Packing is an art, but do you ever wonder what other riders ‘must have’ with them to make their trip comfortable?
What is your (un)obvious packed item?
Somethings may seem so obvious but you just forget them in the rush to get on the road, or not so obvious you might not think about them or think they are necessary until you are on the road when it might be too late to get what you need at a good price or availability.
So here’s a list I’ve compiled from talking to real riders who are ‘out there’. What may seem like a funny thing to carry to you, might be an essential item for another rider
As you travel RTW you meet an amazing array of riders who have their own way of doing it, and it’s always an interesting question to ask – besides the obvious, motorcycle, riding gear/ clothes, and basic tools for your bike – what are your other essentials you ‘must bring’?
If this question is asked to an American audience, a gun is an answer a lot as one of the items, the problem with carrying a gun is it’s not really that viable to even cross some state lines (due to various licensing laws) and definitely not borders. So, a gun, in essence, could be the biggest reducer of extended overland travel, besides lack of cash, so it’s not on the list.
The common thread here is ‘most’ of the items people feel are essential besides their main gear are less than $30, so are you missing something cheap that could make your life – safe, fun, secure, warm, riding, happy, not lost, clean or well
Below are links to some of the items so you can have a look if you are not familiar
- flexible schedule
- knowledge to fix your bike
- tire repair kit (patches, pump, etc)
- extra bulbs
- spark plugs
- small utility knife
- flashlight
- headlamp or USB headlamp
- first aid kit
- Adventure/ rugged cell phone yes they do exist are are way more durable than your iphone
- satellite phone
- Spot
- DeLorme in reach
- waterproof paper
- dictionary for other language(s) or translate on your phone
- battery charger
- power inverter
- slingshot
- flipflops
- toilet paper
- baby wipes
- $1 bills
- extra cash
- credit card
- water purification tablets
- filtration system
- quick weld putty (JB weld)
- space blanket
- water
- tape (duct, electrical, silicon)
- stainless steel wire
- extra clutch cable
- extra clutch and brake levers
- extra shifter and rear brake levers
- earplugs
- hacksaw blade
- vise grips with wire cutter
- extra fuel line/hose
- cotter pins
- fuses
- extra chain link
- zip ties
- spare glasses or contacts (if you wear them) and/or a copy of your prescription
- hat
- reading material (possibly kindle or other e-readers)
- service manual for your bike (paper or digital)
- weapon or self-defense tool
- Leatherman Crunch
- fast dry underwear
- Quality socks
- sunglasses
- false bank statements (both rich/poor for when kidnapped)
- fishing line
- chapstick
- permanent marker
- maps
- compass
- firestarter
- warm coat for cold days and nights – small pack size
- extra fuel
- bear spray
- athletes foot cream
- cargo net
- washing line
- prescription medication
- plastic grocery bags (for wet feet or whatever else you can think of)
- boot drying device
- jumper cables
- spare key hidden on bike
- basic camping gear – click this link for an article detailing all the gear I use
- good luggage waterproof
- Pelican computer case
- cables and chargers for electronic devices (phone, camera, laptop, etc)
- Cigarettes even if you don’t smoke. Offer one and make a friend.
- Having the lighter could be very helpful too
- Scan of ALL your documents and email them to yourself.
- zip drive
- solid state back up hard drive
- Spare driving licenses.
- Kermit Chair
- bike cover
- stomach meds – Dukoral, Imodium, Cipro etc.
- sun cream
- tissue
- Mini umbrella
- latex gloves
- Language lessons
if you really struggle with languages or are moving country to country a lot –
…and if you find nothing on that list consider this – I asked a rider a few years back, he told me he always packs a bacon sandwich as a stress reducer!
Once you’ve had a laugh and scratched your head at others and what they pack. The next fun question if you’re riding internationally or meet a group of international riders to lighten the mood and have a laugh is asking:
What noise does a (insert animal name) make…
For example: in English a dog goes – woof, woof, but in Lithuanian, it goes au, au
rtwPaul 