Author Topic: Your top 5 things to take on tour  (Read 31815 times)

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Offline tonupgilly

Re: Your top 5 things to take on tour
« Reply #15 on: July 15, 2011, 10:40:52 am »
Just back from my first mini-tour (with my hubby).  For what they are worth - these are my observations. Today was the fourth day of riding - definitely much harder than the previous three.  Didn't use most of the spare clothing I took - but then it was only four days and three nights. Could have done with a collapsible water carrier for the campsites -  we just had to walk across fields to the taps to get water in the kettle every time we wanted a cuppa.  Not a major issue, but a water carrier would have been nice.  Took two stoves to test  - most impressed with the trangia.  Other was a camping gaz, which works just fine, but obviously does not have integral pans, so will leave behind next time.  Had a cheap, lightweight kettle, but with trangia probably don't need that either.  Need at least one other drinks bottle - I only had one - not enough when it's hot and hilly.  Took a "FreeLoader" solar energy unit to recharge phone and Garmin. Had it strapped to top of luggage all day, but I found it only partially charged one of the items, so by the middle of today, the Garmin packed up altogether (it was off every night) and my phone was nearly dead, having been off most of the last two days to preserve charge.  Won't use a Garmin again, but will get a bike computer.  The FreeLoader might be ok where there is more intensity of sun than here in the UK.  As a touring newbie (but not to cycling) - need more energy snacks.  Had a good time though.  Hope you enjoy your trip LexieCali. Keep me posted how you get on - I'd be interested to know how you find a longer tour.

Offline Jason

Re: Your top 5 things to take on tour
« Reply #16 on: July 15, 2011, 01:22:29 pm »
light my fire spork....

seriously, beyond a bike, and maybe a bag or two for cross-country travel, the spork is the best thing I've ever purchased (for bike touring or otherwise...)


singlespeed touring - life generally requires just one speed.
Southern Tier, TransAm, tons of places in between.

Offline LexieCali

Re: Your top 5 things to take on tour
« Reply #17 on: July 16, 2011, 11:45:55 pm »
I just bought a Kindle to take. I guess you could debate whether that is essential or not.
Debatable or not, Kindle comes to my tour! ;)

Offline LexieCali

Re: Your top 5 things to take on tour
« Reply #18 on: July 16, 2011, 11:48:11 pm »
Shower brush.
Really?  I don't remember seeing that one on anyone's list before.

What is a shower brush may I ask? ???

Offline LexieCali

Re: Your top 5 things to take on tour
« Reply #19 on: July 17, 2011, 12:05:03 am »
Didn't use most of the spare clothing I took - but then it was only four days and three nights. Could have done with a collapsible water carrier for the campsites.Took two stoves to test  - most impressed with the trangia.  Took a "FreeLoader" solar energy unit to recharge phone and Garmin.
Hi Tuneupgilly:
Interestingly, I also find that I end up wearing a lot less clothes that I pack. Thanks for sharing your observation. Collapsible water carrier is something that did not occur to me. Also, trangia stove is something to consider. I have not found a stove so far that I actually like.

About the charger, something that I use is Spinpower S1 device (sold at bike2power.com and I think at amazon.com as well?), and I love it so far. It is a bicycle-mounted USB charger that charges anything that you can charge via USB. What I like about it the most is its dependability as well as my independence from an available electrical source. It captures your pedaling power, and charges your devices as you ride. I use it for my iphone, (used it for my small garmin GPS also, but now I have enough power to run GPS on my iphone), and previously used for my HTC smart phone. Solar energy chargers are not very efficient, even for me living in Southern California, and the battery packs depend on electricity, which is like dealing with another battery.

I am definitely going to update - leaving in a few weeks once the semester is over, and going to travel over the beautiful PCH along the coast. I am so excited!

Offline Shane

Re: Your top 5 things to take on tour
« Reply #20 on: July 17, 2011, 04:22:38 pm »
Kindle
Spork
Moisturizing cream(or nappy cream)
Ipod
The bottle

Offline LexieCali

Re: Your top 5 things to take on tour
« Reply #21 on: July 18, 2011, 01:18:34 am »

The bottle


The bottle? LOL. In my case, that would be the bottle with the funnel ;)

Offline Shane

Re: Your top 5 things to take on tour
« Reply #22 on: July 18, 2011, 05:40:39 am »
Just make sure the funnel is in the bottle or it gets  messy ???

Offline litespeed

Re: Your top 5 things to take on tour
« Reply #23 on: July 18, 2011, 08:25:46 am »
Headlamp with extra batteries, book, one of those fast drying chamois type towels, extra tubes, extra tire, leatherman with pliers.

The spare tire is really not a luxury. I have only cut a tire beyond repair once but that was enough. Also the leatherman-type tool. The pliers are really necessary to loosen a frozen tire valve nut.

I have lists - much revised over the years - for everything that goes in the panniers and handlebar bag. I still forget the occasional item but, absent minded as I am, it would be much worse without the lists.

As for the shower brush, I have often considered a brush that would allow one to wash one's back but it would be difficult to pack. Now if they only made a folding or telescoping one......
« Last Edit: July 18, 2011, 08:30:03 am by litespeed »

Offline staehpj1

Re: Your top 5 things to take on tour
« Reply #24 on: July 18, 2011, 09:47:19 am »
The spare tire is really not a luxury. I have only cut a tire beyond repair once but that was enough.
That was once in how many miles of riding?

These things are always a judgement call, but...
I have only been touring a few years so I have only toured 6000 miles or so, but over my 60 years I have certainly ridden hundreds of thousands of miles without ever having a cut tire that couldn't be stitched or booted well enough to ride to somewhere it could be replaced.  Worst case bumming a ride to the closest place that had a tire wouldn't be the end of the world.  To me a spare is definitely not worth carrying for on road touring in first world countries.

indyfabz

  • Guest
Re: Your top 5 things to take on tour
« Reply #25 on: July 18, 2011, 03:48:09 pm »

The bottle


The bottle? LOL. In my case, that would be the bottle with the funnel ;)

Not sure if you know this, but such products do exist.  I would give you a link but I cannot access it from work.

Offline tonupgilly

Re: Your top 5 things to take on tour
« Reply #26 on: July 18, 2011, 04:16:01 pm »
About the charger, something that I use is Spinpower S1 device

Hi Lexiecali.  The charger sounds a great idea - I didn't know such things existed.  As my Garmin is only a small device and can be charged via USB, it would be ideal and I'm sure I could find a USB attachment to do my phone too (only a basic model).  I will look into it - thank you.  My next trip will probably be in September - to Germany, starting in or near Koblenz to cycle the Moselle valley and returning alongside the Rhine.
I think there's a string running at the moment about spirit stoves - might be worth a look.

Enjoy your trip!

Offline maestroxo

Re: Your top 5 things to take on tour
« Reply #27 on: July 19, 2011, 03:58:01 am »
i havent travelled like most of you, but what i always bring, as it is very light and refreshing...spare soles for my shoes...lol. sometimes a small thing makes a difference...lol. fresh dry spongy soles? who could resist...

Offline popeyespal

Re: Your top 5 things to take on tour
« Reply #28 on: July 19, 2011, 02:45:54 pm »
All Hail the chamois towel!

Also carry....a method of emergency contact. (Phone/ Spot/ whatever)


Offline LexieCali

Re: Your top 5 things to take on tour
« Reply #29 on: July 19, 2011, 09:35:42 pm »
About the charger, something that I use is Spinpower S1 device
Hi Lexiecali.  The charger sounds a great idea - I didn't know such things existed. 

My next trip will probably be in September - to Germany, starting in or near Koblenz to cycle the Moselle valley and returning alongside the Rhine.

I think there's a string running at the moment about spirit stoves - might be worth a look.
Incidentally, I did not know about a charger either but I thought something like this must exist! That was when my iPhone died - I was running an app, and forgot to turn off the screen - and I was lost, wanted to use GPS, call someone to ask. So I got a little scared...and I started looking. Found Nokia's first but I do not have a Nokia. Then I looked into ewerk, reecharge, and pedal power (you may want to check them out too) but they were battery packs that also needed to be charged. And where would I find a power source in the middle of the tour?

You know what? - I am going to find my Garmin, I think I still have it, and see if it fits into Spinpower holder. I will upload a pic for you later.

Your next tour sounds like so much fun! I want to go to Europe on a tour but my budget is a little thin right now. Have fun!

I will check out the string on stoves, thank you for that too.