Our Complete Bike Touring Checklist
Worry-Free on your bike tour
The Complete Bike Touring Checklist
A well-organized packing list is the key to a successful cycling holiday. It’s like packing your dreams, ambitions, and adventures into your panniers. It helps you take all essential items with you and enjoy every moment without worrying about what you might have left behind. This comprehensive list includes everything from documents and clothing to tools and personal care, ensuring you’re ready for any challenge the road may bring.
Prepare Well!
Before you depart, it’s crucial to familiarize yourself with the destination, route, and weather. Check the weather forecasts and adjust your clothing choices accordingly. Consider the environment you’ll be cycling in and ensure you have appropriate clothing and gear to protect yourself against potential challenges like rain, sun, and insects.
Documents and Finances
As always, your personal documents are of utmost importance. Make sure you have your ID, driver’s license, passport, and any necessary visas with you. Make copies of these documents and keep them in a safe place, along with any insurance papers and reservation confirmations. Don’t forget your finances – bring enough cash, bank cards, and possibly a credit card.
Health and Safety
Your health and safety should always come first. A well-stocked first aid kit with essential medications, bandages, and insect repellents is a must. Ensure you have personal medications and a medical passport, especially if you have specific health needs. Hydration is also vital, so make sure you have enough water with you and possibly a water purification system for the road. This adds even more enjoyment to your cycling trip.
Going to cold areas? Consider a good thermos to carry a warm meal.
Clothing and Gear
Your clothing and gear determine not only your comfort but also your safety while cycling. Choose breathable and lightweight clothing suitable for various weather conditions. A well-fitting bike helmet, gloves, and cycling shoes are essential to protect yourself from injury and fatigue. Don’t forget to bring a rain jacket, sunscreen, and insect spray to protect yourself from the elements.
Make sure you know everything about your destination, route, and weather before you leave. Adjust your clothing to the weather forecasts and the environment. Cycling through mountainous areas? Check your hiking boots. Prefer the coastline? Don’t forget to bring snorkel sets!
Bike and Bike Equipment
Of course, your bike is the most important companion on your journey. Carefully check that your bike is in good condition before departure. Make sure the tires are pumped, the brakes work well, and all parts are securely fastened. Bring the necessary tools to perform minor repairs on the road, such as tire repair kits, a chain tool, hex keys, and spare parts. A good bike computer and navigation system can help you stay on course and discover new routes.
Your first aid kit is your best friend. Fill it with medications, bandages, and insect repellents. Also, think of personal medications and a medical passport.
Personal Care
While on the road, personal care is of great importance. Good hygiene keeps you healthy and comfortable. Bring toiletries, towels, sunscreen, and insect spray. Don’t forget to drink enough water and have healthy snacks on hand to keep your energy levels up.oudt je gezond en comfortabel. Neem toiletartikelen, handdoeken, zonnebrandcrème en insectenspray mee. Vergeet niet om voldoende water te drinken en gezonde snacks bij de hand te hebben om je energie op peil te houden.
The Ultimate Cycling Packing List:
Documents, Money, and Permits:
- Membership Cards
- Travel Insurance
- Cancellation Insurance
- European Roadside Assistance
- Bank card, credit card, Cash
- Accommodation reservation confirmation
- Toll badge (optional)
- Highway vignette, Environmental sticker
- PIN codes, PUK code phone
- Phone number for blocking bank card/credit card
- Driver’s license, Passport/ID card
- Car registration certificate, Charging card for electric car
- Green card for car, European accident report form
- Copies of important documents
Health:
- First aid kit
- Thermometer
- Medications
- Insect repellent
- ORS (Oral Rehydration Salts)
- Norit (activated charcoal)
- Paracetamol
- Safety pins
Personal Gear:
- Toiletries
- Towels
- Beach towel
- Toilet paper
- Slippers/Sports shoes
- Underwear
- Nightwear
- Socks
- Sweaters
- Pants
- Sportswear
- Swimwear
- Rain gear
- Umbrella
- (Wind)jacket
- Hat/Cap against the sun
- Shoes
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen, Aftersun
- Hand sanitizer
- Hairdryer
- Contact lenses/Spare glasses, Lens solution
- Lip balm
For Cycling:
- Bike
- Water bottle
- Bike computer
- Extra lock
- Panniers
- Tire repair kit
- Spare gear cable
- Hex keys
- Chain tool
- Screwdriver set
- Bike pump
- Spare inner tube
- Spare outer tire
- Chain oil and brush
- Duct tape
- Route book/Map GPS and extra batteries
- Wrenches
- Spoke wrench
- Pliers and sharp knife
- Pedal wrench (for flights)
- Spare derailleur cable
- Brake pads
- Spare brake cable
- Zip ties
- Spare spokes
- Valve adapter
- Spare chain link
- Cleaning cloth
- Spare keys
- Bike helmet
- Cycling jersey
- Cycling shorts
- Cycling shoes
- Cycling socks
- Cycling gloves
Electric Equipment:
- Mobile phone and charger
- Headphones
- Batteries
- Camera and memory card(s)
- Extra camera battery
- Tripod for camera
- World adapter
- Power bank
Before You Leave Home:
- Save important addresses/phone numbers in your phone
- Leave vacation address
- Temporarily stop newspaper delivery
- Arrange plant care
- Arrange pet care
- Empty the fridge
- Set thermostat to ‘Away’
- Close windows
- Unplug electrical devices
- Burglary prevention
- Empty trash can
- Empty fruit bowl
- Leave a light on a timer
Clothing:
- Bike helmet
- Reflective vest
- Buff
- Synthetic T-shirts
- Merino wool shirt
- Fleece sweater/jacket
- Windbreaker
- Breathable rain jacket
- Pants and waterproof socks
- Waterproof gloves
- Short (cycling) shorts
- Long zip-off cycling pants
- Cycling shorts
- Underwear
- Bras
- Socks
- Swimwear
- Thermal clothing
- Merino wool clothing
- Cycling shoes
- Slippers
- Cycling gloves
- Mosquito head net (Sweden/Finland)
Cooking Supplies:
- Plates and mugs
- Unbreakable lexan or ceramic cutlery + paring knife
- Can opener
- Wooden spatula
- Pans
- Reusable tubes (butter & jam)
- Ziploc bags
- Jetboil
- Gasoline or gas stove
- Windshield for stove
- Spare parts for gasoline stove
- Fuel bottle
- Matches (waterproof)/lighter
- Sugar, tea, powdered milk, instant coffee
- Instant soup
- Water filter (gravity)
- Water bags (10 liters)
- Emergency rations, rice/pasta
- Pepper and salt
- Dishwashing liquid, Scouring pad, and tea towel
Sleeping and Tent Supplies:
- Tent
- Spare pole/repair sleeve
- Unbendable aluminum stakes
- Pegless or smart clothesline
- Groundsheet
- Sleeping pads Exped Thermarest (7 cm thick)
- Sleeping bags/liners
- Pillowcases or Exped/Cocoon pillow
- Earplugs
- Mosquito net (impregnated)
- Chair (for frequent camping)
First Aid Kit:
- Small scissors
- Elastic and normal bandage
- Gauze and wound compress
- Bandage gauze and clips
- Plasters
- Dermaplast
- Betadine ointment
- Tiger balm
- Menthol talcum powder
- Norit and Imodium
- Paracetamol
- ORS
- Birth control pills and vitamins
- Light antibiotic course
- Malaria prophylaxis
- Vaccinations
- Safety pins
- Thermometer
- Splinter tweezers
- Emergency whistles
- Thread & needle
- Sterile injection needles, syringes, suturing needles
- Tick remover
- ReSkin
- Water purification tablets
Miscellaneous:
- Documents with copies (Passport, Driver’s license, Vaccination passport, etc.)
- Smartphone/iPhone with apps
- Power pack
- Unlocked phone card/GSM
- Money belt
- Cash
- Fake safe
- Notebook and writing materials
- Straps
- Headlamp
- Camera with spare batteries and charger
- Memory cards and SSD hard drive for backup
- iPad or notebook computer
- Lens tissues
- Small binoculars
- Alarm clock/Watch
- GPS or Smartphone App with odometer
- Pen (no pencil)
- Pocket knives
- Jumper cables
- Trash bag
- Plastic shopping bag
- Flexible lock
- Bike net or luggage nets
- Extra nylon bag
- Combination lock
- Bungee cords
- Secondary lock or U-lock
- Tire Alert
Tools and Maintenance
- Wide tape and thick marker (for the airport)
- 15 wrench (for pedals at the airport)
- Hex keys and Torx 20 and 25
- Tire repair kit and tire levers
- New solution
- Chain oil
- Chain tool (x2 for certainty)
- Bike pump with pressure gauge
- Screwdriver
- Bahco and ring wrenches
- Swiss army knife or multitool
- Chain link (quick link)
- Spoke wrench
- Saddle spanner (Brooks saddles)
- Ortlieb repair kit
- Emergency repair kit
- Hose clamps, zip ties, and Ducktape
- Fiberfix Spoke or spare spokes
- Stainless steel spare cables for derailleurs and brakes
- Spare bolts M5 and M6 with washers and nuts
- Spare inner tube
- Outer tire patch
- Spare brake pads
- Spare brake cable
- Zip ties
- Spare spokes
- Valve adapter
- Spare chain link
- Spare keys
- Bottom bracket tool
- Metal saw for bottom bracket
Your Cycling Adventure Can Begin
With this comprehensive packing list, you are ready to start your cycling adventure. Whether you choose breathtaking mountains, scenic coastal roads, or peaceful rural paths, this list ensures you won’t forget any essentials. A well-planned cycling holiday gives you the freedom to enjoy the beauty of the world around you, meet new people, and create unforgettable memories. So get your bike out, follow the packing list, and head out for an adventure you will cherish for a long time. Enjoy and safe travels!
Are there any items missing from this list? Leave a message in the comments, and we will add it. Together, we help each other to have a bike trip without forgotten items. Thanks in advance from us and other people who love to go on a bikation. 😉