When you are packing for your bike tour, you are looking to pack as little as possible or more accurately, as light as possible.
So why am I suggesting additional things to take? Because dear reader, for comfortable bike touring, it is about what you take as much as how much you take. The weight and space that you save on camping and cooking equipment give you a little more flexibility to take small things that will greatly improve the quality of your trip.
Below, I have listed 25 items to consider taking on your next tour, together with my explanation for why to take them. They are based on my experiences over the years. All of them are lightweight and portable so will not add much weight or space. I have listed the weight and size of the ones that I have but clearly different models will differ.
They are totally up to you – and some of them will not be applicable to you or to every trip – but I hope that at least they give you food for thought. Let me know what you think in the comments section at the bottom.
I have broken them down into:
And at the end, I’ve calculated the total weight that be added by these.
Electronics
- E-reader – weight: 206g
I really, really, really recommend that you take an e-reader with you even if you absolutely adore paper books or are not a huge reader. E-readers will save you more weight than anything else and their batteries seem to last forever. Bike touring gives you plenty of downtime and reading can be a great way of refreshing your mind while you are refreshing your body and soul. Save the heavy paperbacks for long nights at home.
2. Action camera –147g
This is far from essential but your bike tour will give you great memories and many of them will be when you are on the bike, flowing forward in amazing scenery. An action camera will allow you to record and relive these great memories and give you a ready answer for when your friends and family ask you how it was. I started off with a GoPro but moved to a DJI Osmo Action 4 and have been very happy with it. I have it mounted on my handlebar bag, ready to jump into action whenever I pass through a memorable bit of road or track.
3. Electronic charger –151g
Confession: I don’t always take one. But for peace of mind when travelling, a small electronic battery charger can be great. When you are out on the bike or travelling between small towns, there is something very reassuring about knowing that you have a back-up in case your phone or GPS runs low on battery. And of course, it is indispensable if you are camping.
Bike
4. Multitool – 168g
Do not even think of touring or even going on a day trip without one. This will get you out of more difficulties than anything else. You want one with a range of Allen keys, a chain repair tool and a few screwdriver heads.
5. Chain checker tool – 29g
I am not going to argue that this is indispensable: you can always ask a decent bike mechanic to check, but for peace of mind, this is wonderful. It means that on the road, you will be able to see whether your chain is wearing or about to break and take action beforehand. And chains do start to wear with the extra weight of touring bags. On a recent trip to Sweden, it allowed me to confirm a hunch that my chain was getting too loose and get it replaced before it broke. It is so small and lightweight that you will not even remember that you have it with you.
6. Small lock – 69g
I take a small, lightweight lock made by Hiplok. As well as being ideal for coffee rides when I don’t want to take a heavy D-lock, this is great to have with me on tours for those moments when you just want to pop into a shop or a toilet without all the faff of fishing out the heavier bike lock.
7. An old toothbrush – 16g
Your bike will pick up a lot of dirt on the road and giving it a quick go over – especially the chain and brakes – will save you a lot of trouble, especially if you are taking it into someone’s house.
8. Luminous Sam Brown belt/ lightweight luminous vest – 150g
Visibility is crucial on the bike. Using a flashing rear light is one option – but an energy-consuming one – as is wearing a lightweight luminous jacket. But on warm days, the latter might be impractical without sweating profusely, so a much lighter alternative is to get a luminous Sam Brown belt. Enough to be seen.
9. Surgical or kitchen gloves – 10g
I have written more about these in my page on Twenty great hacks to improve your next bike tour but I really recommend bringing a few pairs with you. Great for sorting out any mechanical problems – especially ones involving your chain – or hygienic problems without getting your hands dirty.
Clothes
10. Arm warmers – 56g
Really recommended and easily available. These are ideal for travelling in the shoulder seasons, when in hilly areas or on chilly mornings or evenings. Enough to warm up your arms without having to wear a jacket.
11. Lightweight jacket – 97g
The next step up in terms of warmth. I carry a lightweight wind jacket for those days when it is dry but a little cool. This folds up super small and can be stuffed in the back of my bike jersey or my handlebar bag. It is also practical off the bike for when you are heading out and unsure of how many layers to take.
12. Neck warmer/ buff – 54g
Another one that helps you avoid getting caught out. You can buy super lightweight neck warmers in Decathlon that will take up almost no space at all but be great for chilly mornings or evenings including off the bike, saving you the need to pack a scarf. I have heavier ones for cold weather and slightly lighter ones for borderline weather.
13. Swimming costume – 87g
Not essential but whenever possible on my tours, I love to get in for a post-ride swim in the sea/ lake/ hotel swimming pool. Great for the muscles.
Hygiene
14. Eye mask – 21g
Strongly recommended for those like me who are sensitive to light when sleeping. Over the years, I have stayed in all kinds of places and many of them have curtains that let in light or in practice can’t be drawn because you want to open the window to let in fresh air. Buying a lightweight and comfortable eye mask has been a real game changer.
15. Disposable contact lenses – 5g per pair
For those who have to wear glasses. I pack disposable contact lenses especially for rainy days or days when the light/clouds are constantly changing. Really recommended for the former.
16. Ear plugs – 4g
Another one for light sleepers. Ear plugs can be the difference between a good night’s sleep and a poor one, especially when staying in cities and they are so lightweight and compact that you will not notice that you have them.
17. Nail scissors – 22g
I take a small pair of these ready to cut bandages if needed, and more often to cut duct tape or electrical tape for dismantling/ reassembling my bike before and after travel.
18. Small Flannel – 41g
I would need to take one anyway for wet shaving, but on the road, I pack it in my rackpack for those hot or wet days when you need a quick wipe down.
19. Lightweight towel – 77g
Similar to the above, this is great to deal with hot or wet days as well as for a quick swim. Again, it takes almost no space.
20. Small first aid kit – 130g
I have a small first aid kit with antiseptic wipes and bandages for emergencies on the road, small enough to fit in my handlebar bag and deal with small cuts and scrapes and these can happen.
10. Safety blanket – 62g
A gift from my friend Melanie, which luckily I have never had to use. This is a folded up piece of insulated blanket which can help prevent hypothermia/ chills if anything bad happens along the road. Again, small enough to fit in my handlebar bag without noticing it.
Other
22. Small notebook and pen – 108g
These days, I carry an electronic notebook but for many years, I took a small notebook with me to record my impressions from my trip, or note down important details. Reading old ones really brings my holidays back to life. Again, small enough to fit in my handlebar bag.
23. Handbag or ‘Manbag’ – 380g
In my experience, women tend to be much more practical than men, carrying round an all-purpose handbag with enough in it to deal with World War Three while simultaneously powdering their nose. Men should follow their good example.
Many years ago, I picked up a small lightweight ‘man bag’ in Plovdiv. It is indispensable off the bike for heading out to dinner, allowing me to pack e-reader, notebook, iPad, small umbrella, and sling it over the chair or have it securely under the restaurant table.
24. Small umbrella – 176g
I once arrived in a German town in the middle of a rainstorm, completely wet through, showered, switched to dry casual clothes for dinner, and then promptly got wet again as soon as I set out from the hotel… These days, I pack a small umbrella, large enough to prevent most of me from getting wet but small enough to not get in the way. Not just great for wet evenings but for wet days off the bike.
25. 10L compact backpack – 52g
I have written about this elsewhere, but these small compactable backpacks from Decathlon are perfect for trips: doing groceries, heading out into town, packing washing…
Total weight
- Electronics: 504g
- Bike kit: 442g
- Clothes: 294g
- Hygiene: 362g
- Other: 716g
- Total: 2.516kg
Does that sound quite a lot? Let me put it in perspective: on a recent weekend trip where I spent three days and nights on the road, so packed relatively lightly, my packed bags alone weighed over 20kg. And you certainly do not need to take all of these.
What do you think? Practical or over the top? Grateful for any views and any suggestions. I am always looking to improve.
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