Photo by Jack Jenson

People fuss over bike travelers and how brave, adventurous and fit they are. But if you think about it, a bike traveler is just someone who wonders, “What if I rode my bike... somewhere else?” and does.

If you get around by bike at home, why not take it with you the next time you go “somewhere else?” It’s easy: pack your bike, pack some stuff, start pedaling and ta-da! You’re an Adventure Cyclist!

I credit my first foreign bike adventure – a winter getaway to Mexico’s Yucatan – to the fact that I’m too stubborn to break my daily cycling habit; too lazy to haul a heavy knapsack on and off buses; and too curious to just sit on a resort barstool.

I aim for destinations that are warm, flat and mildly touristy. Why? Lighter gear, fewer hills and more places to enjoy a cheap, chilled, sociable beer at the end of the day.

Novice bike travelers agonize for months over what to bring on a trip, so I’ll share my own highly-biased, female-friendly, low-tech cyclist’s packing list. You may notice the absence of a cell phone, GPS and laptop, and the presence of mini-pads, brassieres and hair ties.

Did I mention the list is biased? Use it as a starting point, and contact Momentum to share your comments, questions and travel tips.

The Mitey Miss Bike Travel Packing List

Bike Gear

I travel with a rigid mountain bike equipped with racks, suspension seat-post and dual (flat/clipless) pedals. Add front/rear panniers, handlebar bag, multi-tool, flat repair kit (inner tube, pump, tire levers, patch kit), bike computer, rear light, lubrication kit (oil, rag), cable lock and sometimes – a helmet.

Camp Gear

I pack either a 1.5-person tent with full fly and vestibules (room to move and storage) or a bivouac tent (really small and light). Add a sleeping bag and Therm-a-Rest under-pad.

Hardware

When I travel overseas, I leave behind the camp stove, pots, soap and scrubbie pad. Why? A stove needs fuel (a pain to locate in a foreign country) and it’s a lonely companion to eat with on a solo ride. I’d rather share a meal in a family-run cantina. Other hardware: bowl, cutlery, lightweight cord (laundry line), head lamp and Swiss army-style knife, two bungee cords and cable ties (“zap straps”).

Food

I shop en route, but pack home-bought powdered 3-in-1 tea and sports drinks, bagels, cream cheese, peanut-butter-and-jam-in-one-jar, energy bars, trail mix, ramen soups, beef jerky and dried fruit.

Clothing

I organize clothing in the following categories: bike, non-bike, sleep, sun, rain, feet, cold and “deal breakers.”

BIKE: worn only while cycling, a typical outfit is padded shorts, short-sleeve blouse, stretchy bra.

NON-BIKE: civilian-looking, knee-length shorts to go over padded shorts, modest dress, non-wrinkle light long pants and tops (suitable for nice restaurants or temples), cardigan/fleece, underwear, regular bra, bathing suit.

SLEEP: tank top and loose briefs.

SUN: soft hat, sunglasses.

RAIN: light shell with hood.

FEET: bike shoes, walking shoes, flip-flops. Socks for biking and non-biking.