Field nåtes

Bike touring

Tour biking over several days is a thrill. It gives a unique opportunity to experience tourism close to the local community, see a lot of places and bike a lot.
Here is some inspiration and tips for your next bike adventure.

Touring the streets of London
Bike café in Breda
Friesland in The Netherlands
Lofoten

What to bring?

There is many variants of bikepacking. Some prefer to bring as little as possible and sleep in a hotel. Others bring everytthing themselves. To use a gravel bike or a foldable bicycle is just some of the many options. The really eager even use unicycles.

Here is an example to be self sustained on the trip.

Recommended packing list for bikepacking.

Cycling clothing & gear

  • Cycling T-shirt
  • Cycling shorts
  • Hiking pants
  • Wool socks (2 pairs)
  • Boxers: 1 wool, 1 cotton
  • Wool base layer top
  • Mesh pants
  • Mesh top
  • Cycling shoes
  • Fleece jacket
  • Rain jacket
  • Rain pants
  • Wool hat
  • Wool neck gaiter (buff)
  • Wool gloves
  • Tourist clothes (to be a regular tourist as well)

Regular clothes

  • Regular T-shirt
  • Regular shirt
  • Running shoes / sneakers
  • (Regular pants)

Camping

  • Sleeping bag (as light as possible for the season)
  • Sleeping pad (small inflatable)
  • Tent (2-person)
  • Valuables

Important documents & navigation

  • Passport
  • Driver’s license
  • Bank cards (2)
  • Health insurance card
  • Compass
  • Map

Cooking

  • Cooking set (Jetboil and sandwich iron) (depends on whether you cook or buy food)
  • Lunchbox
  • Cup
  • Cutlery – fork, spoon, knife
  • Water bottles (at least 2 L; more if the area has limited water)

Toiletries

  • Toothbrush
  • Toothpaste
  • Sunscreen
  • Razor
  • Deodorant
  • Shampoo
  • Vaseline
  • Toilet paper
  • Nail scissors

Bike repair kit

  • Inner tube
  • Patch kit (glue and patches)
  • Spare chain links
  • (Spare spokes)
  • (Spare tire – tires wear faster than on an unloaded bike)
  • Wrenches
  • Allen keys
  • Bike pump
  • Electrical tape
  • Extra bolts and screws for the bike and rack (they can loosen from vibration)
  • Strap

First aid

  • Sports tape
  • Band-aids
  • Bandage
  • Scissors

Electronics

  • Camera (with charger)
  • Power banks
  • Mobile phone (with charger)
  • Power bank (with charger)
  • Universal adapter (for the country)
  • Headlamp
  • Strong rear light
  • Strong front light

Other equipment

  • Bike lock
  • Trash bag

Bikepacking splatten

Bikepacking through Britain