Home Page

Why choose a Transalp

Changes to make to the bike

What to bring

Some photos

Where I am now

What to bring

Pack light, of course
Three changes of underwear/shirt seems to be enough. Wash what you've worn on the road in the shower with you every day. You'll also need a warm fleece that fits under your riding jacket, and waterproofs.There are loads of packing lists on the web. We all bring too much with us, and then gradually dumpit along the way. It's part of the fun.


My 'smart' outfit
Outside a five star hotel in Goa
  Artificial fabrics work
I would highly recommend Lowe Alpine dryflow T-shirts and shirts. As well as being breathable they are very easy to wash, and dry very quickly. I have been using them constantly for two years and they are still going strong. They don't look too bad either. Not cheap to buy, but they last and last.

Two pairs of trousers
Rohan in London make a fantastic pair of trousers in super-strong super-light material. My Cargo pants have lasted two years being worn most days. After a wash they still look decent. They contain kevlar, and cost a packet. But cheap in the long run. They've withstood everything except an attack by a wild dog in Thailand.

On the feet
A pair of riding boots that you can also walk in saves a lot of space. My CAT boots took me around the Annapurna circuit and all the way to Australia in a lot of comfort.

The protection level is very small though; and overlanders I know who have had serious accidents while I have been travelling have all hurt their lower legs badly. There is certainly a strong argument for proper protective boots, that I really should heed.


Comparing horsepower: Golden Triangle, Thailand
Note the camelbak thingy. A lifesaver.


Spares
The CDI units are the only things that can't be fixed up on the road. If you can afford these then take 'em allong. Otherwise, a stripped down to the bones toolkit will contain 10 and 12mm sockets and spaners, an adjustable spanner, a spark plug tool, spare throttle and clutch cables, levers, and inners tubes, puncture repair kit, tyre pressure gauge, multi-tool and some glues. Don't forget oil filters and, depending on the distance, tyres and chain set.