Check List For A Cycle Tour In Asia
Bike Spec | Tools | Maps
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Here is a list we made as our check point prior to our departure last year. It's made up of advice from various sources. All great stuff, some not so necessary in our case, but entirely relevant, and some was forgotten with varying consequences. I have amended/annotated where necessarily.

Maps
Paper
  • Local – Laos GT Rider Motorcyle maps/guidebook maps should suffice as road are few
  • English maps too for UK road names etc 
(We realized we packed and lost these about a week before we were due to leave the UK. Big drama resulting in plenty of box casualties and lost sleep, but luckily Standfords do a great quick delivery...)
Garmin
Take a spare mini SD card for downloadable travelling maps, i.e:
Write down your stat's and route notes, as we lost 650mi worth of ours on a corrupt file

Bike Spec
  • Steel frame (if possible, as stronger & easier to weld) - ours weren't steel but were fine for the 1450mi tour
  • 36 spoke rim & 26 inch wheels (more spokes the better)
  • Gears 44/32/22
  • Vbrakes (Most people say no to disk brakes unless you are used to them – if stuck with them then take a spare rotor)
  • We originally thought no to suspension, but after cycling in Laos we are glad we had it!
  • Bar ends / butterfly handlebars
  • Had SPD pedals... (although Hattie refused to clip in for the whole time??!!)
  • Front and back fittings for racks, mudguards etc was the plan... Didn't happen at all with the mud guards, but didn't need them anyway.
Supplies
  • Inner tubes (Continental Tour if possible but may end up with local brands)
  • Folding tyres (Continental Touring Plus/Schwalbe Marathon Plus/Vittoria Randonneur Touring if not local brands...)
  • Cotton rim tape
  • Brake pads
  • Spokes (see tools)
  • Garmin and maps (see maps)
  • Brake cables
  • Gear cables
  • Lock
  • Bike bags (HA!) Or more likely over priced recycled cardboard bike boxes
  • Super glue
  • Mini sewing kit (bit of card with thread around it and a big/small needle)
  • First aid kit
  • Nail varnish for sealing frame scratches to stop rust
  • Water bottles
  • Malaria tablets (Forgot them too, luckily got some from a fellow traveller. But was not easy in China, we don't recommend it. Also not recommended to buy from pharmacies as they are likely fakes.)
  • Mosquito nets (Forgot this too, but didn't need one the entire time)
  • Insect replant
  • Sleeping bag liners
  • Light weight T-shirts, shorts, Suncream
  • Food snacks
  • Basic hygiene/toiletry products (I think we left basic hygiene in Russia - although I meant products; which it turns out are best collected from additional or rationed room supplies, if you want small light weight alternatives)
 Tools
  • Multi-tool
  • Cable cutters – (leatherman or cheap equivalent)
    Hypercracker; or
  • Centre-lock tool and chain whip to hold the cassette (for removing the back wheel)
    Spare chain link and chain fitting tool (for fixing/replacing a chain)
  • Spoke key – get the right gauge/keys that do any size. (Get a guide for tightening spokes)
  • Locktight for screws - racks, bottle cages, mudguards.
    Tiny tub of decanted grease
  • 10 of the most common allen bolts and screws (ask the shop they should help)
    Cable ties
  • Paperclips (for cleaning out the gears)

A big thanks to Bealer, Bike Fish & Simon on the CTC Forum who gave us some sound advice, and do check out Robert Beal’s site to see where he is up to at the moment on his trip in Asia for further South East adventures.

www.robertbeal.com
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Author - Christina 


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