Regular readers will know that I approach packing as a challenge. I really enjoy trying to get my ratio of everything perfect. I am neither an over-packer not an under-packer. My problem is weather-related. I tend to travel to areas where the weather can change and I end up with too many or too few warm clothes. I also never know when I will be able to do laundry so I tend to pack an extra outfit or two ‘in case’ whereas my husband does not mind rewearing something or buying something at destination. The weather and accommodations also affects your ability to wash and dry items overnight.
Two years ago on the same trip, it was really hot and I showered and changed clothes twice a day, meaning I had to buy some cooler clothes, and I had one sweater too many. Last year it was freezing cold and raining, and I had to buy a sweater and extra socks, but had packed too many lightweight clothes. (We had no access to laundry facilities either time)
This time the weather was not hot or cold, with a bit of rain some days. And for the first time every, I packed perfectly. I used everything I took, but did not run out of any items. We were away for six days and five nights.
My husband and I each have a saddlebox. These hold rain gear, warmer/cooler clothes, water, tools,
There is a bag behind my seat which holds snacks and food, both for the road and for our little house, which was not close to any shops. We took coffee, tea, nuts, dried fruit, chocolate, crisps.
The dry bag above it holds our clothes and toiletries. It is not big but it holds a lot. We pack into plastic bags and then pack those as tightly as possible into the drybag.
For the bike
- leather trousers
- full jacket,
- full gloves (unusually for me, I left my sleeveless jacket and fingerless gloves behind, hoping I would not get too hot)
- rain trousers and jacket (these are great for warmth, even if it is not raining)
- neck gaiter (I should have taken a second one but this was no great problem)
- black biker boots
Clothes
- slim selvedge jeans in dark denim (don’t show dirt and look better when worn for a few days)
- grey canvas wide-legged trousers (a little more ‘festive’ but still tough and resistant to dirt)
- floral shirt just so I could be feminine for a day
- Black t shirts with print on the front (for riding) and plain (for formal)
- For each day: 1 pair socks, 1 bra and two pairs of panties (I pack like I am going to shit myself twice a day)
- 1 ‘set’ silver jewellery, 1 ‘set’ gold jewellery (set = non-matching ring, bracelet, necklace and earrings in silver or gold-plated silver)
- 3 white and 3 black tank tops (I sleep in them and also wear them under my shirts
- brown flip flops
- Lounging trousers/pyjama bottoms
- Long sleeved baggy white t shirt. I love this one. It has big roses down the arms but is otherwise plain
- Hoodie
- Thin grey knitted top with t shirt lining
- Black Gabbie Kipling bag (I was a bit worried this would be too heavy because I wear it crossbody while riding) but it was not at all uncomfortable and it allowed me to carry more overall.
Other
- medication and vitamins in travel box
- mini toiletries – either travel-sized products or decanted into small plastic containers
- microfibre hair turban (towels wherever we stay are too small to wrap around my head)
- magazine
- book
We always carry a big plastic bag for dirty laundry. On the last morning after I had dressed, I had nothing left on my clothes shelf or in the bathroom. I had used all my clothes and finished almost all my toiletries.
The only thing I did miss was a hairdryer. I wish the cabin had provided one. I almost never use a hairdryer, but showering and then putting a helmet on wet hair is not only uncomfortable, but also makes for a HIDEOUS hair day. Helmet hair is bad enough when your hair is dry…
All in all, I am thrilled with myself for getting it so right this time. Although to be fair, it was due to the weather being not too cold and not too hot.