A self-guided cycling holiday with Macs Adventure has the benefit of luggage transport between accommodations (so there is no need to ride with heavy panniers). But it is still useful to carry a smaller rucksack with you each day. You might want to carry a spare layer or a waterproof jacket, map, guide notes, snacks, water and items such as a mobile phone and camera. Many cyclists will wonder what is the best rucksack to buy and bring with them on holiday? The ideal rucksack will carry around 10 to 12 litres in total with a space for a two-litre water bladder as minimum. The pack should have a comfortable and ventilated shoulder straps and back system, while a waist strap is also useful for keeping the pack secure against your body while cycling. Pockets for keeping items neatly packed and safe are a good design point to look for. And a pocket on the waist strap will give easy access to small essential items while cycling. If you plan to be walking around visiting towns and attractions while on your cycling holiday it is useful to have a place to attach a helmet on the pack while not in use.

3 great cycling rucksacks

New pack on the block: Osprey’s Snycro 10 is the latest cycling pack from one of the leaders in rucksack design. Osprey thinks of everything when it comes to their sport specific packs with tons of features. This new 10l cycling rucksack is claimed as “leaner, lighter and faster than ever before”. The Syncro 10 features an AirSpeed backsystem and a LightWire frame for sweat-free carrying. The pack also has a ventilated BioStretch harness to further increase airflow so that even on the hottest rides you should stay dry underneath. The pack is also streamlined profile and has lots of handy places for stowing kit, including stretch mesh side pockets, a scratch-free electronics pocket and space for a water bladder. Additional details include heightened reflective graphics, blinker light attachment and integrated high-vis raincover will boost your visibility when riding on the trail or road. When you want to carry a helmet with you there’s Osprey’s LidLock bike helmet attachment. Osprey Syncro 10 rrps at £60.

For great style: Evoc is renowned for good looking packs and the Evoc CC 10L has been co-developed by Evoc's team athletes, who have demanded a beautifully slimline and lightweight profile. The rucksack is hydration compatible (up to 3l) and boasts Evoc’s Air Pad System for “optimised back ventilation” with no less than seven ventilation channels. Other features include a backlight clip, phone pocket, sunglasses pocket, signal whistle, helmet holder, tool compartment and key holder. Priced around £79. You can buy from Wiggle for £66.45.

For women cyclists: A good choice for a female-specific rucksack is the Platypus Siouxon Hydration Pack. It has a pocket for a 2l hydration reservoir and also comes with a 2.0L “Big Zip” reservoir that boasts a wide-mouth opening for easier drinking. The main storage area is 8l with plenty of space for spare clothes and bits and pieces. There are internal pockets for stowing items such as a spare inner tube and a multi-tool, as well as inner sleeves for a bike pump or two. The pack also has several zipped pockets on the outside, including one that is fleeced lined and ideal for protecting sunglasses or similar.  The waist strap has two zipped pockets as well. Lash points on the outside will carry a helmet when not in use and there’s a handy loop for attaching a bike light. See Platypus Ws Siouxon Hydration Pack for more details. You can buy on-line.