My checklist is constantly changing. Every time I use it while packing I make changes to refine it or to add things that are new or newly remembered. Some of the things are personal choices and you will need to tailor the list for your own habits, preferences, and needs. For example, my list doesn’t include a shaver because I have a beard.

As I pack I also cross things off the list that I don’t need on the trip. For example, I will not pack the stove and cooking utensils for trips where meals will be in diners and restaurants. If I don’t pack cooking gear, I still pack what I call “emergency food”. Sometimes I find myself surprised and some distance from a place to eat. That’s when I pull out the peanut butter and beans for some fuel until I can reach a diner. The can opener and spoon are always packed for those quick meals.

Personal Care

• Money
• Toothbrush and Toothpaste
• String Floss
• Soap and Container
• Mirror
• Nail clippers
• Towel
• Sleep clothes
• Can opener
• Spare contact lenses
• Eye care stuff
• Sunscreen
• Chargers
• Spare batteries (lithium for GPS, alkaline for headlight and bicycle rear light)
• Cell phone
• Hand held GPS (I record my rides and I prefer to use a hand held GPS instead of the smart phone because the batteries last much longer.)
• Camera
• Spare camera memory card
• Spare camera battery
• Lens wipes
• Sunglasses
• Medicines
• Food (peanut butter in a plastic jar, beans, energy bars, dried food)
• Headlight
• Tripod (small folding one for those times when you can’t find someone to take that photo of you in front of a landmark)
• Reading material / books
• Rags
• Lighter
• One pair of shoes for all occasions
• Riding shoes
• Off Bike Clothing (casual shirt, shorts, underwear, belt)
• Riding clothes (3 synthetic shirts,2 pairs of riding pants, 2 pairs of pant liners, 3 pairs of bike socks, handkerchiefs)
• Rain jacket and pants
• Pocket knife
• Whistle
• Pepper spray
• Pen
• Writing pad
• Spare glasses (in case I have a lost contact or an irritated eye)
• Bath wipes
• Insect repellant

Camping Gear

• Rear carrier straps
• Tent, Fly, Poles, Stakes, Line, Line Clips
• Ground Cloth / Foot Print
• Sleeping Bag
• Pillow
• Air Mattress
• Knife, Fork, Spoon
• Water Bottles
• Duct tape
• Tent pole repair tube
• Air mattress patch kit
• Water purifier
• Stove and cooking utensils
• Bowl
• Coffee, creamer, and sugar

Bike Gear

• Bike lock and key
• Two spare tubes
• Foldable spare tire
• Tire pump
• Adjustable wrench
• Multi-tool (screwdrivers, hex wrenches)
• Tire repair kit
• Saddle cover
• Map holder

Other

• Maps and queue sheets
• Itinerary, including addresses, confirmation numbers, and phone numbers
• GPS for the rental car
• Fast Lane transponder