85 replies to this topic

[pete7]

Always wear (padded) cycling shorts under textiles/leathers ... ( and tracksters in winter)

 

P7

[sidestand]

Gel pads in the seat work very well for long distance comfort

 

Comfortable riding gear that's been tried out ......don't go on a long trip with brand new un-tested kit .........smallest niggles can ruin a 2 week trip

 

layers help - especially if you can run to inner layers made with Merinho wool 

[Rewop]

You all probably know this but it only recently occurred to me to use supermarket "bags for life" (the bigger ones that open out into a rectangular cuboid shape) as liners for my panniers.  They're really cheap, waterproof and are easy to pack, and light to lift in and out of the panniers.  You can take what you need up to your hotel room without having to lug your heavy panniers.  Of course you don't look cool carrying a bag emblazoned with carrots or whatever, if this bothers you maybe you can get some from Harrods or Harvey Nicholls...

[pete7]

You all probably know this but it only recently occurred to me to use supermarket "bags for life" (the bigger ones that open out into a rectangular cuboid shape) as liners for my panniers.  They're really cheap, waterproof and are easy to pack, and light to lift in and out of the panniers.  You can take what you need up to your hotel room without having to lug your heavy panniers.  Of course you don't look cool carrying a bag emblazoned with carrots or whatever, if this bothers you maybe you can get some from Harrods or Harvey Nicholls...

 

I am a convert to pannier "inner-bags" and these were fairly cheap (£40 ish) brand new off ebay ... excellent value for money

 

Even cheaper if you share a pair as you generally only need one inner bag, the other pannier, (RHS outside UK)  holding all emergency/bike type stuff stays on the bike so no inner needed

 

Fit straight into my Givi E41's with code lock tops. (I am also fan of E41s) 

 

P7

 

ALSO ... Keep spare keys locked in Givi E41s as you can get to them via code lock top openings if you lose your keys

Attached Files

•  IMG_1663.JPG   181.27KB   0 downloads
•  IMG_1665.JPG   207.01KB   0 downloads
•  IMG_1666.JPG   165.39KB   0 downloads
•  IMG_1667.JPG   275.07KB   0 downloads
•  IMG_1668.JPG   169.36KB   0 downloads
•  IMG_1671.JPG   234.63KB   0 downloads
•  IMG_1673.JPG   188.58KB   0 downloads
•  IMG_1675.JPG   179.18KB   0 downloads
•  IMG_1676.JPG   150.92KB   0 downloads
•  IMG_1677.JPG   179.28KB   0 downloads

[muddy]

If you you use a valved dry bag as an inner, you can get a lot more stuff in and keep it dry. Items like sleeping bags and clothes take up a lot more space than they need to. A valved dry bag compresses them down nice and compact.

[hallrob1]

The Givi T471S  inner bags - http://www.mandp.co....-inner-bag.html - are a good fit for their E21/22 panniers and as Pete says you only really need 1.

Edited by hallrob1, 13 June 2016 - 11:22 am.

[ChrisG]

For luggage capacity I think one of the best touring tips I've seen was from Chris Scott in the Motorcycle Adventure Handbook.

 

He reckons when packing sort all your kit in to 3 piles; Essentials, important, and nice to haves.  Then put all the nice to haves back in your cupboard and re-sort your important pile in to the same 3 categories   I'm getting better but I can still get back from a 2 week trip with several things in my panniers that haven't been used at all.

[Splodge]

Always know where your towel is !

[Favs]

Always know where your towel is !

<1ohm

[jdelfino]

If you go to Spain, Hotels (albergues), are cheaper (and better located) than camping if you book in advance, in Holland you can sleep for 20 euros p/p included breakfast if you say you are on two wheels (don't mention the engine!), there is a list of hundreds of places all thru the country, use google to find them

[Favs]

After my Credit Card developed a physical fault (worked fine first weekend in July but 2 weeks later didn't work at all) - take 2 CC and a Debit Card as well as some Cash.

 

Several 0% Foreign Transaction cards are available.

[PaydayGabe]

I thoroughly enjoyed this thread. Haven't toured in a while and miss the road.😔
I normally travel solo/alone, which can be boring and dangerous but ultimately fulfilling. Im not much for large riding groups because of the drama level incurred. To which I do what I do.
I totally agree with the members, "less is more " analogy. It's tough to do, but with practice becomes second nature. We learn what's really needed and what's just b.s.excess weight.
I always do a full maintenance check of the bike before departure, pack the tire repair kit/pump, a screw type jack to lift, chain lube, and some assorted tools. Oh, and the roadside assistance # if I'm lucky enough to have service.
I usually camp 2 nights/motel night 3 for the shower. My personal gear is backpack basic hygiene items and clothing, always fresh socks/undercrackers daily, and an excess of $'s on the card just in case. Undercrackers, , thats funny sh*t. Camera stuff and a map book.
Give the daughter my itinerary/route, say a short prayer and hit the road and hope for the best. 👍 😎

[AliG]

If you you use a valved dry bag as an inner, you can get a lot more stuff in and keep it dry. Items like sleeping bags and clothes take up a lot more space than they need to. A valved dry bag compresses them down nice and compact.

What do you use to compress the bag, Muddy? I think I am thinking of a different type of bag. Can you show an example of what you mean please?
Thanks Ali

[Favs]

If ya have a 12v airbed inflator ya can also use em to suck. Not tried it for Muddys idea.

Edited by Favs, 13 August 2016 - 07:05 am.

[AliG]

If ya have a 12v airbed inflator ya can also use em to suck. Not tried it for Muddys idea.

I was thinking that too. I have one so must give it a try. I have a 4 season sleeping bag which is quite bulky compared to my summer one and it would then fit in the pannier.

[dablik]

I've been looking at compression sacks for the very same thing Ali but, this idea seems a bit better, my blow up dolly  does'nt suck only blows so just talking to swmbo she says you can get a roll up vaccum bags as well.

[muddy]

I was thinking that too. I have one so must give it a try. I have a 4 season sleeping bag which is quite bulky compared to my summer one and it would then fit in the pannier.

Depends what the sleeping bag is. I have 2 season and 4 season down bags that compact very well. A synthetic bag doesn't compact nearly as much and no amount of vacuuming or compression will lessen the volume past a certain point, which is why I use down.

In regards to bags, vacuum bags would certainly work but I wouldn't use them because they're too easily punctured. I'll post some photos of the valved bags like use later when I'm on my laptop.
 
Here's my 2 season sleeping bag and a small assortment of clothes that were at hand.Just push them down into the bag open the valve and wrap the bag as the air is expelled. Bare in mind that this is a 20 litre dry bag and I normally use a 50 litre.

Edited by muddy, 13 August 2016 - 01:10 pm.

[dablik]

What size ya think for the 4 season down sleeping bag muddy !!

[muddy]

What size ya think for the 4 season down sleeping bag muddy !!

Not with yer on that Cliff. What specifically? If you mean dry bag, I'd go for the bigger 50 litre and just pack down. I got the 20 litre yellow one cos it was on offer on Amazon and it looks nice a strong, which it is. A 4 season down bag will fit in the 20 litre one easy and you should be able to bung some clothes in as well. Still doing the 20 litre one on Amazon for £20 and you get a 5 litre bag thrown in, which is just the right size for storing electrical stuff you may want to keep dry.

https://www.amazon.c...s=dry bag valve

 

That said, I'd still go with a bigger 50 litre, because I put my sleeping bag and all of my clothes in one. There's one on Ebay for a decent price, though I can't vouch for it's quality. At least the valve is at the bottom, unlike the Highlander one I have with the valve half way up--must have been hitting the Buckfast when they designed that one .

http://www.ebay.co.u...3uc4W75ifJue8Jw

Edited by muddy, 13 August 2016 - 03:20 pm.

[AliG]

I already carry my tent in a dry bag on the seat and was looking for something to compress my sleeping bag to put in one of the panniers. Do you think that a 20lt compressed would fit in a pannier?