Monday, November 24, 2025

What to Pack?

 I'm not new to bicycle touring ... I crossed North America in 1979, rode Bike Ride Across Nebraska (BRAN II) in 1982, and a bike tour in southern England in 1984. Over the years many other overnight and weekend rides.

This ride will be a bit cushier ... a hotel stay every night with breakfast in the inns and lunch and dinner in pubs and restaurants. I'll pack accordingly. No sleeping bag or hostel sheet sleeping sack, no tent, no cooking kit.

I have a few goals with respect to the gear I take:

  1. I only want one checked bag, which in my case will be a standard bicycle box with up to 50 lbs (23 kgs) which is the limit for British Airlines. The Raleigh, with attached panniers, already fitted  accessories, and my toolkit, weighs in at 45 lbs. The box itself is maybe 2 pounds or so. So not much else will be stored in the box.

  2. Everything else needs to be in carry on

  3. Bring only what I'll use or need for 11 days.

I've started a list. I'll update it as I think of other items or remove the superfluous.

ItemNotes
Raleigh Sports Bicycle with rear rack and Orange Panniers, attached, Pedal Toe Clips, LED lights, 3 tubes, cable ties, cable lock, handlebar mirrors and toolkit45 lbs
Bicycle Box 54" x 8" x 28" available at FedExabout $30 at a FedEx office or free at a bicycle shop
Carry On Bag
(30 liter kayak drybag)
Rain Pants
Rain jacket shell
1 pair Cycle Shorts
6 pairs of sox
6 pairs of underwear
6 wicking t-shirts
2nd pair of cycling pants
2nd Fleece
2 USB Chargers - UK Converter
USB Power Bank
Minimal toiletry bagToothbrush / paste , nail clipper, Chapstick, meds
Minimal first aid kitBand-aids, antiseptic ointment, sunscreen
Helmet
Lightweight Skida running hat
Cycling gloves
Wear on plane (W) or
in a small string bag (B)
Cycling long pantsW
Cycling padded shortsW
1 long sleeve wicking t-shirtW
1 pair socksW
Baseball capW
Keen shoes for cyclingW
Cycling jacketW
Cycling FleeceW
Mobile PhoneW
PassportB
WalletW
KindleB
Chromebook ?B
Water bottleB
Bluetooth earbudsB
Pen and padB

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