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17 things that made bicycle travel better in 2017

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In order to bring you all the latest cycling news, we have to travel. A lot. Please note that I am not complaining. I love to explore new places, especially when a bicycle is involved. That I get to do that for work is dream come true. It doesn’t take long though to realize that how you prepare for your travel time is just as important as preparing for ride time.

Over the years, I’ve honed my selection of travel day necessities down to a science. When you’re at the airport sometimes multiple times in the same week, that adds up to hours of my life each week saved from packing or waiting in lines. The following list is a collection of my favorite travel products that are permanent fixtures for me when it’s wheels up. Unless noted, all of the following were provided to us for testing purposes, but we have not been paid to include them in any publication.

17 things that made bicycle travel better in 2017
Planes, trains, and automobiles. My Osprey Shuttle has been thrown into all of the above and has come out the other side still in surprisingly good shape.

17 things that made bicycle travel better in 2017

Osprey Shuttle 130L

My luggage situation is likely atypical, but I often need to pack a lot of gear. That’s especially true when headed to a press event where the riding will include completely different styles. Say, fully padded park riding followed by some road or gravel laps. That usually means at least two pairs of riding shoes, two helmets, multiple kits, hydration pack, and more.

Fortunately, the Osprey Shuttle 130L swallows a ton of gear. It’s the only bag I’ve used that I’ve never maxed out. Somehow, it seems to just keep expanding – but it also cinches down surprisingly small when traveling light. Above all, it has been the most durable roller bag I’ve used by far – no blown out zippers. That’s always the Achilles heel of my suitcases. This bag probably has at least 20 trips on it so far with a handful of those to international destinations which really take a toll on your luggage. Built with large durable wheels, plenty of pockets, and a stout, rigid frame with a telescoping handle, this is the bag you want if maximum gear hauling ability is your goal. $320.

17 things that made bicycle travel better in 2017

Alpinestars Echelon Backpack

Whether carrying on or checking a bag, a good backpack is a must. Basically, I’m looking for the biggest bag that will possibly fit beneath ever shrinking airplane seats that’s also easy to access the contents without having to rifle through the entire thing. The Echelon doesn’t look like much, but inside the simple exterior is a well laid out pocket system with external laptop/tablet access, room for a bottle, and it even fits my massive camera bag. Alpinestars seems to go through bag models faster than most, and as a result this bag seems to already be unavailable, but it makes me think some of their current bags may also be good options. Unavailable.

17 things that made bicycle travel better in 2017 17 things that made bicycle travel better in 2017

EVOC Bike Travel bag

Since we’re usually going somewhere to try a new bike, I don’t often travel with a bike. But when I do, the EVOC Bike Travel bag has been great. Most of the time it is stored in my basement in its mostly collapsed form – in a space that a rigid case just wouldn’t fit. I know soft sided cases aren’t the best for guaranteed bike protection, but I’ve used this at least five times now without issue. The only issue with a bag like this is that there’s no disguising it, meaning you’re almost certain to get hit with bike fees. That’s the only reason I’d consider something else like a hockey bag or something like the OruCase. $369.

17 things that made bicycle travel better in 2017
Swiftwick Recover + graduated compression socks (lower), now sold as Travel +

Swiftwick Graduated Compression Socks

These started as an experiment after Swiftwick gave me a pair, and now they are a requirement for each and every flight I take. Mostly, that’s after a doctor recommended them since I have a low resting heart rate (even for a cyclist, high 30’s low 40’s). But the gradual compression makes my legs feel so much better after a long flight – especially if that flight was right after a long day on the bike. $24.99.

17 things that made bicycle travel better in 2017

Dish & Duer No Sweat Pant

Over the years, I’ve become a fan of the flying “uniform.” Meaning, I wear the same thing every time I fly. Each item is carefully selected for comfort, moisture wicking, and appearance. That last one may sound vain, but you get better service at airports when you look like you have it together. It may be unfair, but you just do.

Because of that, I love the Dish & Duer No Sweat Pant. They feature an anti-microbial treatment, Coolmax fibers for moisture wicking (no swamp ass after a long haul flight), and they’re stretchy and reinforced to make riding in them a possibility but also they stay insanely comfortable. I like black so the black slim fit is a natural choice, but I also have a pair of their performance jeans which are just as good. I’m usually the guy who tries to find the cheapest pants possible because I’m just going to ruin them, but these are worth every penny and are incredibly durable. $120.

17 things that made bicycle travel better in 2017

Sombrio Shore shirt

Along the same lines as the pants, my outfit also almost always includes the Sombrio Shore Shirt. It’s a button up with a collar which says you’re a professional, but it also has a hidden pocket that will fit a beer that says you like to party. Most importantly, it’s made from a two way stretch fabric that is moisture wicking and breathable – to the point that I’ve never been able to sweat through it. It’s currently sold out at Sombrio, but hopefully it’s still in the line or replaced with something similar. $75.

All adventure belt with stretch strap and non-metal carbon fiber buckle for travel

Yaak (Abl) Adventure Belt

When you spend as much time at an airport as I do, you start to realize how much of your life is being wasted waiting in line, taking off your shoes, removing your belt, etc. Part of being an airport ninja is streamlining that process, and TSA Precheck is a good start (even if they randomly give it to people who have no idea what they have to do when they’re in the Precheck line).

Being able to leave your belt on makes the process even faster, and less stressful. It just so happens that the Yaak B19 adventure belt is made of injection molded carbon fiber reinforced polyamide which won’t trip metal detectors. It also features a 38mm band with a bit of stretch making it the perfect belt for riding shorts, hiking pants, etc. The belt is super comfortable (like riding for 7 hours at Ray’s MTB comfortable), easy to get on and off, and comes in three colors. Formerly known as the Abl belt, the B19 is now sold under the Yaak Design name. $34.95.

17 things that made bicycle travel better in 2017

Adidas Terrex Trail Cross shoes

I try to limit my non-cycling shoes to a single pair on trips which is asking a lot of a single pair. On the same trip I can be found scrambling over rocks in the desert, hiking through the forest, on the water in a number of different ways, and riding in street clothes through the city. That leaves me looking for shoes that have awesome grip on a number of surfaces, that dry well, and work well with pedals – all while comfortable enough to wear all day long and look the part wherever I am.

The simple all black Adidas Trail Cross SL check all of those boxes and have been on my feet around the world. There are better shoes out there specifically for riding, but if you’re looking for an all purpose shoe, this one fits. They appear to be changing significantly with more of a trail running tread by Continental, so if you want the optimized for flat pedal Stealth outsoles, you should find a pair sooner rather than later. These are also harder to find in the U.S., but the international Adidas site still has them (and on sale). £69.96.

17 things that made bicycle travel better in 2017

17 things that made bicycle travel better in 2017 17 things that made bicycle travel better in 2017

Sweathawg Cap Insert

I’m definitely what you could call a hat person. That means I’m almost always wearing a different hat while traveling. But one thing remains constant – the Sweathawg Cap Insert. Hustling through the airport can work up a sweat – especially through the crowded summer season. The Sweathawg insert keeps your cap (or hat) looking fresh by absorbing most of the perspiration and preventing sweat stains. In many cases it can actually make the hat more comfortable (for those that are follicularly challenged). I was given one of these years ago, and bought a bunch more so I could keep them in certain hats and not have to rotate as much. I may have a problem. $10.

17 things that made bicycle travel better in 2017
Camelbak Chute in the center.

Camelbak Chute Vacuum Insulated Bottle

Airport ninja 101: always bring a water bottle. You do want to stay hydrated on flights. You don’t want to have to pay $6 for a bottle of water. The CamelBak Chute is vacuum insulated so it keeps your water cold (or hot), and the stainless design is super durable. Add in a cap that is easy to drink out of, yet is secure enough that you can toss it in an overhead bin without fear of it leaking and you have the perfect flight hydration companion. The 20oz version fits well in backpack bottle holders (though the 40oz version is perfect for the car). $28.

17 things that made bicycle travel better in 2017

Lifeproof Fre Power iPhone case

After a previous phone met its demise in a watery grave, I decided it was time for a Lifeproof case. Specifically, I thought the Fre Power case would be useful for traveling so I bought one and it was. It was super convenient not having to plug in my phone on long trips and arriving on the other side of the world with full power. The protection from the elements was a welcomed bonus. Unfortunately, I upgraded to the iPhone 8 because I needed more storage and now Lifeproof doesn’t offer a battery case that’s compatible. In fact, it seems the battery case in general is on the way out but you still might be able to find one online. Discontinued.

17 things that made bicycle travel better in 2017

Anker PowerCore 20100 battery pack

After moving from the iPhone 6s to the 8, I lost the ability to use the Fre Power case so I looked into a stand alone battery pack for emergency juice. I bought this on recommendation of the Wire Cutter after learning that Dan Koeppel (probably best known in the cycling world for the awesome Hug the Bunny column in Mountain Bike) was part of their Editorial Leadership team. Their pick for “More Power” was a good one. The PowerCore 20100 has 20100mAh of juice which is perfect for charging phones and tablets multiple times. $41.99.

17 things that made bicycle travel better in 2017

Creative EP-630 Earphones

Obviously, headphones on a plane are a critical piece of gear. You need to be able to drown out that crying baby in the next aisle, the drone of the plane, or whatever noise that is keeping you from enjoying your favorite form of entertainment. Honestly I don’t have room in my bag most trips for a bulky set of noise cancelling headphones, so these were a happy accident. Included with a laptop I bought ages ago, the Creative EP-630 earphones are surprisingly good at blocking out the world without actually having any noise cancelling technology.

They rely on a snug fit inside your ear canal, and the smallest silicone insert actually fits my tiny ear holes. The 9mm neodymium drivers actually provide pretty good sound, and you can’t beat the price – especially when you have to replace your set after a brush with a leaf blower. Don’t ask… $19.99.

17 things that made bicycle travel better in 2017

Snacks

This should be a no-brainer, but it’s amazing how many people don’t stuff a few items into their carry on to keep them from relying on peanuts – if you’re lucky. There are a ton of options here, but my bag almost always includes a Clif Nut Butter filled or Whey Protein bar, RX bar, Honey Stinger GF waffle, GU chomps, and single packs of almonds or cashews from Costco.

17 things that made bicycle travel better in 2017

 

Smith Outlier XL ChromaPop sunglasses

We’re lucky enough to get to try a lot of different sunglasses, and while I almost always manage to lose or break them, I’ve kept these safe. The green mirror ChromaPop lenses really do make a difference in a variety of conditions, and the classic style with a comfortable fit make for a great pair of glasses. $97.30.

17 things that made bicycle travel better in 2017

Vargo Titanium flask

No, I’m not a lush, but I do enjoy a good drink. That becomes problematic when you attend beer-heavy cycling events and you’re on the gluten free program (not by choice). So I usually bring a flask as a backup – or just to avoid paying outrageous prices for a drink at the hotel bar. The Vargo titanium flask is one of the best (and lightest) I’ve used and it even has a built in silicone funnel. For me, it’s usually filled with a high end añejo or extra añejo sipping Tequila or rum. $74.95.

17 things that made bicycle travel better in 2017

Earplugs

People snore. Enough said. Get the cheap ones and buy in bulk because you will lose them.

Hope to see you somewhere around the world in 2018!

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JNH
JNH
6 years ago

The msot important things for long trips. Travel socks (to avoid that DVT goodness) earplugs and a set of decent ANC headphones. Earplugs in, headphones on, plane/train/bus/ferry/annoying child noise eliminated.

Adilos Nave
Adilos Nave
6 years ago
Reply to  JNH

What he said a million times!!

John
John
6 years ago

Really should have had a photo of an Alaska Airlines plane, they made bike travel easier in 2017:
https://blog.alaskaair.com/alaska-airlines/sports-equipment-update/

Timothy Kirk
Timothy Kirk
6 years ago
Reply to  John

Second that about Alaska Airlines. Delta charges $150 each way! With the difference you could buy a bunch of that stuff listed in the article. 😉

Old fut
Old fut
6 years ago

Hug the bunny! Ahhhhh. That was a good column. Have run into his byline on occasion but not enough.

theBikeNerd
theBikeNerd
6 years ago

Alaska Airlines should be on here, and high up on the list, for dropping their bike fees down to $25 each way. I no longer give a second thought to bringing my bike on trips now! It’s pretty game changing. This is much better than United and Delta that charge $150 each way

Robin
Robin
6 years ago

I had a Wild Things Mule Duffel (144L to the Osprey’s 130L), but fully loaded that Mule Duffel was beast to move around. 14L is an easy trade for compression straps and wheels. Osprey does design well.

Damien Theophano
Damien Theophano
6 years ago

some airlines (or maybe all – I just checked American) won’t insure your bike/sports equipment unless it is in a hard case so that expensive EVOC bag is worthless. Save 369 and use a cardboard box if your going to take that chance. Better off with a hardcase

Daniel M
Daniel M
6 years ago

If you are bringing multiple helmets and multiple pairs of cycling shoes for (slightly) different types of riding on a single trip, then I’m afraid you are drowning in bike industry Kool-Aid. The key to travelling gracefully is packing less stuff, not bigger bags.

ramansarin
ramansarin
6 years ago
Reply to  Daniel M

Hey Daniel M, seriously? you’d hit up the Whistler Bike Park in a half-shell or the flip side ride a road bike up the sea to sky with a full face on it?

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