (2)
- Trekking Pants (1)
- Underwear (2)
- Long underwear (1)
- Long socks (1)
- Long pants (1)
- Sweater (1)
- Bathing suit Sandals
Camping Tools
- Tent
- Sleeping bag
- Self-inflatable air bed
- Hammock or gym mat
- Inflatable pillow
- Camping pot set
- Cutlery
- Multifuel primus
- Fuel for primus
- Water purifying system or tabs
- Swiss knife
- Mosquito net
- Lighter or matches
- Front headlight
Technology
- GPS outdoor navigator
- Smartphone
- Action camera
- Mirrorless camera + charger
- SD cards (3-4)
- USB cable + socket
- Notebook with charger
- External hard disk
- I-Pod or MP3 reader
- Extra batteries (AAA, AA...)
- Binoculars E-book reader
Hygene
- Travel towel
- Toothbrush
- Toothpaste + dental floss
- Shampoo + soap
- Deodorant
- Wet wipes
- Toilet paper
- Hands cream
- Sun cream
- Mirror
- Hair comb
- Tweezers + nail scissors
- Razor
- Earplugs
- Hairpins/elastic
- Lipstick
- Glasses / contact lenses
Pharmacy Kit
- Intestinal antibiotic
- Antihistaminic
- Probiotics
- Band-aids and bandages
- Anti-inflammatory
- Disinfectant
- Cotton First aid band
- Clotting agent
Old Style
- Pen and block notes
- Maps Travel guides
- Prints and copies
