In planning for the Le Jog bikepacking trip have taken TLS theory to the kit list and removed many "unnecessary" items.
Stove has gone; buy hot food from supermarkets and take-aways along the way
Bought a new sleeping bag; saves 500g
Clothes double up on use where possible
Reducing the number of gadgets
Water filter gone; water shouldn't be a problem
Camelbak rucksack gone; buy a small bum bag for delicates and valuables
All going well.

Then, recently had a discovery, condiments can make bland food considerably more edible.

So, got me wondering, what non-TLS items do people take on a long trip?
Those items where the extra weight is justifiable.... at least to oneself.

Untitled by Asposium, on Flickr

Asposium wrote:Then, recently had a discovery, condiments can make bland food considerably more edible.

Just buy something more tasty

Chew wrote:

Asposium wrote:Then, recently had a discovery, condiments can make bland food considerably more edible.

Just buy something more tasty

i like pepper on most things.

If you're buying food then it shouldn't be bland?

If you're worried about it take a little baggy of black pepper or a little bottle of tabasco

Small luxuries ... essentials really, no point cutting back to the real minimum unless racing. For most rides I do - warm dry bivi socks and earphones to listen to music in the evening. Coffee-making brew kit (400ml mug, 8g stove and a drink can windshield) for watching the sun come up with a coffee. Maybe a small book, one of those that suits a page or 3 at a time.

When racing coffee was replaced by pro-plus. Part of the reason I lost enthusiasm for racing it's the small luxuries in the right time and place that make touring worth more than racing to me. Perhaps the mentality for either aspect seems to start with your attitude to the small luxuries and how they fit in?

Hip flask of rum to go in my coco.

jameso wrote:......warm dry bivi socks and earphones to listen to music in the evening.....

also take dry socks (well a change of clothes) for the tent, though from TLS theory now consider a pair of riding socks. a clean dry change of clothes for the evening is not a luxury in my mind.
and earphones for music

I some times take 3 sheets of toilet paper.

Bearbonesnorm wrote:I some times take 3 sheets of toilet paper.

one per day?

Remember - every sheet has two sides

Isn't being on tour luxury in the first instance?

Greetz

S.

Bearbonesnorm wrote:Remember - every sheet has two sides

And you can fold it

My little luxury is a small pot of real milk.

Weed

The thing is, for me, coffee etc doesn't really get factored into TLS

If I'm on a bivi (I don't race) then I'm taking coffee/hot drink making facilities. It's part of the trip for me. I'll limit genuine luxuries, but a hot drink isn't a luxury on a ride, it's a requirement. An extra mug to drink it from would be a luxury, as would an aeropress.

I took some tiny binoculars once for geeking out on the mountains. On that trip I had a change of clothes for the evening also but was staying in B+Bs I found on the way, so it really was touring. Change of clothes and into town for pasta and reading a book. Must do that again sometime, nice way to travel.

Definitely a change of clothes [or warm and dry layer]

Baby wipes

a book, usually a biog or travelogue for the region

benp1 wrote: An extra mug to drink it from would be a luxury, as would an aeropress.

An aeropress is a proper indulgence when a luxury item is a GSI Javadrip filter. The only issue is needing a second vessel for pouring water through, but that's what your water bottle is for. A couple of minutes of hot water use won't kill it - in fact it might even clean it!

My luxury item which has become a necessity is an inflatable pillow. I used to just lie on my warm jacket in its stuff sack, but then realised I could wear that when asleep and thus need a lighter sleeping bag.

Headphones I don't consider a luxury as I can wear them and listen to a relaxation podcast if I'm unable to sleep.

Totally ignoring TLS theory, I like to be able to cook a meal at least once a day on longer tours, lunch or dinner depending on location and what part of the day the shop turns up.
So in my cooking kit there is likely a pan for boiling rice or potatoes (boil for 7 minutes, cover and sit for 7 mins) and a flat pan for frying.
100ml bottle of olive oil.
Jif lemon
Bulb of garlic
Small bottles of:
Salt and pepper mixed
Cumin
Smoked paprika with added cayenne or chilli
Herbs Provencal
Do it right and the ingredients take no more space than a rolled pair of socks, but give a lot more pleasure.

Oli.vert wrote:Totally ignoring TLS theory, I like to be able to cook a meal at least once a day on longer tours, lunch or dinner depending on location and what part of the day the shop turns up.
So in my cooking kit there is likely a pan for boiling rice or potatoes (boil for 7 minutes, cover and sit for 7 mins) and a flat pan for frying.
100ml bottle of olive oil.
Jif lemon
Bulb of garlic
Small bottles of:
Salt and pepper mixed
Cumin
Smoked paprika with added cayenne or chilli
Herbs Provencal
Do it right and the ingredients take no more space than a rolled pair of socks, but give a lot more pleasure.

You're still new, you'll come over to the dark side.


Thought paprika might be good for chips.
Maybe even nutmeg and cinnamon for morning porridge
I can see an entire spice rack at this rate.

Oli.vert wrote:Do it right and the ingredients take no more space than a rolled pair of socks, but give a lot more pleasure.

You haven't been watching the right sort of films

Asposium wrote: I can see an entire spice rack at this rate.

Spice rack? Funny you should mention....back int he days of film canisters I used to tape 6 of them together and have exactly that.

Salt and pepper : Cumin : Garam Marsala
Herb Provencal: Oregano: Basil

You can do a shed load of different dishes with that lot. Oh, and maybe a block of miso.

whitestone wrote:

Oli.vert wrote:Do it right and the ingredients take no more space than a rolled pair of socks, but give a lot more pleasure.

You haven't been watching the right sort of films

I may not have seen as many films as you, but I can do a lot better than rolled socks for entertainment. Best add a tube of wasabi to the list.

Copy of Razzle.

Leave it in a bush when I'm finished with it.

I've done LEJOG but as a road tourer, so four panniers, bar bag etc. No shortage of space for comforts and budget for B&Bs every couple of nights. And I had two weeks to do it. I can't remember the last time I was so relaxed.

I have the utmost respect for those on here who travel off road by bike for days/weeks on end with less crap I carry for an overnighter in the Chilterns. But I just can't be doing that these days. That's not to say I don't get where you're coming from. I once wore the same pair of cycling shorts for two weeks straight through Canada and into Alaska with two saddle sores the size of 50p pieces and each night I'd crawl into my sleeping bag praying to the Gods of Cycling that there would be relief in the morning. There wasn't.

So now, if I were to try a lightweight off-road LEJOG, stuff Id never leave behind would include:

a lightweight fast drying towel
shower gel
anti-bacterial laundry detergent
SUDOCREM
at least two pairs of padded shorts, probably three

None of those are luxuries though. My luxury would be somewhere to sit. A proper chair, like this: https://www.ultralightoutdoorgear.co.uk ... hair-p2907

Copy of Razzle.

Leave it in a bush when I'm finished with it.

It was yours was it?

TheBrownDog wrote:
So now, if I were to try a lightweight off-road LEJOG, stuff Id never leave behind would include:

a lightweight fast drying towel
shower gel
anti-bacterial laundry detergent
SUDOCREM
at least two pairs of padded shorts, probably three

When I bikepacked in Iceland there were many a day a pair of shorts was strapped to the front roll bag. Ideal drying location. Wear one pair of shorts other drying. I would often change shorts mid day in order to have a non sweaty damp pair. Look after ones bum.
Won’t bother with a towel or shower gel; my view is that if I can find a shower it will likely have both available.
I might take a very small bottle of lifeventure liquid soap. Can then wash using a dry bag. Does assume I have access to ample water.
Butt cream is a given; though in Iceland didn’t use it once. Unfortunately those shorts are getting old and worn out ....bit like the rider. Thinking of getting some more tri shorts rather than regular shorts. Very minimal padding so less to rub and cause a sore bum. VERY quick drying. Less bulky than regular shorts.

As for somewhere to sit, have a bike.
At the end of the day just want to lie down.