I have fine-tuned my gear list for a self-support European touring cycle trip. I usually ride with a small hydration-shaped pack, a rear rack trunk bag, a top tube frame bag and a water cage container. This configuration of bike bags allows for about 10-12 pounds of gear. This gear list includes; a 2-man tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, full bike kit clothing, two sets of non-riding clothing, some electronics, and toiletries. All items are chosen for lightness, compact-abiIity, ease of cleaning and ability to dry quickly. I carry no cooking gear. And remember, if in doubt, don’t bring it, buy it when you need it.
Cycling bags
- Bontrager Trunk Deluxe (Trek Interchange System) Note: This model has built-in rain condom, but doesn’t have the drop-down panniers. I think the drop-down model is too much backend weight for a rear rack. The Interchange System makes fastening and removing your trunk bag fast.
- I have switched to a Jandd Frame Bag, it fits on a 54″ frame. Primarily, it carries my non-riding shoes. I tried a Relevate Frame Bag but it was too big to fit within my 54″ frame triangle.
- REI Flash Pack (without hydration system) I try to load this pack with no more than two pounds of gear, otherwise, it becomes uncomfortable for long riding days. It is nice to have a small pack along for grocery runs or day hikes.
- Soma Stash Bottle (fluids or easy access to raincoat) This a good place to store the Sugoi rain jacket, very accessible.
Camping Gear
- ThermaRest Neo Air Full-length Sleeping Pad. This year I upgraded from a 3/4 to full length for more comfort.
- Western Mountaineering Highlite sleeping bag (1lb) good to about 35F-40F temperature range
- 2 man TarpTent Note: that the Cloudburst is very roomy for two people.
- 6 tent aluminum tent pegs
Bike Clothing
Zero gear preplanning happens
- Pearlizumi X-Road Shoes (Hybrid: bikeSPD/hike) Because you might want to go hiking some days. Standard road bike shoes are worthless off your bike.
- Pearlizumi Riding Shorts
- Sugoi leggings
- Assos Full Zipper Jersey
- Catlike Riding Helmet
- 3 pairs bike socks
- 1 pair riding gloves
- Pearlizumi glove liners (optional when colder)
- Pearlizumi wind vest (optional when warmer)
- Assos Full Zipper/Sleve Riding Jacket (optional when colder)
- Sugoi Rain Jacket. I keep this in the Soma Stash bottle, for quick access. This jacket works fine as a breathable wind breaker too.
Evening Clothing
- Bison Belt (nylon webbing/Fastex belt buckle) Bison does have a money belt version of this belt.
- REI Adventure pants, 4 zipped pockets, dries quickly and light weight.
- Pearlizumi or Nike black nylon stretch pants
- one dress shirt (optional)
- long sleeve nylon shirt
- short sleeve nylon shirt
- Nylon Baseball Hat
Pile Hathelmut liner cap- Crocs: Santa Cruz evening shoes; lightweight, packable, comfortable
- 1 pair high socks
- 3 synthetic Patagonia underwear
- MontBell Ultra-Light Down Jacket (7 oz.) Very light and compact able. Perfect for cool mornings or evenings. This is also the down for your pillow case.
- small toilet bag (you can reduce weight here)
- ThermaRest Pillow bag
- REI small or medium backpacking towel
- nylon bathing suit, quick drying as always.
Small Items
- Apple iPhone; GSM unlocked, iPhone headphones, & USB Cable/Charger. I highly recommend an unlocked GSM phone, with GPS and Google Maps app.
- New Trent rechargeable battery (optional) Good at campgrounds without charging plugs or for charging in a tent, and when public outlets are insecure, strangely pronged, or emit unfamiliar voltages.
- North America to European plug adapter (critical) for charging iPhone or Trent battery
- Prepaid SIM card of country I am riding in. ($10)
- 1GB Flash SSD memory stick for photo backups or carrying around digital files.
- Canon PowerShot SD1200 IS camera & USB Cable iPhone4 camera is my only camera now. (optional)
- Compact nylon grocery bag, there are pack versions of this too.
- Lexan Spoon. This is the only kitchen/eating utensil I bring along.
- waterproof Dry-Pak for camera or iPhone. (optional)
- Headlight
- Sunglasses with dark and rose lenses.
- Folding reading glasses (optional)
- mini carabiners
- Passport and credit card. Take pictures of other wallet id cards (health insurance, etc.) and leave cards at home.
Bike Gear
- Richey Breakaway Bike
- Continential Gatorskin tires 700/25 especially for the extra weight over the rear wheel
- Bontrager Rear Rack (Trek Interchange System)
- Shimano A530 SPD dual platform road touring pedals. SPDs during the rides, flat platform with evening shoes.
- Rear rack light, nice for dark long tunnels and heavy traffic
- Knog front light. This light can be easily fastened on any tube area of your frame and is waterproof.
- Lightweight bike lock. I try to never leave my bike unattended in public.
- Slime Skabs patches, instead of a tire tube
- tire levers
- Presta valve adapter, when you can’t find a good floor pump. This can be used at most gas stations.
- small bottle of chain lube
- Spin Doctor mini 4 hex tool (55grams)
- Blackburn AirStix pump 58 grams
- pant leg straps with reflector strips to avoid pants shredding
- One Clean water bottle, type that can be opened and cleaned from the bottom
- Michelin Road Atlas as iPhone photos or Google Maps with GPS and data capability
- iPhone Apps: SBB Mobile (Euro trains), Google Translate, FXChange (currencies), iPhone Kindle (books), Google Maps
