Every gram counts – bike tour with luggage – you have to pay attention to that – knowledge

Bike tours can be so easy. At least if you pack cleverly and pay attention to the weight of the soap. How Tobias Müller cycled from Lake Constance to Lake Geneva with six kilos of luggage. And what was still too much.

Bike tours were hard work for (too) long – in the truest sense. Just a few years ago, a touring bike with bags and luggage weighed 30 kilograms and more. But in the meantime there is highly specialized equipment and much lighter yet robust bicycles.

For example the new Gravelbikes. Today, you can cut the weight of bike and luggage in half.

Moderator Tobias Müller drove the SRF “Einstein” program from Lake Constance to Lake Geneva – 800 kilometers in eight days. Overnight in tent. With every gram the question: does it have to be included? In the end, his bike, including the load, weighed just under 15 kilograms. Including camping equipment. However, without a stove, he and his companion relied on the many catering options between Lake Constance and Lake Geneva.

Renunciation makes it easy

But how did he manage the low weight? First with clever renunciation. The rain jacket is also a wind jacket. The functional t-shirt for the evening can also be used as a spare cycling shirt. The fleece jacket is also a long-sleeved cycling shirt. Instead of heavy soap, he packs a few sheets of soap that double as shower gel, hand soap, washing-up liquid and washing powder.

A pump bag for the sleeping pad is enough for two people. Less than half of the dry deodorant stick lasts for a week. The underpants are also pajama pants. And then of course the search for the lightest multi-tool, the lightest tent or toothbrush set. Yes, even with the panniers there are huge differences.

Even easier?

And the six kilograms could have been even less. Because the temperature hardly ever fell below 20 degrees, he could have left rain gloves, rain trousers and overshoes at home. Just like arm and leg warmers. Because if it’s that warm, you’re warm enough in normal cycling clothing – and it dries again quickly. The rain jacket is enough and is also used immediately when it gets cooler in the early morning or on a descent.

Legend:

Tobias Müller and his companion went on tour lightly packed.

SRF

Müller hardly ever even put on his street shoes. The amazingly comfortable mountain bike shoes also fit on the campsite. It is helpful if you don’t choose a hard racing model, but a shoe with a slightly more flexible sole. The professional tip for even more reduction: Send home what you don’t need on the tour – and next time don’t even pack it.

Or is it heavier?

But it should have been a gram or two more: A larger synthetic fiber towel that is enough to dry off after swimming in the lake. Or a slightly wider mattress.

But the most important wish: One tent per person instead of one for both. Because good rest is essential for tired legs and a snoring companion does not necessarily help.

On his next bike tour in Switzerland, Tobias Müller could do without the campsite altogether. It is usually easy to find affordable accommodation in a hostel or hotel. And that would then reduce the luggage by almost two kilograms.