Kit list

This is the kit list I have used for lightweight cycle touring in the past. Whilst this may seem like a lot it's actually a very small amount of luggage for going away for a couple of weeks; the emphasis has always been on keeping down weight and bulk.

Bike stuff

• Bike (duh!)
• Rack Bag
• Bar Bag
• Front & Rear mini lights
• Water bottles
• Cable lock
• Multitool
• Pump
• Puncture repair kit
• Spare inner tube
• Spare chain links
• Spare spokes
• Tyre patch

Okay, I believe the best way to carry this stuff is in the smallest bags possible. A rack bag or a couple of very small panniers, together with a handlebar bag, seems to work very well. I find I'm most comfortable when all of my luggage, including my water, is hanging off the bike and not me.

In summer with the long hours of daylight a pair of small LED lights is good to have if it rains heavily. A single cable lock each is useful when parking up for lunch or storing the bike overnight. Being prepared for punctures, broken chains, etc is important because bike shops can be few and far between.

Cycling Kit

• 3x Cycle Jersey
• 3x Cycle Shorts
• Baggy Shorts
• Arm Warmers
• Knee Warmers
• Windproof Jacket
• Cycling shoes
• Cycling gloves
• Sunglasses
• Helmet
• Camelbak (?)

The idea here is to be able to go for 3 days between doing laundry. That means 3 changes of cycling clothes, with the option to add coverage using warmers and a light windproof jacket. Summer cycling gloves and sunglasses are invaluable; helmet is obvious; camelbak is optional - I've gone off mine in favour of bottles.

Clothing

• 4x Pairs of Socks
• 2x Underwear
• 2x T-shirts
• Trousers
• Jumper/rugby top
• Sandals

A change of clothes after a sweaty day of cycling is essential. Likewise a second pair of footwear that doesn't have cycling cleats on it. A good way to keep down the bulk is to keep everything as lightweight as possible. Jeans are a bit heavy; thin trousers that zip into shorts are ideal.

All the rest

• Wash Kit
• Towel
• Washing powDer/tablets
• First aid kit
• Insect repellant
• Tissues
• Phone
• Phone charger
• Wallet
• Chequebook
• Maps/Itinerary
• Chocolate, sweets, etc

All the obvious stuff really. Very nice large but incredibly thin towels can be found in camping shops and those save enormously on weight and bulk. Carrying a supply of sugary food for cycling is essential - I like to carry a gratuitous amount of Kendal mint cake.

The Outer Hebrides

The big summer expedition we are planning for 2011 is a week or two of touring in the Outer Hebrides. Here is the proposed itinerary:

Day	Start	Finish	Dist. (miles)	Notes
1	King's Cross	Inverness	-	Train (8 hrs)
2	Inverness	Ullapool	60	-
3	Ullapool	Stornoway	-	Ferry (5 hrs)
4	Stornoway	Leverburgh	55	-
5	Leverburgh	Lochboisdale	60	+ Ferry
6	Lochboisdale	Castlebay	25	+ Ferry
7	Castlebay	Oban	-	Ferry (5 hrs)
8	Oban	Salen	55	+ Ferry
9	Salen	Fort William	55	-
10	Fort William	Glasgow	-	Train (4 hrs)
11	Glasgow	London	-	Train (5 hrs)
			310 Total

First Post

In 2010 a bright spark who shall remain nameless said "Hey! Here's a good idea. Who would like to cycle from Land's end to John o'Groats next year?"

Volunteers came forward and a plan was born.

So it was decided that in 2012 we would cycle the so called "End to End" route from the furthest tip of Cornwall to the equally furthest tip of the Scott Lands. A route of about 1,600km.

In the meantime we decided to make 2011 the year of various other rides, so that we may build up to the epic three week cycling mission in style.

This weblog is the story of those rides.