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RTW Cyclists - packing lists/advice?
Hi all,
Just wondering what you guys packing lists look like and what sort of gear you use? I ride motorcycles, well bikes too of course, and reckon I could learn a lot about lightweight touring from cyclists, where obviously weight is of paramount concern. If you could share your ideas, packing philiosphy or some photos of the stuff you take with you, that´d be great! All the best, Rtw |
Yep, the cyclists and backpackers have lotsa good tips.
Tent: MSR Hubba or Big Agnes Flycreek I Bag: Western Mountaineering Highlight Pad: Neolite Stove: MSR Simmerlite Tent, bag and pad 3 1/2 lbs. |
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This obviously depends on where you are going and what season. We used this travelling for 12 months from Bali to Hong Kong. We travel with 3 shirts(1 cycle shirt, 1 merino and 1 other synthetic north face). 2 pairs of padded riding shorts (some people only use one). I have a specialized mtb shorts I wear over my padded shorts. Can also wear when not riding. One other pair of shorts, one zip-off pair of trousers. One pair of flip flops, and keen sandals we cycled with. We had closed shoes, but never wore them because of where we travelled, so posted them back. One long sleeve top( like a running top) MSR dragonfly MSR water filter, we used this every day and never bought any water. MSR dromedary water bag Vaude MK2 tent, but sent it back. (travelling in SE Asia, so no need) Thermarest, but also sent it back Sea Summit travel towel. Extensive first aid kit. 1 foldable spare tyre Schwalbe Mondial 2 spare inner tubes Lots of patch kits Basic tool kit ans some extra cables, brake pads. We also carried extra chain Waterproof gore tex jacket Rainlegs Ortlieb water bucket (you get smaller and lighter ones, but we already had this) Ortlieb classic front and rear racks Tubus front and rear racks Ortlieb bar bag I also had a big DSLR camera and we carried a small ASUS with some other electronic bits There were a few other bits, but can't remember exatly what is was. Hope this helps Check out crazyguyonabike.com |
Packing tips
Having just completed the route from Canada to Panama on a bicycle, I learnt a stack about packing light. Not because I wanted to, but because I had to. Haha
It varies from person to person, but I had rule; if I didn´t use it within the last 3 days, it was gone. Tough, but essential. Mind, some things seemed better to keep depsite the rule like a waterproof jacket. But by the end, I just embraced the rain and got on with it. Beer can stoves, 2 shirts, 2 pairs of underwear, one pair of shorts. Minimal The only thing I didn´t cave in on was tools. I had one pannier bag for tools and camping gear, the other for everything else. (Food, clothes etc) Its a favourite topic of cyclists to chat about weight and what they carry. Ask about people´s ´luxury item´- the thing they know they shouldn´t have but can´t do without. And seriously avoid the overpackers. I met a guy with over 70kg of gear! He had 3 different types of beds but had so much gear it was too much effort to undo his set up to get at the first 2! Haha |
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Pumbaa covers most of what I take above. Multi-purpose stuff is paticularly useful and highly valued. My goretex jacket serves as rain mac/windproof/coldweather jacket. Similar with goretex leggings. A Buff quadruples as towel/bandana/neckwarmer/sweatband. These days I also carry a solar panel principally for my smart phone which is also my book reader/camera/blog updater/notebook and music centre, as well as being an occasional night light.
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just back from a 4 week cycle round/through the Alps (Edinburgh/Netherlands/Germany/Austria/Slovenia/Italy/France), camping and hotel/hosteling.
Sleeping: Akto fly sheet, bivvy bag, sleeping bag. Clothes: spare shorts for off the bike, spare socks, thermal HH top I wore: cycling longs (bib tights), SPD shoes, merino cycling top, waterproof jacket, casquette, gloves Additional: maps, Samsung S5 (gps/email/web/camera/etc), sketch pad and pencils, basic tools and puncture kit, spare tube philosophy: eating a hot meal is not really necessary _every day_ I did 2 months (up to Norway, then down to Istanbul) earlier in the year, with panniers and cold weather gear (Norway in March!). I had a small stove and cooked cheap evening meals, but only because Norway was so expensive. Otherwise, after a long day solo on the bike it's good to be in a cafe/street-stall eating around other people. otherwise you'll quickly loose your sanity, with all that me-time :-) up a mountain in Slovenia (approx 14kg) : https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5609/...9633d5f7_c.jpg cold weather setup in Norway (approx 30kg): https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3877/...1b1638a3_c.jpg |
Bikepacking and biz management
Maybe this post should be a separate thread...? But it touches on cycling/travel gear choices. Here goes...
Gear talk and research helps to keep the adventure travel fires burning during the winter. I'm planning a different take on RTW cycling by including running my business from the road. My work is highly portable, needing mainly only a laptop (still working to narrow down my pre-shopping choices), mobile phone, and power/internet capabilities. Is anyone else here either already doing this or is planning something similar? Would like to compare notes, info, encouragement, etc. If you've already done this kind of work/cycling stint or are currently doing this, what keeps you sane, productive, motivated, etc? I figure I'm a "slow" traveller, preferring to be on the move for a little while (including off-road, trails, sand, dirt), but ultimately renting/staying somewhere for several weeks to months where I can work from a "home base", explore, and experience local living more. I've been researching/learning all sorts of things for the past several months: - biz-related gear, storage, recharging tech (i.e., no power outlets on a mountain trail), digital security; - income tax obligations depending on where your clients are based or where you're located at the time (I'm Canadian)... lots to learn here; - international co-sharing office spaces (I've got a growing list of these); And so much more. Egads, maybe this SHOULD be a separate thread! BTW, I'm also a motorcyclist, but believe bikepacking is an excellent teacher of ultralight travel and essentialism. Hope I'm not alone in this endeavour. |
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