Planning? That’s something I’m pretty good at. Choosing only the essentials? That needed some work. The first trips I took way too much ‘just in case…’. Clothes I never wore, extra shoes that only took up space, full-size toiletries.
During my solo trip I slowly learned what I really need and what’s just ‘packing anxiety’. In this blog I’m sharing what I learned on the road, which items are non-negotiable for me and how to load your bike so that it still feels relaxed and manageable to ride.
My luggage setup
I was looking for saddlebags that were:
lightweight
waterproof
easy to take on and off
In the end I chose the SW-Motech Blaze Pro. Make sure to check the specific model, because they’re designed per bike brand. Sturdy, sleek and practical: you simply pull the inner bags out when you arrive somewhere. And if you (like me) sometimes just want to be done quickly, you can unclip the whole system in a few seconds.
What I love most? That the whole setup stays narrow. No huge, bulky panniers, but a system that still feels comfortable in narrow streets and on mountain passes. And the less wide your bike is, the more relaxed you ride between traffic or past parked cars.
Essentials that always come along
If you want to travel compact, everything needs to earn its spot. These items made the final cut for me and always come along:
These two also always come along:
Travel-size toiletry bag: Toothbrush, sunscreen, deodorant and skincare in travel sizes (easy to find at HEMA or Kruidvat). Electrical devices? They stay at home. The fewer cables and chargers, the better.
Clothing in layers: More important than you might think. Leaving in 20 degrees? In the mountains you can easily get close to freezing. I always pack a thin legging, thermal base layers and an extra pair of gloves at the top of my backpack so I can switch quickly along the way.
Helmet cleaner: I always carry this in a small bottle, because bugs will find you on the road. I also keep tissues in my jacket all the time.
My secret weapon: ziplocks
Open my saddlebags and you’ll see it straight away: ziplocks, ziplocks, ziplocks. Everything lives in them: underwear, clothes, toiletries…
Why I love ziplocks so much? Simple:
- they’re compact,
- waterproof,
- and you can find everything in one single grab.
Reusable freezer bags also work perfectly for this: I actually also keep the bags that come with clothes I order online, since they’re often resealable too. I often make little ‘day packs’: underwear + top in one bag. That way I don’t have to turn my whole bag upside down in a hotel room or tent every evening.
What I useReusable freezer bagsView →Less luggage = more freedom
For me, travelling light doesn’t feel like giving things up, but like creating more breathing space. Less thinking, less searching, less carrying. And more riding, more enjoying and more living on the road.
You also quickly learn that ‘enough’ is often less than you think. That you can easily rotate between two pairs of trousers, that nobody notices how often you wore that one hoodie, and that it’s really about how you feel on the bike, not about your outfit of the day.
Clothes & outfits: smart combinations
If you want to travel light, it helps to look at your outfits with intention. A few things I pay attention to myself:
Good to know when you’re packing your bike
The most important thing to remember? You don’t have to travel the way someone else does. This list is a starting point, not a rulebook. Test, play, leave things at home, add something new.
Enjoy the ride (and don’t forget your ziplocks 😉)
