Lost Post 4: What not to take on a bike ride

Hazards for cyclists... From Kesä10 - lost postcards

Imagine it is the middle of summer again - heinäkuu 2010 to be exact - remember the blue skies, 20 hours of light, 30+°C heat? You are going with your partner on a ten day cycling/camping holiday around Saimaa, starting in Parikala and ending with a few days at a friend's mökki near Haukivouri (see map) - about 350km in all. You can't be sure if the weather will hold, and for every cyclists's instinct shouting 'travel light' there is the camper's instinct whispering 'be prepared'. It may be warm and dry today, but it could be 10° colder, wet and windy in a weeks time. What do you take? 

If you are me, you consider the last trip, then make a list divided into essential, preferable and optional. And then do a test pack to check how it will actually fit in the panniers. If you are Konna you put things in the bags until there is no more room the night before... and hope you don't need anything else. Guess who usually forgets something mildly important while taking along one or more totally useless items (a torch, in midsummer anyone? How about two?) - yep, me!

As well as balancing the damn things, another issue which I get quite testy about is where things are in your bags (especially when sharing panniers) - but when it's pouring with rain you don't want to have to empty out your bag at the side of the road to find your waterproofs at the bottom (or do you Konna?).

Load up (yes this is all going on my bike...) : From Kesä10 - lost postcards

emmdee's checklist

Essentials...

• Bikes (clean, check brakes, tyres, etc, lubricate chain, attach rack etc a week before) 
• Panniers, pannier covers, bar bag, bungie straps; saddle/stem bag; SMALL backpack (for money, phone, keys, energy bars - not luggage... right); waterproof inner bags
• Tent; Additional ground sheet; additional 'super' tent-pegs
• Sleeping mats; Sleeping bags 
• Bike tools: multi-tool, oil, puncture repair kit; Pump; Spare inner tubes; lube; greasy rag
• Map(s) and directions, booking info etc.; Compass; map case; bike trip computer 
• First aid kit (including punki remover, kyypakaus snake venom antidote and insect bite gel/spray); survival foil blanket
• Suncream (factor 30+) x2; insect repellant spray and spiralli; hand cleanser; tissues
• Water bottles x2 and camel/platypus bag each thing (refill whenever possible)
• Plastic bowl/plate & cup; cutlery; sharp knife (puukko); small insulated bag (to try to keep cheese, salami etc fresh); lightweight camping cookware; matches in watertight box; camping kettle
• Travel washing up liquid; sponge; drying up cloth
• Tea bags; instant coffee/cappuccino; hot chocolate sachets; sugar; energy drink powder sachets x10;
• 1-2 days food for two (renew daily): bread/rolls; sliced cheese/salami; half cucumber; tomato; 6x juice drinks; cereal/'energy' bars x6; apples x2; bananas x4; instant pasta meal sachet
• 'Emergency' food for two: expedition food pouches x4
• Spare ziplock bags; black bin bags (have a multitude of uses); toilet roll
• Clothes line/string; clothes pegs; Y3 hand wash powder sachets
• Chamois cream (you know for...)
• Cash (in waterproof bag); credit card; ID; Phone and charger (in watertight bag)
• Cycle clothes (1 set being worn!): 2x cycle shorts; 1x cycle leggings; 3x cycle tops (short sleeved); 1x cycle top (long sleeved); Light fleece; Rain jacket; cycle socks x4; waterproof socks; cycle shoes; helmet; sunglasses; clear cycling glasses; cycle shoes; cycle mitts
• Campsite/town clothes: Shorts; lightweight long trousers; underwear x2; socks; sandals; hat; 
• Travel wash kit; toothbrush; Travel towel; Contact lenses travel kit; glasses (case)
• Pen (for postcard writing)
• Penknife/swiss army knife; Whistle
• Torch; spare batteries (depends on time of year!)

Optional...

• Camping stove - usually Finnish campsites have cooking facilities (except for temporary ones like in Sulkava) but if you are camping in the forest...
• Earplugs (some campsites can be noisy, especially if you want an early night...)
• Mallet (cycling shoes work equally well)
• Camera and charger (in waterproof bag) - consider size and value of camera against desire to record and blog trip afterwards...
• iPod touch and charger (in waterproof bag) vs. paperback novel and address book
• Inflatable pillow
• Collapsible bowl (if you are not at a campsite and want to wash...)
• Electric toothbrush (if you are Konna)

I'm almost tempted to find all this stuff and lay it out. Almost. Seriously, this is the third or fourth time we have done this type of trip and we try to omit more each time, but it still all seems too much weight, and everything seems to gets used... well except the torches and fleece this year.

 

Hints for new cycle tourers:

• Plan route and stopping points well in advance (location of campsites are the key)
• Use the national cycle network, which is (mostly) signposted; avoid major roads - but remember Finnish side roads are often loose gravel which is difficult with narrow tyres and heavy loads
• Buy a proper cycle map - e.g. Fillari/Pyöräily GT 1:200 000
• Overnight cottages are good alternative/break from camping (especially on longer legs)
• To estimate your 'daily time/distance' take into account terrain, road type, fitness levels, rest periods/days, attractions to visit, shopping, ferry/train times, allowance for getting lost, punctures etc. NB: This calculation may take several months to work out, and still be found to be completely wrong when on the tour...
• If you are not a frequent cyclist already get some practice the month before
• Service your bike before the trip, particularly brakes (the bike will be HEAVY)
• Pack light! [cough] Invest in good panniers; consider front panniers and/or bar bag to spread load
• Practice riding with the bike loaded up - if you haven't done it before / in a while it takes some getting used to!
• Be safe, be seen - helmet, lights, reflectors, use road sense and follow the rules...
• If you are traveling alone, leave details of route with someone (in case of emergency)
• Get someone to water houseplants / pets / children while away
• Have fun!

Finnish road sign for bicycle chicken... via vdubbusrider/photobucket