How to Pack for a Short Bike Tour

Packing for a short bike tour involves a little patience and sorting a lot of stuff - but stick to it and you'll get through it. And then you'll get on the road.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Padded Bicycle Shorts
• Sunscreen
• Bicycle Racks
• Bike Fenders
• Bike Lights
• Bike Rain Gear
• Panniers
• Touring Bike

1. Practice by riding around with increasingly heavy loads in your panniers to get an idea of how much you can actually carry when it comes time to pack your panniers and head out the door.
2. Try taking along two of each type of clothing you'll need for a typical day on the road - the idea is to wear one set while you wash and dry the other.
3. Make lists in the weeks before the trip of everything you might want to bring along.
4. Apply the laugh test (microwave oven; coolers containing six-packs of beer and soda) and subtract these impossible items from your list.
5. Apply a common-sense, this-weighs-too-much test to items such as bottles of orange juice and cans of tuna fish. (A fellow beginner cyclist injured his knee after hauling these very items around - in bulk - rather than buying them along the way.)
6. Buy or take out of storage the items that remain on the list and lay everything out on your floor.
7. Allow yourself to think, "There's no way I'm hauling all this stuff."
8. Begin editing things out of the pile: Set aside clothing, food and other items that may suddenly seem too bulky or otherwise unnecessary.
9. Repeat steps 7 and 8 as needed until you're able to fit everything comfortably into a well-balanced set (or sets) of panniers.

Tips & Warnings

• As with any trip, you'll probably start out with too much stuff and have to make cuts. Everyone goes through this, so don't stress about it.
• Lighter is better. Try not to take anything in a can or a carton or any liquids besides the water you need.
• Weather makes all the difference; you shouldn't underestimate it. Pack sunscreen alongside your rain gear and be ready for anything.
• Bring the essentials: a windbreaker for rain, wind or evening chill; limited first-aid kit; basic bike repair kit and tools, etc.
• If you have any condition that would impair or limit your ability to engage in physical activity, please consult a physician before attempting this activity.