If you’re joining your first group cycling adventure, it can be tough to know what you really need to bring with you. The options, generally speaking, sit somewhere between ‘just yourself, appropriately dressed’ and ‘a bike, a helmet, pedals and a saddle’. We’re pleased to tell you that the answer is an awful lot closer to the former than the latter.
Of course, what you’ll need to bring on any cycling tour will depend on your provider. On a Much Better Adventures cycling trip, your bike will always be provided, as will all the technical cycling gear you need. That said, there are some things you may wish to bring with you anyway (spoiler, it’s a helmet).
I would say to try and bring your own helmet, because each one is a different shape, and it’s something personal.
We had a chat with Endrit Shima, who is a cycling guide and route designer on our Cycling the Backroads of Albania adventure, out in the Balkans.
“We start our cycle rolling down to Lake Ohrid, a UNESCO site, and travel through a remote part of southeast Albania,” he said. “There are mountain roads with almost no cars, small villages and towns bordering Greece and a lot of greenery and high mountains. Along the Vjosa River you have the rough faces of the Nemërçka [mountains]. There’s a lot of diversity on the trip.”
We put some of your FAQ’s to Endrit - asking him what do you really need to bring with you on a cycling trip?
Here are a few quick, key takeaways for what to pack:
- Do bring your own helmet for additional comfort
- Do dress in layers, to stay comfortable
- Do bring a hat, cycling gloves and a warm jacket (for stops on the way)
- Do bring sunglasses to keep the wind out of your eyes
- Do bring snacks to keep you fuelled while you ride
It's obvious, but important to note that you should always take your destination into account when you’re travelling for a bike trip. You might need a few more layers in the Arctic than you will do in the dunes of Namibia after all. Each of our trips has a kit list - so do consult it when you’re packing.
Should I Bring My Own Helmet?
A helmet is the one cycling-specific item that you may want to bring with you on a group cycle.
“Of course, we can provide helmets if someone doesn’t have one,” says Endrit. “In that case, they should let us know in advance, but personally if I go cycling somewhere, I would take my helmet with me. I would say to try and bring your own helmet, because each one is a different shape, and it’s something personal.”
On a personal level, I've also found that bringing your own helmet is a good idea when cycling abroad. You’re going to be wearing it a lot, so it’s good to bring something you know you’re going to be comfortable in - a nice touch of home.
What Should I Wear While I’m Cycling?
No, you don't have to turn up in full lycra (though you can, if it takes your fancy).
What you wear while you're riding is really a location-specific question, but the one key thing Endrit emphasises is ‘layers’.
“You can go from sunny and hot to pulling on three layers very quickly on a cycling trip,” he says. This is not just because of weather - though the appearance and disappearance of wind and rain and changing heat is a factor - but also because you won’t always be on the bike while you’re on a cycling trip. “You might be sweaty while you’re cycling, but then we might stop in a beautiful place with a view, and you can get cold quickly,” Endrit says.
The solution to that is to dress in layers and pack layers - including big jackets, hat and gloves.
“I wouldn’t underestimate the importance of layering,” he says. “Even if a trip is in a month where the temperature is usually shorts weather - I would always bring a rain jacket and a couple of layers; a base layer; a mid-layer and one warm, fluffy down jacket for when you stop.”
Cycling gloves are great for breaking the wind, and are an essential for regular cyclists.
I wouldn’t underestimate the importance of layering.
Sunglasses of some kind are also important - not just for keeping out the sun, but for keeping the wind (and any mud or dirt off-road) out of your eyes as you cycle.
Padded cycling shorts are not essential, but can really help with comfort on a multi-day cycle ride.
So for an average day of cycling in medium heat, you’d have your shorts or cycling shorts, comfy shoes, a t-shirt or other base layer, a fleece and a windbreaker, a waterproof jacket, with cycling gloves on and a warmer coat and hat with you as well for any long breaks at viewpoints.
Again, this is really trip-dependent, so do check those trip kit lists when packing.
Can I Bring My Own Bike?
Not having to bring your own bike is generally considered to be one of the big benefits of booking yourself onto a bike tour abroad - but you can bring your own bike if you really want.
That answer of ‘yes’ does comes with a few caveats, however. The first is that you’ll have to transport your own bike to the destination of the tour, and the second is that you’ll have to really be sure that your bike is suitable for the kind of terrain that you’re going to be riding.
We dropped in with Vicky Leach, who plans and designs our cycling adventures.
“If you're doing a cycling trip on your home turf, you know the area, you know the trains; it's easier to get to the start point,” she said. “But if you want to cycle somewhere abroad, even the idea of trying to get your bike packaged up and on the plane and hoping it doesn't get damaged is a faff. Then you might have to hire a car to get to the start point, which the bike fits into.”
All of that is beyond having to box up, disassemble and assemble your bike at either end.
Can I Bring My Own Pedals?
This might seem like a strange question for those who aren’t regular cyclists, but it’s an important one. If you’re bringing your own cycling cleats (also called ‘clipless’ shoes, which clip into the pedals) then you will have to also bring your own pedals, so that your shoes can clip into those pedals. If you’re not doing this, there is rarely a good reason to bring pedals with you.
The same applies to bringing your own saddle. You can, but it’s not essential.
Should I Bring Food?
Usually lunch will be included in your cycling tour, but that doesn’t mean it’s a bad idea to bring some snacks to nibble along during the day. In fact, it’s actively encouraged, whether that’s energy gels to keep you active or some sort of trail mix. Do remember that chocolate melts, though - often learned the hard way.
Got an Example Kit List?
Sure thing. Here’s the kit list from the (excellent) Cycle the Backroads of Albania trip. To view the kit list for any other trip, simply kit the ‘Kitlist’ drop down menu on the trip in question.
Cycle Kit
- Helmet (required)
- Cycling shoes (bring your own pedals if using cleats)
- Saddle, if you would rather use your own
- Gel saddle cover (optional if preferred)
- Bumbag for riding (optional; a single small pannier bag is provided if you'd like to use it)
- Reusable water bottles. It is recommended that you bring cycling water bottles that fit into standard bottle cages on bikes (500, 600 or 750ml).
Clothes
- Padded cycling shorts
- Sports top or cycling jersey
- Waterproof jacket
- Cycling gloves
- Buff or neck scarf
- T-shirts
- Underwear and socks
- Sleepwear
- Sunglasses
- Sunhat
- Sandals
- Fleece jacket or similar for the evenings
- Trousers/leggings for the evenings
- Trainers/sandals
- Swimwear
Other
- Universal travel plug adapter
- Power bank or solar charger
- Passports (and visas)
- Travel insurance documents
- Ear plugs
- Insect repellent
- Suncream
- Personal first-aid kit
- Personal items (biodegradable toiletries, sanitary wear etc)
- Toilet kit (toilet paper, biodegradable bags to carry paper out to dispose of)
- Quick-dry towel
- Alcohol hand-gel
- Head torch or small torch
- Biodegradable wet-wipes
- Energy bars and snacks
Inspired? Check out our full range of cycling adventures now!