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What wouldn't you take on your next trip? What wouldn't you take on your next trip?
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Travellers' questions that don't fit anywhere else This is an opportunity to ask any question, and post any notice you wish that doesn't fit into one of the other sections.
Photo by Hendi Kaf, in Cambodia

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Hendi Kaf,
in Cambodia



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  #1  
Old 4 Apr 2011
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What wouldn't you take on your next trip?
Any piece of ballast you regretted carrying when you finished your trip ?
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  #2  
Old 4 Apr 2011
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Quote:
Originally Posted by wuming View Post
The wife..................


Ah, I considered saying the same but to be honest, now, I wouldn't travel without here, afterall we're a team.

As we travelled we dropped things we didn't use or sent the home, like winter gear, the converse was also true, as we needed things we bought them, ie a new t-shirt, waterproof 1-piece overalls. In 11 months on the road we only used our Katadyn water filter a handful of times so I think this will probably go. But we actually had the problem (if you can call it that) that we were travelling very light and so I think we will try to take some more stuff on our next trip, including a hammock and a better camera (DSLR) and possibly a tripod.

In future I will add to the budget the cost of mailing stuff home, like sovenirs and excess baggage, just because it can be very expensive posting from abroad.
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  #3  
Old 4 Apr 2011
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The Ducati engine and wiring. This would have meant that I could have also left a whole lot of tools and spares at home too.
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  #4  
Old 4 Apr 2011
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Folding spade, whatever I thought it would be useful for I can't remember but we never used it in 12 months on the road.
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Old 4 Apr 2011
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Is this thread big enough ???

Heres just a few..

Axe - Totally pointless (you can break dry wood with your boots)
Chain Breaker - A well fitted chain will not break - Bring a snap link.
Camp stool - They last about 5 mins & are crippling. Sit on a plastic bag.
Spare tyres - You can buy or post them anywhere.
Lonley planet - All the info is wrong or out of date.
Tent peg mallet - Not once have I failed to find a stone etc.
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Old 4 Apr 2011
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Quote:
Originally Posted by *Touring Ted* View Post
Is this thread big enough ???

Heres just a few..

Axe - Totally pointless (you can break dry wood with your boots)
Chain Breaker - A well fitted chain will not break - Bring a snap link.
Camp stool - They last about 5 mins & are crippling. Sit on a plastic bag.
Spare tyres - You can buy or post them anywhere.
Lonley planet - All the info is wrong or out of date.
Tent peg mallet - Not once have I failed to find a stone etc.

I'm just glad I learnt these lessons before leaving... IMHO you should do a dry run with all the gear you think you'll need and then ruthlessly get rid of all the stuff you didn't use (except tools, 1st aid kit and the wife!) LOL

PS I use my panniers to sit on so no need for plastic bags or camping chairs.

Oh Yeah I thought of another, extension of what TT said:

Don't buy Lonely Planet for every country, as soon as you get to a backpakers or hostel there will be dozens floating around. Just photocopy the relevant pages. Much cheaper too!
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Old 4 Apr 2011
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TurboCharger View Post
I'm just glad I learnt these lessons before leaving... IMHO you should do a dry run with all the gear you think you'll need and then ruthlessly get rid of all the stuff you didn't use) LOL
Just done exactly this. Went camping over the weekend, and to my surprise I required everything I packed (apart from the first aid kit thankfully). Although in future, I will take plates instead of mess-tins as they are smaller in width and I will buy gas at a local camping store.


Quote:
Originally Posted by TurboCharger View Post
buy Lonely Planet for every country, as soon as you get to a backpakers or hostel there will be dozens floating around. Just photocopy the relevant pages. Much cheaper too!
Too right, or just sit in Waterstones reading the relevent book and making notes on a pad!
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Old 4 Apr 2011
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I did dry runs before Europe, South America and before Africa.

I still sent loads of crap home every time..

A weekend in Wales will not really help you with a trip to Africa !!

Sure, you can work out how to pack your bike and how it handles etc, but when it comes to what you will need and not, it's VERY hard to guage.

I always seem to forget how little I use the stuff I take..... I don't think i'd ever take much cooking equipment with me again. It's just not worth the weight unless you're planning to go REALLY wild.

I found by the time I'd bought the food it was the same price to buy something in a stall, dehli or Supermarket cafe. A tiny featherlight petrol stove and a stainless steel cup to go on it for morning brews is as far as I'd go now..

Anyway...
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Old 4 Apr 2011
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how easy is it to get off topic
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Old 4 Apr 2011
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I seem to collect torches and lanterns. Makes sense to have one in the tool kit, one in the top of the luggage and (winter only) the petrol lantern to read/talk ******ks by. On the solo in summer one is plenty but I still seem to carry a selection.

+1 about the weekend in Wales thing. Enough spare room in the pannier to carry the loaf/bag of fruit etc. you bought at lunchtime is more useful and costs less to transport than a thing to turn your thermarest into an arm chair.

Andy
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Old 4 Apr 2011
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Toilet Brush!
On my first trip, I thought about keeping my air cooled engine clean and free of dirt so, I packed a toilet brush!! After three countries, I realized there was no need for it and threw it away!
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Old 5 Apr 2011
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I carried a lightweight tent and sleeping bag around SE Asia on a cycle tour, I would not have bothered on a motorbike, I thought I might get caught out in the middle of nowhere and need to camp, it didn't happen.
I also carried a spare tyre from the UK to Malaysia and fitted it in the end because I was fed up with carrying it, the original still have life in it.
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  #13  
Old 5 Apr 2011
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Hi,

For my motorbike i will not take spare tires again scince my mitas E07 lasted all the way from Europa to Southafrica and you can easily by a new pair there to ride back home.

Water canisters are also nonsense because every CocaCola comes with a new bottle

To take one book along can be good. Some Campingplaces have a bookswap where you can swap it when you are finished.

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Old 5 Apr 2011
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Fishing waders - those river crossings in Siberia weren't that deep after all.
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Old 5 Apr 2011
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Originally Posted by farqhuar View Post
Fishing waders - those river crossings in Siberia weren't that deep after all.
hahaha thats just as funny as my toilet brush!
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