what I'm taking

hint: it's mostly stuff I don't need

Just like the previous page, only a select group of people will be interested in what I'm taking. If you're not in that group, just skip this page. I always peruse other people's lists to see if there are any cool/useful/interesting items that I absolutely don't need, but will probably decide to include on my next trip.

BICYCLE
* rear rack
* rear panniers (Ortlieb's massive 70 liter bags)
* front rack
* front panniers (Ortlieb 25 liter)
* handlebar bag (Ortlieb 8.5 liter)
* phone mount (Peak Design Out Front - I love this mount so much that I think you should stop reading, open a new tab, and immediately purchase one. Even if you don't own a bike. Even if you don't know how to ride a bike.)
* water bottle cages (2 extra large for 1.5-liter bottles and 1 for a 1-liter bottle)
* water bottles (3) (total amount=3.5 liters --> As God is my witness, I will never run out of water again)
* straps with buckles
* bungee cords
* mesh cargo net
* saddle cover for rain
* bike lock (Altor folding lock)
* tail light (Varia tail light/radar)

CAMPING
* tent/rain fly/poles/stakes/footprint - (3-person Big Agnes bikepacking tent with short 12-inch poles so it fits inside a pannier)
* sleeping bag (Big Agnes Sidewinder - because I sleep on my side)
* sleeping pad (15-year-old Thermarest ProLite)
* sleeping pad patch kit
* sleeping bag liner
* inflatable pillow #1 (Trekology)
* inflatable pillow #2 (Nemo)
* headlamp (Foxelli)
* water purifier (LifeStraw)
* picaridin insect repellent (not a neurotoxin, and works as well as DEET)
* waterproof matches (has anyone ever used these?)
* compression bag (Sea to Summit Event)
* fan (for hot, muggy Southern days; will probably break but was only $14.00)
* head net for mosquitoes

CLOTHING
* cycling gloves
* cycling sandals (Shimano)
* sneakers (for hiking around to sightsee when I stop in a city)
* helmet (Giro Register)
* cycling mirror - the EVT Safe Zone mirror is large so, after felling mid-sized trees with it simply by turning my head, I recently switched to a smaller mirror, the Tiger Eye
* short sleeve cycling jerseys (4, so I only need to wash every 3 days)
* long-sleeve cycling jersey (looks normal enough to double as a regular shirt for evenings)
* short sleeve shirt for evenings (Columbia)
* cycling shorts (1 Craft, 1 Garneau, and one J&G, the latter recommended by Jeff Lee)
* mountain biking outer shorts (Zoic - can also be used as noncycling shorts to walk around town as well)
* sandals (Olukai - great arch support!)
* bandana (surprising number of uses)
* sunglasses + extra lens + case (Tifosi)
* yellow sunglasses (these make a huge difference when there's not much light)
* underwear (ExOfficio)
* short lounge pants (sleepwear)
* ankle socks (2 pair Smartwool)
* long pants (Kühl)
* quarter socks (2 pair)
* Hi-Viz vest
* small packable windbreaker
* hat (Solar Roller)
* sleepwear - I can't stress enough what a great outfit this is to sleep in, and recommend it for everyone regardless of whether you camp or not: click here

WET/COLD WEATHER GEAR
* rain jacket (Showers Pass)
* helmet rain cover (Vaude)
* rain pants (GoreTex)
* inner merino liner gloves
* merino head cover, very thin

TOOLS/SPARE PARTS
* patch kit
* spare tube
* emergency tire boot
* tire tools
* Crank Brothers speed lever
* combination hex set (Topeak)
* needle nose pliers
* crescent wrench
* pedal wrench
* grease
* oil
* spoke wrench
* spare spokes (stored in the seat tube):
- front: 260 mm x 2
- rear: 224 mm x 5
* Fiberfix
* cleaning cloth
* degreaser/hand cleaner
* duct tape
* electrical tape
* handiwipes (handlebar bag)
* nuts and bolts
* tire pump (Lezyne)
* sleeping pad repair kit
* Tenacious tape
* Presta to Schrader adapter
* cotton balls (to run along the inside of the tire after a flat)

ELECTRONICS
* cell phone (iPhone - Heather made me get the new one with satellite capability)
* cell phone tripod (Peak Design)
* headphones (Shokz bone-conduction)
* earbuds (Soundcore)
* camera (2014 Canon Powershot SX60 HS)
* Canon battery charger
* Canon extra batteries x 2
* extra SD card
* gift camera (see below)
* power bank (Einova 20,000 mAh)
* watch (Apple)
* eReader (Kindle)
* cyclocomputer (Garmin Edge 1040 solar)
* Nektec adapter
* Apple charging brick
* laptop (MacBook Air)
* laptop drybag (Aquaquest)
* cables:
+ USB-C to USB-C (for cell phone, laptop, Garmin, Kindle, power bank)
+ USB-C to USB-C (9-inch for stem to cell phone)
+ USB-A to proprietary (Shokz headphones)
+ USB-C to charging disc (Apple watch)
+ USB-B to charging disc (Apple watch)
+ USB-A to USB-B micro (Varia tail light)
+ USB-A to USB-C (Garmin)

HYGIENE/TOILETRIES
* toothbrush
* toothbrush cover
* toothpaste
* dental floss
* sunscreen (all dermatologists: "There's no such thing as a healthy tan")
* sunscreen (small, for handlebar bag)
* lipscreen
* soap
* soap holder
* shampoo
* razor, plastic/disposable (six of them, because where in America besides every store I pass will I be able to find another plastic razor?)
* shaving cream
* toilet paper
* camp towel
* hand held mirror
* Handiwipes
* large biodegradable handiwipes (for “bathing” when stealth camping)
* detergent (Soak - this stuff works really well)
* sink stopper (old coffee table coaster is the best I've found)
* clothesline (homemade from braided shock cord for tents)

MEDICAL KIT
oral meds:
* cephalexin 500 mg (if needed, for infection, especially of the skin)
  * ciprofloxacin 500 mg (for other kinds of infection: gut, respiratory)
  * loperamide 2 mg (if needed, for diarrhea)
  * loratadine (if needed, for allergies)
  * naproxen (if needed, for pain)
  * acetaminophen (if needed, for pain)
  * promethazine (if needed, for nausea/vomiting)
  * diphenhydramine (if needed, for allergies or insomnia)
  * famotidine (if needed, for heartburn)
creams:
   * chamois butt’r packets x 4 (if needed)
* miconazole (if needed, for topical fungal infection)
   * antibacterial cream (if needed, for topical bacterial infection)
* triamcinolone 0.1% (if needed, for topical inflammation)
   * vaseline
   * zinc oxide
   * hand sanitizer
first aid:
* hydrogen peroxide (this is miraculous for blood stains on clothing)
* gloves, nonsterile (3 pair; I use these to avoid getting greasy)
* alcohol wipes (~15)
* Coban (1 roll)
* Ace bandage (1 roll)
* bandaids (enough)
* tweezers (multipurpose)
* butterfly closures (when you can get by without suturing)

MISCELLANEOOUS
* notebook for journaling
* pen
* Swiss Army knife (with blade, file, scissors, toothpick, and tweezers)
* extra ziploc bags
* hand sanitizer (handlebar bag)
* garbage bag (for dirty laundry)
* earplugs (Loop)
* eye mask
* sewing kit
* playing cards (the same set I've taken on every single trip since 1982, and never use)
* handlebar bag organizer (actually made for a purse, but it works well)
* lightweight backpack (82 grams, Sea-to-Summit for hiking on days off)
* heart rate monitor/chest strap/transmitter (I use this to determine if I'm overheating; when I am, my heart rate becomes elevated, usually into the 140s, and doesn't go back to normal even at rest.... plus, I feel hot) :-)
* heart rate monitor batteries (CR2025)
* air tag batteries (CR2023)
* face masks (2)
* lens cleaning fluid
* lens cloth
* carabiner
* Sugru
* safety pin
* packing cubes (8)
* Bubba teeth (because you just never know when you're going to need a set)

DOCUMENTS
* driver’s license
* passport card
* insurance cards
* credit cards
* debit card
* National Parks pass
* cash: dollars
* emergency numbers on paper

COOKING
* camp stove (MSR pocket rocket)
* fuel canister
* fuel canister stabilizer
* pot/pan combination
* collapsible silicone cup
* spoon (long-handled Toaks)
* fork and knife (Outxe)
* flask
* dehydrated meals (5)
* maple pecan breakfast (5)

(gift camera - This is a cool retirement gift from one of my friends, an old fashioned camera with “real” film which needs to be developed. The intent is that I’ll need to be very judicious in selecting what I’m going to photograph, instead of simply taking 10,000 pictures and using the best ones. I like the idea. She gave Heather one as well, and she’ll use hers to take pictures while I’m gone.)

If you have any questions about any of the items, just ask.

The final results: all of it into 5 bags, including tent, sleeping bag, and everything else.

There are SO many things on my list that I don't need, but this isn't just a bike tour... it's a vacation that I happen to be taking while also on tour. There will be lots of down time and sightseeing.

Total weight of bags plus gear is 77 lbs/35 kg.
My weight at the start of the ride is 170 lbs/77.1 kg (which, by the way, is as much as I've weighed in the past 20 years - not more than, but as much).
The bicycle's weight is 45 lbs/20.4 kg.
Total amount of weight being dragged up the hills: 292 lbs/132.5 kg.

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George (Buddy) HallA very extensive kit, I certainly like the sleepwear for a touring cyclist. My total weight at the start of a tour is usually around 310 pounds, but I tend to start tours about 40 pounds heavier body weight than you and end them some 10 - 20 pounds lighter. I would guess that you and I "appreciate" hills more than those folks who manage to tour with a total weight less than 250 pounds. Your rohloff hub with low gearing will earn it's keep for sure.
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1 month ago