May 3, 2021
My bags are packed
What goes where and why in my panniers
I talked a little about my touring rig setup for a self-supported camping bicycle tour in the last post, Tour Logistics. I use both front and rear panniers to spread the weight and gear across the bike. A good summary of that setup is that clothes, toiletries, food, and soft goods find a home in the front panniers. Electronics, camping gear, and heavier items end up in the rear of panniers.
I am touring this time with a much lighter setup since I am not camping. A 4-day self-supported credit card tour does not warrant front panniers. I am carrying all of my gear in rear panniers. The packing of the panniers is more about even weight distribution and convenience.
Consistency is important when packing panniers. Digging through a pannier to find something is painful and leaves the pannier a mess. I pack the items I need during the day in my left panniers. The right panniers carry the items I need during the night. There are things I do for convenience that I explain below.
- My rain jacket, ball cap, electronics bag, and toiletry bag (in that order) sit on top of the other items in my left pannier.
- I pack a manilla folder with all travel documents on the inner bike wall of the left pannier where it remains flat and is easy to retrieve.
- My 10” laptop in a sleeve (often a tablet) is packed on the inner bike wall of the right pannier protecting it from impact during a fall.
- The remaining tour gear is packed following my consistency guidelines. These items are the items I may move to balance the weight.
- I move heavier items first if I need to balance the load. This results in fewer items moved from their assigned pannier.
- I include on-person and on-bike items on my checklist. It is a good way to verify you have everything you need.
- I cannot stress enough the importance of being consistent in packing. It leads to a good habit that makes life on the bike easier.
Packing list & touring rig configuration
Left Pannier (8 Pounds)
Ball cap, 2 casual shirts, t-shirt, pair of jeans, 2 underwear, electronics dry sack (charging cables, small power strip w/USB ports, USB plug, toiletry bag (travel size toothpaste, mouthwash, body wash, deodorant, toothbrush, hairbrush, shower scrubby, hair gel, Rx in a pill case, laundry bag (3 Tide pods), travel documents folder (hotel/travel confirmations)
Right Pannier (8 Pounds)
3 jerseys, bike shorts, 2 bike short liners, 4 bike/casual socks, laptop sleeve (10” laptop, mouse & charging cable)
On-person
Helmet, Jersey, Long cycling tights (first-morning forecast is cold.), bike socks, bike shoes cycling gloves, waterproof jacket, phone, Fitbit
On-bike
Garmin, headlight & taillight, 2 water bottles, tire pump, GoPro & handlebar mount, seat bag (Inner tube & flat repair kit)
Handlebar Bag
2 energy bars, 15,000 battery pack & cable, phone charging cable, lock, touring cards (business cards with my photo and info to hand to other bicycle tourists)
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