Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Touring
Reload this Page >

What's your luxury item on a bike tour?

Notices
Touring Have a dream to ride a bike across your state, across the country, or around the world? Self-contained or fully supported? Trade ideas, adventures, and more in our bicycle touring forum.

What's your luxury item on a bike tour?

Old 10-04-16, 04:03 PM
  #1  
the bikelist
Newbie
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 4

Bikes: Surly LHT

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
What's your luxury item on a bike tour?

I want to share my findings from a survey I sent out.

I asked nine tourers "What's your luxury item", and here are the answers I got. After looking at other forums, I decided this list is pretty complete for non-essential touring items.

EDIT: So as to spare you clicking the link, here are my findings. Thanks for sharing so many below!!

1. Double Kickstand
3. Thermarest/chair
4. Solar Panel
5. Perishables
6. Bluetooth Speakers
7. iPod
8. Film Camera
9. Espresso maker (Back to coffee. So important)

Here are some items that ride that edge between necessary and luxury.

Surly dynamo
Dynamo hub
Physical books
Sketch book
ebook
Tablet/Phablet/iPad/iPhone
Chocolate
Beer/wine
Fresh eggs
Pillow

And, depending on the conditions of your trip, you’ll want to seriously consider:

Extra thermarest
Blanket
Extra jacket
Hot booties
Mosquito net/spray
Electric fan
Hiking boots


Many thanks to the participants of the Tasis Bikes tester survey Jack, Tim, James, Zsolt, Tyler, Dan, Jack, Katherine and Paul! And shout out to Facebook and ****** bike tourers, all legends.

Read my blog "What's Your Luxury Item?"

Please read and let me know if I left any off the list.

Cheers.

Last edited by the bikelist; 10-14-16 at 10:34 AM.
the bikelist is offline  
Old 10-04-16, 04:22 PM
  #2  
AusTexMurf
Senior Member
 
AusTexMurf's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: South Austin, Texas
Posts: 919

Bikes: 2010 Origin8 CX700, 2003 Cannondale Backroads Cross Country, 1997 Trek mtn steel frame converted commuter/tourer, 1983 Univega Sportour, 2010 Surly LHT, Others...

Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 48 Post(s)
Liked 15 Times in 12 Posts
Luxury items for me:
Small metal french press for good coffee everyday
Pick up a bottle of wine in town during the day to enjoy at the campsite
Cell phone
AusTexMurf is offline  
Old 10-04-16, 04:32 PM
  #3  
bikenh
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,247
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 138 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 17 Times in 16 Posts
I don't carry any luxury items with me when I go on a tour. I only take what I need and use. Some people could say carrying a laptop is a luxury item. I'm using it everyday for email(either I do or I'll have the cops out all across the nation looking for me), mapping out the route(no preplanned route and I don't carry paper maps, cell phone or gps unit), checking the weather forecast so I can try my best to avoid storms when they are moving in, and in this day and age keeping up on the news so I know where to avoid so I don't end up getting a stupid riot somewhere.
bikenh is offline  
Old 10-04-16, 04:51 PM
  #4  
fietsbob
Banned
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: NW,Oregon Coast
Posts: 43,598

Bikes: 8

Mentioned: 197 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7607 Post(s)
Liked 1,354 Times in 861 Posts
Skipping your Blog.

I brought along a Pocket mandolin, to sit in at pub jams in Ireland and Scotland on tours ..

the luxury would be bringing the $3000 carbon fiber mandolin , instead..

which I got after I came Back..


..having more money for B&B. eating in Nice restaurants , dating the local Girls..

staying there.




'/,

Last edited by fietsbob; 10-04-16 at 04:56 PM.
fietsbob is offline  
Old 10-04-16, 06:05 PM
  #5  
mstateglfr 
Sunshine
 
mstateglfr's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Des Moines, IA
Posts: 16,531

Bikes: '18 class built steel roadbike, '19 Fairlight Secan, '88 Schwinn Premis , Black Mountain Cycles Monstercross V4, '89 Novara Trionfo

Mentioned: 123 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 10897 Post(s)
Liked 7,384 Times in 4,144 Posts
Originally Posted by the bikelist

Please read and let me know if I left any off the list.
Please just paste the essentials here instead of redirecting to your blog.

I have a small self inflating pillow since i dont like the clothes in a bag approach for resting my head. I guess thats a luxury.
mstateglfr is offline  
Old 10-04-16, 06:16 PM
  #6  
SparkyGA
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Jasper Alberta
Posts: 469

Bikes: Surly Ogre

Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 19 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
I'm questioning if a Smartphone is a luxury or a mandatory piece of equipment in the 21st century. They save carrying so many other pieces of kit (camera, maps, guidebooks, computer) that I consider it a no brainer for touring. Having a working SIM card with credit is a bit more of a luxury though.

Last tour we carrying a little stainless steel pot for our morning tea. Picked it up as a souvenir but ended up becoming obsessed with it after awhile with our multiple tea breaks per day Still using it at home nearly every day...
SparkyGA is offline  
Old 10-04-16, 08:32 PM
  #7  
Sharpshin
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: San Antonio TX
Posts: 799
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 152 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Binoculars, for birding.

...and in Europe a local bird guide. I don't really need a book in the US
Sharpshin is offline  
Old 10-04-16, 08:59 PM
  #8  
Carbonfiberboy 
just another gosling
 
Carbonfiberboy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Everett, WA
Posts: 19,500

Bikes: CoMo Speedster 2003, Trek 5200, CAAD 9, Fred 2004

Mentioned: 115 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3872 Post(s)
Liked 1,920 Times in 1,369 Posts
Hot shower and a motel bed, for sure. We don't carry luxury items with us. Why would we do that? Luxury is found at our destination. Traveling fast and light and getting to a good destination not exhausted is the trick.
__________________
Results matter
Carbonfiberboy is offline  
Old 10-04-16, 09:08 PM
  #9  
Happy Feet
Senior Member
 
Happy Feet's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Left Coast, Canada
Posts: 5,126
Mentioned: 24 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2236 Post(s)
Liked 1,313 Times in 706 Posts
For luxury I brought a book and an IPOD. In the evening I like a good read and to listen to a symphony. In particular recently: The Long Walk by Slavomir Rawicz and Romeo and Juliet by Tchaikovsky.
Happy Feet is offline  
Old 10-04-16, 09:26 PM
  #10  
jeff400650
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 69
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 46 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
My dog. She brings joy to everyone, every moment on tour.
jeff400650 is offline  
Old 10-04-16, 09:40 PM
  #11  
Machka 
In Real Life
 
Machka's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Down under down under
Posts: 52,152

Bikes: Lots

Mentioned: 141 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3203 Post(s)
Liked 595 Times in 329 Posts
Heavy duty wool socks. Used to travel with a couple pair of lightweight socks but my feet get so cold it wasn't worth it.

Down jacket.

Several pillows. I have a whole sleep system ... definitely not just the basics.
Machka is offline  
Old 10-04-16, 09:50 PM
  #12  
saddlesores
Senior Member
 
saddlesores's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Thailand..........Nakhon Nowhere
Posts: 3,651

Bikes: inferior steel....and....noodly aluminium

Mentioned: 24 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1053 Post(s)
Liked 339 Times in 228 Posts
always bring some extra cash in small bills,
more than what's in the "official" budget.

never know when one of the villagers will
offer you some of their delicious local snakes!
Attached Images
File Type: jpg
Picture 243.jpg (98.0 KB, 263 views)
saddlesores is offline  
Old 10-04-16, 11:25 PM
  #13  
Carbonfiberboy 
just another gosling
 
Carbonfiberboy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Everett, WA
Posts: 19,500

Bikes: CoMo Speedster 2003, Trek 5200, CAAD 9, Fred 2004

Mentioned: 115 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3872 Post(s)
Liked 1,920 Times in 1,369 Posts
Originally Posted by Machka
Heavy duty wool socks. Used to travel with a couple pair of lightweight socks but my feet get so cold it wasn't worth it.

Down jacket.

Several pillows. I have a whole sleep system ... definitely not just the basics.
We have a nice sleep system, too. Not a luxury, a necessity. We have one thin flocked nylon undersheet with pockets for a pair of NeoAir mattresses. It's made to fit a single rectangular down bag which, unfolded, zips to the perimeter of the undersheet. Thus all our down is over us, none under. This breaks down into two small packages. Because it's a double, the down bag can be lighter than it would be for a single person. Quite light, extremely comfortable for a couple. We put spare clothes in the stuff sacks for pillows. This goes in our Big Agnes Seedhouse UL3, a very light mesh three person tent that fits us plus all our gear including panniers. We use this same tent and sleeping gear when backpacking.

This stuff was not inexpensive but we bought it years ago and it has amortized very nicely.
__________________
Results matter
Carbonfiberboy is offline  
Old 10-05-16, 12:42 AM
  #14  
BohicaX
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 98
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
I think my luxury item would be part of my bedding kit and thats the mattress it's over size in width and 4" thick plus high R rating. One thing I do like is a good mattress now I'm sick of light weight minimalist and because I made that a deliberate purchase I guess for me that's my luxury item.
BohicaX is offline  
Old 10-05-16, 01:04 AM
  #15  
elcruxio
Senior Member
 
elcruxio's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Turku, Finland, Europe
Posts: 2,486

Bikes: 2011 Specialized crux comp, 2013 Specialized Rockhopper Pro

Mentioned: 9 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 858 Post(s)
Liked 329 Times in 219 Posts
Let's see.

One of the things I consider an absolute essential nowdays is the chairs we bought in France. Up to that point we had used camping ground benches, stones or the ground to sit around but the Helinox chair ones we got completely changed the whole camping game for us. Such a good buy and well worth the weight.

Now even though around here for many a pop can stove and a pot folded out of tin foil is more than anyone ever needs, I still thought a full trangia set was nice to have as it allowed us to eat stuff like fondue and dishes which require separate boiling in a separate pot (like pasta dishes, boiled potatoes etc). The fuel for a spirits burner in Europe is extremely cheap when you can find it so we could just boil stuff with abandon (not something that I'd be comfortable doing with a gas burner)

An inflatable pillow, cotton pillowcase, cocoon liner were all pretty essential to have for good nights sleep.

For future luxury items I'm thinking a much larger tent such as the Hilleberg Nallo 3 GT

Making the bike E-powered is a consideration for the future. It'd be nice to climb the alps like they were nothing
elcruxio is offline  
Old 10-05-16, 06:07 AM
  #16  
indyfabz
Senior Member
 
indyfabz's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 39,045
Mentioned: 210 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18318 Post(s)
Liked 15,261 Times in 7,219 Posts
Originally Posted by AusTexMurf
Luxury items for me:
Small metal french press for good coffee everyday
Pick up a bottle of wine in town during the day to enjoy at the campsite
Cell phone
I like the way you think.

BTW...What type/make of French press are you using? I have an old, plastic one that I want to replace.
indyfabz is offline  
Old 10-05-16, 06:11 AM
  #17  
indyfabz
Senior Member
 
indyfabz's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 39,045
Mentioned: 210 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18318 Post(s)
Liked 15,261 Times in 7,219 Posts
Originally Posted by Machka
Heavy duty wool socks. Used to travel with a couple pair of lightweight socks but my feet get so cold it wasn't worth it.
+1. I forgot wool socks last month. Fortunately, I passed a clothing store on Day 3 that had exactly what I was looking for. I hike and walk to work in the winter with wool socks so I wasn't simply buying something that will go to waste.

Last edited by indyfabz; 10-05-16 at 07:27 AM.
indyfabz is offline  
Old 10-05-16, 06:43 AM
  #18  
thumpism 
Bikes are okay, I guess.
 
thumpism's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Richmond, Virginia
Posts: 9,128

Bikes: Waterford Paramount Touring, Giant CFM-2, Raleigh Sports 3-speeds in M23 & L23, Schwinn Cimarron oddball build, Marin Palisades Trail dropbar conversion, Nishiki Cresta GT

Mentioned: 69 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2647 Post(s)
Liked 2,445 Times in 1,557 Posts
REI Flex Lite collapsible chair. I've toured without one, and with is better 'cause you ain't always on the bike or asleep.
thumpism is offline  
Old 10-05-16, 07:16 AM
  #19  
bikenh
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,247
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 138 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 17 Times in 16 Posts
Originally Posted by Machka
Heavy duty wool socks. Used to travel with a couple pair of lightweight socks but my feet get so cold it wasn't worth it.

Down jacket.

Several pillows. I have a whole sleep system ... definitely not just the basics.
I guess I don't call wool socks a luxury item. I wear them for biking year round here in NH. Heck I was wearing them last year on my trip even down in the Gulf Coast states in July. Any other sock wear is rather stupid. Wool does it all and it does it the best of anything out there...why you wear anything else for footwear.
bikenh is offline  
Old 10-05-16, 07:33 AM
  #20  
revcp 
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Twin Cities, Minnesota, USA
Posts: 1,298

Bikes: 2017 Salsa Carbon Mukluk frame built with XT, 2018 Kona Rove NRB build with Sram Apex 1,2008 Salsa El Mariachi, 1986 Centurion Ironman

Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 286 Post(s)
Liked 100 Times in 65 Posts
My kindle. For canoeing and cycling. It's great to multiple books for lying in the hammock and reading in the evening.
__________________
Don't complain about the weather and cower in fear. It's all good weather. Just different.
revcp is offline  
Old 10-05-16, 07:49 AM
  #21  
Bandera
~>~
 
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: TX Hill Country
Posts: 5,932
Mentioned: 87 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1112 Post(s)
Liked 180 Times in 119 Posts
Originally Posted by Carbonfiberboy
Hot shower and a motel bed, for sure. We don't carry luxury items with us. Why would we do that? Luxury is found at our destination. Traveling fast and light and getting to a good destination not exhausted is the trick.
I do a weekend trip to a fine old hotel with an excellent chef and a good wine cellar in a beautiful setting a full day's ride from home at least once a year.
It's turned into an outing for a group of friends who book rooms well in advance to arrive by motorcycle or roadster for a weekend of fine food and good companionship.

A moderate dose of luxury when I put out the work to get there at my advanced age is appropriate.

-Bandera
Bandera is offline  
Old 10-05-16, 08:29 AM
  #22  
StephD99
Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Montreal, Canada
Posts: 36
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
beer, wine or whiskey...and a deck of cards.
StephD99 is offline  
Old 10-05-16, 08:59 AM
  #23  
Squeezebox
Banned.
 
Join Date: Nov 2015
Posts: 2,077
Mentioned: 9 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 760 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
A 1.5 oz 11L nylon bucket. It's for hauling water in camp, bathtub, kitchen sink,misc. other uses. free standing.
Squeezebox is offline  
Old 10-05-16, 09:33 AM
  #24  
fietsbob
Banned
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: NW,Oregon Coast
Posts: 43,598

Bikes: 8

Mentioned: 197 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7607 Post(s)
Liked 1,354 Times in 861 Posts
You bring a concertina on your bike tour, Squeezebox?
fietsbob is offline  
Old 10-05-16, 09:44 AM
  #25  
1Mule
Senior Member
 
1Mule's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Vancouver Wa.
Posts: 289

Bikes: Surly Cross Check, '92 Trek 520, Novara Randonee, '89 Allez, Schwinn Sierra beater

Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 65 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Nope, not following a link to your blog. Spam much?
1Mule is offline  

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.