Travel Lists for Cyclists

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.

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): Pedal Dancer: Cycling Apparel

Travel Checklist for Cyclists (below):  1 CARRY-ON     1 SUITCASE      1 BIKE BOX

*Luggage Tags on all bags 

CARRY ON  rolling carry-on or backpack (in 3 parts)

In small PURSE or moneybelt in CARRY-ON (keep inside carry on at all times or on your body)

• Phone
• Airline tickets
• Passport / Drivers License
• Money/ ATM cards/ Credit cards / Medical Insurance card

STUFF SACK stored inside CARRY- ON, remove this bag for during flight access, store the main bag up top

• Book/magazine, reader / ipod / shuffle, nano
• Laptop / iPad
• water bottle (empty through security)                                          
• Food, snacks                                                                                            
• ear plugs / eye mask
• Tylenol / Meds / Chapstick       
• Mints / toothbrush / eyedrops
• small tissue pack / travel wipes / liquid soap

CARRY-ON bag (inside the 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

SUITCASE  with strap to attach rolling bike box  

  Toiletries

• All personal sundries (toiletries)
• Sunscreen lotion

  Miscellaneous

• 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)
  

  Clothes

• 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) 

*tips on packing clothes: 

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). Mix it up. 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.

*tips on fan clothing: 

In winter or cool months, a hat, scarf, gloves, and long ski 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

  Cycling Supplies                

• Chamoix crème, embrocation
• Food bars, replacement drinks (optional)
• Road I.D., identification, money
• Water proof bags to carry phone and small camera
• Bike lock (optional)
• Bike pump
• Extra inner tubes
• Allen wrench, tire lever, pedal wrench, bike lube, rags
• Extra cleats (optional)
• 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

  Seat Bag:                                        

• Tubes x2                                                  
• Allen wrenches                                               
• goo
• copy of ID/passport in seat bag 
• (*remove air cartridges, not allowed in any airplane luggage)

Supplies to buy at destination (if staying longer than 7 days)

• 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)

  Optional supplies (for longer stays or camping/picnics)

• 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

*It is a safe idea to leave a full itinerary, contact information, medical and financial information at home with family member. Also give your family contact information to your travel companions. 

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