Recommended by an experienced bicycle tourist
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I bought one of these to protect myself from dogs and bad drivers. Having tested it in Georgia and Azerbaijan I can safely say it works for both. Many savage dogs were stunned by its loudness and many wayward cars got to know I was there. Really loud! Get one! -
I've used this rack on all my bicycle tours and highly recommend it. It's really robust and can take a lot of punishment. It's really simple to fix your panniers to it quickly. There is a standard and disc brake fitting so make sure you choose the right one. -
These are very well made panniers and are great for keeping everything dry. There's plenty of room in them and they have a separate compartment each. They are easy to fit to your bike rack and easy to carry around using a strap. I suggest a lashing strap which can be used for other things. -
This is the saddle I have used for all my tours and I can safely report that I have never had any saddle soreness! The Brooks B17 is the stand out choice for a saddle that is well made and comfortable. Make sure you run it in first, to make sure it fits your bottom comfortably, before you go touring. Once run in just follow the care and maintenance instructions and it will last a long time. The version I have is the B17 Special but a cheaper Standard version is available for under £100 which delivers the same performance without the high level aesthetic. -
I like to have a variety of positions for my hands for comfort when bicycle touring. I bought these butterfly handlebars and have toured with them ever since. I do tend to have preferred position but it's relief to be able to change it from time to time. Recommended for comfortable arms while cycling. -
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I always use a CatEye Velo cycling computer when on tour or for everyday use. There are may more sophisticated trip trackers out there including iPhone and Android apps but you can't beat a simple cycling computer to deliver the headline ride stats quickly. The only time I've had any trouble from one is once during torrential rain when the rain penetrated the contacts. All together thoroughly recommended and pretty cheap too! -
I bought a pair of these to replace my Shimano cycling shoes. I was looking for a trainer type shoe which could take cleats for SPD pedals but still be comfortable to walk in. I looked at the Shimano XM7 cycling shoes but in the end took a chance on a much cheaper cycling shoe. I wasn't disappointed at all with these. I did buy some gel insoles as well to make things more comfortable. Make sure you buy some cleats, they are easy to fit as well. -
I was recommended these bicycle tires as an alternative to Schwalbe Marathon for touring. I was looking for a tough tire for multiple terrains and a bit of puncture resistance. I have now used the same set for three tours now and have not had a puncture. They can take some pounding on broken roads and trails performing exceptionally well with no issues. These tires are a great investment and I thoroughly recommend them. RiBMo means "Ride your Bike More"! -
These are great for stowing essential items such as puncture repair kits, tools, emergency rations etc. since it's easy to access once you've dismounted you bike. I have various sizes – small for short journeys up to large for touring. They are fixed by straps so easy to fit to most saddles. Fits my Brooks B17 without issue. -
These are great jackets for what they do. They are nice and light, pack up small and keep the rain out when it's pouring down. The additional visibility with the reflective fabric really stands out so I feel safer in bad conditions. Keeps the wind off nicely too and I've recently been through some filthy weather with one of these on and kept reasonably dry! Worth it and highly recommended. -
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I've always used a mess tin for camping and this one is an age old design. I have an old army surplus mess tin from WW2 but these new ones will do the job. Main benefits are you can cook and eat from them and stow items inside them such as cutlery and a burner when carrying. A tried and tested design – just get one! -
A handy knife, fork and spoon set complete with can opener. There are lighter ones available but if you like more robust cutlery then this one's for you – it's still light since it's made for camping. I've had a set like this for years and swear by it. -
Another classic camping equipment item. These are particularly useful since you can't carry gas on aeroplanes so you'll be ready to cook even if you can't find a cylinder for your gas stove. They perform well too so you can get a cup of tea quite quickly! -
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I like to sip water when cycling to keep hydrated so a CamelBak is an essential item for me. The great thing about this design is that there is plenty of space to stow items like sunglasses, waterproof helmet cover, money, snacks etc. The 2.5 litre capacity is usually enough for a days ride for me. Highly recommended item you should take on tour. -
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With such fantastic scenery to see on our bike tours I like to take lots of photos. My Nikon SLR is not really very practical being too bulky and heavy so my snap camera is what I took along. With iPhones taking such good photos you might wonder why I need a camera at all. The reason is that I like to take photos when riding so an iPhone would be too difficult to operate whilst moving. The answer is the Sony DSCWX350 with a lanyard attached to it to avoid dropping. The battery lasts a long while and it has a decent 20x zoom. Consider getting this camera tripod too. Worth every penny! -
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These tripods are an absolute must for getting group photos. It can grip to branches, posts, rocks etc. Really lightweight and portable. Stick your camera on timer and get shooting! -
A simple but effective idea which you miss if you haven't got one. Nice and bright too which helps when cycling in the rain. I stow mine in my CamelBak backpack and bring it out when the rain comes. An inexpensive item to keep the rain off your head. -
Silk inner gloves are a good tip for keeping your hands warm with minimal bulk and weight. I've used silk inner gloves since my early motorcycling days where I'd always keep a pair in my leather jacket. On cycle tours I've used them under my mits when it was cold. A really versatile accessory you should take with you. -
Another simple accessory which can help make your touring life easier. This cargo nets work well with my Topeak Super Tourist back rack and you can stuff a surprising amount of kit under them. Stowing kit under them is easy and stays put. I recommend one for your cycling tour. -
This is the the perfect sleeping mat for cycling. It is comfortable, lightweight and packs up small. You don't want to be messing about with punctures or mattresses losing air so best keep it simple. I highly recommend this one since it folds up in to an nice block with no space lost. Go for it and sleep tight! -
I've had one of these camera cases for years and I thoroughly recommend them. My mini tripod legs fits in to where the SD card goes so it's easy to stow it. I use the strap mainly but there is a belt loop too if you prefer. It's easy to open when riding too. Very good quality and a good price. -
I bought a Dawes Discovery 301 for my London to Paris ride and I still use it for touring today. It can take a lot of punishment and is still nice and quick on the flat. The gear ratios give you plenty of scope from steep inclines to fast flat roads. Mine does not have disc brakes but the latest model has two. The price is really good too so you re getting a lot for your money whilst not worrying too much about the replacement cost! Give it a try! -
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I have always used cleats to attach myself to my pedals. All the additional power you get on the upstrokes is certainly worth it (reportedly up to 10%). When touring you can be in and out of the SPD pedals a lot, so I use these Shimano SPD pedals because they are quite large and can be used with normal shoes too. They are easy to pedal without fully clipping yourself in which is useful in towns. Thoroughly recommended so get some additional power. -
The Topeak Hexus II Bike Multitool is a really useful tool to keep in your saddle bag. It's got a whole load of different tools and great for tightening up loose bolts, fix your chain, reassemble your pedals etc. I use it right from the break down and boxing of my bike to the disassembly and reboxing and everything in between. I highly recommend taking one as I have used it on every tour.