When packing for a bike tour there are many things you have to consider. The two most important things are size and weight. Everything you will have with you you also have to have on the back of your bike. Bringing extra items that are never used is always a struggle, especially when going out on the first tour. Here is our basic list of what we bring with us on our bike tours.

Must Haves

• Bike – How else would you go on a bike tour?
• Water bottles – staying Hydrated is essential
• Helmet – Saftey!!! Sometimes as a cyclist cars do not see you
• Phone – Great for GPS, music, and tracker
• SunGlasses – Keep the sun out of your eyes
• Gloves – Have a little extra padding, especially when riding over very bumpy roads.
• Chamois Cream – Keep the chaffing away to keep you on your bike longer – We like Chamois PH for Her (It worked on guys too!!!)
• Snacks – Never know when you may need a little pick me up.

These are the essential items we have weather we are going around the block or on a multi-day tour!!!

Camping Gear

• Tent / Poles / Stakes – We currently use a Hyke & Byke Zion 2 person tent. We love the way it packs down and that we can sleep under the start without the rain fly on having a beautiful view of the stars. ALWAY bring extra stakes. Stakes are easily bent or lost.
• Ground cover – Keep your tent a little cleaner as well as provide you with an extra layer between the ground and your body
• Sleeping Pad – provides a bit of an air pocket to get you off the ground
• Sleeping bag or blanket – Need to keep warm during the chilly night. Make sure that the bag is rated for the coldest night. You don’t want to be shivering all night long.
• Sheet or Bag liner – Keep your mat and blanket cleaner longer but using a bag liner. Plus in the hot summer sometimes a sheet is all you need.
• Pillow – We like our inflatable pillows however some people use a stuff sack with their extra clothes
• Eye Mask – In case you have to set your tent up to a light that never goes off during the night
• Lantern – We have a great inflatable solar power lantern that we use.

Tools and Spare Parts

• Mini-Pump – If you need to repair a tire you will need to be able to repump the tube/tire up!!! Sometimes during a long trip, you will need to add air throughout your trip. Many trails have a bike repair stand and pump at some of the towns. However, you can never quite know when you will break down and need the fix.
• Tire Lever – This tool removes the tire from the rim so you can fix the flat
• Patch Kit – If the tube only has a pinprick it is possible to patch and reuse
• Spare Tube – In case the patch kit would not fix the problem. Sometimes the tube is pinched at the base of the stem and patching will be more trouble than it is worth.
• Spare Spokes – We don’t always carry spare spokes if we know we are going to be near towns throughout each day. Spokes are different sizes for most bikes. Spokes are measured and cut specifically for each wheel. If you break one spoke you can continue your ride however you will want to get it fixed ASAP!!!
• Set of Allen Wrenches – These are important in case anything becomes loose on your bike. These can also be found in the Multi tool.
• Leatherman – There are so many useful tools on the Leatherman to help fits small issues or help you adjust a derailleur
• Duct Tape – The quick fixer. We always have some duck tape on us. We have also commonly seen people wrap extra duct tape around the mini pump
• Bunge Cords – These have so many different helpful uses. They can help secure a loose bag or shoes to your bike. Bunge Cords can strap down some wet clothes that are still drying to the outside to continue airdrying throughout the day. String them together to create a drying line to dry towels or clothes.
• Chain Lube – It is important to keep the health of your chain. Make sure you do not over lobe your chain though
• Multi-Tool – These have all the bike-specific tools that might be needed to help fix a bike and get it back on the road.

Apparel

• Padded Cycling Shorts – Find which shorts brands you like the best!!! They are all very different and what is great for some is terrible for another.
• Wicking Shirt or Jersey – The wicking will help keep you cool during the hot part of the day. It is also nice when your shirt is quick-dry so you don’t have to worry about packing it wet.
• Camp Clothes – Having a change of clothes is great for the days off and you are exploring a town as well as in the evenings. Getting out of sweaty clothes can feel wonderful!!!
• Long Sleeve Shirt – For the cold evenings or to sleep.
• Long Pants – For the cold evenings or to sleep.
• Rain Jacket – Never know when or if the storm will hit but not getting fully drench is nice. Make sure you don’t keep it at the bottom of your bag.
• Socks – We like to have our biking socks and then out camp socks. We were spoiled on our Cowboy Trail ride. We received sleep socks as a gift and now want to bring them along with us all the time.
• Cooling Neck-up – Keep the sun off the back of the neck and cool your neck when wet.
• Cycling Shoes – Different terrains require different shoes. If you are on mostly smooth trails and then having a shoe that clips to a pedal is great. If you are riding on trails that are rough, not being clipped in is better. We both have a sandal summer cycling shoe and a closed-toe winter shoe.
• Sandals / Camp shoes – Walking around in cycling shes all the time is not fun and not ideal for the shoes. Many people bring flip-flops or easily packable sandals.
• Towel – We use a packable quick-dry towel to help save space and so that we ideally don’t have to deal with packing a wet towel. The towels are not as soft but still dry you off.
• Bathing Suit – You never know when you will run into a great place to swim. After a hot day getting into the water to clean yourself feels amazing!!!!
• Sweat Bands – We like to wear these under our helmets to keep the rubbing to a minimum as well as the seat from dripping in our eyes.
• Arm Covers – Keep the sun off the arms and use less sunscreen. Many of the arm covers are cooling so when wet they have a cooling effect on your skin. Wonderful on hot days.

Food

• Cooking Pans – Make sure they are the packable pans. If they all nicely fit together they will take up less space.
• Camping Stove – Only needed if you desire hot food or hot water for any reason.
• Lighter / Matches – Need somewhat to start your fire to heat the food. Plus you never know when a campsite will have a fire pit.
• Butter Knife – NEVER LEAVE WITHOUT ONE! They are easy to clean and can dig the remainder of food out of and can or jar. (I am looking at you peanut butter and refried beans)
• Snacks – With how far you bike daily having snacks easily accessible will keep everyone in good spirits and not hangry!!!
• Zip Lock Bags – Handy for a variety of different reasons some of which include storing food.
• Can Toppers – If you never plan on eating canned food these are not necessary. However, canned food is easily packable and lasts for a while.
• Water Filtration – It is so small and you never know when you will need it. Most of the time in the US you will be able to find drinkable water near trailheads or gas stations. However, we always carry it to be safe.
• Utensils (Eating and Cooking) – Unless you are hoping to eat everything with your fingers bring along a set for everyone. We also have a cooking spoon, spatula, knife, small cutting board.
• Seasonings – A little season can make or break any meal. We often look for seasonings at the local farmers’ market as well as always carry our staples.
• Soap and Sponge – Important to keep the pots and plates clean!!!
• Drying Towel – We carry a tea towel because it is small lightweight and dries fast.
• Can Opener – When shopping in small towns always finding can with the easy pull tab can be hard. We gave up and now always have a can opener. There are too many meals we eat from cans.
• Wine Opener – It also has a beer opener. You never know when you will find a great beer to try!!!

Miscellaneous

• Spare Batteries – Think of everything you are planning on using that needs a charge. (phone, speaker, bike lights, cameras, GPS, etc…) We have each have a large power banks and a few small ones. My large power bank can be charged by solar and has a home on top of my trunk bag.
• Sun Block – Keep your skin young and healthy as long as you can!!!
• Lip Balm – Bring your favorite kind and know when you are running low. I use it all the time!!!
• Bug Spray – Keep those suckers away during the evenings
• First Aid – Carrying a basic first aid is important. Know the items you use ofter (ibuprofen for us) and make sure you are stocked.
• Spare Toilet Paper – There is never a guarantee that any porta potty has toilet paper. You also never know when you are in the middle of nowhere and have to use the bathroom now!!!
• Hand Sanitizer – It is always better if you can wash your hands with soap and water however hand sanitizer is the next best thing.
• Wallet / Keys – How else are you going to pay for items?
• Toiletries – This list can be very short or very long. It depends a lot on your gender and your needs and wants.
• Bike Lights (front and Rear) – Important for cars to be able to see you. They are also handy if you arrive at camp late and need extra lights to set up your tent.
• Bike Lock – Some people on bike tours don’t bring this however I recommend it. You never know where you are going to be and when your only source of transportation is a bike it is important that it doesn’t roll away.
• GPS – This can be your phone or a special tracker like a Wahoo.
• Playing Cards – Many different games can be played to pass the time.
• Speaker – Help keep your motivation with some upbeat music. Play some celebration music when hitting milestones.
• Camping Chair – There are some very small and lightweight chairs available. Depending on where you plan to be staying will help decide if the weight and space are worth it.

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Your Bike Touring Checklist

Everyone check list will look a little different because everyone has different necessities. Everyone also values different items to make them comfortable on a ride. The best way for you to figure out what will be on your checklist is to go out and see what you use and what you cant live without. To get started make sure to check out our checklist below!!!

Download our Checklist for FREE!!!