Closing Comments, Gear list, and Actual Itinerary - European Cycle Tour 2012

I really enjoyed this tour; I was more relaxed and freer of any worries.  My new eating regime has worked a treat, and I've felt like a million bucks for the vast majority of the time.  The only time I felt a bit off was when I had overeaten or ate a food I had removed from my diet.  You can't always get what you eat at home.  It is sometimes hard to find the correct food at the right price. 

My favourite part was the Swiss, Liechtenstein, Bodensee area, all that stunning scenery and freshwater lakes.  Such a contrast to Australia.

The stay in Amsterdam of ten days was a bit long, but that was mainly due to the rain in the first six days. When it was fine I got on the bike and went exploring.  I don't think it was a good idea to be there when Wendy was attending her conference as they were so busy that I didn’t really get to spend time with her and she was always worried that she might be neglecting me.  So in future if I want to travel to the same country as the conference, I'll remove myself from the city and go off hiking or cycling somewhere separate.  Then we can meet up and do something after the conference finishes. 

GEAR LIST - CYCLE EURO 2012

I tend to travel fairly light, but each tour I find some small thing or item that I can delete from the next trip.  I keep a note on my iPhone and anytime I think of anything about gear I enter it on the note.  Buy the lightest version of each item you intend to take. 

Right pannier carry on plane

         T shirt

         Jumper

         Socks 2 pr light-weight

         Spare underpants - 1

         Shorts lightweight

         Cycle pants, hi-vis vest and LS cycle shirt (saves putting sunscreen on arms)

         Ground sheet, cabbage bag (for sitting on the ground)

         Floppy hat, when off the bike.

         Phone charger

         Strap to carry pannier.

 

Left Pannier

o          Toilet bag, deodorant, small soap & sew kit (free motel type).

o          First aid kit, bandaids, patches and antiseptic.

o          Pump, touring type.

 

Plastic bag on top of rack

         Sandals.

         Bike chain & lock

         Wet jacket, wet pants

         Winter gloves

 

Handle-bar bag (carry on plane)

         Sunglasses, sun-screen, lip-balm

         Glasses. 

         Wet ones travel pack.

         Dental floss

         Chewing gum

         Travel pillow

         Maps & trip notes.  

         Shaver

         Tooth paste and brush in ziplock bag

         Hand sterilizer

         Comb

         Lightweight beanie.

         Water bottle 1. 

 

Fitted on Bike

         Water bottle No 2

         Spare tube, spare tyre, lube & tools.

         Puncture repair kit & tyre levers

         Allen keys, bike specific.

         Small Leatherman.

         Oxy straps for wet gear roll

         Cleaning rag for bike & rubber gloves.

         Helmet & gloves

         Cord for securing the bike on trains.

 

Security Pouch (around neck)

         Passport

         Spare cash

         Spare credit card

         Cash card

 

Wear

o          Long pants/shorts combo with belt

o          Nike shoes

o          LS dress shirt

o          Underpants

o          Singlet

o          Socks

o          Phone, adaptor jack and earphones.