I have to admit that these kinds of photographic displays of kit have, in recent years, become very much of a clichรฉ, but they are fun to make and someone out there in the ether may find them of use. For most people they provide amusement and, perhaps more often, bemusement (“why the hell is he taking that with him???!!“). Below, in excessive detail (it wasn’t a busy day…), you’ll find set out most of what I will be taking with me when I travel to the Outer Hebrides early next week to ride the length of the Hebridean Way. For more details on that, have a read of this or perhaps even have a listen to this. On with the show!
It’s quite a job moving all the furniture but once a space is cleared and the kit arranged in geometric fashion, the photo shoot can commence:
…and here’s the list:
- 1 = Small coffee maker
- 2 = Gas bottle
- 3 = Gas burner
- 4 = Vango F10 Vulcan -7ยบ sleeping bag (in a non-matching stuff sack) – Cotswold Outdoor
- 5 = First aid kit
- 6 = Sea to Summit Thermolite sleeping liner
- 7 = MSR Hubba Hubba 2-person tent – Cotswold Outdoor
- 8 = Thermarest ProLite Plus sleeping mat – Cotswold Outdoor
- 9 = Decathlon seating mat
- 10 = Camping towel
- 11 = Spare inner tubes and basic tool repair kit
- 12 = Sealskin gloves
- 13 = Cycling mittens
- 14 = Cable lock (that attaches to Dutch-style lock on the bike)
- 15 = Toiletries
- 16 = Anti-histamine tablets
- 17 = Buff neck warmer
- 18 = Maps, tickets etc…
- 19 = Andrex moistened tissues
- 20 = Sunglasses
- 21 = Mosquito / midge head net
- 22 = Small bungee to attach maps to the map holder
- 23 = Trespass hand warmers
- 24 = Swiss Army knife
- 25 = Knife, fork and spoon
- 26 = Small carabiners to attach pannier to the bike
- 27 = Wentworth College, University of York plastic mug (c. 1990)
- 28 = Petzel head torch
- 29 = Miscellaneous electric items (see details below)
- 30 = Zoom H4n Pro audio recorder
- 31 = Pen
- 32 = Small notebook
- 33 = Miscellaneous electric cables (see details below)
- 34 = Food bag (contents not disclosed to avoid the ridicule that occurred last time I did this…)
- 35 = Porridge oats (in a biscuit tin)
- 36 = DJI Mini 2 drone
- 37 = Tent light
- 38 = Collapsable bowl
- 39 = Sea to Summit collapsable cooking pot
- 40 = Jungle insect repellant
- 41 = Sun protection cream, factor 30
- 42 = Watch
- 43 = Small tripod
- 44 = Canon XA-40 camera
- 45 = Small microphone (and ‘dead cat’) for Canon XA-40 camera
- 46 = Recharging unit for drone batteries
- 47 = DJI Mini 2 drone controller
These photos might give you a little more detail if you are seeking it:
And here is the electronic gear once again. In the photos above, much of it was packed away. The cable situation is annoying / terrifying. Roll on the day when the USB-C connector is used for everything (as which point they will invent USB-D, if they haven’t done so already…).
…and here’s the list:
- A = Zoom H4n Pro audio recorder
- B = Apple iPhone 12 Max in a QuadLock case
- C = Tripod attachment compatible with QuadLock case fitting
- D = Tent light
- E = Canon XA-40 camera
- F = Small microphone (and ‘dead cat’) for Canon XA-40 camera
- G = USB-A to USB-C cable
- H = DJI Mini 2 drone
- I = DJI Mini 2 drone controller
- J = Recharging unit for drone batteries
- K = USB-C to USB-C cable
- L = Lightening cable (USB-C with detachable USB-A converter)
- M = Batteries for audio recorder
- N = Energizer 20,000 mAh USB-a / USB-c / micro USB power bank
- O = Ear phones
- P = Lightening converter for ear phones
- Q = USB-a plug
- R = USB-A to micro-USB cable
- S = Manfrotto mini tripod
- T = Recharging unit for Canon XA-40 batteries
- U = Spare CAnon XA-40 battery
- V = Petzel head torch
- W = USB-C plug
Various bits and pieces are already attached to the bike; the panniers obviously but also the CatEye cycling computer, pump, water bottles etc… What isn’t shown in any of the photos above are my clothes and the Exped dry bags into which everything is placed prior to them being packed in the panniers.
Let the debate begin!
Since 2009, CyclingEurope.org has established itself as a valued, FREE cycle touring resource. There’s now even a podcast, The Cycling Europe Podcast. If you enjoy the website and the podcast, please consider supporting the work of CyclingEurope.org with a donation. More information can be found here. Thanks if you do!
Catch up with The Cycling Europe Podcast:
Potentially lame question, but that’s my stock in trade: what do you do for a pillow?
A pillowcase with cloths inside.
Howdy Andrew! I’m so excited for you! It’s going to be great and there won’t be enough seconds in the day to soak it all in. But I hope you can give yourself the gift of little pauses throughout the day whenever you feel like it. I love to be able to take the time to stop and contemplate whatever is on my mind at that moment without the nagging feeling of being rushed. Even if the weather sucks, hope you can smile and persevere. Happy Trails!
I fully intend taking my time. Iโm in no rush whatsoeverโฆ The style of this trip will be more akin to my short trip to the Dales last autumn rather than my mad dash around the UK last summer. ๐๐ดโโ๏ธ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ณ๓ ฃ๓ ด๓ ฟ
Andrew,just returned from completing the Hebridean way,stunning scenery and fantastic trip. Just a heads up though,as it is the Western Isles,please be aware,that on a Sunday,everywhere will be closed shops,pubs etc and the Islanders are quite particular (dogmatic) about this.
Thanks. Yes, Iโm actually looking forward to Sunday. Iโve heard much about it (and it was discussed in episode 38 of the podcast published last week). It is even a comical feature of Compton Mackenzieโs Whisky Galore, the audio book of which I was listening to yesterday. They waited diligently until midnight on the sabbath to start โrescuingโ the cases of whiskyโฆ ๐๐ดโโ๏ธ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ณ๓ ฃ๓ ด๓ ฟ