Bike & bags
Bike
A pretty obvious item to take! The main thing to consider for a bike is making sure that it's comfortable, given that you'll be riding it for 1,000 miles.
Whilst almost any bike can be used, an ideal bike will have low gears for the hills, and have strong, durable components (which thankfully does not mean top of the range expensive parts - midrange is often the best). I'd strongly advise making sure you have good strong wheels with good spokes - remember, your bike will be heavier than normal with all the gear you're carrying.
It can also be worth checking out this great guide to touring bikes. It's written by Tom Allen, a cyclist who's been travelling the world by bike for over 10 years and knows a thing or two about bikes.
Tyres
Schwalbe Marathon Plus Tour
Punctures can easily ruin your day and slow your progress down. The 'Schwalbe Marathon Plus Tour' tyres are very common amongst long distance cycle tourers thanks to their incredible puncture resistance - in over 5,000 miles of cycle touring I've only ever had 1 puncture using these tyres (and that was only when the tyre was very worn and long overdue for changing).
You might be trading off a little extra weight and rolling resistance by getting puncture resistant tyres (whether it's these Schwalbe ones or others), but in my opinion is easily worth it.
Rear Panniers
Ortlieb Back Roller Plus QL2.1
Ortlieb are the most popular pannier brand and with good reason - they're great quality and 100% waterproof. I opted for the larger ones (the "Pro" range) to be able to pack more stuff in; as I said I'm not a light packer! (although I had loads of spare room)
Buy from:
Edinburgh Bicycle Cooperative
Front Panniers
Ortlieb Sport Roller Plus QL2.1
For a LEJOG ride then front panniers aren't often needed; you should be able to fit everything you need (and then some) into your rear panniers. If you do need front panniers though, either for the extra space (such as if you're camping & therefore carrying more gear), or simply if you want to balance the weight distribution, then these Ortlieb ones are great.
Buy from:
Edinburgh Bicycle Cooperative
Handlebar bag
Ortlieb Ultimate 6 Classic handlebar bag (large)
This handlebar bag is spacious enough to store all the gear that I need easy access to such as my phone, camera, spare battery pack, wallet, inhalers, and suncream. It helps to counterbalance the weight of the rear panniers somewhat, and being quick release with a shoulder strap means I can take my valuables with me if I leave the bike somewhere.
Buy from:
SJS Cycles
Top bar bag
Altura Vortex 2 Waterproof Top Tube Pack Bag
Saddle bag
Topeak Aero Wedge Saddle Bag (medium)
Pedals
Look Trail Grip Pedal
I prefer flat pedals to clip-ins, although that's a personal choice. For years I was searching for good flat pedals that weren't the mountain bike type with the metal spikes that draw blood whenever I bash my shins into them when walking the bike.
These ones from Look are perfect - they have good grip (even if admittedly they don't have quite as much grip as spiked pedals do), there are no spikes to ruin the soles of my shoes, and they have a large surface area and are strong. I first used them on my round-the-UK coast trip and love them.
Kickstand
BV Rugged Adjustable Kickstand
A kickstand is really useful as it means I don't need to keep putting my (very heavy) bike down on the floor. Whichever kickstand you go for (if you choose to have one) then make sure it's a heavy duty one that's capable of supporting heavily-laden touring bikes.
Water bottles
My LEJOG bike had attachments for 3 water bottles although generally I only ever had two filled at a time; one with just water and one with an energy powder mixed in.
On my European tour in 2018 I had attachments for 5 bottles on my bike. The weather reached over 30 degrees C on many days - and on those days I often drank all 5 bottles dry!
Navigation & other electronics
Laptop
Microsoft Surface Pro
I take a laptop with me on tours to be able to do route planning on the go as well as other work in the evening (obviously not everyone takes a laptop though!). The Surface Pro is ideal as it's small and incredibly lightweight - even with the charger it's still under 1kg.
Navigation
Garmin Edge 1000-series
I would be quite literally lost without this! The 1000-series (the most recent version being the Edge 1040) have a large screen that's useful for displaying the map. See here for how to upload route files to it.
Trip recording
Garmin Edge 500-series
Having two Garmin's is admittedly a luxury, but whilst I tend to keep my larger Edge on the map display for navigating, I use this one to display various details such as my speed and distance.
It also proved invaluable on my round-the-UK-coast trip when my Edge 1040 broke with a couple of weeks of the trip still to go, as I was able to then use this to navigate with instead.
Battery pack
Anker PowerCore 13000 Power Bank
The spare battery pack I take has proved crucial on more than one occasion for powering my GPS when I forget to recharge it, and is also really useful for keeping my phone battery topped up during the day too. There's loads of battery packs available; this one that I took with me on my 2022 trip has a high capacity (13000mAh giving me about 3 charges of my iPhone), is lightweight, and has a fast output to boot.
USB plug adaptor
Lencent Multi USB Wall Charger
Camera
Sony RX100
I love my photography and so a good camera is a must for me. iPhones take fantastic photos these days but the photos they take aren't quite at the level of a dedicated camera just yet.
This camera (which took all the landscape photos on this website) is small yet brilliant quality and takes RAW format images too. Don't forget to pack a spare battery and memory card too, as well as any cables or units for charging the batteries.
Selfie stick
When doing such a big journey you might naturally want a few photos of yourself for the memories. If you're travelling by yourself then this can be difficult, especially in remote places where no-one is around to ask to take one for you, so a good lightweight selfie can be handy to have. Remember to also get a bluetooth remote shutter trigger too, if the selfie stick you get doesn't already have this.
Safety & security
Helmet
No explanation needed!
Mirror
Mirrycle Mountain Bike Mirror
A mirror is something I won't be without now; I just find them incredibly useful to see what is behind at a glance.
On my LEJOG trip I used these Mirrcycle mirrors; a good alternative that I use now are the bike mirrors from Decathlon. They're cheap and are also a larger mirror for even better visibility.
Rear radar
Garmin Varia
For a long time I'd seen these devices on the market and thought why would I need a rear radar on my bike? But then I tried it, and wow! In the countryside, where you might not see a car for miles and forget to therefore regularly check mirrors, then this device comes into it's own (it's pointless in the city). On my LEJOG ride I once happened to glance in my mirror to find a coach was following me along a country road - it was so silent (even once I knew it was there) that I had no idea it was there or how long it had been following me for!!
If a vehicle is approaching then it sounds a beep and displays a moving dot on the Garmin Edge GPS unit. Handily it also doubles up as a rear light.
Front Light
Moon Orion-W
Rear Light
Moon Nebula
Bike D-lock
Abus Granit X-Plus 540
Bike cable lock
Kryptonite Kryptoflex Cable Lock
Bike cable lock
Kryptonite Kryptoflex Seatsaver
This short lightweight cable is useful for helping to secure my panniers to my bike, although the level of security is minimal (thieves could have simply cut the fabric handles of the panniers). I don't plan on taking this again. See the Safety & Security page for more details.
First aid kit
Lifesystems Pocket First Aid Kit
Antiseptic wipes
There's nothing worse than stopping to fix the bike, and not having anything to clean the oil or muck off my hands with! I always look for ones that are antiseptic as well.
Buy from: Boots
Medical supplies
In addition I pack a few other lightweight medical supplies, including:
- Suncream
- Antiseptic cream
- Bite & sting cream (I've needed this several times!)
- Antihistamine tablets
- Ibuprofen
- Lemsip tablets
- Inhalers (for asthma)
Clothes & comfort
Jacket
AeroTech Designs Rain Jacket
This is a superb jacket - not only is it a rare large cycling jacket that I could find that would fit me, it is also lightweight yet warm, windproof, & totally waterproof. My only regret is that it is yellow - a colour that I discovered attracts flies!
Buy from: AeroTech Designs
Gloves
Endura FS260 Pro Aerogel Mitt II
Arm warmers
Arm warmers
Cycling Gilet
No not a razor but a lightweight cycling vest. This is the only item in this list that I haven't taken with me on tour - not because I don't want one but because I can't find any that fit my size (manufacturers obviously think only slim people want to stay warm!). There were some days (on all the tours that I've done) where it wasn't cold enough to need my full jacket yet where I'd have appreciated the little extra warmth or wind protection of a gilet.
Cycling sandals
Exustar SS503
For me, the secret for keeping dry feet when cycling in the rain is a combination of sandals and waterproof socks. With sandals the rain just immediately drains way, unlike shoes (even with a waterproof cover) where I find that my feet are soon swimming in a lake inside the shoe, no matter how waterproof the shoe and/or cover claims to be.
Cycling sandals differ from regular sandals in that they have a much stiffer sole to help with power transmission (they're still easy to walk in). They also have a cleat attachment on the sole for if you ride with cleats.
Waterproof socks
Sealskinz
Trousers clips
Helmet rain cover
BTR Helmet Cover
Chamois butter
Chamois Butt'r Original
Sunglasses
These are useful for pretending that I'm Tom Cruise. And for keeping the sun out of my eyes.
Cycling clothes
Some cycle tourists manage to get by on just 2 t-shirts and sets of underwear; I find 4 sets much easier:
- Cycle shorts (x1)
- Waterproof over trousers (x1)
- Cycle t-shirts (x2 short sleeve, x2 long sleeve)
- Underwear (x4)
I try to wash clothes every evening (using shower gel; it works well) but if it's a chilly evening then items don't always fully dry out overnight (unless the B&B have a radiator or heated towel rail). In these cases I'm grateful for an extra set of clothes to give the damp stuff an extra 24hrs to dry. I also get a bit lazy some evenings and just can't be bothered doing any washing!
One tip I learnt on my LEJOG ride regarding choice of clothes - always test any of your waterproof gear before you set off! I didn't and it seems my once waterproof over trousers (a few years old) had lost their water repelling abilities! Even washing with re-waterproofer stuff during my halfway stopover at home in Leeds didn't seem to have much effect; with more planning I should have bought some new ones.
Compression bags
Spacesaver roll-up compression bags
These are just genius! They'll make your clothes take up less room (simply zip them up & roll to squeeze the air out), keep them dry should your panniers leak, and help keep clothes sorted. I take six - 1 bag for evening wear, 1 for undies, 1 for dirty clothes, 1 for cycling clothes, 1 for wet weather gear, and 1 spare (that I sometimes use for not-quite-yet-dry clothes that I washed the previous night). They make unpacking & repacking bags every night so much easier.
Evening clothes
Bringing evening wear is a luxury that some people may choose not to do, however I don't want to spend weeks being in my cycling gear the whole time!
- Spare shoes (lightweight trainers)
- Jeans
- T-shirt
The jeans are quite heavy and so definitely belong in the 'luxury' category; lightweight hiking trousers might be a more sensible option instead.
Toiletries
Other smaller toiletry items I pack as well include:
- Toothbrush/paste
- Travel shower gel / shampoo
- Hand cream
- Shaver & shaving cream
- Mini deodorant
Tools
Multitool
Topeak X-Tool
Multitools are something no cyclist should be without! Allen keys, flat & Phillips head screwdrivers, and a couple of other tools, are things you'll need several times on your trip. This particular multitool from Topeak is lightweight for its size.
Always check what bolts your bike has before you set off and make sure you have the right tools for them (such as if any components use the less common Torx head system).
Allen keys
Hex Key Set 2mm-10mm
Adjustable wrench
Stanley 150mm MaxSteel Adjustable Wrench
Instead of a full set of spanners I take this small adjustable wrench for use on any bolts that might need tightening. On my LEJOG trip I used it to tighten my spoke nipples when they came loose, although with them being so small a dedicated nipple tool would have been much easier.
Chain tool
Topeak Super Chain Breaker Tool
Spare chain links
Bike Chain Split Links
Bike pump
Topeak mini dual pump with gauge
Spare inner tube
Chain grabbing tool
Rehook
Tyre levers
Topeak Shuttle Tyre Levers
Spoke nipple tool
I didn't have one of these on my LEJOG ride but it would have been really useful when my spokes came loose. Whilst my adjustable wrench did the job, a dedicated tool would have made it much easier and quicker to adjust my wheel spokes. I now carry one of these when I go on a long ride, however it's rare for spokes to come loose so you may reasonably choose to save a tiny bit of weight and not bother.
Chain lube
Finish Line Dry Teflon Lube
Cable ties
Gaffer tape
Energy & snacks
Sweeties!
Sweets are a great way to keep getting energy into your body throughout the day - little and often. Everyone has different sweets they prefer for energy; I like Haribo Supermix or jelly babies. Some people prefer raisins or mango slices too.
The great thing is that sweets are easy to restock each day from any corner shop so there's no need to carry several packs that will weigh you down.
Squash
Robinsons concentrated squash
Electrolyte tablets
SIS GO Hydro tablets
When dissolved in water, electrolyte tablets are designed to help to keep you hydrated by ensuring that all of your electrolyte and fluid requirements are met. They're also a great way of adding a bit of flavour to your water (I typically ride with one water bottle with squash, and one another an electrolyte tablet).
Energy gels
Torq gels
I've sworn by Torq gels for years, especially for hiking. I've tried other brands but always come back to these - they taste great, are relatively compact, and you really can feel the difference they make. The weight can add up if you're carrying several, so I now only take a few and save them for when I'm facing a steep hill (and re-stock from bike shops enroute if needed).
Energy powders
SIS GO powders
These powders dissolve in the water in your water bottle to give you a quick energy boost. I really can notice the difference they make, however just like energy gels the weight can add up if you're carrying several, so on tours I only take a couple with me and save them for when I have a particularly hilly day.
Join the discussion!
Bike

A pretty obvious item to take! The main thing to consider for a bike is making sure that it's comfortable, given that you'll be riding it for 1,000 miles.
Whilst almost any bike can be used, an ideal bike will have low gears for the hills, and have strong, durable components (which thankfully does not mean top of the range expensive parts - midrange is often the best). I'd strongly advise making sure you have good strong wheels with good spokes - remember, your bike will be heavier than normal with all the gear you're carrying.
It can also be worth checking out this great guide to touring bikes. It's written by Tom Allen, a cyclist who's been travelling the world by bike for over 10 years and knows a thing or two about bikes.
Tyres
Schwalbe Marathon Plus Tour

Punctures can easily ruin your day and slow your progress down. The 'Schwalbe Marathon Plus Tour' tyres are very common amongst long distance cycle tourers thanks to their incredible puncture resistance - in over 5,000 miles of cycle touring I've only ever had 1 puncture using these tyres (and that was only when the tyre was very worn and long overdue for changing).
You might be trading off a little extra weight and rolling resistance by getting puncture resistant tyres (whether it's these Schwalbe ones or others), but in my opinion is easily worth it.
Rear Panniers
Ortlieb Back Roller Plus QL2.1

Ortlieb are the most popular pannier brand and with good reason - they're great quality and 100% waterproof. I opted for the larger ones (the "Pro" range) to be able to pack more stuff in; as I said I'm not a light packer! (although I had loads of spare room)
Buy from:
Edinburgh Bicycle Cooperative
Front Panniers
Ortlieb Sport Roller Plus QL2.1

For a LEJOG ride then front panniers aren't often needed; you should be able to fit everything you need (and then some) into your rear panniers. If you do need front panniers though, either for the extra space (such as if you're camping & therefore carrying more gear), or simply if you want to balance the weight distribution, then these Ortlieb ones are great.
Buy from:
Edinburgh Bicycle Cooperative
Handlebar bag
Ortlieb Ultimate 6 Classic handlebar bag (large)

This handlebar bag is spacious enough to store all the gear that I need easy access to such as my phone, camera, spare battery pack, wallet, inhalers, and suncream. It helps to counterbalance the weight of the rear panniers somewhat, and being quick release with a shoulder strap means I can take my valuables with me if I leave the bike somewhere.
Buy from:
SJS Cycles
Top bar bag
Altura Vortex 2 Waterproof Top Tube Pack Bag

Saddle bag
Topeak Aero Wedge Saddle Bag (medium)

Pedals
Look Trail Grip Pedal

I prefer flat pedals to clip-ins, although that's a personal choice. For years I was searching for good flat pedals that weren't the mountain bike type with the metal spikes that draw blood whenever I bash my shins into them when walking the bike.
These ones from Look are perfect - they have good grip (even if admittedly they don't have quite as much grip as spiked pedals do), there are no spikes to ruin the soles of my shoes, and they have a large surface area and are strong. I first used them on my round-the-UK coast trip and love them.
Kickstand
BV Rugged Adjustable Kickstand

A kickstand is really useful as it means I don't need to keep putting my (very heavy) bike down on the floor. Whichever kickstand you go for (if you choose to have one) then make sure it's a heavy duty one that's capable of supporting heavily-laden touring bikes.
Water bottles

My LEJOG bike had attachments for 3 water bottles although generally I only ever had two filled at a time; one with just water and one with an energy powder mixed in.
On my European tour in 2018 I had attachments for 5 bottles on my bike. The weather reached over 30 degrees C on many days - and on those days I often drank all 5 bottles dry!
Laptop
Microsoft Surface Pro

I take a laptop with me on tours to be able to do route planning on the go as well as other work in the evening (obviously not everyone takes a laptop though!). The Surface Pro is ideal as it's small and incredibly lightweight - even with the charger it's still under 1kg.
Navigation
Garmin Edge 1000-series

I would be quite literally lost without this! The 1000-series (the most recent version being the Edge 1040) have a large screen that's useful for displaying the map. See here for how to upload route files to it.
Trip recording
Garmin Edge 500-series

Having two Garmin's is admittedly a luxury, but whilst I tend to keep my larger Edge on the map display for navigating, I use this one to display various details such as my speed and distance.
It also proved invaluable on my round-the-UK-coast trip when my Edge 1040 broke with a couple of weeks of the trip still to go, as I was able to then use this to navigate with instead.
Battery pack
Anker PowerCore 13000 Power Bank

The spare battery pack I take has proved crucial on more than one occasion for powering my GPS when I forget to recharge it, and is also really useful for keeping my phone battery topped up during the day too. There's loads of battery packs available; this one that I took with me on my 2022 trip has a high capacity (13000mAh giving me about 3 charges of my iPhone), is lightweight, and has a fast output to boot.
USB plug adaptor
Lencent Multi USB Wall Charger

Camera
Sony RX100

I love my photography and so a good camera is a must for me. iPhones take fantastic photos these days but the photos they take aren't quite at the level of a dedicated camera just yet.
This camera (which took all the landscape photos on this website) is small yet brilliant quality and takes RAW format images too. Don't forget to pack a spare battery and memory card too, as well as any cables or units for charging the batteries.
Selfie stick

When doing such a big journey you might naturally want a few photos of yourself for the memories. If you're travelling by yourself then this can be difficult, especially in remote places where no-one is around to ask to take one for you, so a good lightweight selfie can be handy to have. Remember to also get a bluetooth remote shutter trigger too, if the selfie stick you get doesn't already have this.
Safety & security
Helmet
No explanation needed!
Mirror
Mirrycle Mountain Bike Mirror
A mirror is something I won't be without now; I just find them incredibly useful to see what is behind at a glance.
On my LEJOG trip I used these Mirrcycle mirrors; a good alternative that I use now are the bike mirrors from Decathlon. They're cheap and are also a larger mirror for even better visibility.
Rear radar
Garmin Varia
For a long time I'd seen these devices on the market and thought why would I need a rear radar on my bike? But then I tried it, and wow! In the countryside, where you might not see a car for miles and forget to therefore regularly check mirrors, then this device comes into it's own (it's pointless in the city). On my LEJOG ride I once happened to glance in my mirror to find a coach was following me along a country road - it was so silent (even once I knew it was there) that I had no idea it was there or how long it had been following me for!!
If a vehicle is approaching then it sounds a beep and displays a moving dot on the Garmin Edge GPS unit. Handily it also doubles up as a rear light.
Front Light
Moon Orion-W
Rear Light
Moon Nebula
Bike D-lock
Abus Granit X-Plus 540
Bike cable lock
Kryptonite Kryptoflex Cable Lock
Bike cable lock
Kryptonite Kryptoflex Seatsaver
This short lightweight cable is useful for helping to secure my panniers to my bike, although the level of security is minimal (thieves could have simply cut the fabric handles of the panniers). I don't plan on taking this again. See the Safety & Security page for more details.
First aid kit
Lifesystems Pocket First Aid Kit
Antiseptic wipes
There's nothing worse than stopping to fix the bike, and not having anything to clean the oil or muck off my hands with! I always look for ones that are antiseptic as well.
Buy from: Boots
Medical supplies
In addition I pack a few other lightweight medical supplies, including:
- Suncream
- Antiseptic cream
- Bite & sting cream (I've needed this several times!)
- Antihistamine tablets
- Ibuprofen
- Lemsip tablets
- Inhalers (for asthma)
Clothes & comfort
Jacket
AeroTech Designs Rain Jacket
This is a superb jacket - not only is it a rare large cycling jacket that I could find that would fit me, it is also lightweight yet warm, windproof, & totally waterproof. My only regret is that it is yellow - a colour that I discovered attracts flies!
Buy from: AeroTech Designs
Gloves
Endura FS260 Pro Aerogel Mitt II
Arm warmers
Arm warmers
Cycling Gilet
No not a razor but a lightweight cycling vest. This is the only item in this list that I haven't taken with me on tour - not because I don't want one but because I can't find any that fit my size (manufacturers obviously think only slim people want to stay warm!). There were some days (on all the tours that I've done) where it wasn't cold enough to need my full jacket yet where I'd have appreciated the little extra warmth or wind protection of a gilet.
Cycling sandals
Exustar SS503
For me, the secret for keeping dry feet when cycling in the rain is a combination of sandals and waterproof socks. With sandals the rain just immediately drains way, unlike shoes (even with a waterproof cover) where I find that my feet are soon swimming in a lake inside the shoe, no matter how waterproof the shoe and/or cover claims to be.
Cycling sandals differ from regular sandals in that they have a much stiffer sole to help with power transmission (they're still easy to walk in). They also have a cleat attachment on the sole for if you ride with cleats.
Waterproof socks
Sealskinz
Trousers clips
Helmet rain cover
BTR Helmet Cover
Chamois butter
Chamois Butt'r Original
Sunglasses
These are useful for pretending that I'm Tom Cruise. And for keeping the sun out of my eyes.
Cycling clothes
Some cycle tourists manage to get by on just 2 t-shirts and sets of underwear; I find 4 sets much easier:
- Cycle shorts (x1)
- Waterproof over trousers (x1)
- Cycle t-shirts (x2 short sleeve, x2 long sleeve)
- Underwear (x4)
I try to wash clothes every evening (using shower gel; it works well) but if it's a chilly evening then items don't always fully dry out overnight (unless the B&B have a radiator or heated towel rail). In these cases I'm grateful for an extra set of clothes to give the damp stuff an extra 24hrs to dry. I also get a bit lazy some evenings and just can't be bothered doing any washing!
One tip I learnt on my LEJOG ride regarding choice of clothes - always test any of your waterproof gear before you set off! I didn't and it seems my once waterproof over trousers (a few years old) had lost their water repelling abilities! Even washing with re-waterproofer stuff during my halfway stopover at home in Leeds didn't seem to have much effect; with more planning I should have bought some new ones.
Compression bags
Spacesaver roll-up compression bags
These are just genius! They'll make your clothes take up less room (simply zip them up & roll to squeeze the air out), keep them dry should your panniers leak, and help keep clothes sorted. I take six - 1 bag for evening wear, 1 for undies, 1 for dirty clothes, 1 for cycling clothes, 1 for wet weather gear, and 1 spare (that I sometimes use for not-quite-yet-dry clothes that I washed the previous night). They make unpacking & repacking bags every night so much easier.
Evening clothes
Bringing evening wear is a luxury that some people may choose not to do, however I don't want to spend weeks being in my cycling gear the whole time!
- Spare shoes (lightweight trainers)
- Jeans
- T-shirt
The jeans are quite heavy and so definitely belong in the 'luxury' category; lightweight hiking trousers might be a more sensible option instead.
Toiletries
Other smaller toiletry items I pack as well include:
- Toothbrush/paste
- Travel shower gel / shampoo
- Hand cream
- Shaver & shaving cream
- Mini deodorant
Tools
Multitool
Topeak X-Tool
Multitools are something no cyclist should be without! Allen keys, flat & Phillips head screwdrivers, and a couple of other tools, are things you'll need several times on your trip. This particular multitool from Topeak is lightweight for its size.
Always check what bolts your bike has before you set off and make sure you have the right tools for them (such as if any components use the less common Torx head system).
Allen keys
Hex Key Set 2mm-10mm
Adjustable wrench
Stanley 150mm MaxSteel Adjustable Wrench
Instead of a full set of spanners I take this small adjustable wrench for use on any bolts that might need tightening. On my LEJOG trip I used it to tighten my spoke nipples when they came loose, although with them being so small a dedicated nipple tool would have been much easier.
Chain tool
Topeak Super Chain Breaker Tool
Spare chain links
Bike Chain Split Links
Bike pump
Topeak mini dual pump with gauge
Spare inner tube
Chain grabbing tool
Rehook
Tyre levers
Topeak Shuttle Tyre Levers
Spoke nipple tool
I didn't have one of these on my LEJOG ride but it would have been really useful when my spokes came loose. Whilst my adjustable wrench did the job, a dedicated tool would have made it much easier and quicker to adjust my wheel spokes. I now carry one of these when I go on a long ride, however it's rare for spokes to come loose so you may reasonably choose to save a tiny bit of weight and not bother.
Chain lube
Finish Line Dry Teflon Lube
Cable ties
Gaffer tape
Energy & snacks
Sweeties!
Sweets are a great way to keep getting energy into your body throughout the day - little and often. Everyone has different sweets they prefer for energy; I like Haribo Supermix or jelly babies. Some people prefer raisins or mango slices too.
The great thing is that sweets are easy to restock each day from any corner shop so there's no need to carry several packs that will weigh you down.
Squash
Robinsons concentrated squash
Electrolyte tablets
SIS GO Hydro tablets
When dissolved in water, electrolyte tablets are designed to help to keep you hydrated by ensuring that all of your electrolyte and fluid requirements are met. They're also a great way of adding a bit of flavour to your water (I typically ride with one water bottle with squash, and one another an electrolyte tablet).
Energy gels
Torq gels
I've sworn by Torq gels for years, especially for hiking. I've tried other brands but always come back to these - they taste great, are relatively compact, and you really can feel the difference they make. The weight can add up if you're carrying several, so I now only take a few and save them for when I'm facing a steep hill (and re-stock from bike shops enroute if needed).
Energy powders
SIS GO powders
These powders dissolve in the water in your water bottle to give you a quick energy boost. I really can notice the difference they make, however just like energy gels the weight can add up if you're carrying several, so on tours I only take a couple with me and save them for when I have a particularly hilly day.
Join the discussion!
Helmet

No explanation needed!
Mirror
Mirrycle Mountain Bike Mirror

A mirror is something I won't be without now; I just find them incredibly useful to see what is behind at a glance.
On my LEJOG trip I used these Mirrcycle mirrors; a good alternative that I use now are the bike mirrors from Decathlon. They're cheap and are also a larger mirror for even better visibility.
Rear radar
Garmin Varia

For a long time I'd seen these devices on the market and thought why would I need a rear radar on my bike? But then I tried it, and wow! In the countryside, where you might not see a car for miles and forget to therefore regularly check mirrors, then this device comes into it's own (it's pointless in the city). On my LEJOG ride I once happened to glance in my mirror to find a coach was following me along a country road - it was so silent (even once I knew it was there) that I had no idea it was there or how long it had been following me for!!
If a vehicle is approaching then it sounds a beep and displays a moving dot on the Garmin Edge GPS unit. Handily it also doubles up as a rear light.
Front Light
Moon Orion-W

Rear Light
Moon Nebula

Bike D-lock
Abus Granit X-Plus 540

Bike cable lock
Kryptonite Kryptoflex Cable Lock

Bike cable lock
Kryptonite Kryptoflex Seatsaver

This short lightweight cable is useful for helping to secure my panniers to my bike, although the level of security is minimal (thieves could have simply cut the fabric handles of the panniers). I don't plan on taking this again. See the Safety & Security page for more details.
First aid kit
Lifesystems Pocket First Aid Kit

Antiseptic wipes

There's nothing worse than stopping to fix the bike, and not having anything to clean the oil or muck off my hands with! I always look for ones that are antiseptic as well.
Buy from: Boots
Medical supplies
In addition I pack a few other lightweight medical supplies, including:
- Suncream
- Antiseptic cream
- Bite & sting cream (I've needed this several times!)
- Antihistamine tablets
- Ibuprofen
- Lemsip tablets
- Inhalers (for asthma)
Jacket
AeroTech Designs Rain Jacket

This is a superb jacket - not only is it a rare large cycling jacket that I could find that would fit me, it is also lightweight yet warm, windproof, & totally waterproof. My only regret is that it is yellow - a colour that I discovered attracts flies!
Buy from: AeroTech Designs
Gloves
Endura FS260 Pro Aerogel Mitt II

Arm warmers
Arm warmers

Cycling Gilet

No not a razor but a lightweight cycling vest. This is the only item in this list that I haven't taken with me on tour - not because I don't want one but because I can't find any that fit my size (manufacturers obviously think only slim people want to stay warm!). There were some days (on all the tours that I've done) where it wasn't cold enough to need my full jacket yet where I'd have appreciated the little extra warmth or wind protection of a gilet.
Cycling sandals
Exustar SS503

For me, the secret for keeping dry feet when cycling in the rain is a combination of sandals and waterproof socks. With sandals the rain just immediately drains way, unlike shoes (even with a waterproof cover) where I find that my feet are soon swimming in a lake inside the shoe, no matter how waterproof the shoe and/or cover claims to be.
Cycling sandals differ from regular sandals in that they have a much stiffer sole to help with power transmission (they're still easy to walk in). They also have a cleat attachment on the sole for if you ride with cleats.
Waterproof socks
Sealskinz

Trousers clips

Helmet rain cover
BTR Helmet Cover

Chamois butter
Chamois Butt'r Original

Sunglasses

These are useful for pretending that I'm Tom Cruise. And for keeping the sun out of my eyes.
Cycling clothes
Some cycle tourists manage to get by on just 2 t-shirts and sets of underwear; I find 4 sets much easier:
- Cycle shorts (x1)
- Waterproof over trousers (x1)
- Cycle t-shirts (x2 short sleeve, x2 long sleeve)
- Underwear (x4)
I try to wash clothes every evening (using shower gel; it works well) but if it's a chilly evening then items don't always fully dry out overnight (unless the B&B have a radiator or heated towel rail). In these cases I'm grateful for an extra set of clothes to give the damp stuff an extra 24hrs to dry. I also get a bit lazy some evenings and just can't be bothered doing any washing!
One tip I learnt on my LEJOG ride regarding choice of clothes - always test any of your waterproof gear before you set off! I didn't and it seems my once waterproof over trousers (a few years old) had lost their water repelling abilities! Even washing with re-waterproofer stuff during my halfway stopover at home in Leeds didn't seem to have much effect; with more planning I should have bought some new ones.
Compression bags
Spacesaver roll-up compression bags

These are just genius! They'll make your clothes take up less room (simply zip them up & roll to squeeze the air out), keep them dry should your panniers leak, and help keep clothes sorted. I take six - 1 bag for evening wear, 1 for undies, 1 for dirty clothes, 1 for cycling clothes, 1 for wet weather gear, and 1 spare (that I sometimes use for not-quite-yet-dry clothes that I washed the previous night). They make unpacking & repacking bags every night so much easier.
Evening clothes
Bringing evening wear is a luxury that some people may choose not to do, however I don't want to spend weeks being in my cycling gear the whole time!
- Spare shoes (lightweight trainers)
- Jeans
- T-shirt
The jeans are quite heavy and so definitely belong in the 'luxury' category; lightweight hiking trousers might be a more sensible option instead.
Toiletries
Other smaller toiletry items I pack as well include:
- Toothbrush/paste
- Travel shower gel / shampoo
- Hand cream
- Shaver & shaving cream
- Mini deodorant
Tools
Multitool
Topeak X-Tool
Multitools are something no cyclist should be without! Allen keys, flat & Phillips head screwdrivers, and a couple of other tools, are things you'll need several times on your trip. This particular multitool from Topeak is lightweight for its size.
Always check what bolts your bike has before you set off and make sure you have the right tools for them (such as if any components use the less common Torx head system).
Allen keys
Hex Key Set 2mm-10mm
Adjustable wrench
Stanley 150mm MaxSteel Adjustable Wrench
Instead of a full set of spanners I take this small adjustable wrench for use on any bolts that might need tightening. On my LEJOG trip I used it to tighten my spoke nipples when they came loose, although with them being so small a dedicated nipple tool would have been much easier.
Chain tool
Topeak Super Chain Breaker Tool
Spare chain links
Bike Chain Split Links
Bike pump
Topeak mini dual pump with gauge
Spare inner tube
Chain grabbing tool
Rehook
Tyre levers
Topeak Shuttle Tyre Levers
Spoke nipple tool
I didn't have one of these on my LEJOG ride but it would have been really useful when my spokes came loose. Whilst my adjustable wrench did the job, a dedicated tool would have made it much easier and quicker to adjust my wheel spokes. I now carry one of these when I go on a long ride, however it's rare for spokes to come loose so you may reasonably choose to save a tiny bit of weight and not bother.
Chain lube
Finish Line Dry Teflon Lube
Cable ties
Gaffer tape
Energy & snacks
Sweeties!
Sweets are a great way to keep getting energy into your body throughout the day - little and often. Everyone has different sweets they prefer for energy; I like Haribo Supermix or jelly babies. Some people prefer raisins or mango slices too.
The great thing is that sweets are easy to restock each day from any corner shop so there's no need to carry several packs that will weigh you down.
Squash
Robinsons concentrated squash
Electrolyte tablets
SIS GO Hydro tablets
When dissolved in water, electrolyte tablets are designed to help to keep you hydrated by ensuring that all of your electrolyte and fluid requirements are met. They're also a great way of adding a bit of flavour to your water (I typically ride with one water bottle with squash, and one another an electrolyte tablet).
Energy gels
Torq gels
I've sworn by Torq gels for years, especially for hiking. I've tried other brands but always come back to these - they taste great, are relatively compact, and you really can feel the difference they make. The weight can add up if you're carrying several, so I now only take a few and save them for when I'm facing a steep hill (and re-stock from bike shops enroute if needed).
Energy powders
SIS GO powders
These powders dissolve in the water in your water bottle to give you a quick energy boost. I really can notice the difference they make, however just like energy gels the weight can add up if you're carrying several, so on tours I only take a couple with me and save them for when I have a particularly hilly day.
Join the discussion!
Multitool
Topeak X-Tool

Multitools are something no cyclist should be without! Allen keys, flat & Phillips head screwdrivers, and a couple of other tools, are things you'll need several times on your trip. This particular multitool from Topeak is lightweight for its size.
Always check what bolts your bike has before you set off and make sure you have the right tools for them (such as if any components use the less common Torx head system).
Allen keys
Hex Key Set 2mm-10mm

Adjustable wrench
Stanley 150mm MaxSteel Adjustable Wrench

Instead of a full set of spanners I take this small adjustable wrench for use on any bolts that might need tightening. On my LEJOG trip I used it to tighten my spoke nipples when they came loose, although with them being so small a dedicated nipple tool would have been much easier.
Chain tool
Topeak Super Chain Breaker Tool

Spare chain links
Bike Chain Split Links

Bike pump
Topeak mini dual pump with gauge

Spare inner tube

Chain grabbing tool
Rehook

Tyre levers
Topeak Shuttle Tyre Levers

Spoke nipple tool

I didn't have one of these on my LEJOG ride but it would have been really useful when my spokes came loose. Whilst my adjustable wrench did the job, a dedicated tool would have made it much easier and quicker to adjust my wheel spokes. I now carry one of these when I go on a long ride, however it's rare for spokes to come loose so you may reasonably choose to save a tiny bit of weight and not bother.
Chain lube
Finish Line Dry Teflon Lube

Cable ties

Gaffer tape

Sweeties!

Sweets are a great way to keep getting energy into your body throughout the day - little and often. Everyone has different sweets they prefer for energy; I like Haribo Supermix or jelly babies. Some people prefer raisins or mango slices too.
The great thing is that sweets are easy to restock each day from any corner shop so there's no need to carry several packs that will weigh you down.
Squash
Robinsons concentrated squash

Electrolyte tablets
SIS GO Hydro tablets

When dissolved in water, electrolyte tablets are designed to help to keep you hydrated by ensuring that all of your electrolyte and fluid requirements are met. They're also a great way of adding a bit of flavour to your water (I typically ride with one water bottle with squash, and one another an electrolyte tablet).
Energy gels
Torq gels

I've sworn by Torq gels for years, especially for hiking. I've tried other brands but always come back to these - they taste great, are relatively compact, and you really can feel the difference they make. The weight can add up if you're carrying several, so I now only take a few and save them for when I'm facing a steep hill (and re-stock from bike shops enroute if needed).
Energy powders
SIS GO powders

These powders dissolve in the water in your water bottle to give you a quick energy boost. I really can notice the difference they make, however just like energy gels the weight can add up if you're carrying several, so on tours I only take a couple with me and save them for when I have a particularly hilly day.
Join the discussion!
What tools do you use? Have you got any tips to pass on to others? Let us know here!
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