Guess what I am doing - packing for an adventure
Time to pack! What to bring, what to bring? I have two big trips coming up this year, my first trip is to Belgium, Italy, and France. This fun journey is focused around being a fan at the Tour of Flanders and the Paris-Roubaix in April. It also includes a quick side trip to Florence, Italy, to visit my niece Kristina who is studying architecture for the year in Italy and Switzerland.
I had a romantic notion of traveling unencumbered to Europe as a simple fan, with a camera and one small bag. Concentrating on packing light but right for a mix of country mud and city cobbles, with no bicycle. That is right - no bike. This is the first trip in a long time when I will not be bringing a bike with me to Europe. Although I admit my small romantic bag grew in size when I was given the added task of exporting Belgian beer back to the United States for friends in Denver (FMVC). Oh well, beer is romantic - right?
My second adventure will be to France in July for the Tour de France. This will be the typical bike case, suitcase, backpack type of trip. I have a friend who claims he only brings one carry on bag on his bike trips to France. I was mighty impressed. I've never been able to pack that light for a cycling + hiking + city tourist adventure. Here I offer what I have learned about packing lists for cyclist travelers to help you decide what to bring on your next adventure. Bon voyage.
Travel Checklist for Cyclists : 1 CARRY-ON | 1 SUITCASE | 1 BIKE BOX
*Luggage Tags on all bags
CARRY ON rolling carry-on or backpack (in 3 parts)
CARRY-ON bag (main bag)
SUITCASE with strap to attach rolling bike box
Miscellaneous
I pack by purpose, not everything needs to match, because I will not be wearing everything at the same time. I need a comfortable outfit for plane travel, 2-3 outfits to change into after riding or for being a tourist, 1 to hike in, 1-2 for dinner out, 1-2 city outfits (black is safe). 3 outfits should be adaptable to cold and 3 adaptable to hot weather, including warm rain. If you go for black in the cities, color in the countryside, you will fit in.
*tips on washing clothes:
Most of the time I am able to do laundry in the hotel at least every 3 days, so bring at least 3 days of cycling clothes. In the summertime cycling clothes will dry in 1 day (not always for the next morning), in spring and fall seasons, allow 2 days to dry, in winter 3 days. You can also find laundromats to wash and dry clothes quickly, located in cities or sometimes next to markets in France.I buy hand washing soap while on my travels, I do not bring heavy liquid from home.
*tips on TDF fan clothing:
In winter or cool months, a hat, scarf, gloves, and wool socks or running tights will keep you warm when standing outside for long periods. During the hot days of summer remember it gets cold on mountain tops, bring a rain jacket, cap, and knee warmers. Bring a very light pair of flip-flop sandals to carry with you for standing around at TDF stages, so you will not have to wear your cycling shoes for hours.
Cycling clothes
BIKE BOX
Packing a bike case: Pedal Dancer: How to pack a bike box for Travel
Travel tips for cyclists: Pedal Dancer: Packing Tips for Cyclists
Dressing in layers (by temperature, for cyclists): Dressing for the Weather in Cycling
Time to pack! What to bring, what to bring? I have two big trips coming up this year, my first trip is to Belgium, Italy, and France. This fun journey is focused around being a fan at the Tour of Flanders and the Paris-Roubaix in April. It also includes a quick side trip to Florence, Italy, to visit my niece Kristina who is studying architecture for the year in Italy and Switzerland.
I had a romantic notion of traveling unencumbered to Europe as a simple fan, with a camera and one small bag. Concentrating on packing light but right for a mix of country mud and city cobbles, with no bicycle. That is right - no bike. This is the first trip in a long time when I will not be bringing a bike with me to Europe. Although I admit my small romantic bag grew in size when I was given the added task of exporting Belgian beer back to the United States for friends in Denver (FMVC). Oh well, beer is romantic - right?
My second adventure will be to France in July for the Tour de France. This will be the typical bike case, suitcase, backpack type of trip. I have a friend who claims he only brings one carry on bag on his bike trips to France. I was mighty impressed. I've never been able to pack that light for a cycling + hiking + city tourist adventure. Here I offer what I have learned about packing lists for cyclist travelers to help you decide what to bring on your next adventure. Bon voyage.
Travel Checklist for Cyclists : 1 CARRY-ON | 1 SUITCASE | 1 BIKE BOX
*Luggage Tags on all bags
CARRY ON rolling carry-on or backpack (in 3 parts)
CARRY-ON bag (main bag)
- Cycling shoes
- Bike pedals (I carry them on in case the bike case is lost in flight)
- Sun Glasses – x2 pairs (cycling and casual)
- Eye Glasses/contact lenses / Rx (eyes)
- Medications / Rx (meds)
- Camera /extra memory cards & extra battery
- Travel Documents: Travel Book / Maps / Itinerary / Contact List / Directions
- All battery chargers / cords / adapters
- Phone
- Airline tickets
- wallet
- Book/magazine, i/pad or reader
- Laptop
- water bottle (empty through security)
- Food
- ear plugs / eye mask
- Tylenol / Meds / Chapstick
- Mints / toothbrush / eyedrops
- small tissue pack / travel wipes / liquid soap
SUITCASE with strap to attach rolling bike box
Miscellaneous
- All personal sundries (toiletries)
- Sunscreen lotion
- Light weight power strip (to charge all devices)
- Alarm Clock/or phone
- Plastic multiple hanger / clothesline (cord) and clothespins (for washing clothes)
- Large plastic bags x2 (groceries)
- Small plastic baggies for food storage (picnics and food while cycling)
- Small flashlight/headlamp
- Wine opener, beer opener
- Extra napsacks (for later storage)
- Photocopies of essential information: passport, credit card contact #s (hidden in suit case) (in case of theft of backpack/purse)
- Locks/ lock keys for later storage (for storage at hotels and train stations)
- small gifts for your hosts (optional)
- Plane: pants, shirt, lightweight fleece or cashmere sweater, compression socks >
- pants / capris / skirts / dresses / shorts (x3-5)
- Shirts for hot and cold weather (layers) (x5-8)
- Sweater or vest
- Rain jacket
- Jacket for cool nights (city) (get a nice one that can be used on or off the bike)
- Shoes x2-3 pairs (lots of walking in mixed weather conditions), and sandals
- Underwear, socks (x5-7), compression socks (for plane)
- Pajamas
- Swimsuit (optional)
- Jewelry – very simple
- Hat for sun, and hat for warmth
- Scarf / gloves (for cold weather)
I pack by purpose, not everything needs to match, because I will not be wearing everything at the same time. I need a comfortable outfit for plane travel, 2-3 outfits to change into after riding or for being a tourist, 1 to hike in, 1-2 for dinner out, 1-2 city outfits (black is safe). 3 outfits should be adaptable to cold and 3 adaptable to hot weather, including warm rain. If you go for black in the cities, color in the countryside, you will fit in.
*tips on washing clothes:
Most of the time I am able to do laundry in the hotel at least every 3 days, so bring at least 3 days of cycling clothes. In the summertime cycling clothes will dry in 1 day (not always for the next morning), in spring and fall seasons, allow 2 days to dry, in winter 3 days. You can also find laundromats to wash and dry clothes quickly, located in cities or sometimes next to markets in France.I buy hand washing soap while on my travels, I do not bring heavy liquid from home.
*tips on TDF fan clothing:
In winter or cool months, a hat, scarf, gloves, and wool socks or running tights will keep you warm when standing outside for long periods. During the hot days of summer remember it gets cold on mountain tops, bring a rain jacket, cap, and knee warmers. Bring a very light pair of flip-flop sandals to carry with you for standing around at TDF stages, so you will not have to wear your cycling shoes for hours.
Cycling clothes
- Helmet (I usually carry-on)
- Cycling jerseys – x3
- Cycling shorts – x3
- Cycling socks – x4
- Arm Warmers
- Knee Warmers
- Vest – x1
- Cycling rain jacket – x1
- Gloves ½ x2
- Gloves – full x1 (winter if cold)
- Skull cap (mtn top finishes)
- bike shoes (carry on plane)
- *check weather – for colder layers, shoe covers, tights, warm jacket, etc.
- Road I.D. - order one for national and one for international riding
- Chamoix crème, embrocation
- Replacement drinks (optional)
- Road I.D., identification, money
- Water proof bags to carry phone and small camera
- bike lock (optional)
- Bike pump (small pump on bike, large pump - buy or barrow at location)
- Extra inner tubes
- Allen wrench, tire lever, pedal wrench, bike lube, rag (as needed)
- Extra cleats (optional, or change prior to departure)
- New tires, or tires in very good condition
- Bike geometry measurements (optional)
- *complete bike check to be done before departure
- Road chalk, flags, hats, etc. (optional for fans)
BIKE BOX
- ID tag on outside; also label inside case with name and address >
- Bike (see link to packing instructions above)
- 2 empty water bottles
- Foam /foam tubes /rags /plastic zip ties for packing
- *any tools used to disassemble the bike
- *remove pedals and carry-on, or tape securely inside bike box
- tire levers
- innertubes
- tools
- copy of ID/passport in seat bag
- (*remove air cartridges, not allowed in any airplane luggage)
- Shampoo, soaps, or any heavy liquids (bring 1st night's supplies with you)
- Baby wipes, small wash cloth (to rinse off immediately after riding)
- Laundry soap (for hand-washing)
- Spoon, fork, knife, glasses (for picnics and drinks)
- Cooler bag (day storage of food)
- Floor pump (better tire pressure)
- Sponge to clean bikes
- 1-2 light cheap blankets to cover luggage/bikes while stored in car
- Air cartridges for bike
Packing a bike case: Pedal Dancer: How to pack a bike box for Travel
Travel tips for cyclists: Pedal Dancer: Packing Tips for Cyclists
Dressing in layers (by temperature, for cyclists): Dressing for the Weather in Cycling