Update: 4th April
I have written about panniers, specifically Ortlieb panniers on the home page – click here.
Update: 20th March
A very detailed equipment list from contributor to this blog and relation, Jim Rawnsley. His list has a useful twist: he tells me where everything is packed on the bike;
KIT LIST
Bike;
Ridgeback voyage Standard apart from: Carbon fibre seat post and RIDO R2 saddle, New rear rack that has lower rails to get my big panniers to a lower C of G. Swiss stop brake pads. Superflash rear light, Mounting system and Agu bar bag with small flashing light. Chain replaced with a Whipperman with a quick link, pedals shimano touring spd(A520?) MP3 player (cheap 2gb that takes good old-fashioned batteries) mounted to a pair of £10 tesco battery-powered mini speakers bungeed to my stem. “ specialized mountain bike polycarbonate bottle holders. I usually run a trip computer but I broke 4 last year and have been managing without. Frame pump.
Bar bag;
Agu venture 6.5 litres. With Velcro large map case for maps and compass/whistle. Front pocket : Spoke key, allen keys, cable ties, puncture repair kit, tyre levers, Electricians tape, swiss army knife, small tyre boot, chain tool and spare quick link. Main bag: Waterproof Gill event (design now sold by wiggle as DHB) Wet wipes, 1 litre roll top dry bag for wallet/money/passport/phone/keys. Spare tubes, keep me going food. Small note book and pen.
Main pannier, right side;
Snugpack kilo sleeping bag, Gelert x-lite full length self inflating mattress, Gelert solo tent with several modifications (OK it’s nearly knackered and I should splash on a better lighter, roomier one). Mountain equipment Lightline down jacket (never leave this behind, it is a pillow, evening wear and a warmer sleeping bag in one) Jetboil stove and gas, fork and spoon, tea bags, Tesco laminated place mat (a must in a small tent for sitting on and stopping mud getting into the tent), Parachord, patching kit, spare folding tyre, spare rear drive side spokes, odd tools.
Main pannier left side;
3 base layers, 2 spare shorts, 2 spare cycle shirts, 1 ron hills tracksters or bikesters. 4 pairs socks, waterproof sealskin socks if cold, undies, wash kit, travel bath towel, maps + guides. First aid kit, foil blanket + pain killers, Spare thick bin liner, small amount of food, matches,
Top of rack
Bungees, lock, pair of hi tec lite sandles.
Note: No camera, g.p.s. or computer, the smartphone is as high tech as I get and does most of these functions, although admittedly not as well as a proper one.
I tend to eat out rather than cook.
Of course I missed things!!
Bolle contour safety glasses (tinted ESP) Giro monza helmet, 2 pairs of gloves, spd mtb style shimano shoes and cycle kit to wear (shorts, base layer, shirt)
Update: 19th March
Patrick Taylor, photographer and fan of the Ridgeback Panorama, lists his equipment list (and that of his travelling partner) on his website;
Cycle touring kit
BIKES:
Ridgeback Panoramas (2) Cycle computers (Sigma DTS-1106 x 2) Altura Orkney 34 Panniers (8) Low Rider racks (Tubus Tara x 2) Rear racks (Blackburn expedition x 2) Brooks B17 saddle (Patrick) Freccia Royal Gel saddle (Sandra)
BIKE REPAIRS:
Multi-tool (Crank Bros 17-tool) Spare brake (2) & gear (1) cables Spare inner tubes (2) Puncture repair kit Spare brake pads (2 sets) Tyre levers Chain connecting links (2) Grease (small tube) Chain lube (White Lightning) Spare spokes (2) Disposable gloves (6) Shimano instruction sheets
CLOTHING – PATRICK:
Trainers (2 pairs) Ankle socks (6 pairs) Bib shorts (2 pairs – Giordana & Scott) Plain casual shorts (3 pairs) Sleeveless T-shirts (2) Merino wool T-shirts (2) Wind-resistant long-sleeved jumper Berghaus fleece Montane Velocity DT breathable waterproof top Cycling mitts Swimming trunks
CLOTHING – SANDRA:
Sandals Trainers Socks (several pairs) T-shirts (several) Padded cycling 3/4 length trousers (2 pairs) Lightweight fleece Peter Storm fleece Goretex breathable waterproof top Cycling gloves Swimming costume
GENERAL KIT:
Cable ties Small multi-tool (knife, pliers, cable cutter, etc) Stanley knife blade First Aid kit: plasters, bandage, painkillers (Asprin), anti inflammatory tablets (Ibuprofen), antiseptic cream (Germolene), foot pads, midge repellent, Sudocrem, Assos Creme, Vaseline Toiletries: magic towels (2), small shampoo, small conditioner, wet wipes, tooth brushes & toothpaste, disposable razor, small shaving foam, Lipsyl, small mirror, hairbrush Spare specs Bungee cords (800mm x 2) Head torches (2) Foreign adaptor plug Cameras (Canon G10, Canon G9, Sony Cybershot DSC-W120) Spare camera battery for G9 Mobile phones (2) Chargers – phones, cameras Spare mileometer batteries (2) 2-bike cover Large tub for cereal Kryptonite D-lock Cable & padlock Pen Books (2 novels + guide book) Maps
CAMPING:
Tent (Hillberg Nallo 2 GT) Thermarests Sleeping bags Inflatable pillows Cooker with one pan (Primus EtaPower) Gas canisters (4) Survival tin opener Knife, fork, & spoon (2 of each) Stirring spatula Plastic eating bowl & 2 plates Polycarbonate tumblers (2) Water bottles (5 on bikes) Washing-up scrubber/sponge
DOCUMENTS:
Passports (2) E111 cards (2) Snowcard insurance Boat tickets
TOTAL WEIGHT OF LOADED BIKES:
Patrick: 78lbs 14oz.
Sandra: 73lbs 6oz.
He makes some interesting comments about what was used and what wasn’t;
Some of our kit wasn’t used. Nothing went wrong with the Ridgeback bicycles so the repair equipment stayed in its sack. It didn’t rain much so ditto with much of the spare clothing. And the First Aid kit stayed packed. But these items still need to be taken just in case. The Kryptonite D-lock and 2-bike cover are heavy to carry, and Denmark isn’t noted for crime. There are bicycles lying around all over the place. Nonetheless, at night the bikes were D-locked together and cable-locked to something fixed, or at least a couple of panniers inside the tent, then covered over with the plastic 2-bike cover. This cover was also useful as something to recline on outside the tent in the evening.
It’s important to pack the panniers the same way each time, after each stop. Obvious really. But we need a map holder on the handlebars of Sandra’s bike. It was a time-wasting nuisance to have to keep stopping to reach down for the maps in a pannier pocket. One other nuisance: as we cycled along I’d hear Sandra shout something, and I’d shout: “What?” Then I’d catch up (or slow down) and say: “What did you say?” If there’s a lightweight easy-to-use cyclists’ intercom/radio something-or-other out there on the market, we’d like one.
Update: 26th February
Michael Musto calls this his “tentative pile of crap” – on the left – and on the right is his collection of tools and spares. Surely he didn’t take an anvil with him!
Update: 6th February
Just found this slightly shorter list on Greg Browning’s website, May the wind be with you. He is cycling from London to Sydney and has been in the news this week because he had his bike nicked. He has it back now and has just arrived in northern Australia. His bike is a Condor Heritage and his tent a Vango Force-ten Nitro 200. That’s a hell of a name! His panniers – see picture – seem to be identical to mine albeit not the red ones.
Iain Harper makes some useful comments on the subject of “kit”:
I had a look at your tools and I see you have initially planned on quite a bit of kit. I know it is a starting point but the questions I’d ask as I finalise it are “do you really need a XXXX”. For example a headset tool? If I were going exploring right off track them maybe but I’ll be depending on finding some support somewhere if things go bad. Spokes – I think I’ll take some but hope I don’t need them as I’ve tried truing a wheel and it is a nightmare. Maybe I’ll get a really old wheel and spend some time having a try. For a lock I’ll probably take a cable and padlock and I have seen http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=12669848 where someone uses a “rape alarm” attached to the bike via some fishing gut. Sure that would deter anyone in a campsite and wake everyone up – just don’t set it off by mistake. Maybe even loop security cable through part of tent? Bags – I have Altura dryline and they are big and very dry. Don’t know how comfortable panniers on the front might be or how much I could actually get in them. Ortlieb get a good name. I think I’ll get a bar bag to keep wallet, camera etc in it and have some weight distributed to the front – also easier to take off and with me. Excess kit can be kept in rucksack liners which are waterproof and bungee corded on top of the rack on top of the tent (sleeping bag and mat are light and would be good here). Balance of weight for going up steep gradients might be a problem with too much on the back – will need to do a few trial runs. Insurance think I’ll get some proper insurance that covers my bike etc.
The following extensive list has been shamelessly copied from elsewhere on the web; from Edward Genochio. It is a starting point!
Racks and Packs
Rear rack
Front racks (?low-riders)
Rear panniers
Front panniers
Handlebar bag
Attachments
Water bottles & cages (x 3)
Cycle computer (speedometer / odometer)
Bell
Rear & front lights (?dynamo front light, LED battery rear)
Lock & cable
Pump
Tools & Spares
Complete toolkit to enable:
- Puncture repair / tyre / tube replacement
- Spoke adjustment / replacement
- Cassette removal
- Headset adjustment
- General nuts & bolts tightening, adjustment and replacement
- Chain repair and replacement.
- Gear and brake cable adjustment and replacement
- Brake adjustment and pad replacement
Spares to include:
- Inner tubes (several)’
- Tyres (1 x slick, 1 x knobbly)
- Chain links
- Grease
- Lubricant
- Brake pads
- Gear cables
- Brake cables
- Spokes
Camping
Lightweight tent
Groundsheet protector / general purpose tarpaulin
Sleeping bag & liner
Sleeping mat
Multi-fuel stove
Fuel bottle
Matches
Candle
2 x mess tins with lids for cooking & eating
Enamel mug
Water filter
LED head-torch
Mosquito head-net
Collapsible plastic water container
Soap
Toothbrush & toothpaste
Shaving equipment
Flannel
Clothing
Lightweight wind/rainproof shell (top & trousers)
Shorts
Trousers
Tops
Warm clothing for winter, evening and morning riding
Gloves
Balaclava
Cycling shoes
Sandals
Waterproof “booties” to cover cycling shoes
Helmet
Miscellaneous
Journal
Notebook
Pens
Waterproof “ziploc” bags
Address list
Camera
Sunglasses
Toilet roll
Swiss army knife
Compass
Money
Passport & visas
Sewing kit
Batteries for torch, camera, bike lights
Solar charger
Phrase books
Duct tape
Zip ties
Maps
First Aid & medical
Road rash treatments – antiseptic cream, plasters, bandages
Painkillers
Antibiotics
Immodium
Tweezers
Scissors
This is an awesome blog. I have learnt so much reading it. Just about to go on a road trip and looking to get a Ridgeback Voyage to do it on.
Check out my website http://www.chrismillercycling.com
If you got any advice let me know, I could do with some.
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The gear we carry is a personal thing, a lot to do with our physical and mental comfort. Many folks carry spare spokes (did you know many bikes have 3 different sizes?) and the appropriate gear cluster removing tools. Some people are always near a bike shop they can get a lift to, so will not carry many repair tools.
I carry pretty well the above plus (no head set tools); spoke wrench, chain tool plus links, tube and flat kit of course. An emergency meal and Immodium are my friends too. I also carry a spare rim tape (for protecting the tube from spoke nipples).
Food: I carry too much food. I once contemplated a cross Canada bike tour with plenty of fresh eggs. The legal system frowned upon my enthusiasm. You may read the article and the thoughts of the touring community here:
http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/forum/board/message/?thread_id=114147
Yes we can get carried away with our gear. Waking up in camp on a wonderful morning is best enjoyed with a smoking jacket and an espresso some say. Some people tour with a credit card and little else. There are many styles of cycling touring but I think we can all agree just being on tour is fulfilling.