Before my first bicyle tour, I attended an informal workshop taught by Chris Wiscavage (better known as "Wisco"), a veteran bicycle tourist who suggested I pack the things I might need during the day on the left side of my bike. That way, when I stop and lean the bike over on it's right side, the stuff I likely needed, such as tools or food, would be face up. When I packed for the first time, I made a note of where I put each item, to help refresh my memory when I had to find things or repack things. I wanted to follow Wisco's advice not just on the day I packed my panniers for the first time, but throughout the trip.

Over the years, people who have seen this list have suggested that such a list is anal-retentive, and by inference and knowing looks, that I am being anal-retentive. Nothing could be farther from the truth! My albums have never been arranged in alphabetical order. My bookshelf is not organized by topic, arranged by author, nor sorted by height. Everything does not have a place, and therefore, everything is usually not in its place. By contrast, my life -- on or off a bicycle tour -- is in general rather chaotic, and I am often looking for things. My packing list was merely an attempt to bring some order to that chaos while riding my bicycle around Europe.

Over time I'll attempt to flesh out a bit more about what I usually take on a trip, in an attempt to give those who are planning their own trip some useful advice. For now, here is the basic not-anal-retentive packing list:

Item	Bag	Position
Fleece Jacket	Right Back Pannier	(middle, main compartment)
Black Bag of Tools	Left Back Pannier	(top, main compartment)
Sunscreen	Right Back Pannier	(in gray toiletries bag)
Blue Bag of Food	Left Front Pannier
Rain Jacket	Left Front Pannier
Rain Pants	Right Front Pannier
Cold Weather Gloves	Left Front Pannier
Long Pants	Left Back Pannier
Belt	Left Back Pannier
Undies	Left Back Pannier	(side pouch)
Bathing Suit	Right Back Pannier	(side pouch)
Towel	Left Back Pannier	(side pouch)
Toiletries Bag (gray)	Right Back Pannier	(top, main compartment)
T-Shirts (3 cycling shirts, 1 short sleeved shirt)	Left Back Pannier
Shorts (2 pair: one sport, one old but decent)	Left Back Pannier
Socks (3 pair riding. 1 black (dress) but I need another)	Right Back Pannier	(side pouch)
Bike Lock and Cable	Left Back Pannier	(top pouch)
Riding Gloves	Handlebar Bag
First Aid Kit	Handlebar Bag	(front pouch)
Spare Film	Right Front Pannier	(in red bag)
Spare Kleenexes	Right Front Pannier	(in red bag)
Camera	Handlebar Bag
Address Book	Handelbar Bag	(front pouch)
Plane Ticket	Handlebar Bag	(front pouch)
Journal	Handlebar Bag
Spare Glasses	Left Back Pannier
Pen	Handlebar Bag
Sketch Book and Pencils	Handlebar Bag
A Paperclip for Pinning Maps	Handlebar Bag
Long Undies	Right Front Pannier
Windbreaker	Left Front Pannier
Sandals	Left Back Pannier
Extra Bungee Cords	Right Back Pannier	(top pouch)
Ear Covers	Handlebar Bag	(top pouch)
Head Cover	Left Front Pannier	(in slot inside)
Visibility Vest	Left Front Pannier
Thermometer	Handlebar Bag	(front zipper)
Alarm Clock	Handlebar Bag	(front pouch)
Vitamins	Right Back Pannier	(top pouch)
Clip on Rear Light	Right Back Pannier	(top pouch)
String	Right Back Pannier	(top pouch)
Red Bag of Courage	Right Front Pannier
Rain Booties	Right Front Pannier
Matches	Right Front Pannier

Black Bag of Tools

Bungee Cords

2 Spare innertubes

Big head wrench (I use this to remove pedals)

Spare chain links (5)

Allen wrenches

Spare derailleur cable

Spare brake cable

Spare brake pads (2)

Spare toe clip strap

Several zip ties

Spare cyclometer base, wire, etc...

Film container with assorted bolts and nuts

Assorted shims

Tire changing wrenches

Patch kit (glueless)

Leatherman

Bike Wrench (can tighten spokes, fix chains)

Blue Bag of Food

Spare teabags and instant coffee packets

Gray Bag of Toiletries

deoderant

camp suds

soap in soap dish

shampoo

hair gel

nail clippers

toothbrush

toothpaste

floss

shaving cream

razors

comb

cotton swabs

scissors

moutwash

Red Bag of Courage

Matches in a waterproof container

Handi Wipes

Unbreakable plastic spoon, fork, knife

Unbreakable plastic cup

Unbreakable plastic bowl