Advice? Beginner cyclist packing for few years tour abroad

Green28

Hi all, I'm after some advice please if you could spare a little time to help. In a few weeks I'm off on a cycle tour / working holiday (lots of WWOOFing and physical outdoor work) in Central America, Oz and NZ for the next 3-4 years straight.

I've never left Europe, been on a cycle tour before (I've only had a bike since early this year), nor done all that much physical work or exercise in my life (especially recently), so I'm jumping into the deep end a lot. I'd like to get my kit in order first as I don't have family or anyone back home really that could post out stuff I've missed.

I've written a tentative list of things to take below, with (b) after those I've yet to buy. Some things are set and sorted, others I haven't started looking into yet. Could you take a look and offer suggestions / comments? Anything else I've missed that I should bring?

Bicycle that my friend made me
Racks with front and rear Ortlieb Panniers (have rear already)
2 man tent
Light sleeping bag, I'm thinking probably an artificial one rather than down as it'll likely get wet at times (b)
Decent quality swiss army knife with some basic tools (b)
Cycle repair kit (I have some bits, but likely need more)
1980s cycle repair/maintenance book
Some manner of solar cooker to heat food (still need to research this and buy or build one)
Smart Phone or Tablet to connect with rest of the world (b)
Intermediary battery thingy to connect hub dynamo to the above (b)
External 1.5Tb 2.5" drive full to the brim with movies, music, photos, ebooks, ect
Wind-up Torch
Two heavy duty D-locks; an Abus Granit and a Kryptonite New York Fahgettaboudit (two may be overkill, might just take the former)
Digital camera and memory cards
1-2 spare inner tubes
Cycle / puncture repair kit
Helmet
Fluorescent, wind-proof jacket
As much clothes as I can pack
1-2 micro-fibre towels
Suntan lotion
Sun hat
Basic first aid kit
A few little packets of re-hydration salt thingies
Anti-histamines
Insect spray
Map
A few biros
Small notebook
Footwear I'm really not sure on... I could get decent waterproof walking boats and just use them for everything, including cycling. Or I could get walking boots plus cycling shoes, but boots would be a lot of weight/bulk to carry on the bike, on top of everything else.
Plastic bowl
Insulated plastic mug with lid
Toilet paper and little trowel for wild camping
What's the best way to transport water? A bottle? (though my recycled 80s frame doesn't seem to have a thingy to put one on) Or like a flexible plastic bag thing with a long straw? I had one of those for hiking years ago and it was good in a way, but impossible to thoroughly clean and water in it started tasting manky after a while. This is something else I've not looked into yet, but especially considering I want to cycle up most of the East coast of Australia next year water is important.

Thanks in advance for any replies/suggestions!

Hoopdriver

It sounds like a wonderful adventure you've got planned for yourself.

I have done a lot of touring myself - long solo treks in quite a few parts of the world, every continent in fact. I am particularly well versed on Australia - I did a 10,000-mile solo trek around the continent a few years ago which appeared as a three-part series in National Geographic, as well as in book form, Cold Beer & Crocodiles. I'm a naturalised Australian myself, have lived there many (30) years and covered just about every aspect of the country when I was working as a journalist for the Sydney Morning Herald and the Melbourne Age, and Time Magazine, as well as numerous features for National Geographic. I've also written their guidebook to Australia. In other words, I know the place well and would be happy to offer any advice.

For starters you might look over this 'advice sheet' to people planning treks around Australia that I have posted on my blog:



http://my-bicycle-and-i.com/2011/09/bicycles-and-the-bush/

I hope this helps

andymiller

My strong advice would be to do, at the very least, a short tour in the UK before you head to Latin America. That way you can check everything works and it will give you an idea of what you need and what you don't need.

You don't mention a tent. I'd advise going to look at tents and get one that is durable (that doesn't necessarily mean an expedition tent). Look for good quality zips (these are the bits that fail first) and look at how it's constructed: eg are the bits that will be under most stress reinforced with tape and extra stitching?

A good sleeping bag is important:for a long tour you need a 'sleep system' that is not t o hot in summer but warm enough in winter. Personally I'd advice investing in good-qualiyt thermals and a down gilet/jacket. You can wear these in the evening and then sleep in them. A warm hat is also a good thing to have for keeping warm at night. A silk liner is essential.

If you don't already have them you need to invest in the best quality thermals you can afford. A couple of thinner Layers are more flexible than one thick one. I think merino wool is much better than synthetic. I would highly recommend Ground Effect stuff - it's not the warmest, but it's definitely the most durable. I'd suggest a short-sleeve and a long-sleeve top plus their merino riding tights.

You don't need a lot of clothes - but you do need clothes that are light, durable, work well and are quick to dry (ie avoid cotton clothes).

Shoes are difficult. I have a pair of cycling shoes with vibram soles but while these are fine for walking in, they aren't great for hiking. If you don't mind not having spd pedals then a decent pair of hiking-type shoes would be a good idea - hiking boots are probably only worth using if you plan on doing a lot of hiking (and I think you can actually hire them on some places in Patagonia). It's worth getting pair of lightweight casual shoes - but they aren't an easy thing to find.

You definitely need to be able (if you don't know already) to change a tyre, patch a tube and adjust your brakes. If you can afford to, get a pair of wheels built for you by a specialist wheelbuilder (eg Harry Rowland or Spa Cycles), if not get your bike shop to make sure the spokes are properly tensioned. Practice dismantling, packing and reassembling your bike a couple of times - an airport car park is not a good place to find you can't remember how things fit together.

Solar cooking???? I think you need to research multi-fuel stoves.

I have a Source bladder which is very easy to clean and made if mould-resistent plastic. If you do go with a bladder make sure you also pack a brush to clean the hose with. Alternatively you could get a framebuilder to put extra bottle mounts on your frame or you can get 'band-on' bottle cages although these aren't easy to find.

I don't think you need two d-locks! I'd suggest that instead if a d-lock you get a medium thickness cable that is long enough to go through the frame and both wheels and round a tree.

And what on earth is WWOOFing?

Wooliferkins

What Andy said about trying before you go make mistakes here not in the neck of nowhere. A few suggestions

Light sleeping bag, I'm thinking probably an artificial one rather than down as it'll likely get wet at times (b) SNUGPACK SOFTEE
Decent quality swiss army knife with some basic tools (b) LEATHERMAN/GERBER MULTITOOL
Cycle repair kit BEST MULTITOOL YOU CAN AFFORD
1980s cycle repair/maintenance book LEARN BEFORE YOU GO/LAPTOP
Some manner of solar cooker to heat food (still need to research this and buy or build one) CAMPING STOVE & FUEL BOTTLE
Smart Phone or Tablet to connect with rest of the world (b) RUGGADISED
Intermediary battery thingy to connect hub dynamo to the above (b) B&M EWERK + CACHE BATTERY
External 1.5Tb 2.5" drive full to the brim with movies, music, photos, ebooks, ect OVERKILL YOU RE TRAVELLING LOOK AROUND YOU, ENGAGE YOUR MIND. FILL IT WITH YOUR PHOTOS, NOTES ETC

Two heavy duty D-locks; an Abus Granit and a Kryptonite New York Fahgettaboudit (two may be overkill, might just take the former) ONE. YOU HAVE TO MOVE THIS!
1-2 spare inner tubes FOUR OR FIVE
Cycle / puncture repair kit
Helmet
Fluorescent, wind-proof jacket
As much clothes as I can pack NO! JUST WHAT YOU NEED THEN HALVE IT
Map GARMIN
Footwear . SPD SANDALS AND A PAIR OF TRAINER TYPE CYCLING SHOES?
Plastic bowl FOLDING
SPARE GEAR/BRAKE CABLES. TYRE BOOTS. BRAKE BLOCKS. DECENT GLASSES QUICK LINKS FOR CHAIN. A COUPLE OF EACH SIZE SPOKE (3)

andymiller

Wooliferkins wrote:

'm thinking probably an artificial one rather than down as it'll likely get wet at times (b) SNUGPACK SOFTEE

I don't want to divert the discussion onto the pros and cons of down vs artificial but I always wonder when I read this: how much use is a wet sleeping bag - whether it's filled with down or artificial fibre? Unless you are very unlucky your sleeping bag won't get wet - as in waterlogged. OK, when there's a lot of moisture in the air it won't be as dry as you'd like but that won't stop the insulation working.

Tusher

I've only toured in Britain, but if I can add to the wise advice above, please don't pack lots of clothes. I can't think of a country in the world where you can't buy clothes, and I love the advice to lay out what you're taking, then half it. It's amazing how little you need.

I realise that this is difficult if you're on a budget, but generally speaking, you get what you pay for. Items such as a tent, sleeping bags, stove and so on- buy the very best you can afford. There's a reason the high end stuff is pricey, but for your needs, that's exactly what you want. Years ago, I splashed out on a Jack Wolfskin Dragon tent. Over the years, it's paid for itself time and time again. Same with most of our kit. Any cheap purchases have always turned out to be false economies.

You have a custom made bike? Fantastic! Learn every inch of it.

Do have a couple of trial runs before you fly out.


And enjoy!! You're only young once, it's the chance of a lifetime.

sbesley

andymiller wrote:

And what on earth is WWOOFing?

see http://www.wwoof.org/

My sister is a Wwoofing host. Basically in return for board and lodging a volunteer helps out a few hours a day on an organic farm or small-holding.

Sometimes it works well... for both parties.

takeonafrica

Just a few random thoughts...
Presumably you are going to be flying out with all your stuff. So you'll be limited by weight depending on the airline. So if you haven't got them already, things like scream, notebook, first-aid kit etc you can buy when you arrive. And depending on where you first go, even bike and camping stuff etc you may be able to get then (and cheaper too).

Bike lock - a long cable type lock will be fine and more practical (get a combination lock rather than a key which is easy to lose. The D-lock is v heavy and not necessary.

Shoes - don't bother with spd's. Just cycle in whatever you would normally use for travel. A good pair of hiking shoes ought to be fine. I loved my Keen Targhee ones but also like trail running shoes for.biking in. These I can happily hike in too and then a pair of sandals / flipflops for town etc.

Sleeping bag - I'd consider down. Lighter. Pack it in a small dry bag inside your pannier and it should never get wet.

Download about bike maintenance on to laptop/tablet/phone.

Kindle - good if you like reading lots

External Harddrive - better to take 2 small portable harddrives of sat 320/500 GB so you can always have 2 copies of your photos etc you take. And keep them separated.

Tent - if planning on camping a lot, a 2 man tent is good for the extra space. Free-standing ones are practical. I loved my MSR Hubba Hubba...

Anyway, have a fantastic time and if there's any other questions ask away!

MichaelW

You will be able to buy stuff along the way. Usually you will loose stuff which you don't really need.
Footwear. I would go with lightweight trail shoes and teeva sandals. You don't need SPDs and if you want them you can buy them later. Toe clips are cheap and good enough, as long as you keep them lose. SPD sandals are good for the tropics.
Tools.
Bike multi-tool
Leatherman type with pliers for bike.
Small Swiss army style with scissors for clean use
Cooking: Do you need this? food-only paring knife with cover, bright colour. Smallest wooden spoon. Plastic airtight boxes. Selection of salt, pepper, herbs, spices.
Flexible plastic cutting board/food prep surface: zero weight/volume, massive utility.
Stove: what is fuel availability like. MSR multi-fuel stove is the usual. Fuel bottle with holder for the downtube (never inside the panniers)
Water bottle cage. some advice with cool pix.
Bike lock. One cable, doesnt need to be heavy duty.
Clothing: Less is more. bike shorts x2-3. Shorts with pockets x1, polycotton. Long pants with pockets x1. Long sleeved button up polycotton shirt (for sun, posh doos, border crossings) x1.
Long sleeve jersey, fleece/padded jacket. windproof pullover. waterproof top and bottoms (for high mountains, winter, also warm hat and gloves).
Towel, microfleece towel L x1.

Tent. getting 1 tent suitable for all use is a big ask. In the jungle, hammock+tarp is best. In the desert there are no trees but you can rig them, sortof. In cold storms, you want a good, snug tent, get one you can rig as inner only and outer only.

dilemna

Lots of good advice re bike and kit.

Practise dismantling and re-assembling bike, changing tubes and tyres, mending punctures, replacing spokes (on an old wheel) and other important bits of kit like servicing your stove. I can't understand "cyclists" who go on a long tour or any tour who haven't got a clue about maintaining their bike. Madness imho.

Anyway the other thing you can do between now and your departure which will give you no end of benefits is learning a couple of languages - eg Spanish if you intend visiting South America and basic Chinese, which I know is hard, if you intend visiting China. People often overlook learning a language so that they can at least make basic conversation enabling them to get necessities done which can make or break a tour.

In the tyre department if you have space and only if, carry at least one spare quality folding tyre if you are taking a particularly punishing route. You can arrange to have supplies or spares sent out to destinations along your route and alternatively send stuff home which you do not need which is more than likely to happen.

Have you thought about Visas? Insurance?

How old are you if it is not too rude a question?