I’ve just returned from a week of cycling around the island of Cyprus. Here is a list of the kit and equipment I took on the adventure. It is slightly modified due to the temperature of Cyprus in August. In short – less warm kit, more water. I didn’t take a tent as I just slept using a sleeping bag in the open. I also didn’t take a bivy bag but I would recommend that you do take one, just in case it does rain. However, the chances of it raining in Cyprus in August is very low indeed but it can happen. I’ve seen it for about 20 minutes just once.

My kit list consisted of:
Bicycle Equipment
- Bicycle – Ridgeback speed metro with Schwalbe Marathon Plus Tour
tyres. Purchased the bike to get to work but also does a great job on adventures. A brand new one costs about £380.
- Two sets of Altura panniers. I wouldn’t recommend these as they ripped on the second day. In total, I have only used these for about 20 days of cycle touring and light use to go to commute work. Next time I will buy a decent set, like these Ortlieb panniers
- Garmin Edge 200 GPS Bike Computer
– awesome little cycle computer. Battery lasts for ages. Simple and easy to use
- Water bottles were locally bought from shops. In the Republic of Cyprus, a 1.5 ltr bottle of water costs about €1. In the North of Cyprus, they cost the equivalent of £0.20. I used a 1 ltr bottle as my main drinking bottle and carried 4 litres in one of my panniers. I would easily get through 10 litres a day
- Bike lock – used a couple of times when I stayed in hotels
- CatEye front and back lights
. These take AAA batteries which are easy to get hold of
- Frame bag. I have Deuter one which works well. I use this for my phone and any small bits of money
- Saddle bag for a repair kit. I use a Topeak Aero Wedge saddle bag
- Two inner tubes and a repair kit with patches
- Small pump
- Bicycle multi tool. I have a Topeak Bike Multitool
- Leatherman knife/multi tool
- Small cable ties
- Duct tape
- One bungee chord. This can be handy for many things. I used it to secure my broken pannier after it ripped.
Clothes/Kit and Equipment
- Suncream – I used factor 30. I would recommend this as a minimum if cycling in Cyprus in August
- Lightweight sleeping bag. I used a Snugpak Jungle Bag
. These are fairly cheap, lightweight and are what the British Army issue for use in the jungle and hot climates. It has a mesh zip that can cover your face to stop ants and mosquitos bothering you whilst you sleep
- Light weight foam roll mat. I used an old cut down military issue one. If I was to go again, I would probably take a more substantial mat
- Flip flops
- Trainer socks x2
- Shorts x2
- T shirts x2
- Lightweight travel towel
- Helmet
- Sunglasses
- Phone (doubled up as my camera)
- GoPro Hero 4 silver with 2 spare batteries and helmet mount
- Trainers
- Journal/notebook and pen
- Passport
- Travel credit card with no overseas transaction fees
- European health insurance card
- Chargers including an Anker PowerPort Solar Charger
and Anker PowerCore 20100 power bank
. These are two bits of kit were brilliant. It’s the second expedition I’ve used them on now and I would highly recommend them
Medical/Hygiene
- Medical kit – plasters, bandage, tape, pain killers and antiseptic cream
- Toothbrush and paste
- Shower gel
- Talc
- Deodorant (optional)
- Wet wipes
- Comb (optional but great for morale if you have hair)
- Moisturiser (optional but again great for morale)
- Toilet paper