Eurorailing/ Bikepacking to Portugal

The goal of this year's biking adventure is to find out if bike-trekking is compatible with and Inter-rail ticket. Just how easy will it be to transport a bike in various countries (including Germany, Switzerland, France, Spain and Portugal)? Initial research suggests that packing a bike in a bag means that the bike will be considered baggage and not require a separate booking and fee. 

I bought a ticket in December when it was on special - 340€ for any 10 days within 2 months in all of Europe. After a lot of checking the Rail Planner app to see an approximate route, I decide that the first leg of my journey will be from Berlin to Geneva. The rail network is much more extensive and fast in northern Europe, so I plan to use the trains more often and for longer journeys there.

When packing bike in transport bag:

- remove front wheel

- remove pedals

- remove front stem and attach to frame

- remove front light

- use fork eyelet protector

- use cardboard to protect front fork

PACKING LIST

Documents

• Passport
• Driving licence
• European health insurance card

Bike riding equipment

• Shimano SPD clip shoes
• Sunglasses and case
• Cycling shorts x 2
• Waterproof jacket
• Cycling short sleeve shirt x 2
• 1 x 750ml Nalgene bottle
• 1 x 2500ml water bladder
• Sun cream (SPF 30)
• Helmet
• ABUS U lock and small combination lock
• Cycling gloves
• Extra cincher belts

Bike transport material 

• Ibera BB1 bag
• Fork eyelet protector
• Cardboard 

Clothes

• Light trousers
• Warm neck hoop
• 2 short t-shirts (merino wool)
• 1 short sleeved shirt
• 2 boxer shorts
• Socks x 4
• Long arm cycling jacket
• Light runners

Camping

• Ultra-light tent - CloudUp 2 Pro (NatureHike)  
• Thermarest mat - NeoAir X-therm
• 3 season sleeping bag - 750 dreamcatcher Mountain Equipment (1.3kg)
• Scarf (to cover eyes at night)
• Ear stoppers
• Head lamp (Petzyl)
• 1 x Tupperware (stainless steel)
• 1 spoon
• Peanuts
• Magnesium effervescent tablets

Bags

• 2 x Normal Back Roller Classic (not XL)
• 1 x ortlieb handlebar bag
• 1 x Ikea frakta zipper 76L bag
• 1 canvas bags (doubles as pillow case)
• 1 x small zipper bags
• 1 x large vacuum bag
• 1 x waterproof case for android phone
• 
  

Tools

• Hummer 2 multitool
• Micra leathermann
• Chain oil
• Puncture repair kit (tiptop)
• 8/ 10 spanner
• Airik Xtreme pump
• Insulating tape (rolled onto pump)
• 28" spare tube
• Tyre levers
• Pentagon allen key
• Tool pouch 
• Spare back spokes (attached to bike)

Entertainment

• Ebook reader
• Wired headphones
• Android phone (with audiobooks)
• Phone/ebook charger (USB C) x 2
• B &M USB-werk (charges phone from bicycle)
• Glasses and case

Hygiene

• Tissues
• Towel
• Disposable razor
• Toothpaste
• Toothbrush

Miscellaneous

• Presents for hosts
• Extra watch 

Alterations to last year's packing list

• 2 x Normal Back Roller Classic (not XL)
• Newboler frame bag
• Mobile phone holder - JWS P30
• Ultra-light tent - CloudUp 2 Pro (NatureHike) 
• 1 x 2500ml water bladder

No longer required:

• Waterproof trousers
• Air pillow