What’s your "can’t live without" gear?
08-15-23, 10:03 AM
#1
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What’s your "can’t live without" gear?
I’m starting to collect some more gear and need some ideals and make sure I’m not forgetting anything. I’ve toured before but it’s been awhile. I’ve got a tent, mat and bedroll. Micro stove burner. My trusty cooking cup/pot combo and a few other bits. So what can’t you leave on tour without.
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Semper fi
Semper fi
08-15-23, 01:18 PM
#2
I like cats.
I've found that I'm very unsuccessful at touring without music or other audio pretty much through the entire day - just curious if other people have that experience as well. Without constant audio I'll ride for 30-40 minutes before deciding to break, eat, mill around or whatever and pretty much fail to make any progress towards getting anywhere.
08-15-23, 01:42 PM
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If it might be cold, a warm hat and warm socks.
Headlamp
Phone
Rain gear if it might rain, especially at altitude.
My Sea to Summit collapsible, nesting bowl and cup.
Bandanas.
Off-bike shoes.
8x4 ground sheet.
Matches & lighter.
Olive oil, salt, pepper, some sort of dried, hot pepper flakes, like Aleppo, and fresh garlic.
Coffee and Bodum Travel Press French press/mug combination.
My audio is the sounds around me.
Headlamp
Phone
Rain gear if it might rain, especially at altitude.
My Sea to Summit collapsible, nesting bowl and cup.
Bandanas.
Off-bike shoes.
8x4 ground sheet.
Matches & lighter.
Olive oil, salt, pepper, some sort of dried, hot pepper flakes, like Aleppo, and fresh garlic.
Coffee and Bodum Travel Press French press/mug combination.
My audio is the sounds around me.
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08-15-23, 01:53 PM
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Definitely comes in handy. When I buy wood at NJ state parks, it comes with fire starter. I bought some at two other different campground stores last year.
Last month, I camped a couple of nights with some people in connection with a float on the Delaware River. My friend brought DIY fire starters: Dryer lint packed inside used TP rolls. Worked great. Can’t wait to make my own. I have years worth of lint in a box in the basement.
Last month, I camped a couple of nights with some people in connection with a float on the Delaware River. My friend brought DIY fire starters: Dryer lint packed inside used TP rolls. Worked great. Can’t wait to make my own. I have years worth of lint in a box in the basement.
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08-15-23, 05:32 PM
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08-15-23, 05:33 PM
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08-15-23, 09:41 PM
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Do you plan to do sink laundry at campgrounds? I have a 25 foot length of very thin cord, a dozen wire clothespins, and a silicone flat drain stopper because campgrounds almost never have a drain stopper in their sinks.
If riding the Pacific Coast, bring a cork screw.
Chain lube.
A few spare M5 bolts, especially if you have not used removable thread locker on your rack bolts.
If riding the Pacific Coast, bring a cork screw.
Chain lube.
A few spare M5 bolts, especially if you have not used removable thread locker on your rack bolts.
08-15-23, 10:40 PM
#13
Full Member
My Helinox Chair Zero. It is so nice to have a comfy chair when taking breaks or at the end of the day. No more sitting on a concrete picnic table bench.
08-16-23, 03:07 AM
#14
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wee, tiny screwdriver (1" length) and wee, tiny screws, all in a wee, tiny plastic pouch.
repair kit (often free from optometrist) to repair glasses when a screw falls out in the wilderness.
repair kit (often free from optometrist) to repair glasses when a screw falls out in the wilderness.
08-16-23, 03:42 AM
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08-16-23, 05:56 AM
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08-16-23, 06:08 AM
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..Oofos..I have them also. Currently recovering from a bout of plantar fasciitis and they've been a great help. I have the slides as my toes don't like the flip-flop type sandals. I think they will wear out somewhat quickly (I've worn Birkenstock high arch Arizonas for a decade+..had two pair resoled 2 or 3 times, but they no longer make them) as they are really soft..still well worth it though. Around $60 is the best deal I've found. I'll be picking up another pair before long. (I'm a believer in stocking up when I find something that works as, inevitably, "things change")
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08-16-23, 07:16 AM
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..Oofos..I have them also. Currently recovering from a bout of plantar fasciitis and they've been a great help. I have the slides as my toes don't like the flip-flop type sandals. I think they will wear out somewhat quickly (I've worn Birkenstock high arch Arizonas for a decade+..had two pair resoled 2 or 3 times, but they no longer make them) as they are really soft..still well worth it though. Around $60 is the best deal I've found. I'll be picking up another pair before long. (I'm a believer in stocking up when I find something that works as, inevitably, "things change")
I really hate that. So many times, I have found myself thinking "Why the hell did you change that for the worse?" One recent experience was with Timbuk2. It changed the cam design on its messenger bag that it had used for decades. The current design is far inferior. One time it released, causing the bag to slide down and almost make me crash. That had NEVER happened with any of the precious 3 bags I had dating back to the late '90.
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08-18-23, 07:59 AM
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My favorite bike touring camping gear purchase ever was a 30F down quilt. Then comes clothing that will keep me warm while riding in cold rain--polypro layers as needed.
I'm a minimalist camper. Camping is just a break from cycling. No stove/cook kit, no camp shoes/clothing, no chair--so my input is minimal as well.
I'm a minimalist camper. Camping is just a break from cycling. No stove/cook kit, no camp shoes/clothing, no chair--so my input is minimal as well.
08-18-23, 06:34 PM
#20
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I am not a minimalist.
I make the sauce separate from the noodles. But with only one stove, have to keep moving the two pots back and forth to keep both hot. The small pot in this case doubles as a small bowl or mug.
If your fry pan is small, you have to make the eggs separate from the ham.
But leaving food prep up to others is ok to.
If flying somewhere, use two luggage tags for when one of them is torn off.
I make the sauce separate from the noodles. But with only one stove, have to keep moving the two pots back and forth to keep both hot. The small pot in this case doubles as a small bowl or mug.
If your fry pan is small, you have to make the eggs separate from the ham.
But leaving food prep up to others is ok to.
If flying somewhere, use two luggage tags for when one of them is torn off.
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08-18-23, 07:49 PM
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crocs
I’m starting to collect some more gear and need some ideals and make sure I’m not forgetting anything. I’ve toured before but it’s been awhile. I’ve got a tent, mat and bedroll. Micro stove burner. My trusty cooking cup/pot combo and a few other bits. So what can’t you leave on tour without.
08-19-23, 01:59 AM
#22
Senior Member
- First aid kit
- Tools (minimally: flat kit & Allen wrenches) and (perhaps) spares (tube, tire, chain, cables) and "fixers" (super glue, paracord, repair tape)
- Umbrella (rarely used but priceless in heavy downpours or scorching sun, off bike obviously)
08-19-23, 05:44 AM
#23
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It was the corkscrew when I toured a lot but I don't drink anymore. So, I have to go with my air mattress
08-19-23, 06:21 AM
#24
Senior Member
Thanks.
I really hate that. So many times, I have found myself thinking "Why the hell did you change that for the worse?" One recent experience was with Timbuk2. It changed the cam design on its messenger bag that it had used for decades. The current design is far inferior. One time it released, causing the bag to slide down and almost make me crash. That had NEVER happened with any of the precious 3 bags I had dating back to the late '90.
I really hate that. So many times, I have found myself thinking "Why the hell did you change that for the worse?" One recent experience was with Timbuk2. It changed the cam design on its messenger bag that it had used for decades. The current design is far inferior. One time it released, causing the bag to slide down and almost make me crash. That had NEVER happened with any of the precious 3 bags I had dating back to the late '90.
I've sometimes been lucky enough to stock up on favorite items when they were being closed out and deeply discount prices.
That said sometimes they actually do make stuff better and you can wind up with a lifetime supply of something that isn't as good as the newer model.
08-22-23, 08:22 AM
#25
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Inspirational packing lists:
In 'The Adventure of the Speckled Band', Holmes tells Watson to bring his [cannot be mentioned on Bike forums] for an overnight trip away from London. "That and a tooth-brush are, I think, all that we need."
In 1957's Gun Fight at the O.K. Corral, there's that scene where they're leaving Dodge City, KS to travel to Tombstone, AZ. Burt Lancaster as Wyatt Earp asks Kirk Douglas as Doc Holliday, 'Where's your gear?' Douglas reaches into his waistcoat pocket and pulls out a deck of cards.
In 'The Adventure of the Speckled Band', Holmes tells Watson to bring his [cannot be mentioned on Bike forums] for an overnight trip away from London. "That and a tooth-brush are, I think, all that we need."
In 1957's Gun Fight at the O.K. Corral, there's that scene where they're leaving Dodge City, KS to travel to Tombstone, AZ. Burt Lancaster as Wyatt Earp asks Kirk Douglas as Doc Holliday, 'Where's your gear?' Douglas reaches into his waistcoat pocket and pulls out a deck of cards.
