The Cycle Touring Teacher
  • June 2017
  • Le Tour - Postponed
    • The Plan
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  • Dumfries to Mallorca (failed again!) - 2015
    • The Plan
    • The Route
    • Equipment List
    • The Ride
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  • Dumfries to Africa (failed!) - 2014
    • The Plan
    • The Route
    • Equipment List
    • The Ride
  • Dumfries to Mallorca - 2012
    • The Plan
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    • The Ride
    • Equipment List
    • Business Sponsors
    • Mallorca Photos
  • Dumfries to Mallorca - 2006
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The equipment list will be pretty much the same as 2014 with just a few additions/subtractions/substitutions.

Cycle computer

I plan to change my cycle computer for one with an altimeter in it. I do loads of climbing on my rides and it would be good to be able to explain to my legs why they're tired at the end of the day. I've looked at some great devices but many of them are expensive and/or have a short battery life. However, I've found one by Sigma (the same make as my current, very reliable, computer) which I can get via the Internet for about £25 so will probably give this one a try.



Bike and Bags, etc

Bike: Saracen Skyline – now about ten years old but still going strong – hopefully!

(I've just realised that whilst I say the bike is ten years old, the only original parts are the frame, the wheels and the handlebars! It's a bit like the joke about the joiner who said that he'd had the same hammer for the last twenty years - he'd replaced the head four times and the shaft three times, but it was still the same hammer!)

Gears: Triple chainset 22, 34, 44 with an eight speed 11 to 34 rear cassette (My gearing seems to get lower with every ride and it's so low now that, when I'm in first gear,  it's debateable whether it would be quicker walking! My defence for lowering it again is that I intend to cross the Pyrenees via Andorra and it's a pretty steep climb!). Chainset fitted with American Chain Watcher which stops the chain coming off when dropping onto the smallest chainring.

Wheels & tyres: 700c with 38mm Schwalbe Marathon Plus tyres (I've changed from Continental to see if these will last longer, and they're supposed to be puncture proof)
There are quite a few comments on bike forums about Marathon Plus tyres being difficult to fit but I found them really easy to get on.
Quick release skewers changed for ones that need an Allen key to undo them on the assumtion that not many opportunist thieves walk around with a set of Allen keys in their pocket.

Tecktro brakes with soft linings

Gel saddle

Bottle cages for 2.5 litres of water (+ a 1.5 litre bottle in the rear pannier pocket once the weather heats up)

Halfords rear rack with Altura 20 litre panniers (40 litre total)

Rear top bag bought from Milletts in their closing down sale (Not sure of the volume but it’s big!)

Front rack – make unknown – taken off the rear of another bike and fitted on backwards, with 4 litre polythene icecream tub used as a ‘munchie box’ for snacks on the go plus holding items that I want close to hand

Lowrider racks fitted with Altura 16 litre panniers (32 litre total)

Halfords handlebar bag

Sigma Sport cycle computer with altimeter

Homemade twin front light and three rear lights

Halfords centre stand (modified to increase strength)

Blackburn rearview mirror

Camping Equipment

Tent: Eurohike Tay 2 man

Sleeping bag: Halfords 2 season

Pillow case (filled with clothes, towel, etc at night to create a pillow)

Airbed and repair kit

Groundsheet used to cover the bike at night and in front of the tent as a living room extension during the day

Camping Gaz stove plus gas and lighter

Can opener

Backup food (mainly dried noodle, pasta, and couscous meals)

Corkscrew

Food bags

Coffee, sweeteners, dried milk

Plastic plate, bowl, mug, glass (Can a plastic glass be called a glass or is it a 'plastic'?)

Leakproof screwtop container for liquids

Saucepan

Tea towel

Wooden spoon

Knife, fork, spoon, sharp knife

Salt and pepper

Scourer

Washing line and pegs (Can be used to tie the tent down in a gale!)

Clothes

Cycling cape (DayGlo yellow)

Cycling jacket (DayGlo yellow)

Cycling trainers

Helmet

High vis vest (Usually draped over my rear rack bag)

Lightweight casual outfit

Reading glasses x 2

Sun glasses x 2 (different strengths)

Cycling gloves x 2 pairs

Handkerchiefs x 3

Mosquito headnet

Swimming trunks

Tee shirts x 2

Tracksuit bottoms

Pants x 3

Shorts x 3 (2 padded)

Socks x 3 pairs

Cycling shirts x 2 (Hi Vis)

Base layer (top & bottom in case it turns cold)

Sandals – lightweight plastic for wet grass and dodgy showers!

Lightweight dressing gown – for late night visits to the toilet block!

Caps x 2 - One of which is a French Foreign Legion style with neck protector incase I get the sun behind me.


Toiletries

Folding combined brush and mirror

Comb

Deodourant

Baby wipes - these are a relatively new discovery for me but I think they're great - they'll clean anything!

Swarfega - a small amount stored in an old 35mm film canister for cleaning up after roadside repairs.


Ibuprofen

Insect repellent

Cod liver oil capsules

Moisturiser

Multi vitamins

Nailbrush – very small – came out of a Christmas cracker!

Disposable razors

Shampoo and conditioner (combined) – also used as travel wash and washing up liquid!

Soap

Shoe horn – makes getting my trainers on much easier when I’m in the tent (without undoing the laces!)

Suntan cream

Toilet paper

Toothbrush

Toothpaste

Towel

Scissors

Nail Clippers

Aftershave – small sample bottle

Tools/Spares

Bike oil

Cable ties

Duct tape

2 bike pumps (1 normal size & 1 mini with gauge)

Puncture repair kit + tyre levers

Tools (pliers, wire cutters, adjustable spanner, multitool, spoketool, chainlink extractor, rear cassette removal tool and chain whip, etc.)

Spare spokes (3 sizes)

Tyre valve adaptor (Presta to Schrader)

1 inner tube

Latex gloves

Spare brake and gear cable


Gadgets, etc.

AA & AAA batteries (spares for lights, camera, mp3, & dictaphone.)

Calculator – solar powered

Camera (Fuji FinePix S4080 bridge)

Mini tripod

Compass

Mp3 with headphones

HP Netbook (Upgraded to increase speed)

Iphone 4 & charger

Thermometer

Olympus Dictaphone

Two way travel plug (Allowing me to charge two things at once in McDonalds)

European multi USB charger (Allowing me to charge 'phone and MP3 in campsite toilet blocks)

Ordinary travel plug


Paperwork

Blood donor’s card (showing blood group)

Camping Card International – acts as ID at campsites instead of depositing passport, and gets discounts

Driving licence – for additional ID

Maps of Uk, France & Spain

Michelin Guide to French campsites (ridiculously heavy!)

Money & bankcards + photocopy

Passport + photocopy

Pen & notebook

Phrasebooks


Travel insurance

Miscellaneous

First aid kit

Head light – as a torch and extra front light when cycling at night

Long cable lock

Needle & thread

Whistle

Insulated water bottle bag

Drysack x 2 (waterproof, so can also be used to soak washing in at campsites)

Panel of bright yellow plastic for GB & Ecosse stickers














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