Article Summary:
Here's a rundown of everything you'd ever want to bring on any length of a bicycle camping trip.
What to Take on a Long Distance Bicycle Tour
Bicycle touring is different in many ways to other modes of self-contained travel. Here's a rundown of everything you'd ever want to bring on any length of a bicycle camping trip:
- Panniers: Two full-sized in back, two smaller in front, and one handlebar bag. Many recommend putting most of your weight in the front for stability, but I found it more comfortable to keep the bulk of the weight in back.
What to carry in front panniers:
- Camping pillow: ( a necessity if you ask me - you can buy these at Wal-mart for $4 and scrunch them into the pocket of a jacket if needed.)
- Sleeping bag: small synthetic bags rated to 15 or 20 degrees are most ideal. Look for bags that weigh 3 pounds or less.
- Sleeping pad: Therm-a-rest makes a 3/4 length, 1/2 thick self-inflating pad that can also fit into a jacket pocket when rolled up.
- Clothing: No matter how long your trip, keep it light. Also, keep in mind that even on a two week trip you're likely to encounter rain, wind, snow, sleet, dust and even ice. Here's what I found to be useful:
- three nylon or lycra short sleeve tops
- two pair padded lycra cycling shorts
- one pair synthetic fabric long johns
- one pair nylon zip-off pants that convert to shorts
- four pair synthetic fabric socks
- one polar fleece jacket
- one water-proof parka with hood ( I used my winter coat shell)
- one pair water-proof gloves (I brought ski gloves)
- one pair bicycling gloves
- face/ear warmer
- Rain suit: I bought a yellow plastic jacket/pants combo at a sporting goods store for $10. Take that, Gortex.
In the handlebar bag:
- Tools:
- An Allen wrench
- two spare tubes
- spare rubber for patching tires
- screwdriver
- leatherman multi-tool
- pocket knife
- Energy bars: This is my cover-up term for Skittles and gummy bears.
- Sunglasses
- Pencil and paper, for quick notes
- Sometimes money; however, I keep my wallet on my body at all times.
- Weather radio. I also use a CD/radio headphone set. Use of headphones on the road is unsafe and I can't recommend it, but blasting Jimmy Eat World while climbing has pushed me over multiple hills. Just remember that you're taking a big risk - you can't hear traffic.
Stuff in the back panniers:
- Water: Those that travel in the eastern United States often don't carry as much. I found myself carrying up to two and a half gallons in various water and gatorade bottles. I also strap a 100 oz. Camel Pack to my back, which would make purists cringe, but I'm willing to endure am occasional shoulder cramp for easy-to-access water. Plus, it leaves more room in my panniers for food.
- Tent and tarp: Small backpacking tents are ideal. Remember that dome tents don't actually keep out any water. We used a L.L. Bean two-person tent. Weight = 6 pounds. The tarp is for covering bikes when it rains.
- Camping stove: we used a primus single burner camp stove that utilizes those propane/butane disposable canisters. It's worth it to carry enough fuel for two weeks of travel - you never know where you're going to find more.
- Aluminum backpacking pot: works as a pot, plate, bowl and cup.
- Frying pan: we carried a full-size, 13 inch aluminum pan. Excessive, maybe, but wonderful to have for pancakes.
- Collapsible fishing rod and lures: allows you to catch your own dinner, and nothing's better than fresh trout fried in a full-sized frying pan.
- Sunscreen! I'm forced to use SPF 30, and easily go through a 4 oz. bottle in a week. Others are blessed with more sun tolerance than I am, but if not, it's probably to most important thing you'll carry next to water.
- Bug spray: When it comes to keeping misquotes away, I'm not opposed to the most toxic thing on the market. Give me 100 % DEET over natural citrus rub any day.
- Other toiletries:
- toothpaste
- toothbrush
- camp soap - which works as shampoo, dish washing soap, hand washing soap, and laundry soup.
- Two to four days worth of food: the things that travel best are
- dried beans
- rice
- soft tortilla shells
- pasta
- cans of pasta sauce
- carrots
- onions
- potatoes
- apples
- oranges
- peppers
- dried soup packets
- chocolate
- cheese(double wrapped)
- pancake mix
- oatmeal
- bagels
- mixed nuts
- tuna fish.
- Ziplock bags, all shapes and sizes. These act as waterproofing for stuff when it rains, garbage bags, and food storage bags.
- Headlamp: I use this as a flashlight in camp, and as a double headlight on night rides.
- And, of course, the optional stuff that makes a traveler complete
- camera
- notepad
- sketch book
- laptop computer
- pencils
- pens
- magazines
- novels
Never take what you don't need, but never leave behind what makes you happy.
Jill Homer is a graphic artist and freelance travel writer currently residing in Tooele, Utah. She specializes in outdoor adventure writing. For more information please visit www.biketoshine.com or contact jill@biketoshine.com.
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