Bike Tour Packing List: What I Packed to Cycle Across Europe

For 3.5 months cycling across Europe I lived off the tent, backpack and two panniers strapped to my bike. Everything I needed to sleep in and on, cook with, wear, and generally take care of myself with all needed to fit into those bags. Quite the test in minimalism if I do say so myself! So what made the tight cut-off for my bike tour packing list? I’m digging into it all in THIS VIDEO.

Over in the description below the video on YouTube you can find links to the particular products I use, should you be interested in considering them for yourself. In addition, here is a full list of everything I brought with me, broken down by category:

Camping Equipment

• Tent
• Sleeping mat
• Sleeping bag
• Camping stove + gas + lighter
• Pot + handle
• Can opener
• Cutlery
• Sharp cooking knife
• Coffee mug
• Resealable container
• Salt
• 2 x Water bottles

Clothing

• Tank top
• Moisture-wicking t-shirt
• Long sleeve
• Fleece sweater
• Warm jacket
• Rain coat
• Cycling shorts
• Cycling capris
• Exercise leggings
• Waterproof pants
• 2 x sports bras + 1 casual bra
• 5 x underwear
• 5 x socks (mix of ankle, warm and casual)
• Fingerless biking gloves
• Cold-weather biking gloves
• Waterproof booties
• Sandals
• Running shoes
• Cold-weather hat
• Baseball cap
• Buff
• Walking shorts
• Casual t-shirt
• Comfortable pants
• Cozy sweater
• Casual dress
• Bathing suit

Accessories

• Toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, moisturizer, mascara, nail clippers, comb, floss, deodorant)
• Shampoo + conditioner (bio-degradable & organic, stored in travel containers)
• 2 x epi pens
• Ear plugs + eye mask
• Money/passport belt
• Lock for hostel lockers
• Bear spray
• Sunscreen
• First aid kit (spray-on band-aid, antibiotic ointment, gauze, band-aids, alcohol swaps, waterproof tape)
• Hand sanitizer
• Headlamp
• Kobo
• Notebook + pens
• Foldable backpack
• Laundry bag
• Quick-dry towel
• Paper map
• 3 x rags
• Plastic bags

Bike Gear

• Repair kit: tape, zip ties, tire-changing levers, puncture repair kit, bike multi-tool
• 4 x CO2 cartridges + inflator pump
• 2 x Pre-baby-powdered tubes in plastic bags
• U-lock + cable
• Helmet
• 650 lumen front light
• Back light
• 2 x bungee cords

Electronics

• Computer in protective case
• Power converters
• Go Pro
• Camera
• Small, flexible tripod
• Microphone
• Portable charger
• Back up hard drive

When I look at that entire list, I have no idea how I managed to fit all that stuff in my three little bags! Or dragged it all around Europe on my bike for over three months. But I did! And every single piece came in handy when I needed it.

It must also be said that there’s something pretty special about carrying all your belongings with you wherever you go. Every morning you pack up your home, your food, your clothing, and by that evening you’re somewhere entirely new, with everything you could possibly need. And that entire time I never wished I had more or less “things”. I simply had everything I required. That is a pretty special realization and experience, and one I won’t soon forget.

I hope this bike tour packing list helps give you an idea of what to bring if you’re planning on heading out on your own cycling adventure. If you have any questions not answered in the video or packing list, don’t hesitate to leave me a message below. Happy cycling!

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