Knowing how much – or how light – to pack for your cycling holiday is an art form.
Having run these tours for over 10 years, we’ve perfected the perfect cycling holiday packing list, with everything you need for a seamless and stress-free tour. While we’ve included our recommended quantities and items, we encourage you to adjust this to suit what you think you will need and your personal requirements.
If you’re unsure how much to bring (or worried about overpacking), we recommend erring on the side of over-preparedness. You don’t want to be caught without essential items when you need them most – especially in rural areas of Italy, where supplies can be difficult to purchase. To help you know what is most critical to pack, we’ve grouped this packing list into essential, recommended and optional extras to bring on your cycling holiday.
On the Bike
Clothing
We recommend bringing three full sets of kit. There is one kit wash day mid tour, and it’s good to have another set up your sleeve in case we encounter bad weather.
Essentials
- The A’qto Kit x 1: You receive your A’qto kit on the first day of the tour and it includes a jersey and bib shorts.
- Cycling bib shorts x 3: Bring an extra two bib shorts so you have 3 in total.
- Cycling jerseys x 3: Same as above. Ensure you always have a fresh set while one is being laundered.
- Cycling shoes x1: Bring your primary, well-worn shoes. You may want to put these in your carry on luggage as they can be hard to replace if your luggage goes missing.
- Cycling socks x4: Don’t forget these; we may not always be near a bike shop, particularly on weekends or public holidays.
- Helmet x1: A strict requirement for riding with us. Bring your own to ensure the perfect fit.
- Sunglasses x1: Essential for eye protection and, of course, the Italian sun.
Recommended
- Base layers x 4: If you use base layers, one for each set of kit is a good number to have with you.
- Lightweight gilet x1: Layering is the key to ensuring you are comfortable on the bike at all times.
- Riding gloves x2: We recommend both summer gloves and full-fingered gloves for when you are at high altitude.
- Arm & leg warmers x1: With terrain at varying heights above sea level, and tours at different times of year, the ability to add or remove a layer quickly is necessary.
- Rain jacket and booties x1: Essential if the weather gods shift. We can keep these in the support van so they are there if you need.
- Long sleeve jersey x1: Recommended primarily for our May and late September/October tours.
Mechanical Items
Essentials
- Pedals x1: If you’re hiring, your hire bike does not come with pedals so you need to bring your own.
- Front & rear lights x1: These are required when riding through tunnels. They are a requirement for L’Eroica.
- Drink biddon x 2: It’s always better to know that you have two bottles for those hot days.
Recommended
- Spare cleats and covers x1: We recommend you bring a spare pair of cleats, as we are not always near a bike shop to buy replacements, and even if we are, they may not stock the brand you require. It’s also a good idea to protect your cleats with cleat covers.
- Spare Tubes x1: If you are bringing your own bike, you will need to bring the things you normally take on a ride, including spare tubes. Spare tubes can also be purchased on tour.
- Computer bracket x1: If you are bringing your bike computer and have hired a bike, ensure you bring the mount as well.
- Bike lock x1: This is to minimise the chance of someone grabbing your bike off the street as we enjoy lunch or coffee. We do have more robust cables and locks for our night security; however, these are not always possible to access when on the road, so we recommend you bring your own.
Optional Extras
- Ride Nutrition & Electrolytes: If you rely on a specific brand of energy gels, bars, or hydration, it is best to bring your own.
- Heart Rate Monitor x 1: Recommended if you want to track your heart rate and pace yourself
Off the bike
Clothing
Essentials
- Smart casual outfits x3-4 sets: For dinners each night and long lunches, our dress code is smart casual. Think lightweight pants/skirts, shirts/tops or relaxed dresses.
- Casual wear x2-3 sets: Comfortable shorts, pants, or casual tops for walking, sightseeing and enjoying time out around hotels and towns post ride.
- Jacket x1: For cooler evenings and to layer with your off-the-bike, casual outfits.
- Sneakers x1: Essential for navigating cobblestone streets of Italy. Also required for non-riding partners or on our multi-adventure tours, where we are doing hikes and extended walks.
- Bathers/ swimming attire x1
- Thongs (or flip flops) x1
- Washing/lingerie Bags x2: These allow us to wash rider kits while keeping everyone’s gear separate. These should be clearly labelled with your name.
Electronic
Essentials
- Phone with international roaming turned on (or an International SIM) x1: A tour requirement so the team can reach you if needed.
- Power adaptor: Ensure it is for Europe (Type L or Type C).
- Charging leads: For your phone, camera, bike computer, laptop and other electrical equipment.
- Recommended
- Small power bank x 1: Powerbanks can be a lifesaver for long days out, ensuring your phone doesn’t die. Ensure you pack it in your carry-on (not main check-in luggage).
Health and First Aid
Essentials
- Personal medication: If you are on any medication, prefer a particular brand of painkillers, or need other specific items, we recommend you bring them along and carry a letter and/or prescription from your doctor for any additional medication that you may require from a pharmacy.
Recommended
- First Aid Kit x1: Italian pharmacies are very good and we have a First Aid Kit with us at all times, but it is good to bring with you anything you feel you may specifically need.
- Hand sanitiser x1: To ensure that you do not pick up any germs or flu as you fly in, and to minimise the possible spread to other tour guests.
- Sunscreen x1: Important to protect yourself from the sun and UV during long rides.
- Lip balm with SPF x 1: The UV at altitudes can be very high. Bringing an SPF lip balm will help keep your lips from getting chapped.
Travel Items
Essential
- Passport: Ensure it has at least 6 months remaining.
- Driver’s License
- Medicare Card
- Insurance Documents
- Euros & Credit Card: It’s always good to bring some cash with you, just in case you’re in areas where cards might not be accepted.
- Recommended
- Document copies: We recommend saving physical copies and/or digital copies of your important documents listed above.
- Packable tote bag or backpack x 1: A tote bag or small backpack can be useful when you’re off the bike, wandering around town or during non-rider activities.
The final checklist: 48 hours to go
A couple of days before you’re due to fly out, we recommend doing a final check to make sure everything is in order.
- Double-check your essential travel documents: Check you’ve got your most important documents (passport) ready to go.
- Ensure you’ve purchased your travel insurance
- Charge everything: Lights, batteries and your bike computer.
- Replace your cleats: We recommend replacing your cleats before you leave.
- Service the bike (if you’re bringing your own): Get your bike serviced and packed, ready to go.
- Confirm roaming: Ensure your phone provider has activated your European data roaming or you have a European SIM card ready to activate.
- Download maps (optional): Save the offline versions of your tour region on Google Maps or your GPS device.
For guests joining us on our Italian cycling tours, we have compiled the above list as a checklist which we will send to you to download and use as you pack for the tour.
Getting your packing done early and ensuring you’ve got everything you need is the best way to ensure a stress-free cycling holiday. If you are unsure about certain items you need, we are here to answer any questions. Feel free to contact us directly via WhatsApp with any questions you have.
If you haven’t yet booked and would like to join one of our Italian Cycling tours, you can secure your booking here or contact us for any further information or questions you may have. We look forward to seeing you on tour!
