In March 2012, I left my home in Gloucestershire, UK, to cycle around the world. I have no idea how long this will take ...
Kitlist
Do you want to know what I’m carting around the world with me? Getting the balance right between weight and comfort is difficult and I’m not convinced I’ve got it right yet. It depends on how much you value that extra pair of underwear versus a marginally easier hill-climb. At only 2 pairs of boxers I think it’s clear where I stand.
What’s in my panniers changes with the climate zone. In cold areas I must carry more clothes whereas in hot places sunscreen and mosquito repellent are the order of the day. Likewise, certain stretches require extra equipment, for instance more food and water containers, spare bicycle parts or communication booklets.
Below lists everything I started out with … |
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Bike & accessories |
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Dawes Galaxy bicycle |
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Tesco combination lock |
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Bell bike lights (front and back) |
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Karrimor panniers (front and back) |
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Karrimor pannier covers |
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x4 |
Osprey Aether 70 rucksack |
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Rucksack waterproof cover |
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Bungees |
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x2 |
Brunton water bottles (1L) |
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x2 |
Nike water bottles (0.75) |
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x2 |
Cateye Adventure cycle computer |
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Halfords bike pump |
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Giro helmet |
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Bike Maintenance |
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Puncture repair kit
- tyre levers
- patches
- glue
- sandpaper |
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Bike oil |
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Inner tube (spare) |
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Spokes (spare) |
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x2 |
Chain tool |
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Chain links (spare) |
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x2 |
Spoke key |
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Multi-tool |
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Cleaning rag |
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Clothes |
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Beanie hat |
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Balaclava |
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Snood |
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Smith sunglasses |
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Helly Hansen baselayer tops |
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x3 |
Cycle jerseys |
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x2 |
North Face windstopper jacket |
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Altura Night Vision jacket |
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North Face heavy jacket |
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Long johns |
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x2 |
Cycle shorts |
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x3 |
Cycle tights |
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Waterproof trousers |
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x2 |
Gloves |
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Socks |
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x5 |
Boxer shorts |
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x2 |
T shirts |
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x2 |
Smart shirt |
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Smart trousers |
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Belt |
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K-Swiss Ariake trainers |
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Mammut walking boots |
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Flip flops |
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Leg support bandage |
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Casio watch |
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Medical |
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Basic first aid kit
- Bandages
- Safety Pins
- Plasters
- Medical tape
- Scissors |
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Ibuprofen |
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Paracetamol |
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Diarrhoea relief |
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Antiseptic cream |
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Flucloxacillin (infections) |
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Deep Heat |
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Rehydration sachets |
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Anti-chafing gel |
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Chapstick |
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Camping equipment |
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Vango Banshee 200 tent |
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MH Lamina 20 sleeping bag |
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Sleeping bag liner |
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3m x 3m tarp (with cord) |
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Bozeman sleeping pad |
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Dry bags |
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Trangia 27-8 stove-set |
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Spork |
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MSR 1L fuel bottle |
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Matches |
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MSR Miniworks water filter |
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Penknife |
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Headtorch |
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Binoculars |
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Notebook |
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Pen |
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Washstuff
- toothbrush
- toothpaste
- soap
- sponge
- deodorant
- razor |
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Microfibre towel |
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Loo roll |
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Ortlieb 10L folding bowl |
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Clothes wash liquid |
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Suncream |
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Bug repellent |
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Emergency firestarter |
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Emergency whistle |
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Emergency PLB |
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Navigation |
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Compass |
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Working map folder |
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Storage map folder |
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Nearby attractions sheet |
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Electronics |
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Nokia mobile phone |
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Mobile phone charger |
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Global SIM card |
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Panasonic digital camera |
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Camera protective case |
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Memory cards (16GB) |
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x3 |
Memory card case |
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Gorillapod tripod |
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Camera charger |
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Netbook |
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Netbook protective case |
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Netbook charger |
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USB stick |
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Sony portable radio |
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Headphones |
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AA batteries (spare) |
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AAA batteries (spare) |
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Documents |
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Passport |
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Photocopy of passport |
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Passport photos |
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Insurance documents |
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EHIC card |
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Bank cards |
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Bank phone numbers |
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CarryOnCycling business cards |
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You might be interested in the following FAQs:
My bike is a Dawes Galaxy made in 1997. Dawes is the manufacturer, Galaxy is the model. I bought it in 2008 second-hand on eBay for £320. In fact, it was my 18th birthday present. Briefly, the frame is steel, the handlebars are dropped, V-brakes (no discs), no suspension, derailleur gears (no Rohloff hub), 28 inch wheels and weighs roughly 13kg. It is by no means the Rolls-Royce of bikes. It is only a very strong, simple contraption: always reliable and easy to fix. Click my ‘how I came to have my bike‘ post for an ode to my beginning on two wheels.
I carry two back pannier bags (one on each side of the back wheel), two front pannier bags (one on each side of the front wheel) and a large travel backpack which lies across the back (I don’t wear it when cycling). What I carry in those bags depends mainly on the season and location. In winter I have to carry a lot more clothes and equipment and in remote places I must carry extra food, water and spare bicycle parts. Take a look at my ‘kitlist’ to see what I’m carrying in detail.
In short, yes, although I’ve seen other cyclists with a lot more. As indicated above, the weight of my bike depends on the time of year and the area in which I’m cycling. I’d guess on average my baggage weighs around 30kg.