Packed and ready to go!

I managed to get a surprising amount of stuff in my pannier box. We each have one and then there is the top box for other bits and pieces. Here's my side of the bike:

Plus toiletries all in travel sizes:

Heres what I packed:

3 t-shirts

Jeans

Thermals

Underwear of course

A pretty long sleeve top for evenings- after a day in a bike outfit you want to try to look at least somewhat presentable in the evening

A pretty jumper to go with above in case it's cold

Thin fleece top for under bike jacket

Thicker fleece top in case I need another layer

Flat crocs

3/4 lengths in case it's hot

Umbrella- I'm going prepared for any weather!

And bikini- I said I'm going prepared! No the bikini is actually in case we stay a night in the Black Forest at a spa.

I'm also taking a thin jacket for evenings

Oh and a sun hat. If you know me you know I don't go anywhere without sun cream and hat.

 

We've also packed some medical supplies of course and I've fit it all into this box with our German imported cold and flu granules. The theme here is keeping it compact! Nothing unnecessary is coming along.

 

Did you want to know what Andre is packing? He's been way more worried about what to pack than me. By the way if this is boring you go do something else, I'm also recording it for our own future use.

Andre's side of the bike contains:

Jeans, 4 t-shirts, thermals, another vest, jumper, trainers, body warmer, fleece, and another jacket if he can fit it. He's just a little worried about being cold. Maybe I should be more worried but a year ago this time we were boiling in Venice and I only packed one t-shirt that weekend as it was already so cold over here in England. Oh, he did pack a pair of shorts in case of a spa stop.

 

We've both basically only filled the bottom half of our panniers so still have some room left.

 

In the top box on the back we're packing other random bits: breakfast bars (very important for snacking along the way), puncture repair kit, a small towel (for some random use perhaps), the bike's papers and insurance stuff etc, our extra bike gloves (we're both taking summer and winter gloves). We also have to have a disposable breathalyser for riding in France. Interesting.

My only luxury is my kindle. Photos will be with the gopro only and then iPhone or iPad. Shockingly no other big cameras!!! Will we manage? This will be an experiment to see how we cope without proper cameras!

 

Of course we'll need chargers for all these bits and we're taking a MiFi as iPad is wireless only. (MiFi is for Internet) and a universal plug. I know this is starting to sound like a lot, but we surprisingly still have room left in all three boxes! We did consider getting a tank bag at one stage, more for having a map on for Andre to see while driving but decided against the extra expense. We are taking maps of France, Belgium and Germany although we'll have satnav too.

 

So that's it. I think we're ready. My nails are painted, hair washed and straightened, eyelashes tinted -no make-up going along but I'm thinking now I might just add a lipgloss. No fake tan necessary for this holiday as we'll be spending most of our time in protective bike gear, boots, gloves and helmet! Oh I also ordered us each a hi-vis jacket for safety.

 

Ok that's it now. I'll try to blog every evening on the trip.

 

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