All participants who utilize the luggage/gear trucks should follow these simple rules:
- All your transported gear must fit inside your bags.
- You can bring two bags. You may bring more bags by purchasing extra bag allowances.
- Each bag must weigh less than 35 lbs/16kg, those exceeding 35 pounds will be tagged for special handling and owners will be charged a $35 over-limit fee per over-limit bag.
- Attach LMB luggage tags to your bags. Your luggage tags link them to you and are their ticket for transportation to the next overnight.
A few quick reminders:
- LMB does not recommend suitcases, they tend to be less durable and you don’t want your personal items scattered all over the gear truck. LMB recommends duffle bags, hockey bags are heavy and will eat into your weight limit.
- All items must be transported inside your bags. Loose (not inside your luggage) items found in the gear trucks including shopping bags, trash bags, cardboard boxes, chairs, umbrellas, helmets, bike bags, groceries, and any other items not inside your luggage or attached to your bicycle will be placed into the lost and found bins located by the service desk.
- Please do not pack fragile or delicate items in your luggage. If you buy something fragile on the tour, ship it home just to be safe.
- LMB is not responsible for damage to luggage or contents.
This is Michigan and it occasionally rains, it is possible your gear could get wet. We suggest stowing your essentials inside plastic bags (HD garbage bags work great) within your luggage or invest in waterproof bags. You may want to mark your bags distinctively to help you locate them (bright ribbons, pom-poms).
LMB is not responsible for lost, damaged, or stolen items.
Required Gear
This is the gear you will need on your bike or your body to participate due to tour rules or Michigan law.
- Helmet
- Rear red flashing light or reflector
- Gov. Photo ID or Passport if needed, (keep these with you on the road)
- Water bottle (2 recommended) or hydration pack
- Flat repair kit – pump or CO2, patch kit, tire lever, spare tubes (2 recommended)
- Cell Phone
- Emergency contact info (fill out the back of the bike plate)
Recommended Gear
Here are the items that may help you enjoy the week. Only you know your style and if you run hot or cold. For your convenience, we’ve listed some gear that you may want to consider while meeting the 35 lb per bag weight limit. Remember if it’s out on the route on your body or bike, it’s not part of your bag weight.
On The Route
- Rearview mirror
- Front flashing light
- Waterproof pouch for your phone
- Rain jacket
- Cycling gloves
- SPF 50+ waterproof sunscreen
- Seat or handlebar bag.
- Bicycle bell
- Multi-tool
- Quick link
- Eyewear/Sunglasses
- Helmet cover/ headcover/ cycling cap
- Cycling Clothes
- Jerseys
- Shorts/bibs
- Arm/Leg warmers or baselayer
- Socks
- A small resealable packet of wipes or toilet paper
- Bike Lock
In Camp
- Camp Clothes
- Shirts, pants/shorts, socks, undergarments,
- bathing suit, shower shoes/flops,
- tennis shoes, hat,
- fleece jacket.
- Overnight Shelter – Tent*, Tent Service* or other lodging/accommodations.
- Microfiber camp towel* and washcloth*
- Sleeping Bag*, sleeping pad*, pillow*
- Earplugs*
- Cell phone charging plug & cable
- Headlamp or flashlight
- Personal Care items
- Prescriptions and Medications
- Aspirin/Tylenol/Advil etc.
- Antibiotic Ointment
- Chamois Crème
- Soap (PLEASE!)*, personal toiletries
- Heavy-duty outdoor bug spray
- SPF 50+ waterproof sunscreen
- Laundry bag
Note: items marked with an “*” may not be needed on non-camping tours.
Pro Tips
The following tips were created by some of our veteran tour riders. It’s general in nature and meant to help how you think about your gear. Individuals should modify them to suit their needs.
Live Simple and Pack Light. For most participants, this is a camping tour. You will spend the majority of each day and night outside in the elements. You’re limited in your gear. So bring a few items that are tough and can do many things. Only bring stuff that you don’t mind getting a mustard or grease stain.
Choose clothing that hides imperfections – dark colors, patterns, etc.. The outdoor nature of the tour means you will collect smudges and stains.
You’ll be surprised how quickly you reach the weight limit. Plan on packing your bag a week before you leave just to have enough time to repack a few times. Remember, you have to lug it out and back every moving day.
Spend your weight on cycling clothes, a fresh pair of shorts/bibs are more important than a fresh pair of camp clothes. Biking shorts/bibs take a long time to dry – at least 2 days. Washing your shorts in the shower and then wearing them when damp, is a great way to grow and wear the germs that create saddle sores. Consider splurging your weight limit on 4 or even 7 pairs of shorts/bibs. They’ll last longer and you’ll be healthier. Your jersey, socks, and baselayers all dry in 24 hours on most days if they are hung up. If you have to pack wet clothes into your luggage, hang it up as soon as you get to camp. NEVER, pack damp or wet clothing into a resealable bag – unless you like that kind of stink!
Consider quick-drying and wicking fabrics to help you meet the weight limit and keep comfortable. Choose fabrics that if necessary will wash well in the shower and dry quickly. Bring lightweight insulation and where needed wind/waterproof fabrics. Bring a microfiber/synthetic fiber shower towel and keep the 4 lb cotton towel at home.
Wear layers. On a single day of the tour, you can see rain, heavy winds, and baking hot sun. Layers are the answer. A base layer and rain jacket can do more things than a heavier jacket. In camp, a nice snuggly fleece hoodie may be just the ticket!
Skin Cancer kills, cover your neck, wear a hat or a buff, use spf50 waterproof sunblock, consider a long-sleeved base layer or shirts to protect yourself! Bring a small tube of sunscreen on the bike and reapply often.
Be Prepared, keep a small pack or resealable plastic bag of adult wipes or toilet paper with you on the road and in camp. You never know when it will be the best thing ever! Bring a length of nylon cord or paracord, a few clothespins, large safety pins, and carabineer clips – they’re very versatile for hanging, drying, and repairing.
Think modular, keep things together so when you grab a bag, everything you need is there. This will keep the walking to and fro down to a minimum. Keep everything you need to visit the bathroom or take a shower in a single bag that can hang on a hook. Use mesh bags, resealable bags, plastic grocery bags, and plastic garbage bags with a tie, to sort, isolate and carry items. They are light, cheap and compressible.
Bring a small microfiber cloth to keep like a handkerchief, it will help keep you clean without lots of water, washes in the shower, dries fast, and can be used all week.
Keep containers with liquids in a resealable bag. Use a mesh bag for wet or dirty clothes and keep them in a separate pocket or nylon bag.
Keep your camping gear (tent, ground cover, stakes, poles, bedding) in one bag and everything else in the other bag. Keep your bedding (sleeping bag, sleeping pad, pillow, sheet) in a plastic garbage bag to keep it dry and clean.
If you have any suggestions to add, please send us an email!