Clothing

With weight being a key consideration, we could only take a minimum of clothing. Our basic premise was to limit ourselves to two sets of cycling and two sets of casual clothes.

We have tried different types of synthetic and natural fibres.

For great cycling clothing try Wiggle

Tops

We do not use special cycling jerseys while touring. We do not want to look like Lance Armstrong. We want jerseys that can double for cycling as well as for casual use when we are not on our bikes.

Our favourite T shirts are Icebreaker, made from Morino wool. You can wear them for a several days without washing them and they do not get real smelly. They look good, are light and feel nice when you put them on. They do have to be washed by hand and laid flat to dry without creases, but as we are not carrying a washing machine that is not a problem. We do also carry a couple of synthetic T shirts, which are easier to wash and quicker to dry.

Our outer layers are both synthetic fleece by Mountain Equipment and North Face. We have tried Icebreaker, Marino type of outer layer, but we find them heavy and they take a long time to dry when wet. Fleece has better water resistance in light drizzle and is easier to wash and dry.

When it gets really cold we both have Rab, Neutrino down outer layers. They keep you toasty warm and pack down really small. We also use them as stuffing for our pillow cases. This does have the drawback that if you are going to lay your precious little head on them at night, then you do not want them to get wet. If it is cold and wet at night we resort to using our Gortex cycling layers.

Pants

For cycling we both have a pair of Endura Lycra shorties and a pair of baggy, more casual ones. Karen uses a padded liner in hers whilst Steve’s padding is sown in. Although we prefer the look of the baggies we really haven’t found anything better than Lycra for cycling.

We also carry a pair of cold weather Lycra longies with us.

For casual wear we each have a pair of Rohan Goas. We like Rohan gear a lot and prefer it to many of the bigger names. Steve also carries a pair of Goa adjustables (shorts, cut offs and full length) and Karen has a Rohan casual skirt.

For lazing about on the beach we both carry swimming costumes and sarongs. Steve also has a pair of swimming shorts.

Waterproofs

We hate waterproof layers. They are supposed to be waterproof to keep the rain out. They are supposed to be breathable to let the condensation out. None of them do this 100 percent effectively.

We use Gortex Paclite waterproofs. They are light and pack down small, but we always get soaked from sweat when using them. In heavy rain we find the rain eventually makes its way down your neck.

Our waterproof trousers are North Face and Berghaus. If it is only light rain we just wear shorts or tights. Only if it is a biting cold wind do we wear our waterproof trousers.

Both of us use Sealskins for waterproof socks. They are OK until the rain runs down your legs and eventually penetrates the inside of the sock. They then have the reverse effect and keep you feet wet and cold.

Skull caps, more for cold than wet weather we each have Endura skull caps that fit under our helmets.

Shoes

We have three pairs of footwear, cycling shoes, trainers and flip flops.

Our cycling shoes are Pearl Izumi X Alp Low SPD type.

We are fortunate that we use Time pedals that have a low profile cleat, but nonetheless it is difficult to find shoes with sufficient recess to stop the cleats clattering on the road when you walk. We also wanted shoes that looked like trainers and that you could actually walk in without looking as though you had just filled your pants or had a bad case if rickets.

The X Alp fulfil these criteria well. As we would be experiencing hot environments we decided that good ventilation was more important than protection against water. After all we have our SealSkins for that. Previous shoes were found to hold water, becoming heavy and taking ages to dry. The X Alp dry quickly, are comfortable both on and off the bike and are available in men’s and women’s fit.

The down side of these shoes is that they smell. They are so bad that every time we stay somewhere, our shoes have to be put outside on the windowsill, so that they do not corrupt the air in the room.

By comparison, our casual shoes (both Merills) do not suffer this problem at all.

Vanity Clothes and Accessories

Although we are travelling and do not expect to be dressed up to the nines, you do need some clothes to make you feel human now and again.

Karen carries a nice scarf that transforms a simple T shirt into a classier look. She has dress made from a tube of stretchy black polyester, spandex material that can be a skirt or a very sexy off the shoulder, figure hugging dress (mini, knee, calf or ankle length).

Finally she has a white long sleeved blouse.

She also carries with her a minimum of jewelry, make-up and perfume.

Steve carries a stylish, casual shirt that doesn’t crease and an aftershave spray.