Bike tour kit list
This is the kit list that I took on the eclipse tour (with the addition of tent poles) that serves as a basis for any cycle tour I do. The list is very similar to the equipment that I take walking but with the addition of bike necessaties. There are one or two additional items that I can take because the bike is carrying the weight, not me.
The main thing to bear in mind is that it is probably going to rain for some of the time and therefore it is important to make sure that everything is wrapped inside plastic bags, preferably inside more plastic bags. It is also important to keep at least one set of clothes dry for sleeping in.
In the tables below, if the quantity column if left blank means one item.
Go to eclipse tour or home.
General Items
| Item | Quantity | Comment |
| Bike | Well maintained and no last minute adjustments | |
| Rear Panniers | pair | Lined with thick plastic bags |
| Front Paniers and bag cover | pair | Bag cover for the sleeping bag. |
| Tent | ||
| Tent Poles | As required. Mine are too long to fit in the tent bag | |
| Sleeping bag | ||
| Silver mat | Thin silver bubble mat for putting the sleeping bag on. It is important to have insulation | |
| 1 litre water bottle | 2 | Fizzy water bottles are strong and cheap |
| Bike bottle | 2 | |
| Poncho | Heavy and not needed yet but if the weather goes really bad it could be essential | |
| Mobile phone | ||
| GPS | A bit of a luxury but sometimes very useful | |
| Suncream | ||
| Sunglasses | ||
| Maps | ||
| Map pocket for bike | ||
| Notebook and pencils | Pencils still write when biro's don't | |
| Torches | 2 | Don't depend on one. The bike light could be backup |
| Pager | I have one so I take it | |
| Trangia | Cooker, cut down to the essentials | |
| Fuel tin | With enough meths in | |
| Cheque book, credit cards, wallet | Split these about so if the worst came you wouldn't loose all means to pay | |
| Toilet Roll | You can't rely on a supply! | |
| Candles | A good light source at night, but must be used carefully | |
| Matches and lighter | ||
| Spare cord | For emergencies | |
| Sterilising tablets | For drinking water if the souce is questionable | |
| Spoon | A single spoon is sufficient | |
| Plastic mug | ||
| Needle, thread, safety pins | For running repairs | |
| Insect repellant | ||
| Penknife | One with a few useful tools |
Food
| Item | Quantity | Comment |
| Teabags | 8 | A hot drink is very welcome sometimes |
| Dried milk | Enough for 2 pints made up | |
| Dried pasta | Carbohydrate is a very good source of energy | |
| 1/3 loaf bread | ||
| Snickers bars | 2 | These also contain peanuts to give a longer energy burst |
| Tins of soup | 2 |
Emergency food
| Item | Quantity | Comment |
| Snickers bars | ||
| Malt loaf | ||
| Dried fruit | Raisins or sultanas contain a lot of energy | |
| Hi 5 powder | Energy powder for adding to a drink |
Clothes
| Item | Quantity | Comment |
| Shorts | ||
| Socks | 2 | One pair reserved for sleeping in |
| Underpants | 2 | |
| T-shirt | 2 | One reserved for sleeping in |
| Sweat shirt | For sleeping in | |
| Thin jogging trousers | For sleeping in | |
| Wooly hat | For sleeping in | |
| Cagoule |
Wash kit
| Item | Quantity | Comment |
| Flannel | ||
| Soap | ||
| Razor | ||
| Talcum Powder | A bit of a luxury, but very good for tired feet | |
| Shower gel | ||
| Comb | ||
| Toothbrush and paste | ||
| Towel | Not absolutely necessary, a well rung out flannel dries quite well |
First aid kit
| Item | Quantity | Comment |
| Remagel | 1 tube | Antiacid tablets |
| Anadin Extra | 8 | Soluble asprin/paracetamol |
| Antiseptic wipes | 5 | |
| Plasters | 5 | |
| Crepe bandage | ||
| Antiseptic cream | ||
| Nail scissors |
Bike repair kit
| Item | Quantity | Comment |
| Tyre levers | ||
| Patches, rubber solution and abrasive | ||
| Chain breaker | ||
| Spare spokes | 10 | |
| Spare inner tube | 2 | |
| Adjustable spanner | That will adjust from a spoke to the wheel nuts | |
| Screwdriver | ||
| Spare brake cable and gear cable | ||
| Insulating tape | 30cm |
Go to eclipse tour or home.