Lake Titicaca to Machu Picchu Mountain Bike Tour
Peru, Bike - Semi Slick, 12 days - from $2,300 (land only)
(ITMB) Peru – Lake Titicaca to Machu Picchu
The following is a basic checklist to help you with your packing. We recommend using the layering principle of clothing for varying climatic conditions and cool to cold evenings. Good padded cycling shorts are essential.
Your bike MUST be at least a mid level Mountain Bike such as a Specialized Rockhopper or Trek 6500. Front suspension is essential. It is vital that your bike is THOROUGHLY SERVICED and in perfect working condition before the trip.
PERSONAL CLOTHING AND ACCESSORIES
Feet
Stiff-soled cycling shoes or SPD’s
Torso
Base-layer - short sleeve cycling top (x 2)
Mid-layer
Long sleeved cycling top (x 2)
Outer layer - lightweight waterproof jacket
Warm Fleece jacket or jumper
Down Jacket (for evenings)
Hands
Regular biking gloves
Winter biking gloves or warm overgloves
Legs
Padded cycling shorts (x 2)
Warm Cycling tights or tracksters
Head
Eyewear - Biking glasses
Cycling helmet - mandatory
Fleece headband / Buff
Daypack and contents:
Cycling daypack (e.g. Camelbak) of at least 20 litres total capacity is recommended
Water bladder - min. 2 litres
Lightweight waterproof top
Multi-tool
Puncture repair kit
Inner tube
Pump
Camera
Sun cream (inc total bloc for lips/nose)
Small roll of gaffer tape
Warm Fleece Jacket or Jumper
Basic First Aid Kit. Including: antiseptic cream, throat lozenges, diarrhoea treatment (Imodium), painkillers, plasters and blister treatment, Insect repellent, and re-hydration salts (Dioralite).
Trek Bag Contents
Travel and après biking clothes for cool to cold conditions
Training/Leisure shoes for après biking
Wash bag, towel, toiletries, including anti-bacterial handwash
Warm hat
Small padlock (to lock trek bag)
Sleeping Bag (Comfort Rating - minus 10 degrees centigrade)
Headtorch/Headlamp
Chamois Cream e.g. Assos/Ozone
PERSONAL TOOLS AND SPARES
Note: If you are hiring a bike, you do not need to bring any of this. Although it is still a good idea to take a couple of 26 x 2 inch inner tubes with Presta valves.
You should bring the following with you as a minimum. Whilst not essential, it is a good idea that you familiarise yourself with how to carry out at least some basic repairs e.g. fixing a puncture, changing an inner tube. Naturally the bike guide will always be happy to assist with any repairs, but due to the often remote nature of our trips, being able to carry out a simple repair can save time and inconvenience waiting for assistance.
Tyres - for this trip you will need: 1.9 to 2.2 inch semi-slick tyres suitable for mostly dry tarmac/dirt road conditions.
Pump
Plastic tyre levers
Small tube of grease
1 rear brake cable
1 rear gear cable
Spare set of brake blocks / disc pads (front and rear)
2 spare spokes for front and rear wheels
Spoke key
4 x inner tubes Spare chain links
Liquid chain lube (bottle not aerosol)
Multi-tool with Allen keys
Chain link extractor (if not on multi-tool)
2x puncture repair kits
A rag and brush for cleaning bike and drive train.
Spares specific to your bike **
KE tools and spares
On all of our trips we carry a toolkit and a basic range of spares for emergencies. As bikes become increasingly part specific it is impossible to carry a comprehensive range of spares compatible with all makes and models of bike. ** Please ensure you bring any bike-specific spares that might be needed - such as disc brake bleed kits (and appropriate fluid), shock pumps etc.
Energy Gels/Sports Drinks/Power Bars
Our back up vehicle will carry ample supplies of water, snacks and lunches but if you like a particular energy gel, sports drink or power bar we suggest you bring a selection of your preferred choice along.
BIKE HIRE
It is possible to hire bikes for this trip. Our ground agent in Peru has a complete fleet of high quality Kona 4 cross country bikes, equipped with Hayes 9 hydraulic disc brakes and Marzocchi front suspension. Please refer to Bike Hire in the trip dossier for an indication of hire costs. When you request bike hire, KE will ensure that a suitably sized bike is available and ready for you to pick up on arrival in Puno. You will pay the hire fee to the tour leader. Please note that your contract for bike hire is directly with our Peruvian agent and not with KE. Please inform us in advance if you wish to hire a bike for this trip and let us know your frame size. If hiring a bike we recommend that you bring your own saddle and pedals, as well as your helmet. One final issue with regard to the hire bikes is that they are fitted with regular knobbly tyres. Fast-rolling, semi-slick tyres are recommended for this ride and you should take a pair with you on the holiday, as they will make your ride easier.
Please do not hesitate to call us for further advice about what to bring or any other aspect of this trip. We are more than happy to offer you the benefit of our experience. Further helpful information can also be found in the Your Bike, Baggage Allowances, Climate and Travelling with Your Bike sections of the detailed trip dossier.
