Cycling holiday? Your packing just got a whole lot easier…

As Mikey and I start preparing for our cycling trip to Majorca, I find myself once again trying to remember what I packed last time. Every trip I start making a ‘packing-list’ from scratch, spend time on it, then forget about it, and end up leaving my packing until last minute and doing it in a rush.

We’re lucky enough to be heading off to Majorca again and taking the lazy option of hiring bikes in Puerto Pollensa! Yes, it is more expensive, but makes preparation, packing and airport transfers (both ends) far easier. 

Below are the packing list(s) that I think will be beneficial to you …. Cycling essentials:

1. Shoes (and your pedals if not having hire ones added to you bike)

2. Helmet

3. Cycling glasses / shades

4. Front and rear lights (and charging cable)

5. 2 x water bottles, big ones

6. Bike lock can be useful

7. Pump and/or canisters

8. Spare tube

9. 1 tyre lever 

10. Multi-tool, including chain tool and a quick-link

11. Your bike fit measurements if not already supplied to the hire shop

Now for the very important part, your clobber. And remember, if you can’t ‘go-good … look-good’ …

1. Bib shorts

2. Short sleeve jerseys

3. Long sleeve jersey

4. Socks

5. Base layers

6. Gilet

7. Arm warmers

8. Leg warmers

9. Gloves/mits

10. Halo type band and/or cycling cap 

11. Rain jacket, yes even for Majorca in May

Some of the ‘easy-to-forget’ stuff:

1. Garmin/Wahoo head unit, mount and charge cable

2. Cadence and speed sensor if you can’t ride without it

3. Heart rate monitor

4. Gels, bars, energy drink powders

5. Electrolyte tablets

6. Sun cream & lip balm

7. Chamois Cream

8. GoPro 

9. Emergency contact details (especially if riding on your own)

10. Basics first aid kit

And here are a couple of tips that we’ve learnt over the years:

1. Carry a full set of cycling clothes, your shoes, your helmet, glasses in your hand luggage. Basically, have the minimum required to go cycling should your ‘checked-bag’ not make it to your destination when you do. 

2. Use your empty water bottles to pack all your gels, hydration tabs, etc.

3. If you’re leaving shaving your legs until you get there, remember moisturiser, lots of it!

4. If in Mallorca, and doing Sa Calobra, do not stop at the café at the 270’ loop for coffee and ice cream, it will screw up your segment time (up and down).

5. When hiring a bike, no matter where you are, make sure the brakes are set up as you have it at home (Continental brake set up is opposite to UK set up).

6. Get some type of ‘mechanical, crash, break-down, recovery’ cover, it will only cost a couple of quid.

And I am not going anywhere near what casual clothes, personal items, passport/documentation and gadgets you need. You’re on your own for all that stuff.

What would you add to the list ?