Take a piece of paper and a pencil. If you reach for something that you don't have, put it on the list. Once a year go thru your stuff. If you didn't use an item last year take it out of your kit.

Doesn't look too bad does it? But the shipping fellas have just told me the (crated) weight is 440kg.
And I swore I'd travel light last time...

All this travelling light business is really overated IMHO. I mean, arriving at a campsite without Gin, Tonic, Glass, olives etc. just lacks a certain something. The sidecar helps of course :clap:

On the tube thing I think it is equally a worry what some people don't carry over what they do. I've met plenty in Europe and just beyond carrying a single tube because someone told them it was the thing to do, but with no idea how easy it is to change. The same guys who expect to fit a 21" tube into their 17" rear without ever practiceing at home (and without pinching it) will be carrying a chain and sprockets for a 3 week ride :( because it's on a list they read for a RTW. The G-clamp I carry for dealing with awkward tyre beads (doubles as a vice) probably weighs less and a bottle of slime (or RAC card) would be just as much use to the unpracticed.

Water is another good one. 10 litres per person per day is fine away from civilisation, but why do I see riders getting on the ferry to Spain with full water bottles (although those panniers with the tank build in could be a useful way to shift a gallon or three of dago red on the way home). Lugging 10kg of English water then drinking coca cola all the way can't be the way to do it :nono: (not that I drink the stuff, prefer the whisky neat, although tea would taste better I'm told). Too many people just wanting to say they own a camelbak or Sigg bottle, or not understanding what their own kit is for? The empty Camelbak weighs something similar to a 300ml plastic bottle bungeed to the rack and will be fine until you start buying litre bottles a week later? Up to each person of course, I'd stop to use a Camelbak tube anyway (uncontrolled drinks risk putting my pipe out).

I think I'd rather see inexperienced riders with piles of stuff while they make their lists of what they personally didn't need/can't use, the people doing big trips after a lot of practice having exactly what they need (and no more) and us semi-alchoholic, food obsessed, pipe smoking types safe on our outfits doing it Victorian explorer style. It's whatever makes your trip.

Got to do now, time for tiffin,

Andy

This is an old thread but why not wake it up?

I'm about to set off and looking at the bike and everything I am actually thinking I've got too little ! Honestly there is hardly anything there. Brilliant! That's even with my wife's stuff. It is truly a defining moment for me. I have two 36ltr panniers both only half full. On the rack a tent ( 5.5Kg and sleeping stuff ( minimal weight )

I have just peaked ! :D

It has taken about four years of reduction to reach this stage and much nagging the wife to not take a heated curling brush etc...

This sounds good! You got pics of your loaded up bike?

Get out on the road and let things play out. Believe it or not ... they actually DO SELL common items you might need in other countries! No need for liter bottles full of your special shampoo or biscuits. Give up stuff. Find new favorites out in the world. Jettison what you don't use/need, buy stuff you DO need that you forgot. The road is the best teacher. (and any French RTW biker!)

Yeah, thats the bit I can never get.

I was really badly stuck for a hammer one day in Ukraine so guess what I did??

I bought one!! Cost me about 2 euro and I have kept it. Not because I was afraid there would be a world wide hammer shortage (doh) but because its quite a cool hammer!:innocent:

There is always the "expert" vision I have read a few times and must agree with!:thumbup1:

Pack your bike, then get rid of half the stuff you've packed....repack and get rid of some more stuff and then you're ready to go!!!:scooter:

Cheers,
RN

Exactly ... but don't forget the last part of that "expert" vision: Take DOUBLE the amount of money you think you need! :rofl:

And the middle part allow twice as long as you think.

I ve been doing the dump half of it thing for four years !

Spot on! :rofl::rofl::rofl:

But I tend (or try) to believe that's not always the case!
It's too subjective to make a rule of thumb!

Just stay open minded and fine tune your set up as you go along!

Cheers,
RN

I agree

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