Packing for a Tour

Packing for a Tour Packing—like anything that takes discipline and practice—is an art. Traveling moms seem to have mastered the skill. They can fit anything into a suitcase: jeans, Legos, shirts, Nerf football, socks—the bicycle tourist could learn a few things from these women. The secret to packing effectively is to prioritize, learn a few helpful techniques and use a consistent packing approach time after time. Sounds serious. But it'll save you in the long run. Plus you'll make moms everywhere proud.

Keep your load balanced, low and mainly over the rear tire. Keep items such as water and maps within easy reach. Buffer fragile items, such as a camera, with softer gear.

Packing Basics

The balance, control and ride of your bike depend on the way you divide up and position your equipment load. The best way to position weight on a bicycle is to: Keep your center of gravity as low as possible: This means packing as much gear as possible low on the bike, and keeping the heaviest items in the lowest spots within each bag. Keeping gear low is especially important when it's stored on your front wheel. Keep the weight balanced evenly from side to side: This means matching heavy items on one side of the bike with similarly weighted items on the other. This will help you stay balanced. Keep most (but not all) of the weight towards the rear of your bike: Placing too much weight on your front wheel or handlebars can make steering difficult. On the other hand, packing everything on the rear wheel may make the front wheel feel skittish. To avoid these problems, pack approximately 30% of heavy equipment loads on your front wheel (as low as possible). When loads are light, everything can be stored in the rear if you prefer. Storing equipment behind you will help limit wind resistance.

Accessibility

You'll need access to certain gear as you ride. Some things you'll need only occasionally (like your rain jacket), while others you'll need many times each day (like water or your map). The key to smart packing is identifying those items that you'll need most often and making sure they're packed in easy-to-reach places. Gear needed while riding: Some items (sunglasses, maps, cycling gloves, food) should either be carried in your pockets or packed in a handlebar bag where you can grab them quickly (and safely). Day-specific items—Other gear items are needed more on some days and less on others, depending upon specific riding conditions. Consider factors like the expected weather, terrain and riding conditions each morning as you pack up, then position items like rain jackets, clothing layers and warm hats in appropriate places.

Additional Packing Concerns

Water Protection Most bike bags provide decent protection from rain, sleet and spray, but there's always a chance of leaks. Lightweight, waterproof plastic bike bag covers provide extra protection (make sure they fit snugly to reduce wind resistance and attach securely so they won't blow off) as do heavy-duty plastic bags (to line bike bags and protect specific, vulnerable items like sleeping bags). Regular plastic bags can tear easily, so look for heavy-duty trash compactor bags and tough, sealable freezer bags to line bike bags and bike bag pockets. REI also offers durable, waterproof Hydroseal(R) stuff sacks to protect essential items like sleeping bags. Tip: It's better to use many small bags to protect items than one large bag filled with small items. Packing and access both benefit from this practice. Impact Protection Fragile gear items like cameras, cook stoves and binoculars may benefit from some extra impact protection, especially on rough roads or trails. To protect them, pack them in the center of your large bike bags, surrounded by clothing or other soft items, or purchase one of REI's special hard-walled storage boxes. Loose Items Large gear items like tents and sleeping pads (which seldom fit easily into bike bags) are often carried on top of rear racks. To make sure these items are firmly attached to your bicycle, cinch them down tight with nylon straps or bungee cords. Both are available in a variety of lengths and thicknesses to hold onto just about any piece of gear. Make sure you carefully tuck away all extra straps or cords before you start riding. Lightening the Load If you're on a multi-day group tour, share the gear. One person can carry the stove, the other, the utensils. One person can carry the tent, the other, the tent poles. Divvy it up and save weight.

The Things You Shouldn't Carry

It's amazing how many people will pack their favorite pillow or blanket or the dress pants they might need for a nice restaurant. First, understand the multi-purpose nature of camping gear. For a pillow, place clothing in your sleeping bag's stuff sack. Or, carry a deflatable air pillow. Dress pants? If you're on a multi-day camping tour, you have to ask if a nice restaurant is your highest priority. On a van-supported tour, by all means, bring the pants. On a camping trip, leave 'em at home. Lay out everything you'll need on your trip Halve it Halve it again This will help you get your gear down to a more reasonable load.

Camping Gear

If you decide to camp outdoors during a bicycle tour, you'll need the same kinds of camping equipment that backpackers and other backcountry travelers use. Space will be limited, so stick to the essentials and choose your gear wisely. Remember—overloaded bikes are harder (and less fun) to pedal, and they can be harder to control.