What You Need for Self Supported Touring by Bicycle

  Equipment   Concerns   Considerations    Necessary Options
Equipment - Complete List        
Packing theories
  1. Small & heavy on front; large and light in back.
  2. "During-ride" stuff on front (clothing, repair, etc.).
  3. Make valuables hard to get, or easy to take with you.
  4. Limit locations of food and other fragrant items.
  5. The higher you stack your rack, the harder your bike is to control, and the more likely your bike will fall over when it is parked.
  6. Keep TP handy.

Each item to consider is listed under a category. The numbers of the situations below in which you would want to have it are shown to the left of it.
  1. miniumum
  2. long weekend
  3. week(s) or very rural
  4. month(s) or uncivilized
  5. you decide - personal choice
Bike and Luggage
1 2 3 4 bicycle 1 2 3 4 rack, or trailer w/storage bag 1 2 3 4 cargo straps and/or bungie cords 2 3 4 rear panniers, or trailer w/storage bag 2 3 4 front rack w/panniers, or trailer w/storage bag 2 3 4 fenders 2 3 4 headlight for emergencies and tunnels 2 3 4 visible blinkie back light 3 4 headlight (battery or generator) 5 lock and cable 5 computer 5 handlebar bag 5 safety flag
Shelter
1 2 3 4 tent, fly, poles, stakes 2 3 4 ground sheet 5 pillow 5 mallet for tent stakes 5 space blanket
Nourishment
1 2 3 4 water bottles and/or Camelback (filled) 2 3 4 some of these (not everything, please) carbs - granola bars, GORP, bread fruits - banana, apple, grapes, raisins, orange drinks - water, sport drink, fruit juice energy - Snickers, pop tarts, Powerbar, ClifBar others - PB&J sandwich, cheese, gum, Oreos utensils - Lexan spoon and military can opener 3 4 IF COOKING stove saucepan waterproof matches or lighter (if stove not self-lighting) dish soap / dishpan pot holder or handle scrunges IF NOT COOKING eat warm stuff at restaurants eat cold stuff at camp 5 vitamins
Nighttime
1 2 3 4 sleeping bag, or sheet & blanket & diaper pins 1 2 3 4 waterproof bags for bedding and clothes 1 2 3 4 flash light 2 3 4 sleeping pad (Therma-Rest is best) 5 alarm or ear plugs 5 30' 1/8" nylon rope to suspend food 5 mosquito netting
Maintenance & Repair
1 2 3 4 pump 1 2 3 4 patch kit 1 2 3 4 spare tube(s) 1 2 3 4 tire lever(s) - nylon or carbon fiber are lighter 2 3 4 screwdriver(s) 2 3 4 allen wrench(es) 2 3 4 needlenose locking pliers 2 3 4 spoke wrench 2 3 4 Kevlar spoke 2 3 4 chain breaker 2 3 4 hand wipes 3 4 duct tape (wrap around seatpost) 3 4 needle & black thread 4 spare Kevlar spoke(s) 4 cables - brake and shift 4 spare cleats with screws and spacers 4 crescent wrench 4 headset wrench 4 crazy glue 4 1/2 oz light oil 4 1/2 oz grease 4 2 dozen ball bearings each: 3/16" and 1/4" 4 brake pad set 4 patch kits - tent and mattress 4 chain links 5 pocket knife or multi-use tool 5 freewheel remover 5 spare tire 5 nulon filament tape 5 tie wraps 5 spare bulbs & batteries 5 small hose clamps 5 "S" hook for panniers 5 presta/schrader converter
Clothing
1 2 3 4 jersey, or other wicking shirt 1 2 3 4 shorts 1 2 3 4 shoes 1 2 3 4 socks 1 2 3 4 headband or dew-rag 1 2 3 4 windbreaker / rain jacket 2 3 4 tights or leg warmers 2 3 4 something for sleeping/campground/swimming/after bathing 5 street clothes 5 laundry soap 5 balaclava 5 sandals 5 gloves 5 plastic clothes pins and line 5 waterproof helmet cover
Personal
1 2 3 4 helmet 1 2 3 4 rear-view mirror on bike, helmet and/or glasses 1 2 3 4 pain relief & anti-inflamatories 1 2 3 4 medications, prescriptions 1 2 3 4 first aid for road rash - large gause pad, adhesive tape, Neosporin, wet wipes 1 2 3 4 cash ($10 hiden for emergencies only) 2 3 4 ID and emergency numbers, health ins card discount cards (auto, senior citizen, Kroger) credit card soap, pack towel or large sponge, wash cloth inflatable honey toilet paper, baby wipes, baggie 2 3 4 cash - available and hidden - $50s can be hard to break 5 wallet 5 tooth stuff, roll-on, shaving stuff 5 dental floss 5 wrist watch 5 sun screen, sun glasses, helmet visor 5 eye glasses or contact lenses (incl spares) 5 comb 5 hand lotion, petroleum jelly, Ben-Gay, lip balm 5 eye drops, body powder 5 you know whats 5 bag balm, pepto-bismol tablets, sodium, potassium 5 bug repellant, pepper spray 5 razor, nail clippers or file 5 antihistamine (insect bites and stings), inhaler 5 neck soaker, dust mask, cold mask 5 Ace bandage 5 cell phone for emergencies
Other
2 3 4 maps and highlighter 2 3 4 compass 5 address book 5 pen and paper 5 book to read 5 radio (weather) 5 camera & film, or disposable camera 5 digital camera and blank CDs 5 fanny pack 5 extra bungie cords 5 voicemail quick-ref guide 5 day pack 5 spare keys for vehicle