Bicycle Tour of North Carolina's
Outer Banks Islands

Bicycle Packing List

What to Pack?

Clothing (plan to wash clothes by hand each night to reduce number of items taken)

  1. For riding: two bicycling shorts (tights), two shorts (quick dry material), two shirts (quick dry) -- (one pair of shorts/shirt works well if washed each night)
  2. Off the bike (evening and sleeping wear): one or two shorts, one or two shirts (quick dry, easily washed), underwear -- (one pair short/shirt works, nothing fancy needed)
  3. Helmet
  4. Maybe a hat for sun protection when off the bike
  5. Sunglasses (and headband or something to prevent sweat from dropping on glasses)
  6. Bike gloves
  7. Rain-proof jacket or poncho; maybe rain pants if you chill easily
  8. Socks
  9. Bike shoes, sandals

    (Note: Temperature in mid-July on the Outer Banks averages 85 for a high, and 74 for a low. The record high is only in the low 90s. Record low is in the low 60s. Source: Weather.com July Averages for Frisco, NC ) --- (While highs are in mid-80s, it felt very hot on the road and out and about)

Bike Parts

  1. Spare tube and patch kit (Wal-mart and Local bike shop have these), tire levers
  2. Bike repair tools (multi-tool good enough, such as one of these: Nashbar.com Multitool List or AEBike.com List (also at Wal-mart and Local bike shop)
  3. I will carry other tools and parts in case something other than flat tire occurs (i.e., spoke wrench, cassette remover, wrenches, chain tool, crank bolt spares)
  4. Mirror (AEBike.com mirrors, after trying several types, I prefer the Mirrycle Mirror)
  5. Pump
  6. Spokes (2 of each length)

Snack Food and Water

  1. Carry at least two water bottles, three better, for long stretches between towns
  2. Snacks as appropriate (bananas, power bar, etc.)

Camping Equipment (if you plan to camp)

  1. Lightweight tent (get dome style for more room, more comfortable such as when waiting out rain)
  2. Backpacking Mattress/pad (Wal-mart and K-mart sell inexpensive blue-foam pads, more comfortable and light-weight sleeping pads can be found at Campmor.com,  REI.com, etc.)
  3. Toiletry supplies (tooth brush/paste, comb, nail kit, razor, folding scissors, toilet paper/wipes, soap, shampoo, quick drying small towel, toilet paper)
  4. Lightweight Blankets (synthetic for fast drying, probably won't need sleeping bag due to warmth in July)
  5. Small pillow (or use a stuff bag and put clothes in it, e.g., http://www.rei.com/product/728415).

Other Items

  1. Camera, memory, batteries
  2. Maps (NC has very nice map for Outer Banks, free here Outer Banks Maps, request the "Around Pamlico Sound" and the "Dare County Bicycle Map")
  3. Lightweight tent (get dome style for more room, more comfortable such as when waiting out rain)
  4. Backpacking Mattress/pad (Wal-mart and K-mart sell inexpensive blue-foam pads, more comfortable and light-weight sleeping pads can be found at Campmor.com, REI.com, etc.)
  5. First-aid stuff (also bring copy of medical insurance)
  6. Sunscreen, chap stick
  7. Flashlight or headlamp (small and lightweight LED lights work fine for camping/reading)
  8. Phone, GPS
  9. Zip-lock bags to keep things dry, garbage bags, also to keep things dry
  10. Money (cash and credit card)
  11. Address book
  12. Pocket Knife (if your multi-tool does not have knife)
  13. Tape
  14. Small rope/guy line

Other Ideas for Packing Lists

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=58177

http://www.tailwinds.org/2003/Ontario /2003PackPage.html (pictorial display of packing list)

http://www.adventurecycling.org/features/packing.cfm

http://gorp.away.com/gorp/gear/practical-advice/bike-touring-packing-list-1.html

http://www.hoogie.co.nz/info/packing_list.htm

http://www.olybikes.com/resources/tour.html#gearlist

 

How to carry all this?

If you have a bike with rack eyelets, inexpensive racks and panniers will work. If you have a bike without places to attach racks, some type of bicycle trailer will work well for carrying stuff. Let me know what you need and maybe I have spare parts or can help find a way to make it work for you.

I do have a spare bike that would be suitable for touring, I have a few spare racks and panniers, so let me know your needs.