I travel with the minimal amount of gear. It seems more fun to me to travel faster and lighter but I admire the many cycle tourists out there with panniers who carry tents, cooking stuff and whatever else.
I love my Adipura bags (made in U.K. great quality.
In Pakistan I carried all the GoPro accessories, that I didn’t use. This trip having eliminated that I had a lot more room. It makes the daily packing exercise easier.
I have the handy handlebar bag made for easy access like snacks and the small power bank for my phone in case the battery dies. Now with iPhone it didn’t happen once; maybe I can eliminate it next time.
The frame bag cannot carry much but I think it is useful.
I leave the handlebar bag and frame bag on the bicycle at night because they are not as easy to attach to the bicycle and I just take out the things I will need at night.
Main is the saddle bag and Adipura’s medium size is good for me. It is also easy to attach each morning.
As to what I put in the bags, I carry 2 jerseys and 2 cycling bib shorts (only Assos brand), cap with big visor for sun protection, arm socks for the same purpose but sunscreen also works and most important the Buff and I found one in America (buff brand name) that claims to have uv protection. 2 pairs of socks and 1 pair of gloves.
For going out at night one pant, 1 T-shirt and slippers, plus one underwear and sleeping shorts.
Besides an extra tube and patch kit the small presta-shrader converter is important if you are in areas where there aren’t bicycle shops. With that little item any car tyre place can give you air.
For this trip I used the same Schwalbe marathon plus tyres I had used a couple of years ago going from Goa to Nepal and now after approximately 7-8000 kms. I haven’t had one puncture!!
I do not carry a towel or soap (always provided by hotel) but nail cutter is most useful for opening those confounding little packets of soap and shampoo- as well as for cutting the nails.
I carry front and back lights. I don’t use the front one but if I hadn’t had it in Pakistan there were some tunnels it would have been impossible to go through.
Wallet, passport and phone are the most important items and always with me. A lock is unnecessary. The hotel always takes responsibility and sometimes (rarely) the bike comes in the room.
I absolutely love my phone holder I got in America. I have tried different ones but nothing compares to this, from Peak Designs.
I have a bell on my bike but it is a completely useless item. My mirror unfortunately is broken but is an important item. I highly recommend the Italian Racing Bike Mirror, a quality product.
I had taken a flask with me before and I do like it, but found I didn’t use it. Maybe more for the campers.
Most essential of all is what has pulled me through everything- the good, the bad, the suicidal roads and the 2 accidents- my lucky charms- always with me.
