What to bring with you?


Sayers, say on! Singers sing on!
/
/
When the materials are prepared, the architects will come.

(anybody who knows the missing words of this rhyme will get a free biketour T-shirt!)

Water: the basics

First thing you need is a properly working bike, preferably light and fast, with good gears and good brakes, reflectors, lights and a strong rear rack. Please check your bike at home for old, worn or broken parts, so that you will not have to struggle with that on the road. We'll offer a bike repair and improvement workshop in Vienna one day before the bikeour starts but still check your bike before leaving home because there won't be time for huge overhauls. Experience shows that people with racing bikes tend to have more problems with their bikes than mountainbike owners. Bring a small repair kit (at least some glue and patches), spare innertube, extra spokes, bottle carrier and bottle, mudguards (friendly for the person that will drive behind you) and a bell, horn or a siren.

Then you need waterproof panniers to store your stuff in. Better get the good ones, as the cheaper versions tend to disappoint you sooner or later, or make panniers yourself. Also make sure that the method of attching them to your bike is secure and that they aren't going to jump off when you go over bumps. It's also better for you if they don't take ages to fix to your bike since you will have to remove either them or their contents every night. Try to divide your luggage over the front and back of your bike, for better weight balance, or better still don't bring too much stuff.

Very important is also your place in a tent. Either bring your own tent or share one with someone else. If you do not know anybody to share with but do not have a tent, ask on the mailing list. Don't forget your sleeping mat & -bag.

Take as little luggage as possible, since you have to carry it all by yourself, but be sure to bring: warm sweater, long trousers, T-shirt, short trousers, sox, underwear, towel, toothbrush & paste, sandals, teddy bear, (people who canā..t sleep without a pillow could take just take the pillow bag and stuff it with clothes.), plate/cup, spoon, knife, fork... Passport, visa, some money and the travel- and health insurance-papers (e.g. E111) as well as any medicines you might need !

Bread: Highly recommended
Rain protection: raincoat, rain trousers, some strong waterproof bags big enough to pull over your shoes, spare shoes, trousers, shirt, waterproof bags for your luggage (or strong and big enough plastic bags to put over your luggage.).
sun protection: sun cream with high UV numbers as we will be cycling during the day and will not always have shade as a natural protection. Know your skin sensitivity, nobody is looking for skin cancer, right? Then: cap, bandana, hat, sun glasses, an airy shirt with long sleeves, scarf, gloves...
A good lock! Especially the Netherlands are famous for their skilled bike thieves.

Salt in the soup: Also recommended
Helmet, mosquito repellent, alarm clock, 100% recycled toilet paper, sewing kit, washing powder/soap (preferably biodegradeable), swim suit, flashlight, pocket knife, drying-line, camera/video camera, notebook + pen, compass /GPS system (!), good maps (compared to the photocopied shit we will provide you with), phone-cards/mobile phone (don't forget your charger), lighter/matches, candles, veggie recipies, instruments, info about your organisation/project, songs or food from your country, card-games, binoculars, bike decoration like a big biketour flag attached to your bike ...

  Last updated 31 May 2004