Absolute necessities?
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Absolute necessities?
What stuff do you absolutely need to take with you for maybe 1-4 weeks?
I was wondering if a GPS is necessary,thanks
I was wondering if a GPS is necessary,thanks
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Beer Cooler. Only needs to be big enough for a 6 pack, that's plenty for an evening.
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Fenders.
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Ipad for internet, finding places to eat or go, getting through big cities divided by rivers and freeway walls. Depends where you are of course. Mine was fabulous in Vietnam and China. Phones as so small for much.
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Hygiene products.
Basic medical supplies.
Basic tool kit.
Spare inner tube x2.
Tire repair kit x2.
Emergency ration pack x2.
Water bottles.
Water purification tablets.
Relevant maps.
Spare clothes.
Pocket knife.
If you are survival savvy you can find food on your venture. Bring a small fishing rod perhaps. Or fishing line and a hook for a make shift stick rod.
All that can fit in a small lightweight backpack.
Basic medical supplies.
Basic tool kit.
Spare inner tube x2.
Tire repair kit x2.
Emergency ration pack x2.
Water bottles.
Water purification tablets.
Relevant maps.
Spare clothes.
Pocket knife.
If you are survival savvy you can find food on your venture. Bring a small fishing rod perhaps. Or fishing line and a hook for a make shift stick rod.
All that can fit in a small lightweight backpack.
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Electronic veggie dog turner, automatic cat waterer, and my ionic breeze!
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Dr Bronner's Castile Soap. Only soap you'll need. Works for bathing, hair (might want some conditioner), clothes, dishes, bike parts and very well on any flesh exposed to poison ivy or oak. I'm sure there are many other uses.
Ben
Ben
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Helmet
#23
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No to the GPS, definitely not a necessity. Still I always have my phone which is a gps and do use it now and then on tour. It just is not a necessity. In fact on the Trans America I mailed my GPS home early on.
So, what do you actually need. The answer is not much. A bike is for sure a necessity otherwise it isn't bike touring, but otherwise there isn't much that is an absolute necessity. A lot of things are highly advisable, but there aren't many that someone hasn't successfully done without on a tour.
After a quick read through the things listed in this thread as necessities, I notice that I have at one time or another toured without almost all of the items listed and some I have never taken along.
So what are the actual necessities? A bike, adequate clothing, some means of keeping warm, some means of staying fed and hydrated, and some means of sheltering oneself.
There are other highly advised items, like enough tools and spares to repair and maintain the bike.
So, what do you actually need. The answer is not much. A bike is for sure a necessity otherwise it isn't bike touring, but otherwise there isn't much that is an absolute necessity. A lot of things are highly advisable, but there aren't many that someone hasn't successfully done without on a tour.
After a quick read through the things listed in this thread as necessities, I notice that I have at one time or another toured without almost all of the items listed and some I have never taken along.
So what are the actual necessities? A bike, adequate clothing, some means of keeping warm, some means of staying fed and hydrated, and some means of sheltering oneself.
There are other highly advised items, like enough tools and spares to repair and maintain the bike.
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You need to define the purpose of your trip to know what is necessary. Do you only wish to survive a trip in wilderness? Or are you going on a bird-watching or wine-tasting tour?
I met a blogger who felt he needed his photography and computer equipment and an internet connection every night in a clean, dry motel room. That was not my trip. I had different needs, and that's okay.
I met a blogger who felt he needed his photography and computer equipment and an internet connection every night in a clean, dry motel room. That was not my trip. I had different needs, and that's okay.