All my worldly possessions.

There's also the simple fact that the less you're carrying the easier the cycling will be! Then there's just the added peace of mind from having to spend as little time as possible fumbling for stuff in your panniers or keeping the stuff clean and organized. Plus airlines are being picky with overweight baggage... so one other less thing to worry about, hopefully, will be excess baggage charges!

So, without further ado, is my packing list. I think I can safety say that if it's not on the list, I'm not bringing it. It looks like a lot but it all fits (even with the full water bag) into two small panniers.

Clothing (more than half of this will actually be worn while the spare items are packed in the pannier)

• cycling gloves
• cycling shoes
• 2 short-sleeve t-shirts
• 2 padded cycling shorts
• 2 socks
• underwear
• convertible pants
• helmet with visor and mirror

Grooming and Sleeping

• Petzl Zipka Plus headlamp
• small microfibre towel
• small journal & pen
• "Toob" (toothbrush & paste)
• "Camp Suds" (for laundry)
• body wash
• washing sponge
• ear plugs (for snoring roommates and loud African music)
• silk sleep sheet (extremely small, warm and light)
• small self-standing mosquito net

Water-Related

• universal stopper (makes filtering water easier as most sinks have lost their drain plugs)
• 2L MSR Dromedary Bag (for carrying extra water)
• 2 water bottles
• Katadyn Vario Microfilter
  • scrubbie (for cleaning ceramic filter)
  • extra o-rings
  • silicon lube

Important Items for Safekeeping

• photocopies of passport, vaccination certificate, e-ticket, consolate info, etc.
• credit card (for emergencies—though mostly useless in Africa)
• trip insurance card
• passport
• vaccination certificate
• cash (Euros, to be exchanged)

Other Items

• sun screen
• digital camera
• 2 spare camera batteries
• shower cap (to keep saddle dry in rain)
• Topeak Road Morph G Cycling Pump
• spare tube
• patch kit (with wide range of patches)
• Quick Stick (for removing tire from rim)
• allen key set (mini-tools aren't nearly as useful)
• repair tape
• small adjustable wrench (important for removing rear wheel lock-nut)
• all-purpose chain lube
• sewing kit, with awl (for tire and gear repairs)
• tire patch material
• j-cloth (grease/cleaning rag)
• small gear brush
• cycling first aid kit
  • malaria medication
  • wound management kit (see MEC.CA)
  • rehydration salts
  • EMT shears, triangular bandage, bandaids, etc.

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