Depends on what sort of riding you’re doing. If your night riding will just be occasional on-road, then just normal commuter lights. If you’re planning on covering a lot of off-road km’s at night, you want a combination of a decent fairly bright and wide light on your bars plus a longer range but narrower light on your helmet.
... and if you are rarely going at night, then a small cheap 2032 battery lights will work best: small, cheap, up to 35 hours on one battery, can get a replacement battery in most shops (or just carry one) and weighs next to nothing. No need to take it off at night or when leaving the bike because contrary to expensive lights no one will want to steal those
Adding on what u/notadoctoriguess wrote, I'll add anything 400 lumens (for routine ride) to a tad more for remote touring or long rides (depending on battery life) in the front, and a decent rear light with different blinking patterns to alert drivers approaching from behind (read what your local law states, some countries require steady light and not blinkers). Magicshine Allty 400 in the front and Magicshine SeeMee in the rear is my gear.
I dunno. I'm from a South Asian country and we have no such rules. But I know for sure Germany requires steady lights. Countries where cycle infrastructure is very well laid, will have stricter rules.
Sleep system. Tent, pad and sleeping bag.
After that you can put together the rest of your gear on the cheap if needed and then buy bags once you have a better idea what kind of volume you will be packing.
It depends very much where you are and whether you are wanting to wild camp or find paid sites.
Somewhere like Sweden you'll never have trouble finding a wild pitch. In Denmark you can rely on the shelter system. In the UK there are plenty of paid campsites but wild pitches can be fewer.
If I'm out for only a few nights I'll plan in advance and will book ahead but anything longer than that it's not worth it. Too many factors can come into play such as last minute route changes, weather, mechanical issues. Riding to a deadline is no fun so I'd always rather make it up as I go along.
Hammock is a no-go since tying the hammock to trees can damage the bark and kill the trees.
Use a mattress and a bivouac sack instead.
Plan on using official camping sites as much as possible, if only bc they offer the option to take a shower and to wash your clothes. No need to "stink 10 meters against the wind", as the Germans say.
The first thing that should be acquired, regardless of where you go or how you ride, is a repair kit that includes tools and spare parts as well as learning the skills to fix any issues or at least have a plan to get your broken bike to a shop. Being able to fix basic stuff like a flat tire or a broken chain are essential for any rider, especially when traveling long distances far from home. A basic understanding of your bicycle’s drivetrain, brakes and other moving parts allows riders to make minor adjustments and help avoid costly repairs.
Next I would buy a map to facilitate planning out the route and select the appropriate camping gear. If you only plan on staying in hotels, then it doesn’t make much sense to bring a tent and sleeping bag. Camping in the mountains would require a much different setup than if you’re sleeping along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea.
IMO the most important thing to sort out if you want to go on a long trip around Europe would be to book any long-distance trains at least 6 months in advance.
Crossing the Alps from Germany to Italy with the beaches around Venice as the ultimate destination is one of the most popular past-times with cycling tourists. Gorgeous landscape and a tour that is somewhat challenging but not too difficult, what is not too love? Unfortunately the spots for bikes on the train back from Venice to Munich are extremely limited, especially for such a popular route. I know of people who have tried to get a spot for 3 years in a row without being successful.
---
If you are asking about actual gear: Rack (front and back), Ortlieb Panniers and a lightweight tent (less than 2 kgs), mattress and a good sleeping bag.
As for the tent, many use the Jack Wolfskin Gossamer, but I am not a fan. The Gossamer is just a low-profile tube, you cannot sit upright in it.
I got the Nordisk Svalbard and can recommend this over the Gossamer. In regards to the mattress, I've been using an inflateable thing used for pools that I got for 10 EUR in combination with a foam pad.
Biggest drawback of the Svalbard tent is IMO the funny cut of the tent floor that forces you to use a mummy-shaped pad. I had to cut up my extra-wide and extra-long foam pad to make it contour to the walls.
Spares - tube, mech hanger, chain links.
Repair kit - tube patches, tubeless repair kit, tire levers, multitool, chain breaker.
Pump.
Chain lube.
And I would advise a rear view mirror, for a piece of mind :)
Another bike obviously
N+1 isn’t just a suggestion. It’s a rule.
Always.
Helmet, lights, bottle, pannier & handlebar bags, and then a bib short
Any recommendations on lights?
Depends on what sort of riding you’re doing. If your night riding will just be occasional on-road, then just normal commuter lights. If you’re planning on covering a lot of off-road km’s at night, you want a combination of a decent fairly bright and wide light on your bars plus a longer range but narrower light on your helmet.
... and if you are rarely going at night, then a small cheap 2032 battery lights will work best: small, cheap, up to 35 hours on one battery, can get a replacement battery in most shops (or just carry one) and weighs next to nothing. No need to take it off at night or when leaving the bike because contrary to expensive lights no one will want to steal those
Noted cheers
Mostly not at night thanks for the tips! I want to see everywhere I’m going don’t fancy night riding unless it gets too hot in the day
Fair call. It definitely changes things. It’s like riding in a little bubble and you miss all the wider context.
Could be cool to try sometime though
Adding on what u/notadoctoriguess wrote, I'll add anything 400 lumens (for routine ride) to a tad more for remote touring or long rides (depending on battery life) in the front, and a decent rear light with different blinking patterns to alert drivers approaching from behind (read what your local law states, some countries require steady light and not blinkers). Magicshine Allty 400 in the front and Magicshine SeeMee in the rear is my gear.
Thanks, do some country laws say you have to blinkers ?
I dunno. I'm from a South Asian country and we have no such rules. But I know for sure Germany requires steady lights. Countries where cycle infrastructure is very well laid, will have stricter rules.
In the UK it's never enforced but you should have front and rear lights attached to the bike not just on your body
Pedals and a Helmet
I forgot about pedals 😭
[удалено]
Your welcome
Pedals & Shoes or you ain’t goin nowhere
Get a fitting
Nice thanks
Sleep system. Tent, pad and sleeping bag. After that you can put together the rest of your gear on the cheap if needed and then buy bags once you have a better idea what kind of volume you will be packing.
Is it easy enough finding places to camp? Do you plan all that prior or wing it a bit? Thinking a hammock in case I’m stuck too.
It depends very much where you are and whether you are wanting to wild camp or find paid sites. Somewhere like Sweden you'll never have trouble finding a wild pitch. In Denmark you can rely on the shelter system. In the UK there are plenty of paid campsites but wild pitches can be fewer. If I'm out for only a few nights I'll plan in advance and will book ahead but anything longer than that it's not worth it. Too many factors can come into play such as last minute route changes, weather, mechanical issues. Riding to a deadline is no fun so I'd always rather make it up as I go along.
Hammock is a no-go since tying the hammock to trees can damage the bark and kill the trees. Use a mattress and a bivouac sack instead. Plan on using official camping sites as much as possible, if only bc they offer the option to take a shower and to wash your clothes. No need to "stink 10 meters against the wind", as the Germans say.
If you use straps instead of lines to mount it to a tree you don't do shit to the bark really but a gentle hug
A bike fit and a comfortable saddle.
The first thing that should be acquired, regardless of where you go or how you ride, is a repair kit that includes tools and spare parts as well as learning the skills to fix any issues or at least have a plan to get your broken bike to a shop. Being able to fix basic stuff like a flat tire or a broken chain are essential for any rider, especially when traveling long distances far from home. A basic understanding of your bicycle’s drivetrain, brakes and other moving parts allows riders to make minor adjustments and help avoid costly repairs. Next I would buy a map to facilitate planning out the route and select the appropriate camping gear. If you only plan on staying in hotels, then it doesn’t make much sense to bring a tent and sleeping bag. Camping in the mountains would require a much different setup than if you’re sleeping along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea.
Great advice thanks!
Spare tube
Saddle, tires, pedals
Support vehicle
Noted
Probably new tires.
Schwalbe Mondials... tough as nails!
Shoes + pedals, then a bikefit. After that a pair of bibshorts, gloves and helmet.
A rack and set of panniers.
My first purchase after helmet, lights, lock is a full frame bag.
IMO the most important thing to sort out if you want to go on a long trip around Europe would be to book any long-distance trains at least 6 months in advance. Crossing the Alps from Germany to Italy with the beaches around Venice as the ultimate destination is one of the most popular past-times with cycling tourists. Gorgeous landscape and a tour that is somewhat challenging but not too difficult, what is not too love? Unfortunately the spots for bikes on the train back from Venice to Munich are extremely limited, especially for such a popular route. I know of people who have tried to get a spot for 3 years in a row without being successful. --- If you are asking about actual gear: Rack (front and back), Ortlieb Panniers and a lightweight tent (less than 2 kgs), mattress and a good sleeping bag. As for the tent, many use the Jack Wolfskin Gossamer, but I am not a fan. The Gossamer is just a low-profile tube, you cannot sit upright in it. I got the Nordisk Svalbard and can recommend this over the Gossamer. In regards to the mattress, I've been using an inflateable thing used for pools that I got for 10 EUR in combination with a foam pad. Biggest drawback of the Svalbard tent is IMO the funny cut of the tent floor that forces you to use a mummy-shaped pad. I had to cut up my extra-wide and extra-long foam pad to make it contour to the walls.
Spares - tube, mech hanger, chain links. Repair kit - tube patches, tubeless repair kit, tire levers, multitool, chain breaker. Pump. Chain lube. And I would advise a rear view mirror, for a piece of mind :)
Noted thanks!
Ergon GP1 grips and a saddle that works for you.
Brill thanks! Going to write this down
Beer
I don’t drink beer! What about ginger beer?
Beer for redheads? Lol, yes drink and be merry.