As Mark Twain put it so beautifully in The Innocents Abroad,
“Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness.”
There seem to be a trend in the touring community that "less is More" Personally I dont subscribe to this 'Moto'. It seems to me that a lot of LDTC (long distance touring Cyclists) are trying to become Backpackers not Bikepackers with this idea. For some trips this works well but I believe that if you are doing a long tour like the one I have planned, it is Paramount you bring the RIGHT gear for your destinations. I read once that a touring Cyclist said " if your not sleeping in all your clothes then you brought to much!" I for one think this is rubbish, why would I want to sleep in all the clothes I have just to stay warm?? I have packed enough gear that I can sleep in just my base layer and be comfortable even if it is 20 degrees outside, if I need extra warmth I have more clothes I can put on, but the reality is that layering all your clothes can actually make you colder. An example of this is putting on base layers then on top of all that you put a down Jacket, without covering the Jacket with a windproof layer all the heat will and does escape, since the down cant trap air it simply becomes ineffective, this is the same as adding several layers in a sleeping bag you only heat up so many layers and the heat that should fill the bag doesn't, so you can still remain cold even if you have all your clothes on and are tucked in your bag.
I can't tell you how many pictures I have seen of cyclists with down jackets on riding their bikes, later commenting on how cold they were on the descent. This is just one example of why I am taking so much gear.
I didn't just start getting ready for this trip. I have been for the better part of 2 years preparing for my June 10th departure date. Over the months I read a variety of Journals, blogs and books so I could prepare for the adventure. One of the repeated problems a lot of the touring cyclist encountered was Cold weather and Broken parts a situation made worse by the utter lack of preparedness on the cyclist part and the affirmation later that they should of brought that jacket, spoke, tent...Etc.
So I have compiled the list of gear I am taking with my on my expedition, and while to some it may seems absurd in quantity I can assure you I will not be caught unprepared when something happens thus making my trip all the more fun even though I am carrying more weight than most.
As a bikepacker, I will be
more exposed to the changing temperament of the earth, one minute bright and sunny the next a gale
force wind, sleet and hail, it happens! I need to be prepared. I will
be traveling for approximately 5 years and will ride in a variety of
different climates, from desert to high altitude above 5000m. Due to
the cost of shipping and the fear of not getting important pieces of
equipment when necessary, I have chosen to carry most of my gear with
me on the entire ride Keep in mind this is MY idea of how it works for me, and the gear is what I feel I need for MY trip. I am not saying this is for everyone or every situation.
5.
Acceptance
Sleeping bag: Marmot Lithium 0
Sleeping pad: Thermarest prolite plus
Foam sleeping
pad: blue foam Pad
Bag liner: Thermalite mummy bag liner
Tent: MTN hardware spire 2
10 tent stakes: MSR ground hog stakes
Tent foot print:
Mtn Hardware
Stove: MSR Dragonfly
MSR Maintenance
kit: MSR
2/ 20 oz Fuel
bottles: MSR
Extra fuel pump:
MSR for Dragonfly
Pots/pans: MSR Duralite
Water filter: Katadyn pocket filter
Water
purification: Katadyn
Waterproof bags:
Outdoor
Research
Bear spray: Counter
Assault
2 days extra
food
5: water
cages/ bottles
Headlamp: BLK Diamond Moonbeam
Rear bike light/flashing type
Water proof Rain pants: Endura
Water proof Rain
jacket: Showers
pass
4 pairs shorts: Voler
3 riding shirts: Mt Borah
Cycling shoes: Shimano MT41G shoes
4 pairs riding
socks: Pearl Izumi
1 pair off the
bike pants: REI- Sahara convert
2 off bike
shirts: Coolmax
1 off bike
shorts: Mt. Borah
1 pair thermals:REI
Base layers
top/bottoms: Patagonia
Arm warmers: Pearl izumi
Leg warmers: Pearl izumi
Water proof shoe
covers: Endura
Biking bib
tights: Pearl izumi
Skull cap: Pearl izumi
Balaclava: Craft
Light jacket/
mild rain: Specialized
Down sweater: Patagonia
Lobster gloves: Pearl izumi
Short finger GEL
gloves: Pearl izumi
Long finger
water proof Gloves Pearl izumi
GPS: Garmin 60csx
2/Extra GPS
brackets: Garmin
Solar panel: Brunton 26W
7.5 lithium
portable power: Brunton
Solo 7.5
IPod: Apple
Computer: Gateway Ec1815U With Pelican Hardcase 1080 for Netbooks (A MUST for this kind of travel)
External HDD Lacie Rugged
2 USB cords
Computer cords
Earphones
Video
Camera:
Hero
HD
Camera: Canon 7D with Sigma 18-250 lens, Delkin skin, and Neoprene case for storage
Arkel: GT-54 + rain cover-
Arkel: XM-45+
rain cover-
Arkel: Big Bar Bag
B.O.B Trailer. I originally was just going to use Panniers , but decided the extra capacity/ ability to take weight off the bike would serve me well in S.A. and Africa, so I will most likely utilize it there.
2/Extra tyres: Schwalbe marathon XR
4/Extra tubes: Continental 26x 1.9-2.125
16/Extra spokes:
Sapim Cx-ray Bladed
Chain lube: Boeshield T-9
2 pair cleats
for shoes: Shimano
Profide
for Brooks saddle
Extra grips: Brooks
Electrical
tape
50ft guyline: REI
1/Extra
front/rear skewers: Shimano XT
Misc.
nuts/bolts
6/BB bearings: Phil Wood/Enduro
12/Brake pads: Avid BB7
4 Extra
cables/housing: Rohloff/Jagwire
4/Extra discs
front/rear: Avid/Rohloff
4/Extra chains: Wipperman
7.4mm 3/32
4/Master links:Wipperman
Extra Pannier
brackets:Arkel
3/ 17T: Rohloff cogs
3/ 36T Chain rings: Stainless
Tools are the essential elements that can make or break a good time on a tour. To many, you're just lugging around weight, but if you forget to bring the one you really need, then you'll be up a creek on the side of the road/trail. I tried hard to strike a balance between what was a given and what I wanted as extra. Because I am a bicycle mechanic, "necessary" to me, may differ from most.
Here is the list (with pictures) of all the tools that I with me. This is, as are all things, subject to change. But, I doubt will actually get rid an item. If anything, I am sure the collection will grow.
*I decided on a leather tool pouch instead of a canvas one for longevity reasons. It isn't as light, but it will last many years.
