On May 11th, I will begin a cross-country bike trip following the Adventure Cycling Association’s TransAmerica Trail. I am riding the trail east to west, meaning I will start in Yorktown, VA and end in Astoria, OR. I expect the trip to take about 10 weeks.

Gear

A trip like this probably sparks romantic imagery of leaving all the conveniences of modern society behind and riding off into the sunset. You’d be wrong, and not just because riding in the direction of a setting sun can be dangerous. I’ve spent many hours reading gear reviews trying to find the best (and lightest) conveniences modern society can produce. No details (including what saddle will most tenderly cradle the unique shape of my butt) have been spared. As is tradition in the bike touring community, I have listed the final gear decisions here. As is also tradition in the bike touring community, I will probably end up mailing a good number of these items home after I try to drag them up the first mountain pass.

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Bike

• 2018 All City Space Horse (affectionately named “Spacey Musgraves”)
• Brooks C17 Saddle
• Crankbrothers Double Shot pedals
• VEE Speedster Tires
• 46/30T Crankset
• 10 Speed Cassette
• SRAM GX 2×10 Rear Derailleur
• SRAM Apex Front Derailleur
• Salsa Down Under Front Rack
• Salsa Wanderlust Rear Rack
• SKS Fenders

 Panniers/Bags

• Ortlieb Backroller Free Panniers (rear)
• Ortlieb Sport-Roller Free Panniers (front)
• Swift Industries Paloma Handlebar bag
• Revelate Designs Mag-Tank 2000 Top-Tube bag

Camping/Sleep

• REI Quarter Dome 2 w/ Footpad
• Marmot Trestles 30 Sleeping Bag
• REI Co-op Camp Dreamer Self-Inflating Pillow
• Klymit Static V Lightweight Sleeping Pad

Clothing

• 3 generic microfiber polyster riding shirts 
• 2 pairs PEARL iZUMi riding shorts
• Giro Rumble Vr MTB Shoes
• 1 off bike shirt
• 3 Smartwool PhD Cycle Light Elite Mini Socks
• 1 calf length synthetic socks
• 3 pairs of underwear
• Patagonia Houdini jacket
• Patagonia Quandary shorts
• Teva Hurricane XLT2 Sandals
• Marmot PreCip Rain Jacket
• Prana Hiking pants
• Hat
• Bike gloves
• Specialized helmet

Electronics

• Samsung Galaxy S7
• Fujifilm x100f Camera
• Celtic Blu Bluetooth Speaker
• Anker PowerCore II 20000 battery bank
• Ayyie Solar Charger
• Black Diamond Astro 175 Headlamp
• 2 rear lights
• 1 front light

Tools

• Chain lube
• Crankbrothers M19 Bicycle Multi-Tool
• Pro Bike Tool Mini Bike Pump
• 3 Spare Tubes
• Park Tool Glueless Patch Kit
• Tire levers
• Pocket knife
• Zip ties

Miscellaneous

• ACA TransAmerica map set
• 2 camping mugs
• 2 on-bike water bottles
• 2 reserve water bottles
• 1 LifeStraw
• Spork
• Deck of cards
• 2 REI Co-op Multi Towels
• Fotopro Flexible Tripod
• First Aid kit
• Journal
• A book
• Kryptonite U-Lock