Packing for Your Cycling Holiday [Tips + Comprehensive Pack List]
Packing for Your Cycling Holiday [Tips + Pack List]
Travel Light, Travel Far
Most travelers pack much more than they need. As a general guideline, the amount you bring on tour should fit into a carry-on suitcase + small backpack, and should weigh no more than 30 pounds (13 kg).
If you plan to continue traveling after your cycling tour and need additional clothing or accessories, most hotels and ryokans are happy to hold on to your luggage for a week or more while you are on the bike. We highly recommend sticking to the packing list below, and making minor adjustments based on your own sensitivity to warm or cool weather.
Laundry will be available every 3-4 days (depending on your tour) so 4 sets of athletic clothes will be sufficient for all guided and self-guided trips.
Active Clothing
When cycling, the best way to make sure you’re ready for any weather is to bring layers that can be put on and taken off during the day as temperatures change. Clothing made from lightweight wool, cotton blend, nylon, TENCEL, etc, are great for comfort and moisture-wicking. A windbreaker or light shell is also useful for brisk mornings. We highly recommend padded cycling shorts/bibs, which make your days on the bike a lot more comfortable.
HELMET
Helmets are required for all riders. Since this is a piece of equipment that will be strapped to your head for many hours, we recommend bringing your helmet from home to maximize comfort. If you do not plan to bring a helmet with you to Japan, let us know, and we’ll have one ready for you.
CLIP-IN CYCLING SHOES
Cycling shoes with cleats and clip-in pedals can be excellent for both comfort and performance. For riders who want to clip-in, please bring your shoes & pedals from home. Cycling shoes are not necessary, and our bikes will come with flat pedals for riders who do not want to clip in. For comfort, please make sure that your bike shoes have a stiff sole.
GLOVES
Gloves provide much-needed padding for your hands and will reduce soreness.
SADDLE
While most riders are happy with our saddles, we know that some cyclists have particular needs when it comes to saddle fit. In this case, recommend bringing your trusty saddle from home. A happy bum makes a happy cyclist!
If you’ve been on cycling holidays in Europe or the Americas, you were probably asked to bring “smart-casual clothing” for dinner. In Japan, Dinner attire is unique.
Each of our premium and luxury ryokan hotels provide traditional yukata attire for men and women. These cotton robes are typically worn by guests to dinner, breakfast, and the onsen baths.
Unless you prefer to wear your own clothes, you do not need to bring any special attire for meals. This is why you won’t see it on our packing list below!
In onsen towns where there are many ryokan hotels, you’ll often see locals wearing traditional yukata robes relaxing outside, or socializing with friends on an evening stroll. We highly recommend diving into this aspect Japanese culture, and doing just as the locals do!
Weather
Weather is extremely important to consider while packing for your cycling vacation. We want you to have the right gear when you need it most. At the same time, we understand that our guests come from all over the world. Our guests visiting from Los Angeles or Hong Kong will, no doubt, have a different idea of “chilly” than our guests coming from London or Toronto. Therefore, please check the weather of the region you’ll be visiting, and ask yourself how warm/cool or wet/dry this climate feels FOR YOU. Then, make personal adjustments to the packing list below, based on your own comfort and sensitivity. Our team will passionately plead with the weather gods for tailwinds and favorable elements, but planning for inclement weather is key to making sure we can enjoy each moment on your cycling holiday in Japan!
- 3-4 pairs of cycling bibs or active shorts/pants
- 3 cycling jerseys or breathable shirts
- 3-4 pairs of athletic socks
- Bike helmet & gloves
- Windbreaker or rain jacket
- Athletic/hiking shoes or sandals for off-bike adventures
- 2 shirts
- 2 pairs of walking shorts and/or pants
- 3 pairs of undergarments
- Toiletries & medications
- Travel booking info for air, rail, etc
- Sun protection: hat, sunglasses
- Passport & photocopy
- Debit card & cash (we recommend ~20,000 yen)
- Health/Travel Insurance info photocopy
- Portable battery for devices
- Electronic devices, chargers, and power adapter. Japan’s 2 prong plug will accept US electronics with 2 prongs.
- Insulating long-sleeve shirt
- Synthetic or down jacket
- Insulating hat, ear-cover, or neck warmer
- Long-fingered gloves
- 3 pairs of thick wool socks
- Arm warmers and leg warmers
- Consider full tights for pants if your legs tend to get cold
- Additional under layers and thermal cycling jacket if you tend to feel cold when riding
- Cycling clip-in shoes
- Cycling pedals
- Bike saddle
- Bike booties
- Camera or journal for recording memories
- Day pack
- GPS device and charger