A key question for those planning a bike tour is what to bring. There is a lot of advice out there for those intending to camp and cook their own food: less so for those who still want to organise the tour for themselves but want a slightly more comfortable style of touring, staying in hotels, hostels and apartments.
Without the weight and bulk of tent, sleeping bag, stove and so on, you can take a little more in the way of clothes and creature comforts, meaning a few changes of clothes and not being forced to wash your bike clothes every night. So the bike tour becomes just like any other holiday.
Everyone has their list and you should make yours, but for what it is worth, here is what I take and why. I am constantly tinkering with it in the light of experience or buying new gear. My trips tend to be self-organised, around 1-3 weeks and involve transporting my bike and staying in hotels and apartments so I pack for that. If I go on a shorter trip, I take fewer clothes and such. If I am going to a region with fewer bike shops (e.g. Western Balkans), I pack a few more bike spares.
The list might look long but everything packs down very neatly and there is plenty of space for additional water bottles, food and buying the odd gift or addition on the road. In Norway in 2024 for example, I needed thicker gloves and socks and had space for them.
I start with the list and then provide an explanation for anything that is not obvious. I have marked each item according to whether I see it as *** essential, ** highly recommended, * optional. At the end, I give some general advice on packing as well as a much shorter list for someone going on their first tour and not sure whether it will be for them.
Bike Gear
- Packed bike ***
- D-Lock *** and bike ties*
- Mini-pump ***
- 2 Tyre release levers ***
- Multi-tool ***
- Small spanner *
- Swiss army knife **
- Bungee cords ***
- Electrical tape ***
- Duct tape *
- Zip ties *
- Surgical gloves *
- Oil **
- Grease *
- Rag ***
- 3 spare inner tubes **
- 6 Thermos bottles ***
- Bike bell **
- Rear and front lights **
- Small tape measure *
I have provided guidance elsewhere on how I pack a bike for a flight. The D-Lock, Mini-pump and tyre release levers should be obvious. I keep it to a mini-pump on the grounds that if I have a flat tyre, my aim is to get to my destination for the night and find a garage or bike shop with a proper pump. I only take two tire release levers because in practice I have found that I never need the third.
The Multi-tool contains Allen keys of all sizes for the bike as well as basic screwdriver heads. You will often find that bolts start to shake loose so I check every few days. Importantly, it should contain a tool for fixing a bike chain. In nearly 30 tours, my chain has only broken once, but when it did happen, I was in the thick middle of Norway. Thanks to the tool and a bit of online tutoring from a YouTube video, I was able to repair and get my bike as far as a bike repair shop where they could check my work and give me the green light.
I also take a small spanner because I need one to dismantle the rear rack of my usual touring bike. You might be tempted to take a larger one for the pedals, but most of the time, this is unnecessary as you will be able to unscrew the pedals with a large Allen key. The Swiss army knife allows me to cut any Zip ties as well as obviously using it for meals.
The bungee cords, electrical and duct tape, and zip ties are mostly there for packing the bike but are useful just in case of emergencies e.g. a bolt comes loose or you rip your bag. It is always good to have something that will allow you to make quick repairs on the road.
I oil and grease the bike when reassembling it. If I am doing a round trip, I tend to leave the grease behind with the box. The rag is obviously useful out on the road when handling oily parts of the bike. On this, I also take two pairs of surgical gloves, great for dealing with super-oily situations.
In the past, I used to take a puncture repair kit, but these days, I take three spare inner tubes because frankly it is easier. I have had one occasion when I had total blow-outs of both tires at once, and boy, it was a relief. You never know when you might need one, and you cannot be sure that there will be a bike shop around with the right size.
As for the water, in the past, I have taken two standard, mildly insulated bottles in my bottle cage. These will last a few hours in hot weather. I packed dedicated thermos flasks in my rackpack. These allow me to keep my water super cold and on occasion to pack tea or coffee for the chilly days. I recently bought some Elite Deboyo Race 550ml aluminium bottles which work super well. On my next tour, I think it likely that I could take six of them. Why so much? Because on a hot or long day, sources of cold water can be scarce and the worst thing is to get dehydrated.
Bike bells are compulsory in many European countries, but even where they are not, they are a good idea to alert people to the fact that you are coming. Even if you are not planning on riding at night, basic rear and front lights are a good idea. You never know when you will have to go through a tunnel or have a dark, rainy day. I take rechargeable ones.
I also take a small tape measure roll, useful for preparing or adjusting bike boxes or arguing with overzealous conductors on trains.
You could pack spare spokes and brake rims and I used to, but in recent years, I found no use for them. Most bike shop should have them in stock and be able to replace them for you. Indeed with the disc brake pads, that is exactly what has happened.
Bike Clothes
- Helmet ***
- Fingerless gloves ***
- Warmer gloves (Spring/Autumn)*
- Waterproof trousers **
- 3 pairs short socks ***
- Shoe covers (Spring/Autumn/ Rainy weather) **
- Jacket – light (Summer) or medium (Spring/Autumn) ***
- 3 Bike jerseys **
- 3 pairs Lycra shorts **
- 1 or 2 pairs leggings * (Spring/Autumn)
- 2 pairs arm warmers **
- Neck muff (Spring/Autumn)**
- 1 pair trainers (Summer) or thicker shoes (Spring/Autumn) ***
- Reflective vest ***
You really, really need a helmet, even on a bike path. I know of people who have had serious head injuries which would have been prevented by wearing the helmet.
Gloves can seem a bit pointless in summer, but on long rides over many days, handling the bike will put a lot of pressure on your wrists, which in turn can squeeze your nerves. The gloves will depend on the season. In the cooler months or if I know that I will be up in the hills or mountains, I pack a pair of thicker gloves. Nothing worse than freezing your way downhill, hands getting number and number.
Idem with the socks: thin short ones for summer – ideally ones that will dry quickly – and thicker longer ones for spring or autumn. I have been tempted to take waterproof socks, and I use them for the occasional winter rides, but my experience is that on a long wet ride, the water eventually seeps into them and then you are trapped with the water inside, sloshing around your feet. What I do pack instead for rainy or cold weather is some shoe covers. On a spring ride in Austria, they protected me from the worst of the rain.
I own three bike jackets: a ‘heavyweight’ one that will keep you warm as well as shield from heavy rain, a lighterweight one from Agu that folds up into a small bag and attaches to the seat post – super handy – and a summer weight one that folds up to an incredibly small bag, will not take much rain but is nicely insulated so good for those days when you are unsure of how cold it will be or whether there will be rain. Generally for a bike tour, I would take the Agu one unless I were sure that either there would be lots of rain and cold weather, or that it was likely to be super hot.
I used not to carry waterproof trousers on the grounds that if you are going to get wet, you are going to get wet and trousers and not going to do a hell of a lot about it. I have changed my mind, at least for tours where there is a strong possibility of rain and cold weather. After doing quite a bit of research, I now carry Vaude Men’s Drop Pants II which come with a nice small drawstring bag so fold up nicely. I used them in Norway in 2024 and was very happy to have them.
Ok, so let’s come to the mildly contentious part: Lycra. Unflattering to anyone without a prime physique, a bit too serious, not remotely useful off the bike, and I would never think of riding any serious distance without wearing it. Lycra was invented for a purpose: it is lightweight, relatively waterproof, fits well, and above all, it insulates well and dries quickly. On a hot ride, it will wick up your sweat and let it out quickly. On a cold or wet ride, it will insulate you and dry off with the heat from your body. I have been on many rides where I have been caught in a shower yet been dry before I got home. Overcome your fears and embrace it.
I wear bike jerseys for similar reasons, but they also have the advantages that they are tailored for cyclists, being longer at the back to reflect your riding posture, and because they come with back pockets, useful for keys, tissues and anything else that is useful to have close to hand.
Why three of everything? Because frankly life is too short to either be too smelly or have to spend every night washing and drying your kit rather than exploring your destination. I tend to take a day off every three days and shove everything in a washing machine or large sink, get it done and know that I will not be heading out in soggy kit. Even when I go four or five days without a break, having three means that I am not forced to be washing every night and am not dependent on my hotel having somewhere to dry it all. Of course you could take two and for a shorter tour, I would.
Let’s come to the leggings and arm warmers. I was slightly late to convert to the latter because frankly they look even more naff than the Lycra. But on a slightly chilly day or a day that starts cool but will heat up (or descending a mountain pass), they are a nice compromise between being too cold in the jersey and too hot with the jacket on. Lycra leggings will also help you on those cooler days. Depending on the weather forecast, I take one or two pairs. I also take one or two neck muffs. They are cheap to buy, take up almost no space, and give your neck that extra bit of protection in the cold or on fast descents.
Even before I broke my leg, I had given up on bike cleats and shoes. Yes, nice idea to save energy, but honestly I never felt safe in them. I felt locked onto the bike, never confident that I would have the instinct to twist my feet out when about to have an accident. If you do, great, but I have settled for a middle way: cheap – 5 Euro – plastic toe holds that you can screw onto your pedals. That gives you some of the energy saving. It also allows me to wear trainers/sneakers that I can then use for walking on the beach. In cooler weather, I take a slightly thicker pair of shoes without the air vents. For shoes, trainers/sneakers will do. I am currently using some Evadict trail running shoes and find them very practical both on the bike and for hikes when off it.
Finally, a lightweight armless reflective vest. I like the silvery ones. This is for putting on when riding through tunnels or in the dark. You want something that lights up like a beacon in car headlights. I always feel safer with one on.
Casual clothes
- Hat/ Cap ***
- 2-3 T-shirts ***
- 2 shirts **
- 1 jumper/sweater ***
- 1 lightweight fleece (Spring/ Autumn) ***
- 1 lightweight jacket ***
- 1 small anorak*
- 2 pairs of jeans/ trousers ***
- 1 pair of hiking trousers **
- 1 belt ***
- 3 pairs of boxer shorts/pants ***
- 1 pair of swimming trunks (Summer) *
- 3 pairs of socks ***
- 1 pair of solid casual shoes ***
This is the easiest. Again, why three of most things? I think that three gives me slightly more flexibility, allows for being caught out in rain/sweating and for a month-long trip, it is nice to have a few changes of clothes, but that is really my preference.
You could easily reduce to two, though in the case of trousers, I like to have one pair of semi-smart trousers, a pair of jeans, and a pair of hiking trousers with zips on the legs so that I can convert them to shorts on hot days.
I pack T-shirts and shirts, the former for being out and about and for sleeping, and the latter for colder days and going out for dinner. I take shirts that don’t need ironing e.g. cotton.
As for the jacket, it depends on the season and weather forecast. I carry a lightweight summer jacket from Geox. It folds up very nicely and is water-resistant rather than waterproof. If I were travelling in colder temperatures though, I might take a thicker jacket, even if it took up more space. I often go for hikes on my days off, so I like to have something that I can be out in the wind and rain in. If I intend to do some hiking, I also carry a small anorak.
For shoes, again a bit dependent on the weather. I like a solid pair of leather shoes that will take a bit of rain, take a bit of trail walking, but also look OK for a nice restaurant. Some people only take the shoes that they are riding in. This can be fine for dry days, but is pretty unpleasant for those days when you arrive at your destination with your shoes soaked through. Do you really want to go out to a restaurant in those?
Occasionally, I take a pair of swimming trunks just in case the opportunity arises for a dip, though you could easily swim in your bike shorts.
Hygiene
- Toothpaste, toothbrush and dental floss***
- Razor and cream **
- Deodorant ***
- Flannel **
- Small towel **
- Small tubes of shampoo **
- Comb and/or hairbrush **
- Glasses: spares, sunglasses, cycling shades, spare case **
- Contact lenses **
- Suncream and after-sun ***
- Mosquito spray and after-bite **
- Butt cream ***
- Washing tablets ** and plug **
- Medical kit***: Bandages, Disinfectant wipes, Small scissors, Tweezers,Paracetamol / Ibuprofen, Throat lozenges, Thermometer, Diarrhea: Imodium and rehydration salts such as Diaralyte, Peppermint oil, Ear plugs
- Safety blanket **
Toothpaste, toothbrush, and dental floss are obvious (I hope). As are deodorant and comb/ brush. Razor and cream (for men) is up to you, but I get pretty antsy if I don’t shave for more than three days.
Most hotels and apartments will have shampoo and body gel, but some don’t, so I take along a few of the multitude of small bottles I have accumulated over the years just in case.
I am guessing that suncream and after-sun and Mosquito spray and after-bite are pretty self-explanatory. One hack that I use is to decant the after-sun into a small travel bottle, on the grounds that usually sunburn is a once in a holiday experience at most. After that, you cover up, so no need to take a full bottle.
I like to wash and shave with a small flannel. But it is also useful on hot or wet days in my rackpack to mop up sweat or dry off rain. Indeed, on long climbs, I take it out and put it in the back of my bike jersey. A small towel will also work. I take one for the occasional swim when the opportunity permits.
I am extremely short-sighted, so pack some spare glasses, a spare case for storing my usual glasses when I am wearing contact lenses, and of course prescription sunglasses. I switched to using disposable contact lenses many years ago for skiing and cycling: perfect for wet or sweaty days. For shades, I take a frame and four cheap lenses – strong sun, mild sun, overcast and clear, available from Decathlon. You don’t want anything too expensive in case you scratch or lose them. Don’t ignore the clear lenses: useful for windy days to protect your eyes from dust.
So now we come to the interesting one: butt cream, chammy butt, anal relief cream or whatever. Trust me: this is essential. In a word: chafing. There will be days where the combination of heat, humidity and poorly fitting bike shorts leaves your buttocks redder than a hardline Trotskyite. Those are the days when a few applications of butt cream leaves you ready to ride – and walk – again the next day. As with after-sun, buy a big pot – available online or ask a pharmacist – and scoop some out and into a smaller container. I had a pot of Assos Chamois Cream that lasted me a decade.
Over the years, I have done a lot of washing of my bike kit and clothes in bathroom sinks. I used to take travel wash – and it does work – but concluded that it was easier to take some of those gel clothes washing tablets and use them both in washing machines on my days off and when washing my kit in a sink. They are lighter and take up less space. The only downside is that they dissolve when crushed or in contact with water, so you really want them in a dedicated and superdry bag.
(By the way, my approach to washing is to start off with a basin of reasonably hot water, dissolve the tablet in it and then put the entire kit to soak for about 5-10 minutes before scrunching each individual item a few times to push the soap through and release the dirt until I am satisfied that everything smells gorgeous. I then take it with me to the shower and rinse it when I am rinsing out my own body wash and shampoo. It is a glorious excuse to stay under a hot shower for a few more minutes, while rinsing each item 4 or 5 times. I then wring each item out and roll it in the bath towel after I have finished drying myself. By that time, it should be dry enough to hang on the bathroom radiator or even in the wardrobe.)
Most of the medical kit should be self-explanatory. I keep a few bandages and disinfectant wipes with me in my handlebar bag for immediate first aid. The small scissors are also useful for when packing and unpacking my bike. I have started carrying peppermint oil for those days after an upset stomach when the diarrhoea has stopped but you need something to help your stomach get back to a normal diet.
On the advice of a friend who used to work for the Red Cross, I also carry a very small silvery safety blanket. Luckily never used.
Electronics
- Bike GPS **
- Heart belt **
- Phone **
- Tablet *
- E-reader **
- Video camera, batteries, battery pack, memory cards, handlebar grip, and bolts **
- Earphones *
- Charging wires and plugs ***
- Drone *
Ah, electronics… When I first started bike touring thirty years ago, the only thing I took with me was a camera. It has all changed. As such, none of this is essential. But you know, another thing that has changed is that my panniers are no longer weighed down with books, maps, and hotel reservations, I have video memories of my trips, I am able to stay in touch my family and friends, and so on…
So let’s start with bike navigation. Of course, you don’t have to buy a bike GPS. You can do it old school with maps or you can do it cheap by using your existing mobile phone. But you know, it’s easier, and less of a drain on your phone. Your bike GPS will not only give you turn by turn directions but will also keep all your precious stats about your journey. My personal conversion came ten years ago, midway through a disastrous short trip along the Rhine with a friend, getting confused by signs, lost in towns and generally at wit’s end with each other. Reader, I ditched the useless friend and bought a bike GPS instead. Much more reliable. And much friendlier as long as I rigidly obey her instructions.
If you are uncertain about bike touring, by all means start with your phone, but honestly it is much easier with the GPS as the battery lasts much longer. Mine lets me toggle between how fast I am going and how much longer to go, the hills coming up and my heart rate, and of course the map and upcoming turns.
And your experience will be improved if you pair it with a heartrate belt. I find it useful to know how hard I am going, especially on hills, and whether I am overdoing it on the ride as a whole.
I initially bought a bike camera at the advice of a colleague after a bus nearly pancaked me on my commute in Washington, DC. But except on the most boring of tours, taking one with you is a great idea. I have mine perched on the right hand side of my handlebars next to the bell. Each day, I try to capture representative or good footage. I then edit each day’s footage down into short videos when I get back. It helps retain the memories for me, allows me to share some of the experience with you, and I put the videos on YouTube in case anyone else wants to know what the ride is like. I started with GoPro, moved to DJI Osmo, but have heard some very good things about the Insta 360.
In 2024, I bought a lightweight and super portable Hover Air X1 drone. Far from being essential, but it gives me a bit of extra fun on the road and delivers some nice shots.
Buying an e-reader is effectively a two and a half stars. I can’t quite call it essential but you know, it is highly, highly recommended as the thing that will save you the most weight on a bike. Swallow your love of paper for once and embrace the technology. The thing will store hundreds of books and rarely needs recharging. Seriously, consider it.
Other
- Travel documents***
- Passport, Drivers licence, Tickets
- Hotel reservations
- Photocopies of passport**
- Photocopies of guidebook**
- Keys***
- Wallet/purse *** and cards
- Local currency/cies ***
- Notebook ** and pens ***
- Presents for friends/hosts *
- Umbrella **
- Spare shoelaces ***
- Bags***:
- Freezer bags**
- Manbag/ Handbag **
- 2 Compact backpacks*
- Small Tupperware box *
- Travel knife, fork and spoon *
The travel documents should be obvious. I think it wise to keep a copy of them elsewhere in your bags, idem with card numbers and numbers to call to block the cards.
To save space and weight, I photocopy relevant pages of any guidebooks and dispose of the used pages when I leave the town or area. I store all these in an A4 plastic folder, where I also put the usual hotel bills and receipts that you pick up along the way.
I like to keep a journal of my trips but also carry a small notebook for making notes on the go, which I put in my handlebar bag.
Why a small umbrella? Think about one of those days where it pours down. You get to the hotel a filthy muddy mess, have a hot shower and then want to head out to explore and/or eat… but it is still pouring down. And the next day on your day off… I carry a very small umbrella that doesn’t take up much space but will at least prevent me from getting wet on short walks in town.
I carry a pair of shoelaces that can help in case either my bike shoe laces or casual shoe laces snap. I carry freezer bags both for packing clothes/ gear (see below) but also for food such as a lunchtime sandwich or packet of biscuits. For years, I took a small ‘manbag’ with me to carry electronics etc when heading out for a meal. These days, I am rather converted to the 10L compact backpacks that you can buy in Decathlon. I take three of them, using the others for grocery shopping/ carrying food and drink. They are so lightweight and take such little space that you can easily carry a few of them.
I have also started packing a small Tupperware box that allows me to carry food or fragile items but hardly essential, as is the travel knife, fork and spoon. In any case, I carry a Swiss Army knife – see above under Bike Gear.
Packing it all
Quite a list! Yet it will all fit on your bike with room for food and drink and will not be too heavy to carry yourself if you have to.
I tend to carry four bags: two side pannier bags, a ‘rack pack’ that ties to them and goes on top of them, and a small handlebar bag.
Over the years, I have found freezer bags to be my friend though packing cubes are now quite popular and could be an option. I buy a range of bags but mainly 3 litre bags with a few 8 litre bags for the bulkier items such as jeans, jackets and jumpers. I roll up my clothes, generally separating them into:
- Jeans/trousers and belt
- T-shirts
- Shirts and jumper
- Bike clothes, grouped into ‘outfits’: so a pair of shorts, a jersey and a pair of socks in each bag
- Pants and casual socks all in one bag;
I do the same for hygiene kit, putting the toothpaste and cream in one bag, shaving kit in another, suncream/insect cream in a further one and so on.
One further hack: I take some plastic shower caps – taken from hotels – and use them as shoe covers.
One further general remark: when packing for the first time or in preparation for your trip, remember to leave plenty of space for the food and drink that you will need to buy. It can take up a lot of space and weigh a lot.
If I am riding an A to B trip and taking a plane, I can get it all down to three bags:
- A pannier bag that I check in and that includes bike tool, oil, toiletries, Swiss Army knife etc
- A pannier bag that I fill and stuff inside the rack pack and carry with me to put in the overhead luggage rack, together with whatever else I can fit in the rack pack such as a few water bottles and my travel documents;
- A handlebar bag with electronics, passport etc that I put under my feet. Sometimes, I put this in one of the 10L compact backpacks just for ease.
I divide the rest of my stuff across the panniers. Both panniers are pretty much stuffed to the limit. With both panniers, I unscrew the clip so that they don’t break in transit. I also pack my helmet and two bike bottles in the box containing the bike.
If I am doing a round trip/ loop and will be returning to the hotel that I started from, I pack my stuff in panniers but then carry them in a suitcase which I leave at the hotel while I am away. Most hotels will do this very happily. If they don’t, I rebook with a more amenable hotel.
When I get to the starting point, I unpack and redivide. Here is what I pack where:
- Left pannier bag: clothes, with jeans at the bottom and shoes/jacket at the top plus a small bag with my charging wires/plugs;
- Right pannier bag: most of my hygiene gear – see below – and bike gear that I am unlikely to need urgently: bungee cords, duct tape, zip ties, oil, grease, two inner tubes;
- Rack pack: D-lock, water bottles not being used on the bike, food, bike tools, rag, pump, levers and one inner tube in one bag, tablet, e-reader, travel documents and notebook, hat, sunglasses/ shades, reflective vest, waterproof trousers and shoe covers (if there is a threat of rain on that day), suncream (if a chance that will need to reapply;
- Handlebar bag: Passport, wallet, purse, phone, emergency medical, small notebook and pen, drone;
- Mounted on bike: bell, GPS, bike camera, lights, 2 bottles
There is no right answer as to what goes where, and I often shift around between bags to balance the weight and make sure that the rack pack doesn’t get too heavy – which it frequently does. If I have clothes that are still drying, I often put them with the bike and hygiene gear.
Packing for a first trip
If you do any amount of biking, the chances are that you already have a large amount of this list. If you don’t already have decent pannier bags, trust me, they are a really good investment for commuting and/or day trips, with Ortlieb and Vaude the most popular brands and deservedly so. (In a rainstorm outside Milan, I once ended up in water up to my hips and not a drop of it got into the bags.) You don’t absolutely need the rack pack, and many travel with other bags, but I find it super practical because it locks to the other bags.
If I were starting for the first time, were going on a relatively short tour, and were a bit unsure whether I would love or loathe bike touring, this is what I would take:
Bike Clothes: Helmet, 2 bike jerseys or T-shirts, a fleece, a rain jacket, gloves, 2 pairs of shorts, 2 pairs of socks, trainers/sneakers.
Clothes: hat, T-shirts, a shirt/ blouse, a jumper, jeans/ trousers/ shorts/ skirt, belt, underwear, casual shoes.
Bike kit: lock and keys, 2 spare inner tubes, two tire levers, a pump, water bottles, bike lights.
Hygiene: first aid kit, sunscreen, after sun, bite cream, insect repellent, small towel, deodorant, toothbrush and paste, comb/hair brush, sunglasses, spare glasses if necessary, razor and cream (if appropriate).
Other: Phone and charger, wallet/purse, ID card/passport, something to read, a penknife or Swiss army knife, a notebook and pen, travel guide (if needed).
I hope that this all helps, but happy to answer questions.
Interested in reading more about other aspects of bike touring? Check out these other pages:
- Your first bike tour: a general guide
- The main types of bike touring
- Planning your first self-organised tour
- Where should you tour in Europe? Some tips
- Twelve tips for happy bike touring
- Ten tips for staying in hotels and apartments while bike touring
- Transporting your bike to and from a bike tour
- How to pack and unpack your bike for a flight
- Frequently Asked Questions
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