The Gear

The most difficult task in packing for any journey is deciding what not to take. If you still have all your old school notebooks stashed on some shelf, keep the broken things because some day you plan to fix them, piles of magazines that you think you might actually read soon, always have clean clothes left over from a vacation trip...you're in trouble when it comes to getting your gear to fit in these small bike bags. Make a list of everything you might want to take. Spread it out. Look it over. That's a lot of stuff! Pull out those extra two pairs of shoes and the extra thick air mattress. And do you really think you will read all those books in the late evenings after a hard day's ride? I always take a book to the beach even though I have never read a book at the beach. Know thyself. But rules are meant to be broken. I am taking two books...one by an old riding friend, Calvin Allen, " Westward Ha!: Bicycling Cross-Country with My Two Sons," the 1998 account of trying to do just that. It's a test of the rules.

I packed all this stuff into my panniers and rode around town, up and down hills, and on a weekend bike-camp trip with Jenny and noted "This is heavy." Got rid of more things and finally pared it down to this.

GEAR...

• bike-Surly Long Haul Trucker
  
• bike computer-Sigma BC2209MHR
  
• handlebar bell
  
• tennis ball container (bike carry-all) (NA)
  
• bike bra (if driving) (NA)
  
• bike protective foam (if shipping) (NA)
  
• front panniers
  
• rear panniers
  
• helmet
  
• pillow, stuffable
  
• sleeping bag...Marmot Maverick 25°/40°, synthetic...2.6#
  
• silk bag liner
  
• waterproof compression sleeping bag stuff sack
  
• thermarest...Thermorest...2.2#
  
• tent...Northface Roadrunner-23...7.4#
  
• ground cover
  
• tarp or bike cover (NA)
  
• chamois (2)
  
• wash cloth
  
• extra zip lock bags (2)
  
• water bottles (3)
  
• ipad mini
  
• charger for ipad
  
• ipad headphones
  
• headlight-RavX w/charger
  
• flashlight/batteries/charger (NA)
  
• Petzl light (NA)
  
• blinkie light w/ charge cable
  
• charger for camera
  
• camera cable to ipad
  
• heart rate monitor (NA)
  
• alarm clock (ipad)
  
• multi-prong electrical plug
  
• screw lamp receptacle
  
• lock (cable)
  
• saddle rain cover-shower cap
  
• sunglasses-Rudy Project
  
• glasses strap (NA)
  
• rear view mirror; bar end mirror (NA)
  
• gloves (1 pr short, 1 pr polypro liners)
  
• camp chair...FlexLite...22oz
  
• laundry bag
  
• maps
  
• note pad, pen, pencil
  
• bungee cords (2)

TOOLS...

• spare tire (1)
• tire boot pieces (2)
• patch kit
• screw tight solution
• tire levers
• cleaning towels
• lubricant
• saddle cream
• saddle bag
• spare tubes (1-2)
• zip ties
• clothes line
• clothespins (6)
• CO2 pump and cartridges (3)
• spare spokes (on bike)
• extra chain links
• chain master link
• multi-tool, or screwdriver
• hex wrenches (saddle, handlebar, etc)
• spare brake pads
• spare rack, cage screws
• chain breaker
• spoke wrench
• crescent wrench
• frame pump
• spare brake cable
• spare derailleur cable
• length of wire for repairs
• duct tape
• waterproof matches and case
• swiss army knife
• spork
• bowl
• hammer for tent stakes

TOILETRIES...

• First Aid Kit, including:
  
• band aids
  
• safety pins
  
• advil (for both daypack and night pack)
  
• cortisone cream
  
• bacitracin or something like it
  
• desitin
  
• hair clippies/doodie bands
  
• toothbrush/paste
  
• soap
  
• shampoo
  
• deodorant
  
• hairbrush/comb
  
• nail file
  
• razor
  
• bag balm in tube, or
  
• creamy vaseline
  
• sunscreen
  
• gold bond medicated powder (small container)
  
• toilet paper
  
• cat hole scoop
  
• water purification system or tablets
  
• dental floss
  
• ear plugs
  
• small scissors
  
• lip balm
  
• whistle...for emergency
  
• insect repellent
  
• mirror
  
• pee bottle [wide mouth ;)] (NA)

 

TOPS...

• 1 fleece (wear on plane) or jacket or sweater
  
• rain jacket
  
• Jerseys (2)
  
• sports bras (3), if you’re of that persuasion (NA)
  
• regular bras (2) (NA)
  
• t-shirts (2 )
  
• button short sleeve shirts (1)
  
• synthetic long sleeve riding shirts (1)
  
• head warmer
  
• arm warmers (in winter)
  
• hat (in winter)
  
• long sleeve wool button shirt (1) (in winter)
  
• wool or fleece hat (in winter)
  

 

BOTTOMS...

Two pair of underwear for three months?

• bike shoes (1pr)
  
• sandals-Keene
  
• cycling socks (4 pairs)
  
• thorlo/reg sox (4 pair) (NA)
  
• plastic bag booties
  
• shoe cleat covers
  
• warm socks (2) (NA)
  
• rain shoe covers (NA)
  
• 1 pr long riding pant
  
• 1 pr walking shorts (zipped legs off pants)
  
• 1 pr long pants (wear on plane) (NA)
  
• rain pants
  
• 3-4 riding shorts
  
• silk or wool underwear (2)
  
• leg warmers
  
• pajama shorts
  
• pajama shirt
  
• swim suit (NA)

 

DAY PACK...

Find Blackie, the Bear

• handlebar bag
  
• ipad with waterproof case
  
• waterproof map case
  
• camera
  
• Blackie
  
• patch kit
  
• handkerchief (2)
  
• bandana (2)
  
• whistle for emergencies
  
• small baggy wallet (health card, credit card, DL, $)
  
• credit card
  
• health care card
  
• old driver's license as ID
  
• cash
  
• zip ties (3-4)
  
• dog repellent
  
• pant leg strap
  
• lip balm
  
• bike hat
  
• sun screen
  
• passport
  
• pen and note pad, journal
  
• reading book
  
• traffic triangle
  
• cell phone (NA)
  
• passport (if close to international border)
  
• all devices chargers

 

CHANGES...

what got sent home?

• after only using it once in the first month, I sent the Camp Chair back with Jenny when the family gathered in St. Louis
• Calvin's book I gave to a WarmShowers host in Kansas City, MO

what else was needed?

• on week six I decided I needed toenail clippers...that is the only item purchased that was not on the gear list
• knee warmers (I forgot to pack these)
• switch to thorn-resistant tubes west of Mississippii/Missouri Rivers

what could be modified?

• one t-shirt could be left behind
• one less bike short
• screw lamp receptacle (was never used)
• a lighter tent would be nice...but the expenses had to stop somewhere

what was lost?

• one handkerchief

how much did this weigh?

• 92 pounds...including three skimpy days of food, three water bottles full, and the extra two liters of water and additional three meals packed after crossing the Missouri River