How Learning to Pack Light Changed the Way I Ride Italy

We were standing in the carpark in northern Italy, early morning, helmets in hand, still a bit sleepy. The rental team rolled out the bikes, each one with three plastic boxes on the back. Panniers and a top case. That was it. Suddenly our bags felt huge. It looked impossible that a week of our lives would fit into those boxes.

Over the years, we have learned it always looks impossible at first. The first time you pack for a motorcycle tour, you almost always bring too much. Extra shirts, extra shoes, the “just in case” pile. Then halfway through the trip you notice the same two T-shirts keep coming back into rotation, and the rest never leave the bottom of the case. The truth is, you can do with much less than you think. And in Italy, you are never far from a place that will wash and dry your clothes. That deserves its own story.

These days, we keep it simple. Before we fly, we pre-pack clothes and toiletries into small plastic or waterproof bags. That way, when we arrive and open the panniers, it becomes a puzzle, not a mess. You can see the sizes, move things around, and feel what it will be like to live with that weight every day. Rolling clothes instead of folding them feels almost like a magic trick. Suddenly there is more space, and fewer wrinkles.

Mid-season rides in May or September can be tricky. Sun in the valley, wind and chill on the pass. A light mid-layer that compresses well has saved many days. It hides in a corner of the case, weighs almost nothing, and earns its place every time clouds show up.

Then there are the small items that quietly make a big difference. Sunglasses. A scarf around the neck. We actually include a simple one in our welcome kit now, because it has helped so many riders. Important things like passport and wallet always stay on you, in the jacket, and we keep both physical and digital copies. Off the bike, you will want normal shoes and clothes, because a big part of the trip happens at the bar, the trattoria, the evening walk. Not only in the saddle.

Toll booths remind us to carry a bit of cash and coins in an easy pouch, and checking chargers and plug adaptors for European sockets avoids a lot of drama.

For leaders, this packing ritual is a quiet teacher. Clarity comes from limits. When you only have three boxes, you are forced to choose what really matters. It is the same with your time, your projects, your team’s focus. The less you carry, the more present you feel.

These are the simple, human details that sit behind every La Dolce Strada tour in Italy. If you are curious about riding with us, our 2026 itineraries are live.