My first major cycle tour around the coast of Britain in 2013 helped me refine my kit list, however I needed a slightly different inventory for pedalling from the Nordkapp in the arctic circle down to Spain, and then along the Mediterranean coast to Istanbul.

The Bike:
Oxford Bike Works – Expedition Bike
26″ wheels with Schwalbe marathon plus tyres (didn’t get any punctures using these for over 5,000 miles around the coast of Britain)
The bike has a stand, this is a definite bonus
A brass bell
SP Dynamo Hub and Luxos front lamp – for charging GPS and mobile
Lezyne front and back lights
Ortlieb front and rear classic panniers
Shimano MT71 cycling shoes – great for cycling and walking so cut down on overall weight!
Exped Dry bag – 40L (for back rack with tent and sleeping bag)
D-Lock and Kryptonite Kryptoflex cable

Camping and misc stuff
Hilleberg Akto Tent
Multimat – thermal sleeping mat
Deuter Travel Lite 300 sleeping bag
Pillow case – stuff clothes inside to make pillow at night
Tatonka pan sets – 2 of the smaller ones
Whisperlite International – MSR+ fuel bottle
Thermal mug
Bowl, chopping board cutlery
Hip flask – regretted forgetting this on 2013 tour, going to fill it with spirits from around Europe
Sheath knife (Bison Bushcraft knife)
Lightweight towel
Lifesystems Explorer First Aid Kit
Assos Chamois Cream
Sunblock
Various Marco Polo and Michelin Maps of Europe
Book for those lonely evenings
Washbag with assorted toiletries (sounds posh)
Travel wash
Food – pasta, cereal bars, energy gels, tuna, bananas, tangfastics – this list varies
Journal and pens
Lucky charms

Clothes
Buff x 2
Merino base layers x 2 (Icebreaker)
RAB down jacket
Endura FS260 Bib
Endura Hummvee Lite cycling shorts
Endura waterproof
Northwave Evolution Air Bib Shorts
Northwave Evolution Air Short Sleeve Jersey
BBB Cycling Sportsglasses
North Face trousers
Short sleeved shirt
T-shirts x 2
Swimming shorts
Fleece
Endura fingerless cycle gloves
Scott cycling gloves
Ski gloves in case it’s really cold
Lazer cycling helmet
Limited supply of pants and socks!

Gadgets
Garmin Edge 810
iPhone 6 – this is also my camera
Apple MacBook Air
PowerMonkey-eXtreme

Bike stuff
Multitool
Chain/Cable lube
Spoke tightener + 3 x spare spokes
Chain link fixer + spare links
Puncture repair hit
Spare inner tubes x 3
Cable ties – a must have
Pliers
Bungee cords
Gaffer tape…

Travelling Lobster – he tends to try and steal the limelight…

Travelling Lobster helping with tour prep