Individual journey through the Balkans from the Adriatic to the Black Sea
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A must-have or what is useful to me when traveling?
When I chose the first cycling journey nothing was clear to me. What is useful and what is not, how to attach to the bike and where the squeeze? Hair dryer in Greece in August? No, it's not a joke! – I took… I swear it, that I never did that stupidity again, though there were days, when washing my hair, when it's freezing outside was a challenge.
Because there are often questions about cycling – travel "must-have" – here it was (*was established in 2015 years and evolved afterwards). I'm not going to describe the entire inventory, but things, sometimes small, without which I cannot do my travels. Maybe someone will need my patents?
CATEGORY "OTHER"
1. HEATER (and of course a metal mug or a small pot)
In the morning I do not know my name, and decipher puzzles of this cyclical helps me tea and coffee. I will not move from the spot as you do not eat breakfast and do not need a drink of – so to say – stimulants. I have a multi-fuel cooker (though in 90% i use gas anyway), but I often stay in places with access to electricity - then to boil water is enough for me electric heater. Only in South Korea I could not use it too much - it broke the corks (lol). Of course, it often requires the appropriate contact adapter depending on the country.
I met many travelers, who repented, with no heater and could not get her on the road. Coffee or tea "in the city" cost a lot, so having ours we save a lot and with a heater for stubborn and pasta and potatoes can be cooked. It should be! ps. And be careful when handling.
2. Earplugs
I can not do without them. A remedy for noises – hostel common rooms, chrapanie, accommodation by the road (because sometimes there is nowhere) and even in the woods, too much when game is played (although sometimes with stoppers do not give advice). I would recommend this to a hand molding (keep a good ear :). I am very sensitive to sounds, essential for me.
3. Sponge for washing
Who would have thought, that is such an essential gadget. A jednak! The sponge absorbs water, and thanks to her washing in the proverbial glass of water is feasible – brings a feeling of freshness, although it is far from a shower. And this one sharper side in the morning and evening, improves blood circulation better domywa dirt. Note - in South Asia – Eastern was almost impossible to buy (!).
4. Slippers flip-flops or
How many times thanks to them, I was even able to take advantage of the Asian "bathroom". Ba - time and peace, which rags and water for months, either, and he had never seen!
5. Quench collapsible backpack (Decathlon)
I love with pure love. Costed (ok, I've already had three or four) less than 20 PLN , similar example can be found. firmy Tatonka, but much more expensive. Size of a fist after rolling, weight can 100 gram. A revelation for me - I keep handheld stuff in it, documents and cash as well as necessary trinkets. I put the whole bag to the front of the steering wheel (Ortlieb). When I stop somewhere not only removes the bag off my backpack. This is also useful simply to take with you, eg. for sightseeing or shopping, when I'm not cycling.
6. Inflatable pillow (Quencha Decathlon)
You can say, carriage cushions that are already burżujstwo.. I haven't done this for a long time, Head placing folded clothes, but this little lightweight inflatable pillow is almost not weighing, and what comfort!
7. A small padlock
All uses. I use it to close the Ortlieb bag during air transport (info below) and closing the tent, I'm more or simply somewhere to camp. Obviously - as someone wants to steal something easily find a way, but the risk, that will win something "because that passed that way" is already much lower.
8. Computers - netbooks, ultrabook, I-pad, or other
For these, who live on the road and eg. write a blog or work online while traveling – and they like convenience. Internet cafes in some places disappear (for example,. Japan), their use is not convenient and the use of e-banking or dangerous websites. Access to wifi is already common in many places * after traveling along the Silk Road, i.e. in 2018 r. I bought an ultrabook.
9. Adapter for long gas cartridges
Bought in Thailand (but you can get it in our outdoor stores and on the Internet), where “saved my life” ie. morning coffee, long studded cartridges were easy to get for pennies, while almost nowhere except Bangkok you can get filmed. Remark – Very useful in our home yard, Cartridges are stamped in every DIY store and are cheap (7-10 PLN ).
10. Phone for two sim cards or "dual sim".
The option of having a slot for a second sim card works very well - one is a Polish card (because e.g.. bank authorizations and other messages) and the other local card (when I am in Poland, there may be two different operators). There is no need to constantly change SIM cards etc.
11. Kindle reader
I love the smell and the rustle of paper in books and newspapers, but sorry guys, on a long journey it is not possible to carry books. I only buy guides and books in electronic form. ps. To stary typ kindle, in the past, it allowed for free use of the web, eg. it came in very handy in Japan). Now there are newer versions with backlight – I would prefer that now, so that you do not have to illuminate yourself in the tent with a headlamp).
12. Other - fastening tape, zips or tights are very useful for quick repair, e.g.. zero. Sometimes such stopgap lasts and lasts..
CATEGORY "BIKE"
1. Bag to carry the bike "self-made"
Were home-made by a neighbor, material is probably tilt gardening (very durable, but I could not get better – material had to be light, because I am carrying a bag on the bike). Previously, I had a few years similar, sewn by leather craftsman of the two largest Ruthenian plaid bags. Both were sewn to size, according to my idea. Dimension 150 x 100 x 30 cm. The base is a strong ears, which form the strip pierced by the bottom of the bag.
The bag comes in handy especially during air transport – especially, that sometimes I have to fold / connect cartons, but sometimes also by rail (for example,. in Italy it was impossible to take the bike to the high-speed train, and already in the bag and yes). Although I try, that I am not always able to skombinować cardboard. With a bag just find a few smaller cartons, bubble wrap, pack the bike and put it in the bag. With ears alone am able to carry the bag over short distances, eg. the airport.
2. Ortlieb bag for the trunk - the largest dimension, i.e.. 150 cm long and thinnest material (are probably the two thick)
As it is, Ortlieb is waterproof and every day I carry a tent and a bicycle bag in it on the trunk, although there is much more space. Maybe it could be smaller, but size comes in handy then, when you need to transport the pouch nicely - especially during air transport. I throw out there 3 panniers and a tent, Roll and padlocked shut, Strengthening the tape and sometimes I give. Update rok 2020 – after 8 years of heavy use with a bit of a rub on the underside, but it still serves me.
Of course, for this purpose can be used even if the Ruthenian bag plain webbing bag - I did so for many years. Now I have Ortlieb and also adored.
3. Leg to the front wheel bicycle
No bo to, leg to the bike that is useful to me as clear as daylight! I bought this bike with the benefit of inventory and it is a boon in the full sense of the word. I put the bike where I want to, saddlebags loaded front wheel does not swing out - and not so, from anywhere you can quickly find him some support. I know, many people consider it to be unnecessary ballast, but I love this facility.
So many things come to mind. If someone has their favorite travel gadgets and solutions - we will know them.
The post was useful to you? Buy coffee!
ps. If someone is looking for practical posts – I have described the equipment and accessories when traveling by bike here, a winter clothing here. Ciao!