Rolling away on two wheels with everything needed for a multiday voyage affixed to your bicycle can be extremely liberating. However, some cycle tourers may disagree, characterising it as uncomfortable, cumbersome, and unstable. While it’s true that a bike with cargo will feel different than one without, with a little guidance, you can arrange your belongings to remain accessible during the ride without significantly affecting the bike’s equilibrium and performance.
You will not require as much as you believe you will.
Beginner bike tourers frequently bring extra equipment, food, and apparel, which adds weight and takes up valuable space in panniers. It’s common to bring too much apparel (see the next tip), and you shouldn’t bring more than one day’s worth of food unless you’re biking in desolate areas without access to supermarkets or restaurants. Use a checklist to ensure you don’t neglect anything or bring too much. When contemplating the weight of the items you’re transporting, it’s important to examine the load limits of your bicycle and its front and rear racks.
Bring clothes for no more than three or four days.
It is simple to prepare more apparel than necessary. Therefore, for any journey lasting longer than a few days (including trips lasting weeks or even months), bring no more than three or four days’ worth of clothing (generally, shorter trips require less). You can wash your garments at launderettes or in sinks with travel detergent and then tie items to your rear rack to dry while riding. Also, when deciding what clothing to bring, remember that you will be in bicycling clothes far more often than off-bike clothes, so choose items that are comfortable for riding but functional for days off.
Pack only the necessary repair supplies.
Before embarking on a bicycle tour, you should have the knowledge and equipment necessary to repair a punctured tyre, tighten a loose bolt and replace a broken spoke. However, most motorcyclists do not need the skills or equipment to manage uncommon catastrophic failures. If you experience a major failure that cannot be resolved with a travel pump, spare tube, patch kit, spare spoke, and a basic cycle multitool, you may be better off seeking assistance from a local bike shop. Before packing these items, consider their utility while considering your route’s proximity to civilisation, your mechanical expertise, and the weight the items contribute to your cargo.
Organise your belongings when preparing.
When packing for a trip, spread everything out on the floor or your bed so that you can see everything you’re bringing. This will help you remember what to bring and prevent you from carrying unnecessary items. Then, you can organise your belongings using small stuff containers or plastic bags with zip-top closures. This is especially effective for clothing; pack one outfit per stuff sack or plastic bag, and when you’re ready for a change on your vacation, you only have to take a stuff sack or bag rather than searching for each item individually.