I'll be riding from Cologne to Paris over six days next week. I'll never be too far from civilization, so if I run out of food or water at any point, it shouldn't be much of a problem. I've also got Airbnbs booked for each of the five nights, and I think the days I have planned (between 50 and 130km) should all be manageable.
Here's what I'm planning to bring and where to pack it:
rear panniers:
– extra cycling clothes
– rain jacket
– one set of clothes and a pair of shoes for my three days in Paris
– tablet
– book
– picnic blanket
– video drone
– phone charger and cables
– essential toiletries
frame bag:
– spare inner tubes
– duct tape
– case for my glasses, energy bars/gels
– small first aid kit
top tube bag:
– powerbank
– bars/gels
– case for earbuds
– wallet
saddle bag:
– extra inner tube
– chain lube
– tyre levers
– multitool
backpack/handlebar bag (turns out my small cycling backpack doubles pretty well as a handlebar bag and I won't have to carry it after all):
– 2l hydration bladder
What am I missing? What should I leave at home? What should I do differently? What haven't I thought of yet?
by listening_partisan
19 Comments
Looks like a fun trop ! I don’t think you need chain lube for a short trip like that, but if it’s small and you feel safer with it, take it. Enjoy !
Damn, I’d love to see your self supported setup
I’m curious how much are you paying for the 5 nights at the airbnbs? I would consider to add a tent and sleep system and do some camping at least 2 or 3 days.
You forgot to bring the kitchen sink
My boy not only packed the credit card, but also his whole Gold Deposit in the panniers
Ditch the tablet, book and drone. If your not tired after riding you can explore. Ditch the rain gear. Ditch your riding shoes. 5000 mah battery max. Now you can Ditch your frame bag use water bottle cages. ( Ditch your bladder). Are you going to film your picnic with your cleats on in a park? No? Well then, Ditch the blanket.
This is your chance to travel light. Get it down to 6kg
A picnic blanket? Okay Yogi the Bear.
I very very rarely make the that’s a lot of stuff comment but if you don’t have camping gear, cooking, sleeping, what the heck are you carrying.
That’s a huge load for none of that.
I only ask because when I think of and do Cc touring I feel like the whole idea is go light and fast.
Also, no judgment, just curious what’s in the bags. My load is pretty big and I get annoyed by the that’s a lot of shit comments (but I pack for 2 and often in sub freezing overnight temps). Not everyone is going solo, eating cold food in mid summer temps and sleeping on bare ground. Some folks like that though and I appreciate that level of commitment.
Pure troppa roba … qui per 4 giorni
https://preview.redd.it/9qm2d9nr6i3h1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=79bc57dd83a1bb0bc9932c4303e211369f727dc3
6 days? Which bag has your kitchen sink in it?
Sounds amazing and so much fun! Do you need a bike lock for the trip?
Broski, carry a single spare tube and some patches.
Everything is “pretty small” on its own but then before you know it, you need a whole other bag to carry it. I’m not here to talk you out of bringing anything that you think you’d like to have on the trip, but there are a few opportunities to lighten the load if desired (I think folks are triggered because they think credit card touring usually means you can go super light). For me, a lighter and more nimble bike is more enjoyable to ride and less stuff to pack is less stuff to think about when packing up each morning. Either way, enjoy your trip!
I’m having a bit of fun. I took a huge book on my last tour!
I always pack a collapsible grocery bag so I can easily transport my laundry without removing bike bags. Pack less clothes and do more laundry.
I’d pick the book and leave the tablet. You already have a phone.
I also opted not to bring a drone to Europe since they’re not really allowed in cities? Didn’t feel like it was worth bringing it for the handful of times I would be able to fly it.
For a credit card ride you have plenty of luxery items
Less is more – is true for architecture AND bikepacking 🙂
Enjoy, but as you seem to ride in europe i wouldn’t ever take everything for every worst case scenario possible once basics are covered you can always get smth you miss on the way.
Too many things can take away the focus from the riding expierence i ve noticed
Are you wearing the bladder on your back or does that chill in your cockpit?
Lmao I really love how you’ve got the backpack on as a handlebar bag!
Is it just looped through the main straps or do you have some way of stopping it from hitting the front mudguard?