I’ve experimented with various combinations of equipment over the years but I’ve finally narrowed it down to what I call my ‘generic packing list.’ It can be simply adapted, depending on which country or time of year. It looks an incredibly long list but trust me, all will fit easily into 4 small pannier bags. Since a lot of kit was chosen for their ultra-lite qualities, I also use them for long-distance hiking. Feel free to use my kit list to assist you with making your own. There are notes at the bottom of the page for things which I feel may require further explanation.
Camping
Thermorest
Travel pillow
Wind up head torch
Lightweight foldable camping chair (4)
Toiletries
Deodorant
Travel towel
Comb
Nail scissors
Moisturiser (SPF 15) for face, lips and hands
Toothpaste
Toothbrush
Hair clip
Mascara
Tampons
Toilet roll
Contraceptives
Tampons
Razor
Small hand mirror
Cotton buds
Cooking
MSR stove & fuel bottle
MSR cooking kit
Drinking mug (doubles as a glass)
Bowl (doubles as a plate)
Fold up spork or set of lightweight cutlery
MSR kettle and saucepan
Penknife
Clothes
Cycle helmet
Gore-Tex coat
2 pairs cycle shorts
2 shirts (long-sleeved, lightweight, fast-drying, SPF 50, Mosquito resistant) (9)
2 pairs of zip-off hiking trousers (lightweight, fast-drying, SPF 50, Mosquito resistant) (10)
Short sleeved cycling top
Baseball cap/other brimmed sun hat
Head scarf
4 pairs of socks
4 pairs of underwear
2 sports bras
Secret money belt
Lightweight dress that doubles up as nightie
Cycling gloves
Waterproof gloves
Swimming costume
Sweat band
Sam Brown fluorescent belt
Bicycle Kit
2 x Ortlieb rear panniers
2 x homemade front panniers
Rear rack
Front rack (I use a mountain bike front rack)
Front and rear lights
CTC Cycling UK Plastic Bike Bag (14)
Bungee cords x3
Handlebar mirror
3 x Thermal water bottles
Bike lock
Bike tools
Set of Allen (Hex) Keys
Bicycle pump
Puncture repair kit
2 spare inner tubes
Spare folding tyre
Pedal spanner
Philip’s screwdriver
Cable ties
Chain oil
Spoke key
Chain splitter tool
General
Passport with any required visas
Plane tickets
Driving licence
I-pod and earphones
Camera and charge lead
Mobile phone and charge lead
Charge bank
Portable radio
Garmin GPS unit
Maps and clear map case
Kindle
Debit card
Credit card
Post Office Travel Card (UK) (18)
Travel Insurance Documents with emergency phone number
Photocopy of passport and credit/debit card details (19)
Spare passport photos
Money belt/bum bag (fanny pack)
Plug adapter
YHA membership card
Freestanding mosquito net (20)
Face masks
Anti-bacterial gel
Sunglasses
Reading glasses
Medicines
Supply of any prescribed medications with prescription note from your doctor (22)
Anti-malarial tablets
Ibuprofen
Paracetamol
Anti-diarrhoea tablets
Anti-sickness tablets
Antihistamines
Mosquito spray
Electrolyte powder
Vaseline
Sunscreen
Cotton wool
Antiseptic cream
Plasters
Tiger balm or other deep heat gel (24)
Explanatory notes
(1) If I am travelling solo, I use my Hilleberg Akto 1-man tent or when there are two of us, we use a MSR Mutha Hubba 3-man tent. Both are lightweight and were chosen because it’s possible to erect the inner skins on their own and use them as free-standing mosquito nets.
(2) Rab Ignition 2
(3) Can make a sleeping bag much, much warmer or if it’s very hot, you can sleep solely in the silk liner. Also comes in handy when staying in hotels of dubious cleanliness where I use them in conjunction with a Thermorest: sleeping on top of the bed rather than in it.
(4) A recent addition to my kit list. As I approach 50, my back can no longer tolerate evenings spent sitting on the ground.
(5) Doubles up as soap and laundry detergent.
(6) I found mine in a hotel in USA many years ago and never travel without it. Works in sinks and baths.
(7) Don’t take on a plane
(8) Perfect for storing leftover food.
(9) If it’s very hot, I’ve found the coolest clothing-combo is to wear my mesh vest under a lightweight shirt. Long sleeves save me having to reapply sunscreen every hour when sweating profusely.
(10) In very hot countries, I like to wear trousers over my cycle shorts to stop my legs from burning AND prevents mosquito bites.
(11) See number 10.
(12) You could just take sandals but whatever you do, make sure sandal soles are thick enough to withstand pedalling or the soles of your feet could end up sore. You could just take trainers but I like having a different pair of shoes to change into of an evening. Sandals are also great to wear to the beach or in camping ground showers with dubious cleanliness.
(13) For years, I used a purpose made cyclist’s handlebar bag but since you need both hands to open one, I found it annoying to have to stop whenever I needed to put something away. Now I use a basket, I can just chuck things e.g., my sunglasses into it as I ride. I use the basket in conjunction with a mountain bike rack which prevents the basket touching my front wheel.
(14) Most plane/trains these days require a bicycle to be semi-dismantled and boxed or bagged for transportation. No problem on the outbound journeys since you can get a bike box from almost any cycle shop (they throw plenty away). Coming home, it might not be possible to find a bike box so this is where bike bags come in. Most airlines will accept a bicycle in one of these clear plastic bags (you’ll need to tape it up). The bags come folded and take up minimal room in a pannier bag. Just be warned, they won’t provide the same level of protection as a box but it’s better than an airline refusing to take your bicycle home.
(15) Only necessary when dismantling the bicycle is required for transportation
(16) For bird, wild elephant and dolphin spotting.
(17) For sleeping on planes, trains, and noisy hotels. Eye mask handy is when camping somewhere where the sun comes up at 4am.
(18) Load it up with any one of 23 currencies (you can easily add more using the App) and use it like a debit card without the 3% charge most banks slap on to every transaction.
(19) Keep these in a separate place to your actual passport. If passport should get lost or stolen, it will make applying for an emergency passport a thousand times easier.
(20) If you’re worried about mosquitos and particularly if you think you might be staying in accommodation without adequate netting, this could be a good option.
(21) Can be used for day trips off of the bike. I carry all my valuables in my mini rucksack and ride with it in my handlebar basket, for easy access. However, since the time a passing motorcyclist snatched my bag, I always fasten it securely to the basket now.
(22) You can buy most of these medicines over the counter in just about every country but it can be reassuring to have them to hand, especially if you are travelling solo or are travelling in remote place. Check government website for each country you travel very carefully regarding which medicines are and aren’t allowed and always, ALWAYS have the required letter from your doctor. I once took prescribed co-codamol to Thailand for my back pain, not realising I needed a letter from my GP. Thankfully, no one searched my bags, or I’d have been in very hot water.
(23) If you are out in the wilderness and away from taps or shops and do thorough research on which ones are best. Since I’ve never been in a situation where I’ve needed to use them, I don’t have any advice on the matter.
(24) Tiger Balm is the best and most effective deep heat rub for sore muscles that I’ve ever used. I also use a blob of it on my mosquito bites. It cools them down and stops them from itching.
(25) If I was going to be travelling solo to a remote location, I would ask my doctor to prescribe me a course of a general-purpose antibiotics, just in case and I would pay for them as a private prescription. However, I’m not sure what all GPs would think about such a request; I’ve yet to ask my new doctor.