Traveling by bicycle means forgoing many of modern living’s comforts. Any non-essentials that make it into your pack must be worth their weight in gold. Whether or not an item meets this threshold depends on any given cyclist. A musician might choose to carry their instrument. A chef might pack an assortment of herbs and spices. A french man may carry wine – and he’ll be the first to tell you that boxed is lighter than bottled!
Whoever you are, consider bringing the following luxury items with you on your next tour:
1. Coffee filter
It’s 6am, cold and rainy. The tent is drenched, you’re out of fresh socks, and the food supply is perilously low. Why did you decide to do this again?…
Then, you take a sip of piping hot, freshly brewed coffee. All of a sudden, the rain subsides and Mr. Sun peeks his way through the overhanging clouds, illuminating the dense fog that surrounds your beautifully selected wild-camping spot. Nearby, the river softly babbles, a murmur broken only by the pitter-patter of droplets falling from the treetops above, crash-landing onto your perfectly-pitched tent. One of those noisy birds you’d been cursing a few minutes prior lands nearby and recommences its dawn chorus, reminding you (once more) that nature’s alarm clock can’t be snoozed. Your hands, clutched around your steaming mug, thaw as the bold tones of the coffee drift upward. And you smile; life is good.
Instant coffee is terrible. Get yourself a reusable coffee filter and feed your addiction in style.
2. Pillow
You’re probably thinking, “I can totally get by without a pillow. I’ll just use some scrunched up clothes… or a towel.. or something.” Well, smartypants, we urge you to reconsider. Quality sleep is absolutely essential, especially for us lunatics who have chosen to spend a good chunk of the day pedaling into the horizon. A semi-inflatable pillow is light-weight, packs up small and might just provide that extra level of comfort you need for a night of quality shuteye.
3. Tarp
A tarp can perform miracles. Turn a dirty patch of ground into a yoga studio or a picnic space. Create a roof and invite your suffering neighbors over to enjoy shelter from the rain (or the sun). Keep bird poop off you, your tent and your bicycle. Wrap yourself up and pretend that you’re a human burrito.
With a tarp, the possibilities are endless.
4. Baby Wipes
How is it that babies are so darn cute, despite periodically being covered in sh*t? The answer: baby wipes.
At the end of any given day in the saddle, you’ll probably smell like a freshly-soiled diaper. If you’re lucky enough to be camping close to a river or lake, sure, go ahead and channel your inner Wim Hof and jump in the frigid water… Or, simply crawl into your tent and give yourself a once over with a baby wipe.
p.s. Baby wipes are typically NOT compostable (nor flushable). #leavenotrace
5. Pot
Not that kind of pot, silly! We’re talking about cookware.
Upgrade your frustratingly small “camping-size” cookware (teeny tiny pot = teeny tiny meal) and carry a decent-sized pot. Then eat like Michael Phelps at a buffet. And remember, today’s leftovers are tomorrow’s breakfast/lunch.
6. Wool socks, wool underwear, wool errthang
Wool is a highly-efficient temperature regulator – keeping you warm when it’s cold and cool when it’s hot. It dries quickly (hang dry only, of course) and is more durable than cotton. Best of all: wool is a super-effective odor absorber.
Honorable Mention: Bungee Cords
Keep your pack tight with bungee cords. Your racks, panniers and legs will seriously thank you for it! Additional bonus usages: laundry line; exercise bands (did you stretch today?); pair with tarp to create a roof.