This is my packing list for a ~week long tour from Stockholm to Oslo (600 km) that I will start two days from now, minus the sleeping system + bike maintenance tools. There's not much reason behind this post, besides that I like to be organized, and I enjoy gear posts and talking about gear.
Image 1:
-Down jacket, windbreaker
-1/4 zip merino, long sleeve merino shirt, light 1/4 running shirt, hawaii shirt
-Running shorts, running trousers, merino boxers, 3x merino socks and sun sleeves
I could probably cut either the down jacket or the 2nd merino shirt, but neither item is very heavy, so I prefer to err on the side of warmth. The forecast is looking wet and cold, and this is enough to first cycle in one merino shirt, get wet, and then put on the other merino shirt + down jacket for dry warmth. Hawaii shirt is pulling double duty as warm weather shirt for on and off the bike.
Image 2:
-bib shorts, 3/4 bib tights
-xero sandals
-bandana scarf, camp towel, 2x microfiber clothes
-cycling gloves, fingerless gloves, merino glove liners
-cap, mosquito hat, merino headband, casual sunglasses
-rain poncho, toe warmers, helmet rain cover, shoe covers
I couldn't decide between bib shorts and 3/4's, so I decided to split the difference. The tights are slightly warmer and save a TON of sunscreen, so I generally prefer them. The shorts have a slightly better padding for me however. I have a lot of small items for rain protection and warmth here, but they take very little space and weight almost nothing. Most of these items I use day to day for commuting, so I know they work and will come likely come in handy. Rain poncho has proven its worth, especially for protecting my bike from rain overnight. Headband is important for cool cycling and sleeping in cold. I'm bringing the microfiber clothes to make it easy to wipe off hay pollen from face and clothes.
Image 3:
Here everything is as it looks. I have a lightweight backpack for easy carry off the bike, that will otherwise sit on the rear rack. Shoulder bag is for "civilian life" at my destination, but also doubles as a container for important items such as my passport. I'm bringing both wireless and wired headphones. Again, some might call this superfluous, but the headphones each weight 18g and take no space – I can use wireless when electricity is ample, and switch to wired when the battery dies, or when I want to conserve phone battery and turn off bluetooth. Very lightweight redundancy.
If you have tips, thoughts, disagreements or questions, I'd love to hear it!
by Tiemuuu