Weights and measures

When J&I walked in central France in 2018 with F&J2, I kept a record of what I’d packed, and how much it weighed. That list was the starting point for what you see below (detailing M’s gear). For our final dry run before departure, we packed everything into our panniers, and weighed them and our handlebar bags: J’s weighed 18 lbs; M’s weighed 28.8 lbs (compare this with the ~50 lbs of gear M carried on his 2004 Camino ride!)

Bicycle-related gear

  • Bicycle (19″ Kona Cinder Cone, circa 2004); 16 kg
  • Rear panniers
  • Handlebar bag
  • Pump
  • Miscellaneous tools (Allen keys; wrench to remove pedals)
  • Spare inner tube, tire levers and patch kit; a few spare parts
  • Helmet
  • Cycling gloves
  • Water bottles x 2

Clothing

  • Long pants @ 394 grams
  • Belt @ 114
  • Shorts x 2 @ 608
  • Padded shorts liner @ 102
  • Rain pants @ 240
  • Underwear x 2 @ 154
  • Hiking socks x 3 pairs @ 176
  • Short sport socks x 2 pairs @ 116
  • Scarf @ 80
  • Tilley-like hat @ 96
  • Goretex jacket @ 564
  • Zip-up mock turtleneck long sleeve @ 306
  • Cotton long sleeve T @ 214
  • Beige linen shirt @ 248
  • Blue linen shirt @ 264
  • Technical T-shirt @ 114
  • Short sleeve cycle jersey @ 220
  • Cotton T-shirts x 2 @ 282
  • Light shoes @ 662
  • Wallet @ 88 (Visa, bank card, drivers license, Care card, Blue Cross, Aetna, business cards)

Toiletries, books etc

  • Guide book
  • Novels @ 440 (Colette, Earthly Paradise @ 242; Graham Greene, The Heart of the Matter @ 198)
  • Journal & paper @ 304
  • Geist magazine @ 240
  • Bluetooth keyboard @ 304
  • Passport pouch @ 216 (with notepad, small pen, passport, some €)

Notions

  • Headlamp @ 128 grams
  • Umbrella @ 212
  • Tupperware @ 130
  • Glasses case @ 66
  • Prescription sunglasses @ 74
  • Money belt (with some €) @ 120
  • iPhone and case @ 204
  • Tech gadgets @ 218 (1-to-3 power adapter, earbuds, USA to EU plug adapter x 2, iPhone charger)
  • Total toiletries @ 802 (razors etc @ 142: disposable razors, toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, comb, earplugs, nail clippers, nail scissors;  vitamins etc @ 158: C, D, Fisherman’s Friend, Vaseline for foot care, aspirin, glucosamine; lotions @ 292: sunscreen, artificial tears, analgesic cream, etc)
  • Misc 1 @ 282 (glue stick, spare pen, pencil, small lock, Sharpie, Swiss Army knife, compression straps x 2)
  • Misc 2 @ 210 (bar soap, laundry soap etc)

Other important items

  • Shoulder (day) bag @ 242