And some non-material tips

Money. How much do you spend on a tour? Do you spend much more if you tour in a ultralight style? It seems that touring cyclists – particularly the »self-sufficient« kind – often perceive ultralight cycle-touring as quite expensive. They may be right. I don't know what their costs are, so I can't compare. Cooking your own food is probably marginally cheaper (if at all) then buying food form supermarkets. Camping reduces costs considerably. But you don't cook all the time and you don't camp all the time, no mater if you are ultralight or ultraheavy. On the other hand, heavily loaded tourist is usually slower, so needs more days to reach the destination and this costs more. They might be other arguments for and against.

The amount of money spent on a tour is a highly sought subject - too bad people shy to reveal it. I kept records of my costs on tours, and they are explained in detail on the particular tour report on my original web site. Here I give a summary, so you can decide for yourself if I spend much or not.
The presented costs don't include transportation costs to/from start/end of the tour or any other costs before departing day. Costs are calculated from the difference of the money I had on the departing day to the money on the returning day. If these costs look like too much for you, note that I'm not the stingiest of cyclists. I won’t spend too much time looking for the absolutely cheapest option, I don’t seek free service from the locals, I like comfort of a hotel room from time to time, coffee in the morning, I won't say no to a beer or two and before 2011 I even smoked cigarettes on the last weeks of the tour.

Year
Destination
Days
€ / day
Notes
2012
France
26
40
50% camping.
2011
France
37
55
5% camping. 2x train.
2010
Namibia, Botswana, Lesotho, R.S.A.
36
21
50% camping.
2009
Canada, USA
39
38
41% camping.
2009
Jordan, Israel
17
30
12% camping.
2008
Tadjikistan, Kyrgyzstan, China, Pakistan, India
41
10
34% camping. 1x bus.
2007
Australia
39
20
77% camping.
2006
India
21
9
10% camping.
2005/6
Chile, Argentina
30
12
57% camping.
2004
Kyrgyzstan, China
31
7
26% camping. 1x bus.
2003/4
Cambodia, Thailand, Malaysia
34
12
0 % camping
Average

31,9
23,3
33 % camping

Improvisation. Take only the things that you need indispensably. Imagine an average day of cycling and go mentally through the daily procedures and the things needed. Don't concentrate on too many accidental events. If they happen - and these are low probability events by definition - count on improvisation and help or paid service from the local people.

Rain. Rain is a special subject which I will research in deeper detail in the years that will follow. So, unfortunately, I can't give you much useful advice now. Come back here in about a year's time and you'll hear the words of an old wise man. For now, based especially on my last trip through rainy North America, I only know that nothing that I tried so far, works well. I tried all sorts of jackets, pants, breathables and unbreathables, overshoes, even tyvec suit for nuclear power-plant workers, and I still haven't find the solution. Well, maybe one - and a very lightweight indeed: just grin and bear it. If I am doomed to be wet I might as well do it with less/lighter gear. Who knows, maybe the best way is to ride naked through the rain, having your dry clothes ready tucked away in your bag.
Update. Well, I am a few years older now, and maybe a bit more experienced. I'm still in a pursuit for the magic rain-formula, but meanwhile I've come up with few minor solutions. First, you'll have to realize that - no matter what you wear or don't wear - you will be wet when riding in the rain. Once you come to terms with that, world will be much nicer. Starting from the head: cycling cap is a perfect headwear (in rain or sun): protects from the rain, restricts the heat loss from the head, brim stops the spray. I now prefer a light water repelling (or "resistant") top instead of full rainproof jacket, because it's lighter, packs smaller, can be used in wider range of circumstances (cold mornings, wind, descent) and has less condensation. Idealy it would come with armpit mesh for ventilation. Under that I wear a cycling top (a jersey) and thermal arm warmers. Plastic gloves (the kind you get in petrol stations or in fruit-departments in supermarkets) are surprisingly useful in rain - just slide them over your cycling gloves. Too bad they don't make XXL versions. Even better are gloves made from a plastic cover of a magazine: see instructions here. I prefer not to wear any kind of rain protection for the legs. Feet: wrap them in cling foil. A hint about the cling foil: cut it in half so that it has the width of a bandage, that way it's much more practical. To reduce the spray to your back side (unless you have a mudguard) you can make a "tail" out of a plastic bag and hang it from your waist. All this is sufficient for more or less mild rain conditions. If the temperature is low or the ride is long, keeping dry may be the only reasonable solution - that might mean to stop cycling.

Toiletries & medicines, 2009, Canada.
Washing. In everyday, non-cycling life I don't use much toiletries; water, soap and tooth paste do it for me. So it's easy for me to give up on them on a cycling tour. Beside that I like to cycle alone and I am free of any social restraints, including body odor. If people don't like the way you smell, whose problem is it anyway: yours or theirs? I do like to shower or wash at the end of the ride, but if there is no such possibility, it's no disaster: I know the sweat will dry out in an hour, leaving the dry, crisp layer of salt that I lick off and replenish the electrolytes that were lost. I used to carry liquid detergent and tooth paste in film boxes taped to the bicycle, but stopped doing so after I realized the pure water is enough to make me feel fresh and clean (even for shaving and brushing teeth). Sooner or later I come upon a camp or a hotel where they have some stronger chemical stuff for more radical treatment. I don't know what is my days-without-shower record, but it's certainly nothing special compared to some "self-sufficient" stories.
On the other hand, it pays off to wash your stuff. The dirt, sweat and dust collect in the tissue and make clothing up to 10% heavier. Or even more. My old bubble wrap sleeping pad (which I never washed) is almost twice heavier than the new pad of the same dimension (135g vs 72g). Of course, the same applies when you wash yourself. I'm still not sure why I feel good after a wash: because I am clean or because I am lighter?
The picture shows my toiletries+medical+sawing kit: thread with a needle, razor blades, a roll of white medical tape (wrapped around a piece of cork), a couple of aspirins wrapped in a piece of plaster (plaster not being necessay if you have the white medical tape), 3 vitamin pils (not necessary), two shaving razors and a tooth brush.

Cutting. Cut, cut, cut. The things produced nowadays - apart from those made for TdF racers - are redundantly designed. Cut your shirts, tear off buttons, straps, collars and not needed pockets. You will save few 100 grams, you will learn how the things work and will develope an eye for ridiculously redundant equipment. If you are creative enough, you may start making your own stuff. It is well known truth that the only equipment that fulfills all your requirements is the one you make - or at least modify - yourself.

Number of things. An equally important point to weight/volume is a number of things. The more things you have, the more time it takes to pack them and to find them - and there is more probability you'll loose them. The ideal would be not to take some things at all - I got rid of stoves and books in this way. There is a deffinite beauty and elegance in traveling in minimalistic style. Alternatively, use the same thing for multiple purposes as much as possible. Bubble wrap used as a sleeping pad as well as for water-proofing or cue sheet used also as a scrapping spade are good examples, but I can't really give you much more advice here - obviously this is a promising field that needs much more research.

Adding up. Little weight and volume savings add up. For example: on the australian tour I had the smallest and lightest pack so far, below 6000 grams, even though I had a helmet (280 g) which I usualy don't wear. About 700 grams lighter pack compared to the one on Indian trip came from little changes: lighter rain jacket, ommision of batery charger, lighter lock, only one spare tube, razor blade instead of a knife, cutting the pedal wrench in half, shorter socks, ommision of tooth paste, smaller medical & sewing kit, cutting the handles of a razor and toot bruch, less pages in a notebook, etc. Some modifications to the bike were made too: I cut part of the seatpost and removed the kick stand.

Mountains. Do you like riding in mountains? Have you wondered why is riding in mountains much slower then on flat ground? Well, it must be connected to weight somehow. See the miscellaneous bicycle wisdom page for an explanation.

Monitoring. Once on the road, monitor the frequency of the use of various objects. The ones you use infrequently are the candidates for omission on the next trip.

Circulus viciosus. Reducing the load and volume is an iterrative process that follows the "lightening circle". Always think of the mystical circle of light weight touring: less weight -> less volume -> less containers -> less weight -> less mechanical problems -> less spare parts and tools -> less weight -> ...

The ultralight Zen. At the end let me address the usual, fully loaded way of touring. My intention is not to convert anyone to either light- or loaded- or any other way of touring. This site is ment to provide some ideas for those who are willing to sacrifice some comfort for a lighter pack. There seems to be an oppinion that by doing so one sacrifies also one's 'freedom', 'independence' or 'self-sufficiency'. I don't share this view - let me end with a bit of Zen-touch: the true freedom is in having less.

28 comments:

  1. Great post - thanks for the humour and insights!

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  2. Great article, and the photos are amazing! I have used this same philosophy in the field of paragliding, and it works equally as well.

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  3. what a strange attitude you have over such an interesting posting. Yes, I've cycled ALL over Australia. Being from Darwin orig. I'm used to all sort of terrain. As we say in the N/T 'Been there done that, Got the t'shirt'! I guess you're from black stump eh son?

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  4. I live this lifestyle philosophy, but more with my everyday life. I recently became more interested in touring, and simply searched, "lightweight cycling", and came upon your blog. Your attention to detail, especially with things like cutting the edges of toothbrushes off, I found both hilarious, and inspiring. You're a true freak.

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  5. Thanks very much for your post, I can't tell you how helpful it's been. Cheers:)

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  6. Very inspiring!
    I was about to buy 2 kg tent 700 gm sleeping bag. I might take up going to Leh. But my age & opposition fm home r two factors to overcome before I take up Leh.

    One question, did you take up living in tents along the way to Leh (which r available on rent) or you used your own tent?

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  7. I did both, two times in my own tent, two times in tourist tents.
    Take a look at: http://iikinindia.blogspot.com

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  8. Thanks for Reply!

    Finally I bought this tent about 2 Kg http://www.decathlon.in/TENTS-T2-ULTRALIGHT-PRO
    And sleeping bag 1.2 Kg http://www.decathlon.in/SLEEPING-BAGS-S5-LIGHT-RIGHT-ZIP

    One more problem to overcome is to get good set of new tyres of 700x38c or 700x40c size. This is getting difficult in India.

    I am not going to be as light as your setup, but this is what best I can do in my budget and what is available here locally in India.

    I would be carrying 15 Kg cycle + 8-9 Kg stuff.

    Now looking for a partner if possible can find someone.

    Wish me luck !!

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  9. Excellent blog with great info. I totally agree on the utralight touring front. I cycled 10,000 miles over 8 months with my 18yr old son, from Ireland to Tokyo via India and SE Asia. We had 2 underfilled Ortlieb back panniers each and bar bags on Dawes Super Galaxy touring bikes. 12kg of luggage each. Other cyclists kept asking "where is your luggage?" and "how many spokes have you broken?"
    I now carry even less with me since I discovered it is weight that breaks spokes and damages components. We also noticed how happy we were on days during the trip where we cycled with less gear (leaving some things to collect later). We learned our lesson. Underfilled panniers leaves room for food and water, which is far more useful off the beaten track than changes of clothes or a washbag full of toiletries.
    My blog is http://longroadhardlessons.blogspot.com

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  10. Interesting stuff indeed. I see you don't mention the weight of that sidestand though LOL. You could use a water bottle under a pedal instead. Or a cop[y of 'Zen and the art of motorcycle maintenance' rolled up. Reading this has made a difference to the weight of my touring. BTW I would not scrimp on a proper chain tool. 10 speed chains are not so reliable as 9 or 8.

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  11. Great post, thanks!

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  12. great info. i now realise i can tour on my existing light weight road bike. and the bubble wrap idea is brilliant. thanks

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  13. update i just completed my first 3 day mini tour of 68, 75 and 82 miles. my tent, sleeping bag, mat and clothes weighed just 4.4kg. i put a 30 on the rear of my compact chainset and was able to maintain 16 - 17 mph average all day and do a severely steep climb (18.5% garrowby hill in yorkshire) without getting off. the crocs and kids pedals weigh just 330g and are the way to go i am throwing out my Look spds and shoes (1178g). once again thank you for this valuable resource, i am already thinking about my next tour.

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  14. You could even do it lighter if you used a folding bike (I realise that you beat me with regard to packing light - I even carry a laptop): www.dagsresa.com

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    Replies
    1. I got a Brompton and will do a couple overnights to test it soon.

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  15. Liked your post very much. Just changed from Steel to Carbon for my main bike. No rack, seat pack and bar pack, small frame pack. Emergency sleep stuff only, no cook, much of your cloths ideas work for me. Like a better Tigr lock, too many bike thieves about. Thanks, it was a help. Now need to talk wife into letting me go... That is another story.

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  16. It's been great to follow your adventures all these months. Really inspiring. Looking forward to riding with you both in the future.
    trips to Europe

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  17. Great blog mate. I found this really very useful, and I don't think that you are being extremist. I've been ultralight tramping for a while, but am looking to take up cycle touring, and I reckon lighter is better. Thanks for the helpful tips!

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  18. What a wonderful read! Made me smile all the way through!

    Safe cycling!

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  19. great. Ill study it more. I took way too much on my first tour.

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  20. I thought I was doing SO well getting my weight down to 15 kgs or so. I'll have to read the whole blog again to see how much weight I can lose since I have a tour this year on a mini velo.

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  21. I absolutely love this blog, and the subtle humour all the way through! thanks a million!

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  22. Gleaned a cornucopia of helpful tips. Thanks. Follow up: could you post a photo of your bubble wrap pad with a pound coin or tube patch for scale? Do you use full body length or 3/4? Thank you.

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    Replies
    1. I don't have a photo, but it's an ordinary type of bubble wrap packaging material with bubbles 1 cm in diameter. But bubble wrap pad is now a history. I don't use it any more, instead I have plain and lighter piece of plastic, roughly the size of a sleeping bag. I use it (a) as a waterproofing wrap for my stuff inside the storage bag and (b) when sleeping as a sheet protection under the sleeping bag.

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  23. This is terrifically useful information. I am heading out for two months across the US and trying to figure out what to bring or not. The more information I have the better off I will be. Thanks for taking the trouble.
    Jay

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  24. I have returned to this site time and again, and your philosophy/commitment to it/experimentation/inventiveness/humour is both greatly inspiring and deeply enjoyable to read. Thank you so much for sharing it with us!!!

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    1. Thanks for your favorable comment. I try to keep this site updated, but sometimes - usually when the epidemic strikes - it might take longer to respond.

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  25. Thank you, your blog is informative and entertaining. I am planning my first tour and you have saved me hundreds of dollars. I am down to a change of clothes and a credit card.

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