The Equipment and Packing List
Below is a packing list from in my second
book about travelling through South America. I have reviewed the list
a few hundred times. I'm sure I've left something out but I'm not sure what.
I realize it is a long list. I'm on a multi-year tour
so there are a few extras to make life more
comfortable. A lot of the electronic gear is necessary to create the
website, write and publish books, and mix video on the road. It is a
bit of a load to travel with but not much when considering it is practically
everything I own.
I
have been on the road for many years and have traveled through different
climates, over various terrain and in both the developed and developing world.
I don't always carry everything on the list at the same time and try to note these distinctions where they apply.
I hope this packing list provides you with ideas for your next bicycle tour.
BICYCLE -
Touring bike with 26-inch wheels, front and
rear racks, bike computer, water bottles and cages, tail lights, kickstand,
touring specific saddle and clipless pedals.
Tim and his loaded bike (packed light for Southeast Asia).
PANNIERS
(bike saddlebags) My bike has front and rear waterproof panniers, seat bag, handlebar
bag, and pannier repair kit. I use adjustable bungee cords to hold the tent,
sleeping bags, and pads on top of the rear rack. After South America,
I added a clip-on shoulder strap attachment to convert a pannier into
daypack for off-bike hikes and shopping.
CAMPING
- tent, stakes, ground cloth and repair kit
- light-weight tarp (used in wet climates to cover the bikes when camping)
- sleeping bag and waterproof dry bag stuff sacks
- sleeping pad (also folds into camp chair attachment)
camping with the kangaroos
WATER PURIFICATION AND STORAGE
- 10-liter (2.6 gallon) water storage bag that converts to a solar shower
with shower head attachment.
-3 bicycle water bottles (extra disposable 1.5
liter water bottles for long dry stretches)
- 0.25 micron ceramic water filter and repair kit
- iodine tablets
water filter and hand pump
KITCHEN
- 3 cooking pots and 1 coffee
cups .
- utensils: two sporks
- pot scrubber
- liquid dish soap
all the pans pack into the biggest one
STOVE
- gasoline burning camp stove
- wind screen
- lighter
- repair kit
- fuel bottle (size changes depending on the frequency of gas stations and
how much I use the stove).
stove and small fuel bottle
(Items below are also carried for frequent
camping/cooking)
- small knife
- thin plastic flexible cutting
board
- can opener, army style
- spices – salt, pepper, garlic, cinnamon, ginger, and more
- olive oil – kept in a sealed plastic container
- re-sealable bags
- dish drying cloth
FOOD -
I always have at
least two meals with me. In remote areas, I carry up to two weeks' supply
of food staples.
- coffee
- sweetener
- powdered milk
- peanut butter (when I can find it)
- bread or tortillas
- oatmeal
- pasta and sauce
- rice
- vegetables from the market or dried vegetables
- instant noodles
- canned meat
- powdered soup
ELECTRONICS
- laptop computer and power cord
- network cable and coupler
- USB thumb drive (I use my mp3 player)
- MP3 player
- external amplified speakers
- headphones
- shortwave radio (phased out for an MP3 player with music and podcasts
MP3 player strapped to the amplified speakers in handlebar
bag.
CAMERA
- video/still camera
- additional high capacity battery
- connector cables
- power cord for charging
- lens cleaning kit
- zoom lens, wide angle lens, polarized lens
- UV filter
- mini-tripod
- flash memory stick
POWER AND ELECTRICITY
- AA rechargeable batteries (number depends on the availability of
electricity)
- AA battery charger and cord
- extension cord with three way splitter (US plugs)
- international plug adaptors
- light socket adaptor (T)
The "T" light socket adaptor makes an electrical outlet from a light
bulb.
OTHER ELECTRONICS
- flashlight/headlamp
- altimeter/compass watch (someday I will change to a GPS.
HEALTH
- lip balm
- sunscreen
- insect repellant and mosquito coils
- multivitamins
- earplugs
- eye mask (blindfold) for sleeping
FIRST AID KIT
- international health and first aid manual
- adhesive bandages, various sizes
- elastic-wrap bandage
- gauge, pads and roll,
- antiseptic wipe
- safety pins
- medical tape
- scissors
- tweezers
- antibacterial cream
- burn/first aid cream
- antifungal cream
- eye drop antibiotic
- aspirin/ibuprofen (which ever is available)
- antihistamine
- Moleskin
- antacid tablets
- Doxycycline (Malaria)
- Antibiotic Metronidazole (Amoebiasis and Giardiasis)
- Antibiotic Ciprofloxacin (bacillary dysentery, shigellosis)
- Antibiotic Amoxycillin (broad spectrum for general use such as infected
cuts)
- Mebendazole (worming)
- Thermometer
TOILETRY/SHOWER
BAG
- toilet paper
- toothbrush and toothpaste
- quick drying towel
- brush/comb
- shampoo and conditioner
- bar soap
- razor
- fingernail clippers
- small mirror
- wet wipes
CYCLING
CLOTHING
- 2 pairs cycling shorts
- 1 – 2 short sleeve jerseys
- 1 wool long sleeve jerseys with rear pockets (for cold climates)
- 1 pair cycling tights
- 1 pair cycling gloves
- helmet
- sunglasses
- bandana
OFF BIKE
CLOTHING
- 2 short sleeve shirts
- 2 pairs convertible shorts/pants
- 4 pairs lightweight wool socks
- swimsuit
- sun hat
- underwear
- laundry bags used to separate clothing in panniers
COLD WEATHER
GEAR
- fleece jacket
- long underwear top
- long underwear bottom
- mid-layer/wool long-sleeved top
- cold weather hat
- long fingered gloves
RAIN GEAR
- wind/rain jacket
- waterproof socks
- waterproof helmet cover
SHOES
- bike shoes
- walking shoes
- sandals
DOCUMENTS and
MONEY
- money belt
- credit card
- ATM debit card
- travelers checks – I don’t use these as often anymore and am
phasing them out.
- local currency
- maps
- travel/guide books
- passport
- tourist visas and travel permits when applicable
- copies of important documents (stashed in a separate area)
-
vaccination records (can be important at some borders)
- driver’s license
- small notepad and pens
SECURITY
- combination padlock for hostel lockers
- combination cable locks for bikes
- emergency stash of US currency
TOOLS
- patch kit
- tire levers
- tire pump
- tire pressure gauge
- chain tool
- allen key set
- cassette cracker (remover)
- chain ring bolt wrench
- cone wrench if not using sealed
cartridge hubs
- chain lube/rag
- spoke wrench
- 8 and 10 mm wrenches
- pedal - 32 mm headset wrench if not using threadless system
- crank puller/bottom bracket tool
- multi tool/knife - (blade, pliers, screwdrivers, needle nose pliers, file,
etc.)
more than the bare minimum tool set
SPARE PARTS AND
REPAIR KITS
- one folding spare tire
- spare tubes, (number depends on the continent)
- shift/brake cables and housing
- spare brake pads
- spare spokes
- bike grease
- frame bolts
- short chain replacement section with extra joining links
- electrical. tape
- zip ties
small folding emergency tire
OTHER
- laundry cord and detergent
- pillow (Cindie)
- mini binoculars
- recreational reading books
- English/local language dictionary
- sewing repair kit
- Guide book
- reading glasses
Spotting black swans with mini binoculars
Packing, list, BICYCLES, PANNIERS, CAMPING,
CLOTHING, tools, spare parts, food, ELECTRONICS, CAMERA, bicycle touring,
packing, equipment list
Equipment Pages Index
Introduction
How Much to Bring and Weight
Some Advice About Advice
A Note to Perspective Sponsors and Gear Suppliers
(See more
about Sponsorship Here)
START HERE for Touring Bikes and Commuting Bicycles
Custom Touring Bicycles and Bike Upgrade Buyers Guide
Bicycle Touring Frames
The Steel Repair Myth
Steel and Aluminum Derailleur Hanger Repair
Bicycle Touring Wheels
Phil Wood: The Best Bicycle Hubs
Panniers / Bike Bags
Cargo Trailers Vs Panniers
Tires for Bike Tours
Bicycle Touring Saddles
Women's Specific Bike Touring Saddles
Brooks Leather Touring Bicycle Saddle Care and Conditioning
Bike Computer
Touring Handlebars, Bar Ends, Adjustable Stems, and Padded Grips
Kickstands
Sealed Cartridge Headsets
How to prevent flat tires
Bike Route Trails and Maps
Camping
Buying Camping Equipment
Tent and
Ground Cloth
Sleeping Bag
Sleeping Pad
Camp
Stove
Pots and
Pans
Water Filter
First Aide Kits
Clothing
Bike Touring Shorts
Electrical
Short-wave Radio
Computer
Internet
mp3
Bicycle
Touring Lighting Systems
Solar Power for Camp
Books
Packing list
Pictures of Equipment Failures
Shopping
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