What equipment do I need for bike travel?

If you're into bikepacking, you'll have experienced the freedom that bicycle travel offers. Perhaps you started with short routes, and now you've caught the bug and are already planning your next getaway. We want to help you with the necessary equipment for bike travel; get ready to jot down everything you shouldn't be without on your next trip.

What should I pack in my bike panniers if I'm going on a trip?

If you consider yourself a beginner, it's normal to ask this question because what accompanies you must meet your needs during the trip, and we're talking about clothes, food, hygiene, rest... For bikepackers, it's important to consider the importance of each item, as our legs will be pushing all the weight.

We'll consider the type of bikepacking you do, its duration, and, of course, the time of year. Perhaps you plan to sleep in a hostel or opt to carry your tent. When you choose cycling as a way to travel, you are choosing a self-sufficient means, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't carry equipment that ensures you have everything you need.

Equipment for bike travel and bikepacking

Luggage

• Bicycle.
• Saddle.
• Rear rack/pannier rack.
• Front bag (you can store documents)
• Water bottle. At Inuitz, we have thermal water bottles.
• Helmet.
• Gloves.
• Hydration pack if you don't have panniers.
• Sunglasses.
• Multi-tool.
• Front light/camping lantern.

To start, this would be the basics; some things are optional, for example, if you have panniers, you might not need to carry a backpack from which you can drink water during the trip. You choose based on your needs.

Documents to carry on your bike

• ID/Passport.
• Visa (if your trip requires it)
• Cash.
• Bank card.
• Maps, itineraries… (even if you have GPS, maps are a way to learn to interpret where you are and where you want to go, they are reliable, and some travelers still prefer them to any type of technology)

Basic electronics for bike travel

• Mobile phone.
• Mobile phone charger.
• Power bank.
• A power adapter depending on the country.
• GPS
• Spare batteries.

Sleeping equipment

This section will also be influenced by how you plan your bike trips, with the intention of sleeping outdoors or with the alternative of staying in a hostel or dormitory.

• Sleeping bag.
• Inflatable pillow.
• Sleeping pad.
• Tent.
• Groundsheet.
• Lightweight chair.

Equipment and clothing for bike travel

Let's remember that you're going to pedal, you're going to sweat, and you'll need to change once you reach your destination or at a stop. Therefore, it's important to carry several similar garments for these moments. We will divide clothing into: rest clothes and cycling clothes.

Cycling clothing

• Helmet.
• Gloves for both summer and winter.
• Reflective vest.
• T-shirts and jerseys.
• Cycling shorts.
• Waterproof windbreaker.
• Neck gaiters for cold days.
• Winter gloves.
• Thick socks for winter.
• Waterproof shoe covers.
• Waterproof rain pants.

Essential accessories for bike travel

• Plastic bags for dirty or wet clothes.
• A multi-purpose knife.
• Padlock.
• A thin rope for hanging clothes.
• Soap for washing both clothes and cooking utensils.

What do you think of our list to ensure you have everything you need when organizing your equipment for bike travel? Remember that every kilo you carry in your panniers will mean more effort to move the bicycle, more fatigue, and that means enjoying the route less. Think carefully before taking an item and ask yourself if it is truly essential to carry it. The goal is that you don't lack the most important things, but, above all, organization to enjoy your trip one hundred percent.