Weights and Measures

The Weights and Measures page has been useful on previous blogs, as a record of what we packed. There’s an implicit optimism underlying such detailed records, since they imply that we might embark on another, similar, adventure one day.

When preparing for this 2024 trip I used as reference points (1) the packing list from the 2019 cycle trip that J&I did with A along the EuroVelo 6 route from Basel, Switzerland to Orleans, France; and (2) the packing list from our Portuguese Camino walk in 2017.

Update: I flagged some of the items below as follows:

* wore these items on the flight over
** didn’t wear or use this item
*** forgot to include this item on the original checklist

Bicycle-related gear

  • Bicycle (19″ Kona Cinder Cone, circa 2004); 16 kg. Packed into a cardboard bicycle box this time (thanks for the box Norco North Shore, aka John Henry Bikes!) for the flight to Paris. Tires were deflated; seat was lowered; pedals removed; handlebar removed and attached to the frame; front wheel removed and attached to the frame. I’ll use a heavy-weight plastic bike bag, originally supplied by Air Canada, for the return flight from Bilbao.
  • Rear panniers
  • Handlebar bag
  • rain cover for handlebar bag ***
  • Pump @ 150 g **
  • Miscellaneous tools (Allen keys; wrench to remove pedals)
  • 2 x spare inner tubes (@ 375 g), tire levers and patch kit; a few spare parts **
  • 2 x spare disc brake pad sets **
  • Helmet
  • Cycling gloves
  • Water bottles x 2 (full @ 710; empty @ 76)
  • Heavy-weight plastic bike bag, originally supplied by Air Canada, for return flight

Clothing

  • Long pants @ 394 grams *
  • Belt @ 114 *
  • Shorts x 2 @ 608 ** (wore one pair only)
  • Rain pants @ 240 **
  • Reflective vest/jacket @ 284
  • Underwear x 3 @ 242 *
  • Ankle socks x 1 pair @ 74 *
  • Short sport socks x 3 pairs @ 184
  • Scarf @ 80
  • Tilley hat @ 96
  • Goretex shell @ 370 *
  • Zip-up mock turtleneck long sleeve cycling jersey @ 240 *
  • Cotton long sleeve T @ 214 **
  • Beige linen shirt @ 248 **
  • Blue linen shirt @ 264
  • Technical T-shirt (blue) @ 109 *
  • Cotton T-shirts x 2 (1 x blue; 1 x white) @ 316
  • Light-weight down vest @ 205 (wore this once or twice only)
  • V-neck sweater (274) (wore this once only)
  • Waterproof shoes (for walking) @ 765 * (used these in Paris only)
  • Lighter shoes (for cycling) @ 651
  • Wallet (Visa, bank card, drivers license / Care card, Blue Cross, business cards)

Toiletries, books etc

  • Total toiletries @ 772 (toothbrush, toothpaste, floss; comb; earplugs; disposable razor; nail clippers, nail scissors; vitamins etc: C, D, Fisherman’s Friend, aspirin, glucosamine; lotions: shampoo, sunscreen, artificial tears, etc; bar soap)
  • Books @ 609 (William Maxwell, So Long, See You Tomorrow @ 141; Ali Smith, Autumn @ 304 **; Muriel Spark, The Public Image **; Georges Simenon, Maigret and the Madwoman)
  • Journal & paper @ 304 **
  • Geist magazine x 2 @ 402
  • Passport pouch @ 216 (with notepad, small pen, passport, some €)

Notions

  • Headlamp (rechargeable) @ 75 grams (used this once only)
  • Umbrella @ 209
  • Towel @ 234
  • Tupperware @ 130 (food storage)
  • Glasses case @ 66
  • Prescription sunglasses @ 74 **
  • Money belt (with some €) @ 120
  • Wallet (credit card; bank card, drivers licence, Blue Cross card
  • iPhone 13 Pro and case (235)
  • Tech gadgets @ 419 (1-to-3 power adapter, earbuds, USA to EU plug adapter x 2, iPhone USB charger adapter x 2, portable rechargeable power pack, charging cables)
  • Misc (glue stick; spare pen; pencil; small lock; Sharpie; compression straps x 2; Swiss Army knife for bread, cheese, paté etc)
  • Small amount of duct tape (52) **
  • 2 x bungee cords
  • Spork (for morning yoghurt etc)
  • Eyemask (for flights)

Other important items

Totals

The above was packed into two panniers and my handlebar bag. Total pre-flight weight was:

  • Two rear panniers = 13 kg (28.6 lb)
  • Handlebar bag = 3.45 kg (7.6 lbs)
  • What I wore = 1.54 kg (3.4 lbs)

About the Bicycle (Kona Cinder Cone)

This is the same bike I’ve used on previous cycle trips in France including: