Cut That Kit!

[Cachao]

Hello, this is the kit list for my lejog this summer, with my friend. Does anyone have any suggestions? Especially on how to reduce weight. Anything asterisked is 'x2'

Thanks

Kit for Tour

REVISED 2011

All stuff must be packed in waterproof bags.
Quantity must be marked

Camping 5625g

* Tent, Tent poles 975g repair 50g pegs 400g
* Trangia 900g+meths burner and fuel
* Swiss army knive 300g
* Bowls* (only take plates OR bowls, or better still, shallow bowls)
* Sporks x2 not much
* mugs x2 100g
* Sleeping bags x2 m825g j1200g
* Roll mats x2 j275g m150g
* Head torches x2 150g


Clothes

* Shorts x4
* t-shirt x2
* Cycling top (base layer or jersey) x2
* Fleece*
* Waterproof*
* Flip flops/crocks
* Shoes*
* Socks*
* Underwear*
* Sunglasses*
* Helmets*
* Gloves*


Food water etc

* Food-mostly bought along the way
* Water bottles
* steritabs


Bike kit

* Tool kit essentials pliers, 525g spanner 275g multi 150g cables 25g tubes 2 each 450g, ?g chain tool and spare links, spare spokes and nipples, lube,
* Pump x2
* Lights x2
* Locks* 550g they weigh more than this


Electronics 1200g

* iPod
* Phone x2
* Battery power supply we need a smaller, lighter, power supply
* Camera
* Speakers - 120g if I remember correctly


Washing etc 750g

* Toothbrush x2
* Toothpaste
* Wet wipes
* Toilet paper and a ziplock to keep it in
* Sun cream
* Shower Gel in ziplock
* Blister kit
* Shaver
* First aid+pain killers etc
* Vaseline
* Travel towel
* Dishcloth/sponge


General

* Maps and case each map is about 150g
* Small drawstring bag 50g* one each used for pillow when stuffed with spare clothes
* Pack of cards 100g
* Money

Please note the reason this is not in the lejog forum is because it is not specific to that tour.

 

[corshamjim]

Initial thoughts - do you need two locks if you're cycling together everywhere? Likewise can you share a head torch?

 

[Dave Davenport]

That's a pretty 'slim' list. As long as you're not trying to set any speed records I wouldn't get too hung up on weight.

I'd add some cable ties and a roll of insulation tape to the tool kit and agree one lock should do.

 

[Tedx]

I'd add some cable ties and a roll of insulation tape to the tool kit and agree one lock should do.

yes cable ties are the one thing I used more than anything in my toolbox and insualtion tape comes in very handy too.

Tools are heavy so if there are two of you, you don't need take 2 of everything as you can share the tools.

Unless you like a cup of tea or coffee I found I could do without a mug. I just drank from the canister/bottle or carton the drink was in. I only needed 1 bowl for everything and never a plate. And don't take an assortment of cooking pots. One biggish one will do. This is to save spase more than anything else.

Don't get too caught up with weight. I always end up paking more thanI should and it's never a problem. But then again I'm happy to poodle along at 10 - 12 miles and hour.

Ted

 

[hubbike]

Camping 5625g

* Tent, Tent poles 975g repair 50g pegs 400g
* Trangia 900g+meths burner and fuel
* Swiss army knive 300g
* Bowls* (only take plates OR bowls, or better still, shallow bowls)
* Sporks x2 not much
* mugs x2 100g
* Sleeping bags x2 m825g j1200g
* Roll mats x2 j275g m150g
* Head torches x2 150g


Clothes

* Shorts x4
* t-shirt x2
* Cycling top (base layer or jersey) x2
* Fleece*
* Waterproof*
* Flip flops/crocks
* Shoes*
* Socks*
* Underwear*
* Sunglasses*
* Helmets*
* Gloves*


Food water etc

* Food-mostly bought along the way
* Water bottles
* steritabs


Bike kit

* Tool kit essentials pliers, 525g spanner 275g multi 150g cables 25g tubes 2 each 450g, ?g chain tool and spare links, spare spokes and nipples, lube,
* Pump x2
* Lights x2
* Locks* 550g they weigh more than this


Electronics 1200g

* iPod
* Phone x2
* Battery power supply we need a smaller, lighter, power supply
* Camera
* Speakers - 120g if I remember correctly


Washing etc 750g

* Toothbrush x2
* Toothpaste
* Wet wipes
* Toilet paper and a ziplock to keep it in
* Sun cream
* Shower Gel in ziplock
* Blister kit
* Shaver
* First aid+pain killers etc
* Vaseline
* Travel towel
* Dishcloth/sponge


General

* Maps and case each map is about 150g
* Small drawstring bag 50g* one each used for pillow when stuffed with spare clothes
* Pack of cards 100g
* Money

Please note the reason this is not in the lejog forum is because it is not specific to that tour.

the big areas for weight saving are usually you, your bike, tent, panniers themselves, sleeping bags, stove and clothes. buy the lightest you are happy with.

Things in bold I think you could either do without or lighten up.

such as:

tent repair kit. unnecessary on a week or two touring like lejog.
bowls. use trangia pans.
clothes, you don't need so much. 2 shorts, 2 shirts, 1 fleece. What about long-johns if its cold or trousers off the bike?
gloves? if cold
underwear? go commando!
bike repair kit looks excessive to me for 2 week tour. service before you go and have a bike you can be confident in. set yourself 600g max for spares and repair. carry 1 tube and a puncture repair kit.
just one pump and lock will suffice between two
just use fleece jacket as pillow.
wash kit is a bit ott at 750g. cut it down to 300g! duct tape is a good cheap "blister kit". well fitting shoes is better!

if in doubt, leave it out...

 

[hubbike]

A slightly more extreme approach might be to book all the hostels/b&bs in advance and just carry one credit card between you and nothing else. if you are that keen on cutting weight you might enjoy the trip better on an unburdened racer?

 

[Brains]

You have a trangia, so forget the bowles/plates
(tip pack J-cloth betweens the trangia sections, it stops rattles)

Pegs - Do you need half a KG of pegs ??
Even something like a Force 10 does not need this many.
If you have a geodesic tent then you only need a few pegs, and swap steel of aluminium

Spare cables - If cable are in good nick when you leave if one breakes en-route you can usually buy another. I would not bother

Pumps - You should only need one

Locks - You only need one good one. My solution has been a long kyriptonite cable and then a small lock

loo paper - take one paket of the flat pack stuff, not a roll

Missing from list
Inner tube, Puncture kit, 1 x charger for phones/ipod, spare batteries, long trousers (or trousers where legs can be added), long sleve shirt. Id go for 3 pairs of sox each,

 

[andym]

It's a relatively slim list, assuming the quantities and weights quoted are for two, but:

- 525g for a pair of pliers? At most you need a small adjustable spanner and a cable cutter;
- a spare inner tube each is plenty (after all you can buy more en route if you need to) but in any event 4 inner tubes is going to weigh more than 450g
- 750g for the wash kit seems bit on the high side - although you are presumably talking about between two of you.

 

[barnesy]

Do you need a shaver? A thing i like about cycle touring is coming back with a 'rougher' appearence to my face, and it saves weight.

With the wash kit have you picked up the small travel sizes that some supermarkets do?

What do you have for towels? I use a microfiber travel towel to dry myself, packs up small and light and drys quickly.

I would second the adivce on taking less clothes, for a 2 week tour i had 2 pairs of shorts and 2 jerseys, try to get merino wool if possible as it goes longer without smelling.

Do you need an ipod and speakers? If the tour is with a friend you should find that the time will fly just having conversations, you could also decide to only take one phone as im assuming it will only be to send texts home? this would mean only one charger.

One lock will do for 2 bikes, lock them to eachother, and do you need lights on the bike? If its in the summer you can cycle in up to 18 hours of daylight

 

[Ticktockmy]

I would junk the Ipod and speakers, after you are on tour, at one with nature, I go for a small radio, as I can get the next days weather forecast when I am out in the wilds.

I use a Colemans Fi stove, which has a good cooking rate. One Metal cooking pot, and one plastice bowl, which serves for my needs, and a plactice mug for my tea.

I would take at least one tyre between you, as nothing worse to have a outer tyre fail, miles from anywhere, also a tip is to get a old plastice/foil toothpaste tube, cut the ends off and along its length, you then have a handy patch to put inside of a outer tyre, if you get a small split or even quite a big slit, it will stop the inner tube bubbling out.

 

[andym]

I would take at least one tyre between you, as nothing worse to have a outer tyre fail, miles from anywhere, also a tip is to get a old plastice/foil toothpaste tube, cut the ends off and along its length, you then have a handy patch to put inside of a outer tyre, if you get a small split or even quite a big slit, it will stop the inner tube bubbling out.

A Park Tool Tyre Boot is a much more convenient alternative and weighs next to nothing.

 

[pshore]

To add to what others have said:

What time of year are you going ? If warm enough you could get away with a lighter sleeping bag than 1200g and if cold just put some of those spare clothes on instead. It may not be worth shelling out for a new one though.

Wet wipes are convenient but a little heavy as they are full of water - a flannel/jeycloth plus tap water is an alternative.

Shaving (for men): disposable plastics razors are light, and shave soap is compact, light and lasts a long time too. Try before you go though just in case of rashes.

Also, (for men) less armpit hair = less smell = less toiletries required


You list no trousers. Zip-offs are handy in case of cold or midge attacks.

 

[Zoof]

Hello, this is the kit list for my lejog this summer, with my friend. Does anyone have any suggestions? Especially on how to reduce weight. Anything asterisked is 'x2'

All stuff must be packed in waterproof bags. GOOD try tesco freezer bags light.

* Trangia 900g+meths burner and fuel NO NO NO live of the land Cafe's Take way's the cost is the same.
* Bowls* (only take plates OR bowls, or better still, shallow bowls) NO NO
* forks x2 not much NO NO
* mugs x2 100g NO NO NO NO drink water from bottles
* Head torches x2 150g

Clothes

* Flip flops/crocks no
* Shoes* N O NO weight use sandals

Food water etc lots& lots

* Food-mostly bought along the way
* Water bottles
* steritabs


Bike kit OK

* Tool kit essentials pliers, 525g spanner 275g multi 150g cables 25g tubes 2 each 450g, ?g chain tool and spare links, spare spokes and nipples, lube,
* Pump x2
* Lights x2 lights can double as tent light's reds fine
* Locks* 550g they weigh more than this

* iPod good
* Phone x2 good
* Battery power supply we need a smaller, lighter, power supply good
* Camera phone only with sat nav
* Speakers - 120g if I remember correctly BAD BAD do not use next to me


Washing etc 750g

* Toothbrush x2
* Toothpaste
* Wet wipes OOoo my god use napkins from cafe
* Toilet paper and a ziplock to keep it in GOOD
* Sun cream YES YES YES
* Shower Gel in ziplock if you must
* Blister kit AND Whichazel good for blisters
* Shaver
* First aid+pain killers etc GOOD take big pads and plasters & bandages
* Vaseline
* Travel towel
* Dishcloth/sponge no no no we are not in the scouts no plates


General

* Maps and case each map is about 150g
* Small drawstring bag 50g* one each used for pillow when stuffed with spare clothes GOOD GOOD
* Pack of cards 100g NO NO NO get to pub and use theirs
* Money lots and lots

 

[Fandango]

* Speakers - 120g if I remember correctly BAD BAD do not use next to me

Hehe, glad to know I'm not the only one who thinks people making me listen to their crap music are complete $%*(&^*^"%

 

[TheDoctor]

I'd take a brake cable and a gear cable between you - inners only. You'd have to be very unlucky to break two simultaneously.
Tyre boot - I've always managed to find something to use. A crisp packet on one occasion, and it held up for at least 50 miles.