what to pack on a long distance cycling trip

What to pack on a long-distance cycling trip? This is the one thing that kept banging in my head before leaving for South America. And after talking to other cyclists, I’ve noticed this seems to have been the main concern of many. Believe me, most things won’t seem that important anymore, as soon lay your feet on your pedals (meaning: if someone steals your things it’s won’t be the end of the world). However, before you go, it feels good to know what to take with you. So, here’s what it is.

Now, a huge disclaimer (!!!): I’m definitely not a person to look at when you want to go with the minimum. I know what’s essential, what’s not, but I don’t minimize. Why? Because a) I’m a blogger and journalist (so I carry a laptop, a microphone, a camera, a mobile phone and two battery packs with me), b) because I love to spend time in cities and c) because I’m vain (meaning that I don’t enjoy running around for a month in a capital city, wearing only worn-down clothes…So, I carry jeans, makeup and earrings in my panniers!). The bottom line is: a trip doesn’t depend on equipment.

Checklist for long-distance cycling

Here’s in pictures and lists, what I carry in all my four panniers. The fifth picture is of my so-called “Horror Bag”. It’s the thing that weighs way more than anything else and which includes all those small things that I don’t know where else to put.

1st Front pannier

what to pack on a cycling trip

Laptop (I’m a blogger, so…)
Laptop charger
Spanish grammar book (thanks, Eli!)
Pens (loads of them! I love writing)
Notebook (thanks, Momondo!)
Calendar (totally unnecessary, but I love to plan things visually)
Zoom H2N sound recorder for interviews
“Selfie stick” (this is my monopod…thanks, TripAdvisor!)
Mobile phone (for maps.me, photos, communication…)
Glasses
Sunglasses (thanks, dad!)
Camera charger and battery
(Camera missing from picture because the pic was taken with it)
Passport and other important documents (in a mini grip bag)
Makeup bag (I like to doll up…thanks, Niilo!)
Petzl headlamp (essential!!! thanks, Simo!)
Powerbank x 2 (for phone)
External hard drive (for pictures, videos and backups)
Wallet (I prefer a wallet, but a mini grip-bag will do the trick!)
Cap (to protect from the sun…thanks, Pelago!)
Hair brush
Bicycle key (with a piggie to feel home)
Face cream
Menstrual cup (recommended to all females!!! thanks, Lunette!)
Pepper spray (makes me feel safer)
Toothpaste
Toothbrush
Floss (trying to avoid toothaches on the road)
A bag for the three previous (thanks, Nora!)
Makeup remover
Deodorant (for special occasions)
“Junior” – my teddy Moose (thanks, Marietta!)
A bag for all of the above and for when not cycling (thanks, Globe Hope!)

2nd Front pannier

what to pack on a cycling trip

A plastic case for food (thanks, Maria!)
A kettle for cooking
Sun cream 50 (extreme days…thanks, Omar and Silvia!)
Sun cream 30 (normal days)
Mosquito repellent
Minigrip bags x 15 (my panniers are not water resistant anymore…)
U-lock (I know it’s exaggerated. I hardly ever use this…thanks, mom!)
Cable lock (yep, see comment above)
Leatherman (thanks, dad!)
Sponge for dishes
Liquid for dishes
Salt
Pepper
Alcohol stove (super light and you can get alcohol everywhere)
Alcohol for stove
Windshield for stove (essential in Patagonia)
Magnesium tablets (definitely recommended)
Hand sanitizer (water will do)
Bicycle pump
Inner tubes x 2 (at least one is good, just in case the one you’re using totally explodes)
Lighter
Guampa = tereré cup (thanks, Sanchez men!)
Bombilla (a straw-like thing to accompany the previous)
Toilet paper
Spork (spoon fork knife…thanks, Helsingin Urheiluhieronta!)