Cycling the 360°

Ortlieb Waterproof bags from Evobike

Back Roller Classic bicycle bags

We thought about it a lot what kind of bags we should travel withfore this long journey. The only thing that was sure at the beginning that we would choose from the excellent waterproof Ortlieb products which have a 5 year guarantee. Our choice was the Back Roller Classic model Ortlieb has bags specially for recumbent bikes, but we preferred having 4 20 liter bags with shoulder straps and inside pockets on our bikes. We tested them during our 4 day Balaton-Bakony tour, and we have to say they were excellent for the purpose. They are fixed to the racks at 3 points and we positioned the attach points with an Allen key before mounting so it only took a second to dismount them form the rack. The shoulder straps helped us to carry them up-down at the accommodations, the inside pockets were useful to store any small items. It’s also possible to tighten the bags on the opposite sides by using the straps on the top or we can attach additional packages to it. The bag can be connected with a Rack-Pack. For bicycle touring “the less is more” theory is very true but we won’t take on this opportunity this time; we won’t carry this latter bag because the 80 liter space in 4 bags each should be enough for all our equipment. If it won’t then we packed badly.

Outer Pocket large accessory pouch

We attach these waterproof pouches to the side of the Back Roller Classic bags, to the front of the rear bags to be exact. These removable pouches will be in closer than an arm stretch around our hips and will be very handy if we need something from it any time during the ride. For example the drinking bottle, energy bar or even the camera. The loop on the reverse side allows you to wear the outer pocket on your belt or to attach it to straps. These will replace the bags used on the handlebar on the ordinary bikes. We will have all our important bits and pieces and will carry them when we leave our bikes behind.

Folding Bowl

This small 160g “miracle” will be perfectly useful for doing laundry, collecting water, washing dishes; this can carry 10 liters of water and takes a very small space when folded. The weight is an important factor regarding a bike tour so we hope to profit by not taking 10 pairs under wears but just half of it and by using this bowl we can wash them eg. every 5 days whenever, where ever we find water. Who knows, it may be useful for showering! :) Time will tell, we’ll definitely tell you how it worked.

Water Sack water carrying bag

We can carry 10 liters of drinking water in this sack, and also use it for showering. The black color was deliberate choice plus we have an extra shower valve too.

What happens if it leaks? We fix it. Because we’ll have an Ortlieb puncture repair kit, which we can use to repair all our Ortlieb gear.

SPD pedal and shoes, spare brake pads and pump from the Speed-way bicycle shop

Before the departure someone’s stolen Zita’s trekking bike including the SPD pedal she got for her birthday and we wanted to put it on her recumbent. After being upset I encouraged myself that we still need to get more accessories, so I started to make some phone calls. So it happened that our dear old friend, the Speed-way bike shop with János Vizdák MTB racer upfront joined our cause. We already had a previous successful partnership with János, I hope both parties will be delighted this time too. Thank you for all the gears you’ve given us!

Specialized Taho MTB shoes

We have received two pairs of Specialized Taho MTB shoes from the Speed-way. Solid, strong shoes, easy to walk in them and they don’t make much noise while walking on a solid surface. While on a bike tour you happen to take your feet off the pedals a lot of times, you stop to take photos, eat or drink, or simply just to look around, have a break. Basically you don’t just spend your day on the bike but off it too. This is the reason we find these Specialize models ideal for bike touring.

Under construction

This is the section we couldn’t finish before the start, due to some more important issues (sleeping, visas, wedding), but we try to finish it as soon as we can. I hope to make it ready in the first few weeks of the tour. Apologies from the curious people and our sponsors, but we are human too with only 24 hours a day.

Masks – Velvart kerékpár

Cleaning, hygiene and anti-mosquito products – Zöldbolt

Waterproof jackets, pants and overshoes – Vaude

GPS – Garmin

Batteries that can be charged from the bike dynamo hub via USB – PedalPower

USB adapters that can be connected to the bike dynamo hub – Bike2USB

Gloves, fleeces, base layers – Ironclad

Prescription sunglasses – Rudy Project