Probably a lot less than you think. It’s perfectly normal on your first tour to pack more than you need — most of us have done it. The golden rule is to lay everything out that you’re planning to take, then make a second pass and decide what you actually need. You’ll almost always put something back.
Panniers fill up quickly and carrying unnecessary weight affects how your bike handles, particularly on mountain roads. Our guides travel light and have refined their packing over many years of touring — the guidance below is based on what actually works on a 10–14 day European tour.
One reassuring note — all of our current tours are within Europe, so anything you’ve forgotten can almost certainly be picked up locally along the way.
Riding Gear & Base Layers
Your riding suit, boots, gloves and helmet are a given — but it’s worth thinking about what goes underneath. Our guides use base layer thermals under their suits as a standard setup. They’re easy to wash and dry overnight, make getting in and out of leathers or a textile suit much easier after a hot day, wick sweat away in warm weather, and provide useful insulation when the temperature drops in the mountains.
A pair of glove liners is also worth packing — they add real warmth on cooler mornings and at altitude, and in most cases mean you won’t need to bring a second pair of gloves.
Riding Kit Checklist
- Riding suit (leather or textile)
- Helmet
- Boots
- Gloves — plus a pair of glove liners
- Base layer tops and bottoms (3–4 sets)
- Hi-viz vest — legal requirement in several European countries
Evening Clothing
Keep it simple and lightweight. For a 10–14 day tour, 5–6 t-shirts is plenty — our guides wash clothes as they go rather than packing for every day. A pair of shorts and a pair of lightweight trousers covers most evenings; the zip-off style that converts between the two is genuinely useful and dries overnight if needed. Heavy jeans are worth leaving at home — they take too long to dry and take up too much space.
A small bottle of travel clothes washing liquid weighs almost nothing and saves you from running out of clean kit mid-tour.
For footwear, flip flops or sliders for relaxing, walking sandals for evening exploring, and a pair of smart trainers covers everything. In good weather you probably won’t use the trainers much. A lightweight jacket with a zip-out fleece is ideal for evenings — it gives you two options in one and takes up minimal space.
Underwear is a personal choice, but as a reference point our guides pack 5–6 sets and wash as they go.
Essentials & Accessories
A few items that are easy to overlook but consistently prove their worth on tour:
| ☐Battery power pack for your phone | ☐SD cards for cameras |
| ☐Chargers, cables & EU adaptor plugs | ☐Sunscreen & lip balm |
| ☐Medication — prescriptions, painkillers, antihistamines, heartburn tablets | ☐Mini travel first aid kit |
| ☐Spare spectacles if needed for riding | ☐Small bottle of travel clothes washing liquid |
Paperwork & Admin
Don’t leave this until the night before. Get your documents together a few days ahead of departure so there’s time to chase anything that’s missing.
GHIC / EHIC: The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) has been replaced by the UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) for UK residents. If you have a valid EHIC it remains valid until its expiry date — but if yours has expired, apply for a GHIC before you travel. Both provide access to state-provided healthcare in Europe and are free to apply for. Don’t pay a third party to arrange one.
| ☐Passport — valid for duration of tour | ☐Driving licence |
| ☐V5 vehicle registration document | ☐Insurance documents (motorcycle & travel) |
| ☐GHIC or valid EHIC card | ☐Breakdown cover documents & emergency numbers |
Money & Cards
Card payments are widely accepted throughout our destinations, but it’s worth carrying some local currency for smaller stops, mountain cafés and toll roads. More importantly, make sure your card doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees — these add up quickly over a two-week tour.
There are now several excellent fee-free options for spending abroad. Wise, Starling Bank and the Halifax Clarity Card are all worth looking at if you don’t already have one. Using a fee-free card consistently across a 14-day tour can save a meaningful amount compared to a standard bank card.
Any Questions?
Not Sure What You Need For Your Tour?
Every tour is different and we’re happy to advise on anything specific to your destination. Just get in touch.