After recently cycling singlespeed across some parts of Europe in December, not the warmest time of year, I thought it would be beneficial to publish my packing list from the trip. I will be publishing reviews for some of my favourite items of kit soon, but if you are planning something similar, this list will be a good starting point.

First I would like to say thanks to Tori from Apidura and Jono from Tineli UK, both of them kindly arranged last minute deliveries in the busy Christmas period to send my their kit to use, which has been a great support. I can highly recommend both companies, Apidura’s bikepacking bags have been a great addition to my recent trips, after cycling with panniers for a long time I was surprised by how much time stowing all luggage on the frame saved me. Tineli has been my preferred choice for bibs ever since I cycled in New Zealand, and it is great to see them finally expanding into the UK. While It is hard to pick a single favourite item from the list though, I couldn’t have done without my Swobo merino top, both on the bike in extreme temperatures as well as off the bike in the pub. Thick and warm merino wool, wonderfully crafted, have a look at it here.

Overall I was spot on with almost everything, I only pedalled a few items around without using them, like spare battery packs, straps etc, mainly for emergency reasons. Finding replacements on the road, especially with so many public holidays in between, can be tough, and easily justifies cycling the odd unused item around. But here we go, all the kit from the recent trip in a handy list. For pictures from the trip to see everything in action, please click here.

Bike

• 2010 Swobo Crosby singlespeed bike (42/17) with Halo Aerorage wheels, White Industries freewheel, Schwalbe Marathon Mondial tyres, Salsa bar tape, Brooks Cambium C15 saddle, Lezyne pump and cage, Specialized bottle cage and Camelbak podium 500ml bottle, rear light mounted on saddle bag, Exposure MK4 lights, Garmin Etrex 20 mounted on handle bars

Apidura Top Tube bag extended

• Portland Design Works 3Wrencho
• Park Tool tyre lever
• Wallet
• Apple headphones
• Icebreaker merino gloves
• Pen

Apidura Road Frame Bag small

• Rock’n’roll extreme lube and cloth
• Spare strap
• Plastic bag with black tape, cable ties, spare brake cable, spare brake pads and lizard skin patches
• Mount for back back light and spare back light
• Spare tube
• Specialized bike tool
• Spare set of batteries for back light, camera and GPS in plastic bag
• Spare battery pack for Exposure light
• Spare battery for Lupine head light
• Soap
• Small roll of toilet paper
• Opinel knife and Snowpeak spork

In the jersey pockets

• Canon S120 camera
• Manfrotto mini tripod
• Apple iPhone 6 in Oakley bag

Saddle bag (Apidura Regular 17.5l)

• Exped dry bag
• Various zip bags and plastic bags as dividers
• 2 x Tineli Bib Shorts
• Tineli Intermediate jacket
• Tineli Short Sleeve Jersey
• Tineli cap
• Endura skullcap
• Merino beanie
• Merino buff
• Revolution buff
• Gator face mask
• Travel towel
• iPhone charger with Euro and UK plug (doubling up as USB charger)
• UK to Euro Travel Adapter
• Charging cable for Exposure lights
• Cable for Garmin GPS
• Charger & cable for camera
• Various tablets in plastic tube/Amoxicillin (not used)
• King of Shaves shaving oil
• Toothbrush, toothpaste & razor
• Shimano SPD MW81 Winter shoes
• Montane Extreme Mitt
• Montane Featherlite Velo Jacket
• Montane Velocity waterproof jacket
• Specialized mid season gloves
• Sugoi Firewall gloves
• Specialized mits
• Montane short sleeve baselayer
• Montane long sleeve baselayer
• Skins short sleeve compression top
• Skins long compression tights
• 2 x Defeet Woolie Boolie socks
• Defeet Kneekers knee warmers
• Swobo merino thermal tights
• Endura merino long sleeve baselayer
• Swobo Mens long sleeve traditional merino jersey
• 2 pairs boxer shorts
• Montane shorts