Naturally simple and completely uncomplicated. Or is it? Danes love to go camping, but we’re talking trailers fully equipped with everything you could dream of including a dishwasher and a garbage disposal. Tents, coolers, bug spray, pots, pans, chairs – the list goes on and on. We’re dragging a fully stocked apartment around europe, tearing up the roads and still complain about the heat when we get there. Oh, I forgot the mandatory AC unit in these trailers.
How on earth am I going to survive a bike camping trip with 4 panniers that has to hold clothes, tools, supplies, etc. … AND camping equipment on top of that. A seemingly impossible task until you start digging into what you really need and what is a mere luxury.
I know what I would like to bring along, but since I don’t have any panniers yet I have a hard time imaging the space available and what the end weight will be.
I have made a list of things I would like to bring. Warning: I am going to bring a number of electronic devices. The touring purists will likely frown upon this, but hey I’m the one lugging the stuff around. The list is not yet complete and some things may be taken off, depending on what the weight will end up being.
Clothes:
- Change of clothes
- Extra cycling clothes (shorts, bib, etc.)
- Light jacket
- Regular shoes
- Extra socks
- rain jacket and pants
Toiletries:
- Toothbrush
- Small tube of toothpaste
- Bar of soap
- Deodorant
- Sun lotion
Electronics:
- Lightweight laptop
- Digital camera
- Regular or solar powered charger
Camping gear:
- 2 person tent
- tarp
- alcohol burner
- alcohol container
- pot/cup
- water jug
- matches
- lighter
- sharp knife
- leatherman tool or swiss army knife
- sleeping bag
- air mattress
Bike gear:
- 2 spare tubes
- Patch kit
- Oil
- Grease
- Cables
- Bike tools (screwdriver, irons, wrenches, spoke tool, etc.)
- Extra spokes (front and rear)
Various:
- Super glue
- Pen(s)
- Notebook
- MAG flashlight
This is all from the top of my head. Things that immediately come to mind as “common sense”. That vision may change as I get more into the reality of things. I’m almost positive that I’m being stingy on the clothes even though I plan on being near civilization most of my trips. I’ll stick this checklist to the navigation bar and edit it as needed. Reader is more than welcome of course.
