Michael built a bicycle unsuitable for speed,
it's crammed with more accesories,
than anyone would need.
There's an AM-FM radio,
A deck to play cassettes,
A refrigerator-freezer,
and a pair of tv sets.
There's shelves for shirts and sweaters
And hangers for his jeans,
A drawer for socks and underwear,
And a rack for magazines.
There's a fishtank and a birdcage perched upon the handlebar,
A bookcase,
And a telescope to watch the moon and stars.
There's a telephone,
A blender,
A stove to cook his meals,
A sink to do his dishes somehow fastened to the wheels.
There's a portable piano,
A set of model trains,
An automatic bumpershoot that opens when it rains.
There's a desk to do his typing on this fabulous machine,
A stall for taking showers,
And a broom to keep things clean.
But you'll never see him ride it,
for it isn't quite complete,
Michael left no room for pedals,
And there isn't any seat.

The above poem is one of my favorites and it shows how poor planning can really slow you down. The generic lists below are of things a self-supported cycle tourist should need. You can decide what you need to carry by how much you want your loaded bike to weight. The best rule of thumb is to think small.

CAMPING AND COOKING
Aluminum tent stakes
Cooking gear
Cooking utensils
Detergent
Eating utensils
Ground sheet
Lighter or waterproof matches
Pannier rain covers
Sleeping Bag
Sleeping pad
Tent

CLOTHING
Bicycle gloves
Cap with visor (not to be worn under helmet)
Cold weather gloves
Cycling jerseys
Cycling shoes
Cycling shorts (padded and with synthetic chamois)
Handkerchief or bandana
Helmet
Jacket (lightweight fleece)
Non-bicycle long and/or short pants
Padded cycling gloves
Polo shirt
Rain cape or jacket
Riding shoes
Socks
Sweater
Swimsuit
T-shirts
Undershorts
Unpadded long bicycle tights
Walking sandals or shoes
Walking shorts

MECHANICAL
(not all required if you are not mechanically inclined)
Adjustable wrench (6 inch)
Allen wrenches (3mm, 4mm, 5mm, 6mm)
Bike cable and lock
Cable ties
Chain lube
Chain tool
Combination crank wrench/crank bolt wrench
Cone wrenches (pair)
Flat head screwdriver (small)
Freewheel remover (for your derailleur)
Narrow electrical tape
Needle nose pliers (small)
Patch kit
Pump
Spare Allen screws and washers
Spare brake cables
Spare shift cables
Spare spokes (for front and rear)
Spoke nipples
Spare tubes (at least two)
Spoke wrench
Swiss Army knife (small)
Tire boots (made out of old tires with the metal bead cut out
- at least 2-3 inches)
T-wrench
Tire Irons

SUNDRIES
Address book
ATM card (good but fees can be expensive)
AYH / IYH membership card (optional)
Bath towel
Batteries
Camera and film
Chap stick
Clothesline
Comb
Compass (small)
Earplugs (optional)
First aid kit
Flashlight (small)
Laundry detergent
Maps
Nail clippers
Notebook and pen
Padlock and key (for hostel lockers)
Paperback book (optional)
Passport (if necessary)
Plastic zip-lock bags
Pocket calculator (small)
Pocket radio (small)
Proof of health insurance
Reflective metallic emergency blanket (optional)
Sewing kit (small)
Shampoo
Soap bar in plastic container
Stuff sacks
Sunblock
Sunglasses
Toilet paper (small roll)
Toothbrush and paste
Travelers checks
Water bottles

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