Recommended by an experienced bicycle tourist
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I bought one of these to protect myself from dogs and bad drivers. Having tested it in Georgia and Azerbaijan I can safely say it works for both. Many savage dogs were stunned by its loudness and many wayward cars got to know I was there. Really loud! Get one! -
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These are a great addition to your bicycle touring kit list. Cycling shoes are notoriously non-waterproof, so apart from spraying with Scotchguard, what can you do? A pair of overshoes will keep the rain off and keep your feet warm too. They never can be 100% watertight since the cleat and heel positions are open. However if you silicone up any holes in your shoes in these places they'll do just fine. -
These are very well made panniers and are great for keeping everything dry. There's plenty of room in them and they have a separate compartment each. They are easy to fit to your bike rack and easy to carry around using a strap. I suggest a lashing strap which can be used for other things. -
These are great jackets for what they do. They are nice and light, pack up small and keep the rain out when it's pouring down. The additional visibility with the reflective fabric really stands out so I feel safer in bad conditions. Keeps the wind off nicely too and I've recently been through some filthy weather with one of these on and kept reasonably dry! Worth it and highly recommended. -
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I hate getting my hands cold on tour and you'd be surprised how cold it can get sometimes. Your hands are right out in front and I usually wear cycling mits with exposed fingers. I have silk inner gloves which can be used with the mits but if you want real comfort get a pair of these. They are fully waterproof and hi viz. Well worth carrying in your saddle bag in my opinion. -
A simple but effective idea which you miss if you haven't got one. Nice and bright too which helps when cycling in the rain. I stow mine in my CamelBak backpack and bring it out when the rain comes. An inexpensive item to keep the rain off your head. -
Power Banks are an essential item these days if you use your iPhone or Android phones for leisure. I use my iPhone for navigation, route mapping, photography, videos, social media etc so it’s on most of the day running down the battery. This smaller 5,000mAh Power Bank should enable you to charge your phone a couple of time with a full charge over night. If you don't want to carry a larger Solar Power Bank or you are not that power hungry with your tech then a few smaller ones might be the solution for you. I picked the red one for visibility purposes when you drop it! -
Another classic camping equipment item. These are particularly useful since you can't carry gas on aeroplanes so you'll be ready to cook even if you can't find a cylinder for your gas stove. They perform well too so you can get a cup of tea quite quickly! -
This is the saddle I have used for all my tours and I can safely report that I have never had any saddle soreness! The Brooks B17 is the stand out choice for a saddle that is well made and comfortable. Make sure you run it in first, to make sure it fits your bottom comfortably, before you go touring. Once run in just follow the care and maintenance instructions and it will last a long time. The version I have is the B17 Special but a cheaper Standard version is available for under £100 which delivers the same performance without the high level aesthetic. -
I like to have a variety of positions for my hands for comfort when bicycle touring. I bought these butterfly handlebars and have toured with them ever since. I do tend to have preferred position but it's relief to be able to change it from time to time. Recommended for comfortable arms while cycling. -
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I like to sip water when cycling to keep hydrated so a CamelBak is an essential item for me. The great thing about this design is that there is plenty of space to stow items like sunglasses, waterproof helmet cover, money, snacks etc. The 2.5 litre capacity is usually enough for a days ride for me. Highly recommended item you should take on tour. -
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I always use a CatEye Velo cycling computer when on tour or for everyday use. There are may more sophisticated trip trackers out there including iPhone and Android apps but you can't beat a simple cycling computer to deliver the headline ride stats quickly. The only time I've had any trouble from one is once during torrential rain when the rain penetrated the contacts. All together thoroughly recommended and pretty cheap too!