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 Hat helmut liner cap
• Crocs: Santa Cruz evening shoes; lightweight, packable, comfortable Evolv Cruzers ($75): These are climbing approach shoes. Does everything that the Croc Santa Cruz plus a great climbing tread. These would make much better Via Ferrata shoes than the Crocs.
• 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