Bike trip: essential equipment for a worry-free journey

Maybe you’re planning a weekend cycling trip soon?

Once you know where you're going, the most important aspect is organizing and transporting your belongings.

Before diving into the details, we strongly advise against using a backpack. Even if it's lightly packed, a backpack on long bike rides can be quite bothersome. It gets warm and makes you sweat, you get cold when you take it off, it puts pressure on the chest and limits freedom of movement, adds more weight to the saddle, increasing the risk of discomfort... as you can see, we prefer to use panniers. And no, you don't always need a rear rack.

In terms of cycling trips, there's bikepacking ( the concept of traveling light, just with a backpack), which involves carrying the bare minimum and sometimes staying in solid accommodations to avoid carrying a mattress, tent, etc.

This way of traveling is particularly suitable if your bike doesn't have a rear rack. But it doesn't mean no luggage at all. Bikepacking bags can be attached under the saddle, to the handlebars, to the bike frame... basically anywhere there's hidden space. And sometimes, when the gear is compact enough, you can even bring along something to sleep on!

Then, there's the more traditional journey with bike panniers, as we know them. The idea is to attach two large panniers to your rear rack, in which you can fit all (or almost all) of your belongings. For the more adventurous among us, there are bikes with front racks where you can attach smaller front panniers. It's quite ideal, especially when loaded, to distribute the weight between the front and rear of the bike.

And because often, we didn't plan to have to bring something extra, but it comes our way, we always bring one or two bungee cords (to secure the tent between the two panniers, the grocery bag for the picnic, etc.).

Once on the road, it's important to navigate without danger and stress. For that, we choose to securely mount our smartphone on the handlebars to use it as a GPS.

For short trips, not-too-long days, and relatively smooth routes, we like the basic Finn. Sturdy, universal (fits all handlebars and phones), lightweight, compact, and affordable, it has many qualities!

Then, for more ambitious journeys, we recommend the Shapeheart. With its ultra-powerful magnet and waterproof pocket, it allows you to keep your phone on the handlebars in all conditions, whether it's raining or during downhill mountain biking.

On a bike journey, by definition, you're not in a city with a bike shop 15 minutes away on foot that can fix your bike. Therefore, you need to be able to handle basic repairs, especially in the case of a flat tire. It happens...

For those who really don't feel mechanically inclined and find fixing a flat tire unimaginable, we have a solution: the anti-puncture spray. With just one press, it allows you to inflate and temporarily repair a flat tire. By injecting pressurized gas and foam into the inner tube, it seals the hole and restores pressure to the wheel, allowing you to reach the nearest shop to have the inner tube replaced by professionals.

Otherwise, for those who feel confident in fixing their own issues... or at least trying:

• A comprehensive repair kit
• A compact and efficient mini pump, lightweight and compatible with all types of valves
• A multi-tool for tightening brakes, adjusting saddle height, and tightening rack bolts...

Moreover, these accessories are also what you'll need when it comes to maintaining your bike on days of commuting in the city. Two birds with one stone!