What to Pack for the Ride
Here are a couple vital items that may not seem obvious at first, but...
MANDATORY
Helmet
You must wear a hard bike helmet at all times on the ride when you are pedaling.
No helmet/no ride/no exceptions.
Really.
Even if you are renting a bike, you must bring your own helmet. Just toss it in your checked luggage or your bike box.
Bike Shoes, Pedals, and Saddle
If you are renting a bike in Thailand, they come with flat pedals ONLY. If you prefer to ride your favorite clip-in pedals you must bring them with you -- clip-in pedals are not available for rent in Thailand. Our crew is happy to help you install your own pedals on a rental bike. Don't forget to reclaim your pedals before you head back to the U.S.
If you are bringing your own clip-in pedals, please double-triple-extra check that you have packed your bike shoes. Every trip someone forgets them or brings the wrong pair, and...
No need to bring your own bike saddle, but some folks do like to bring one. If that's you our mechanics will happy to help get it set up on your rental bike. Don't forget to reclaim it at the end of the trip.
A Jacket or Sweater
Thailand is warm, but your flight might be chilly -- you'll be glad you have a light sweater or jacket.
Luggage
You will want to bring THREE types of luggage. Here's why:
1. Your main luggage that carries all of your stuff. Once we head out for the day you will not have access to these bags until we reach our hotel for that night.
You may bring as many bags as you want for your main luggage, but ALL bags must be self contained. That means no shoes or coats dangling on the outside, no bags tied together, no open-top tote bags. Pretend your bags are being checked in on an airline and you'll be fine.
We are careful with all luggage, but if your bag contains a laptop do NOT just leave it for the luggage crew -- hand-carry it to our luggage truck and tell the staff that you have a laptop so we can put it somewhere nice and safe.
When you arrive in Thailand we will give you special I.D. tags for all of your luggage.
2. A small bag on your bike to carry everything you need with you on the road. (If you can fit all of that stuff in your jersey pockets that's fine. More on what to carry with you on the bike in a minute). Rental bikes DO come with these bags. (We provide the bag; you provide the stuf to go in it!) If you are bringing your own bike, make sure you have a way to carry your road gear.
3. A small daypack or gym bag that will go in our support vehicles every day. This is where you put extra sunscreen, walking shoes for a tour where you don't want to wear your bike shoes, plus your sarong or wrap for visiting temples. Again, no open-top bags, so your stuff doesn't wind up scattered all over the floor.
Water Bottles
Expect summertime temperatures. Bring TWO water bottles with you on the bike or you will dehydrate and die. Have a nice day! NO ONE should be out on the route with just one water bottle.
If you prefer to carry a Cambelback or similar hydration pack instead of water bottles that’s fine.
Gear
EVERYONE should have these items with them on the bike at all times while pedaling:
• A cell phone. More information on using your phone in Thailand can be found on this page.
• TWO inner tubes that fit your bike. This is only for folks who are bringing their own bike. Spare inner tubes will be provided for rental bikes. If you are bringing your own bike you should ALSO have additional tubes stashed in your main luggage which we will transport for you each day. If you are asking your local bike shop for a free cardboard bike box or assistance removing your clip-in pedals this is a nice time to buy some tubes from them to show your support.
If you are riding your own bike with an unusual wheel size, you already know who you are (650, recumbent, folding bike, deep-dish rim that requires extra-long valve stems...) If those words make no sense at all to you that's fine; it means this particular info is not for you.
If you are riding one of those unusual sizes you should REALLY stock up on tubes before you leave home -- we won’t be anywhere near a shop that will have that stuff. Yeah, if the flat-tire gods are with you, you won’t use a single extra tube on the entire trip and that’s great -- you can keep them for next time.
AND.... if you are bringing your own bike and riding one of those unusual size wheels (see above), you should also have an extra TIRE in your suitcase along with your inner tubes -- we will NOT be able to find a replacement for an unusual-size tire if it goes bad, and that can happen to anyone. No need to carry it with you on the bike -- we can keep it in the support van for you if you wish.
Even if you don’t know how to use this gear you should still be carrying it. If you get a flat (and ALL bicycles get flats...) you can be back on the road in 10 minutes if you are carrying this stuff. It can be an hour or longer (MUCH longer) if you aren’t carrying the right gear.
Speaking of flats, some folks are now riding tubeless tires that help prevent flats. This is cool, but please be aware that we can not service these special tires. If something goes wrong with your new-fangled tubeless tires, you are on your own!
Bike Lock
If you are headed off exploring on your own you will definitely need to bring a good bike lock. When you’re traveling with the group we’ll have someone to watch your bike whenever we stop, so you won’t need to lock-up then. At night your bike goes in your hotel room -- safe and sound. (Thailand has no more crime than anywhere else, but I wouldn't leave my bike unlocked at home in front of a store or restaurant, so....)
Phone Accessories
Some folks like to pedal with their smartphone mounted on their handlebars. This is NOT required for this trip.
If you do want to use your phone all day while pedaling consider buying an additional phone battery pack like this one. (Other styles and brands are absolutely fine).
You'll also need a way to mount your phone to your handlebars. Here's one model I like. (Other brands are fine). If you are renting a bike in Thailand a phone mount is NOT included -- be sure to bring your own if you want to use one. We can help you install it on your rental bike. Be sure to remove it at the end of the trip and take it home with you.
All Your Charging Cables
No; we do not have an extra charger for a 1997 Blackberry, and we don't know where to get one in Thailand.
Electrical Converters and Adapters
Alarm Clock
Lots of people use their smartphone as an alarm clock and that's fine. You may not want to rely on a hotel wake-up call.
Before you leave home please install the WhatsApp program on your phone if you don't already have it. You can get it for free from the Apple app store or Google Play store. It allows you to send text messages or make phone calls to folks in Thailand or back in the U.S. for free... provided that they also have WhatsApp.
We will ALSO use WhatsApp to send you important information in the middle of the trip. ("Let's have a drink before dinner! Meet on the deck outside the restaurant at 6:30.")
If you decide that after the trip you no longer want WhatsApp on your phone it is easy to remove.
Bathing Suit
Sunscreen
Clothing
Dress is always casual on this trip, but you're not going to want to wear your bike clothes ALL the time.
We will be having nice dinners together -- casual is still fine, but maybe not that T-shirt that you used to clean the grease off of your chain.
Shoes
If you ride bike shoes with cleats that’s cool, but you may want to wear something else for walking around. In particular, we will be wandering around a few amazing temples (not too many!), so you may want shoes you can stash on the support van and change into quickly.
I always carry one of these compact 3-way splitters in my bag. If you have a travel converter or adapter it will usually let you plug in just one item at a time. With this cheap accessory you can plug in three different things at once.
This tool is also handy at the airport or on the plane if you want to charge up and all the outlets are in use -- it lets you share with others.
If you get a 3-way splitter be sure you also have one of these inexpensive 3-prong adapters too. Both of these items available cheap at any U.S. hardware store or Walmart.
If you need to recharge more than one USB item at a time, this is handy. (I am often recharging my wife's phone, my phone, the extra battery pack for my phone, and my bike computer all at once). Some travel adapters already have multiple USB ports -- check yours first. You can buy this charger here. Other brands certainly fine.
Here's a great article on the best gear to bring with you so you can plug in your stuff throughout Thailand.
You might add these items to your travel bag too:
