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Type 1: Short & comfortable
It is the simplest form of short cycle tour: Set off wherever the mood takes you, enjoy food, drink and a duvet in an inn in the evening and cycle back the next day or the day after. You could label it a "nano-adventure". You don't need much equipment apart from cycling gear. The two or three kilos of overnight luggage fit into a small pannier or even a bikepacking bag that is strapped to the saddle rack. To avoid looking and smelling too much like a bike tour in the pub in the evening, it helps to wear light and civilian clothes that are versatile enough to do their job during the pedalling stages. Second shoes are also a good idea if you wear sporty cycling shoes on your bike. The most important criteria for such a short trip outfit: it should be comfortable, crease-resistant and light.
Type 2: Sleeping outside
In true fashion, it's called a "micro-adventure" when you set off on a short trip away from your daily routine without travelling far. An overnight stay outdoors is obligatory. And because this promises special experiences in the open air, you need to take a little equipment with you. The food is either already prepared in your luggage or is waiting on a guesthouse table in the evening before the search for a place to sleep begins. A complete cooking set would therefore be just as excessive as storm-proof camping equipment. But morning coffee outside is essential, and morning dew or a shower can make a night in your sleeping bag uncomfortable. If you set off to spend a night outside in predictable weather, you need to pack an extra three kilos or so.
Type 3: On a long journey
Whether the trip lasts four days or four weeks doesn't make much difference when it comes to packing volume: you'll probably have to do a bit of hand washing on the way, and a second pair of shoes and reasonably civilian clothes are also nice to have - after all, not everyone should see or smell that you're travelling by bike. While the weather forecast is reasonably reliable for short trips, it can get wet and cold on a longer cycle tour. In contrast to a "micro-adventure", a good rain jacket, a protective tent and a complete cooking set are therefore more than convenient for campers on a "macro-adventure". Nevertheless, weight and efficiency count, as you are not travelling by car.
Fancy a big tour? Beautiful tours lead through the Switzerlandthat High Fens in Belgiumthe Palatinate Forest or the Tuscany!
Dressing
A complete set of semi-civilian functional clothing provides good service on multi-day tours. Five versatile pieces
with minimum weight for travelling.
1. FJÄLLRÄVEN HIGH COAST LITE TROUSERS
Especially for the evening, but also for travelling: the pre-shaped cut of the slightly elasticated trekking trousers also makes them suitable for use in the saddle. The recycled polystyrene material doesn't crease or rustle, but offers additional wind protection if it gets too draughty in a tight Lycra outfit when you're out and about.
120 euros, 280 grams
2. BLACK DIAMOND STORMLINE SHELL
The bright yellow rain jacket from mountain sports is super light and, with its long arms and narrow torso, is also functional when riding, while the hood provides comfort in cold and wet conditions. Underarm zips improve the draught, but the PU coating should be a little more vapour permeable for continuous use during intensive exercise.
150 Euro, 250 gram >> e.g. available at Bergfreunde
3. SALEWA PUEZ MINICHECK SHIRT
The elasticated synthetic fibre shirt is less prone to creasing than the photo suggests. Functional fibre with a restaurant-ready look from the saddle bag.
90 Euro, 120 gram >> e.g. available at Bergfreunde
4. MERRELL VAPOR GLOVE 4
Lighter than most sandals, much lighter than a jogging shoe: the Merrell Vapor Glove, designed as a "barefoot shoe", is the perfect second shoe for travelling.
100 Euro, 320 grammes
5. ORTOVOX DUFOUR
Smaller to pack than a fleece jumper, but at least as warm: lightweight, padded jackets are particularly useful during breaks. This one is insulated with sheep's wool fleece. This is somewhat heavier than some synthetic fibre wadding, but ensures a particularly pleasant body climate.
260 Euro, 240 grammes
Camping
Good outdoor equipment has its price. But the combination of low weight and good performance requires top materials and sophisticated design.
1st Exped Solo Tarp
Bivouac sacks are of little use for a planned overnight stay in a sleeping bag. You wake up freezing in your own juice. A tarp improvised with sticks and cords to form a tent roof is better. The not quite cheap model from the Swiss brand Exped is extremely light and, at two by three metres, is a good size for a maximum of two sleepers. The eight permanently attached tent ropes are a great detail. It doesn't get any lighter than this, and hardly any better.
170 Euro, 330 gram >> e.g. available at Bergfreunde
2. MSR Hubba Hubba NX 2
The Hubba Hubba is a classic among the two-person lightweight tents. With two entrances and awnings, it is comparatively luxuriously equipped. The tent and poles fit tightly with few creases. Because the inner tent consists almost entirely of mosquito netting, the Hubba Hubba is designed for warm weather. But it's really good for that. If you want to spend the night away from a campsite, it is best to choose the olive green instead of the white version.
460 euros, 1,700 grams >> e.g. available from Tapir
3. THERM-A-REST NEO AIR ALLSEASON SV
The extremely expensive Neo-Air sleeping mat offers the opportunity to sleep comfortably without weighing down your luggage too much. The all-season version shown here is somewhat narrow and not ultra-light, but it is well insulated against the cold ground. Simply smart and can be rolled up to 12 x 30 centimetres with a pack sack.
180 Euro, 650 gram >> available at Bergfreunde
4. VAUDE SÄNTIS 450 SYN
Clever: A lightweight synthetic fibre sleeping bag in which you can sit in front of the tent for a long time thanks to two closable armholes.
sitting in front of the tent. With the 450 gram padding shown, the Säntis is limited to the warmer half of the year. It gets chilly below five to ten degrees. It is also available in a warmer version.
240 Euro, 900 gram >> e.g. available at Amazon
5. PETZL ZIPKA
The super-compact headlamp with self-retracting "headband" is perfect for finding your bearings at close range or for walking. It doesn't have enough "oomph" for cycling. A small red LED in addition to the main white light allows you to move around in mountain huts or tents at night without waking others: The red light does not disturb sleepers.
30 Euro, 35 gram (without batteries) >> e.g. available at Bergfreunde
Packing
Bikepacking bags tie your luggage compactly to your gravel bike or road bike. They replace the pannier rack on Spartan trips.
1. SADDLE BAG
The bag attached to the saddle frame and seat post is the most important transport container for short sports trips. It replaces a small rucksack in terms of volume and mainly holds things that are not needed all the time: A change of clothes, a second pair of shoes, kitchen utensils. It should be very easy to tie down and compress, otherwise it will rock while travelling. Check the legroom!
2. COCKPIT-BAG
In the car, this is called a "glove compartment". Mobile phones, wallets, energy bars or a very small camera can travel there for easy access. Note when trying it out: Depending on the width of the pannier and the frame geometry, there is a risk of knee contact when pedalling.
A sleeping bag and/or a sunbed mat fit in here. It is not always useful on racing handlebars: it can cost grip positions, interfere with shifting gears, collide with the cables and must be lashed securely to the head tube to prevent rocking, which can cause damage to the paintwork. Sometimes a classic handlebar bag is more practical.
4. FRAME BAG
This is where flat and heavy objects are more at home: bike lock, pump, spare parts, possibly rain gear. If the bag is too bulky, your knees may collide. Lower models like the one in the photo are often a good idea, as they allow bottle holders to be fitted.
Supply
Is it just along the Moselle or across Mongolia? You don't have to be prepared for everything everywhere - sometimes one kilo is enough for the entire bathroom and kitchen equipment.
1. GSI HALULITE MINIMALIST COMPLETE
Everything fits into a thermo mug, ten centimetres thick and twelve high. The super-light cooking set consists of a 0.6 litre pot, a small gas burner for 100 gram cartridges, an insulating cover and a windbreak. It even comes with a tiny set of cutlery. You can't really cook with it, but you can heat the water for your morning coffee or expedition food in no time at all.
40 euros, 420 grams (without cartridge) >> e.g. available at Amazon
2. PRIMUS PRIMETECH STOVE SET
A state-of-the-art, energy-efficient cooking set with two pots, versatile lid and various accessories. Wind protection and a ribbed structure in the large pot get the maximum out of the gas cartridge. Well-designed right down to the snap-in pot handle. Together with the small, ergonomic chef's knife (25 euros, 75 grams) from the same manufacturer, this is a mobile luxury kitchen for long trips.
1.3 litres
140 Euro, 830 gram >> e.g. available at Bergzeit
3. DONTODENT FOLDING TOOTHBRUSH
Finally a travel toothbrush that doesn't break or require additional packaging. Smart and affordable.
1,30 Euro, 20 gram
4. ORTLIEB WATER-BAG 4 LITRES
Very important before looking for a campsite: the water supply must be right. The water bag holds four litres and only takes up space when it is full. Heated by a few hours of sunshine and tuned with the optional shower attachment, it even allows for almost luxurious personal hygiene.
20 Euro, 120 gram >> e.g. available at Rosebikes
5. PACKTOWL TOWEL AND FLANNEL
The synthetic towels from this brand are real classics. Pleasant skin feel, quick drying and high absorbency come together here. Our recommendation for the weight-conscious is the combination of the sizes "Face" (as a flannel, 25 x 35 centimetres) and "Hand" (42 x 92 centimetres) for drying. The larger "Body" size would be a luxury.
from 12 euros, from approx. 25 grams >> e.g. available at Bergzeit
6. LIGHT MY FIRE SPORK TITANIUM
Where table manners don't count, a single piece of cutlery is enough: the knife-fork-spoon combo. You can also chop and spoon spaghetti. This indestructible cutlery is pure minimalism.
20 Euro, 16 gram >> e.g. available from Tapir
Fancy a big tour? Beautiful tours lead through the Switzerlandthat High Fens in Belgiumthe Palatinate Forest or the Tuscany!
Everything you need to know about gravel in 2021 can be found in the gravel special on 48 pages from TOUR 05/2021. It can be downloaded below for 4.99 euros or in the TOUR app (for iOS and Android) available.
Downloads:
PDF: XXL-Gravel Special 2021
