Kit

Like all things in life, kit is very personal, and what to take or not take depends on your specific situation, budget, priorities, fitness, etc.

Having never undertaken such a long ride, and having never cycle-camped, we searched far and wide on the web as well as asking around on various forums, to come up with a kit list that we hoped would suit this trip. We knew we would juggle camping with B&Bs depending on the weather etc, but still needed all the kit so we could camp where we needed/wanted to.

Although the kit we started out with worked well (would never have thought of half of it), I made a few tweaks later on once we were underway.  Items in red were dropped from the kit or won't be taken next time, items in green were added on the road.

Don't underestimate the weight.  Everyone says it, but to some degree it really doesn't sink in until you're experiencing it first hand -  carrying lots of gear up a hill when you're having a bad day.  After my bad day, plenty of gear went in the bin that night - you really decide what you can live without once you resent carrying anything!


Steve's Kit List

--Bike
Ridgeback Velocity 21",  Ergon GC3 grips w/end bars,  Tubus Cargo rack (plus extension set to make it fit), Selle-Anatomica saddle.
Gearing changed from factory default front chainrings of 48/38/28 to 42/32/22
2 Ortlieb Bike Packer Plus Rear Panniers
Altura bar bag
1 Ortlieb PD 350 22L Dry Bag (for tent, groundsheet)
Exped lightweight drybag (for the days food)
2 bungee cords
1 prop stand
1 CTC plastic bike transport bag (decided too heavy to carry, better to buy same /similar when need)
2 pairs BBB Tristop brake pads (1 days wet riding wiped out my brand new stock sets on the bike)
1 BBB superbright rear light (my Toepeak one packed in during heavy rain)


--Bike Repair & Maintenance Kit 
Spare inner tube.
Puncture repair kit & tyre levers.
big multitool (pedros)
1 Lezyne pump
Small plastic bottle of general lube. 
1 sml amount duct tape
4+ cable ties
1 sml amount strong string
6 spare spokes (3 of each size) (reduced to 1 of each)
'spokey' spoke key
spare gear/brake cable
front fork spacer for bike travel in bag

--Camping Equipment  
1 Terra Nova Laser tent w/ extra set tent pegs (North Face aluminium)
1 TN groundsheet protector
1 sleeping bag - Xero 350
1 Thermarest - Neo Air
1 Exped air pillow
1 Gas stove  (caminggaz blue micro)
1+ gas canisters
1 camping cook set (alu - inc mugs and plates)
1 folding spatula 
1 cutlery set & plastic spoon
1 Washing up sponge (buy sml liquid later)
1 mini head torch
1 battery torch/lamp for general lighting
1 gas lighter.
2 plastic carrier bags (saddle cover, general use)

--Personal Kit /Clothes 
2 prs cycling shorts (Mavic/DHB).
2 cycling tops.
2 long sleeve Merino baselayer (Howies)
4 prs cycling socks. (2 lightweight, 2 warmer)
1 pr tracksuit bottoms
1 waterproof jacket (gore, yellow)
1 pr waterproof breathable overtrousers.
1 waterproof socks (Seal Skins)
1 pr zip off trousers. 
1 jeans
2 T-shirts
1 Fleece.
1 nice shirt
1 normal trainers
2 Underwear sets.
1 swimming shorts/overshorts for cycling
Wash kit (toothpaste, toothbrush, shampoo, deodorant, razor, soap etc.)
1 sml packet wet wipes 
1 Lifeventure micro towel
1 toilet roll
1 tissues

--Other gear 1 pr cycling shoes.
1 cycling helmet.
1 cycle gloves
1 pr cycling sunglasses & extra lenses
1 GPS - Garmin Oregon 400T (with Europe map)
various maps (road atlas N and S France)
Camera + memo cards + spare batt
Notepad and pen.
Passport, travel insurance documents, E111, ATM and credit cards.
1 set - Earplugs
2 bike cables and locks. (1 specialized, and 1 abus luggage cord)
1 First aid kit (plasters, etc).
1 pack nurofen
1 50+ Sunbloc
1 sml bottle Insect repellant
anti histamine cream and tablets (a precaution since i got eaten alive on the paris trip)
Some washing (liquid) for laundry and twisted elastic drying line.
iphone (w/ roaming data package)
1 go-pro camera, bike mount, spare batt and mem cards.
1 spacegrip mount to raise gopro and make front lights an option.1 world adapter plug & usb charger (would add more USB sockets to adapter)
1 iphone usb lead,
1 small general usb lead (garmin/gopro)
1 powermonkey, with charger, solar panel, usb adapter, iphone adapter
6+ spare rechargeable AA batteries for gps (energizer 2350 mAh, NiMH)
AA battery charger (energizer 1hr)AA NiMH battery charger USB powered (slow)Extra quick seal bags

--Food
tea bags (roibos and normal)
sml powdered milk
pasta / noodles
instant soup packets
sugar 
olive oil
salt/pepper
cycling hydration tablets
energy bars
daily fresh food - bread/cheese/biscuits/fruit etc