-Please, PA-LEASE, any of you going to Europe have at least one pair of non-denim trousers and one matching collared shirt. If you don’t do it for yourself then do it for your country. Chicks, pack a knee length skirt. These items are available in packable lightweight wrinkle resistant fabric. If you can squeeze them in a pair of laceup leather casual-dressy shoes will carry you a long way in Europe (NPI). Folks do check you out there and tend to judge harshly by appearances.

-Highly recommend Merino wool t-shirts. They look nicer becasue they drape better, are wearable in a wide range of temps, dry faster than cotton (not quite as fast as synthetic). Best of all you can wear them for WEEKS without funk. Ditto for socks.

-Undies. Some like Merino. Many, many love Exofficio Give-n-Go. Lightweight, quick drying, highly wicking, soft, highly funk resistant. Available in three styles: boxer (Plaid Darrel? Really?), boxer-breif and my personal favorite whitie-tities. Well grey, actually. Hey it’s Europe. Go with it. Oh and this may be your only chance to sport a Speedo so go for it. Sense of adventure, remember? Chicks- time to lose that bra/swim top. You know you want to.

-Power straps. Nearly as efficient as cleats, less complicated so less breakage, wearable with all types of footwear. Safer, quicker in the city.

-France requires cyclists to wear a reflective vest outside the city nowadays. May be a growing trend in other places. Probably a good idea anyway, even during the day. ‘Cuz for every beautiful sunny Balkan day there is a a day of Austrian mountain fog thick as pea soup.

-Helmet mirror will make you look goofy and save your life. Take-A-Look.

-Keep your passport on your person under your clothes all the time. Or locked in a hotel safe and have a copy of it on your person. Have a copy with your stuff.

Darrel:

-Whadya use for a head light?
-Not even one spare spoke? Or “Spokefix”?
-Helmet? Looks like you’re sporting a Giro Hex in some of your photos. Excellent choice.
-Chainlube?
-Only one spare tube? And doesn’t that BF use an odd size tire?

Graeme, whadya do with your phone/GPS in the rain? If you go this route consider the watertite Garminphone. Again, NPI.

I use a windows mobile smart phone mounted on my bars with Garmin installed. It works identical to the standalone Garmin GPS devices. The GPS chip in the phone works directly with the satellites meaning no cell phone roaming fees.

I also use the phone for playing mp3s. For headphones, I use these Nokia behind the neck bluetooth headphones:

http://www.amazon.com/Nokia-BH-503-Stereo-Headset-Black/dp/B001DEWSWA/

They’re a bit pricey but I think they’re well worth it. No wires, good sound, can use the phone (though wind noise is an issue), listen to Garmin instructions and the controls are easy to use while riding. They charge with any Nokia phone charging system and last for at least 15 hours (I’ve never worn them down). The charging inlet is positioned such that you can charge them while you’re wearing them and a helmet.

I’ve used them daily for 2 years now during commuting and all day at work. They take extreme temperatures no problem though I’ve always avoided getting them drenched. I like them so much that I bought a spare pair in case they’re discontinued when the first pair finally dies.