Since we're carrying everything with us, we have to pack light. Here's a list of what we'll be bringing with us.
- Bike Stuff
- Bikes
- Vanessa: 2003 Jamis Ventura (triple crank, 9-speed 12-23. Tiagra front + rear derailleur)
- Ed: 2001 Giant OCR 3 (triple crank, 8-speed 12-25. Sora front + rear derailleur)
- Helmets!
- Spare parts
- spokes (2 for each wheel)
- tires for trailer and bike (Maxxis Re-Fuse. Probably not a top pick for touring but not bad either. Price was right. Consider Gatorskins or Armadillos if you can afford them)
- tubes for bike and trailer
- cables for brakes and derailleurs
- brake pads
- screws and bolts for bike racks, brakes, etc.
- chain appropriate to each bike
- Tools:
- floor pump (it fit in the trailer - with panniers we would have brought a hand pump with gauge)
- multi-tool with allen wrenches and chain tool (Crank Bros m17)
- patch kits, tire levers (Pedro's yellow levers, 2 each)
- cassette tool, chain whip, adjustable wrench, cassette lockring (these were fairly unnecessary)
- Trailers: 2 B.O.B. Yak trailers with dry bags
- Handlebar bags
- Rear racks with bags on top
- Bike computers (Cateye - Astrale 8 has cadence)
- White headlight and red blinky lights. Lots!
- Reflector belts
- U-locks (didn't get used much)
- Camping Stuff
- 2 Tarps: one for under the tent, one to cover the bikes
- Tent - Alps Mountaineering Zephyr 2 with full rainfly
- Sleeping bags
- North Face Cat's Meow (20 degree synthetic)
- 40 degree synthetic bag + small blanket
- Camp Pillow (luxury item)
- Sleeping pads
- Therm-a-rest Z-Lite
- Therm-a-rest full-length inflatable (cushier but heavier)
- Camp stove: MSR Windpro
- Fuel for stove
- Duct tape and electrical tape
- Mess kit (one bowl, one cup, one spoon each, plus a small pot to cook in)
- Head lamps
- Water purification tablets (chlorine) - in case of emergency
- Lighter and waterproof matches
- Clothes
- Bike Clothes
- Jerseys - 3 each
- Bike shorts - 3 each
- Socks - synthetic or wool - 3 pr short socks + 1 pr long wool socks
- bike shoes with cleats
- Ed: Diadora with Crankbros eggbeaters
- Vanessa: Northwave with Shimano SPD
- biking tights - Pearl Izumi with fleece lining
- arm warmers - fleece lined
- long-sleeve base layer: synthetic or wool
- Rain jackets
- Ed: Marmot PreCip
- Vanessa: Patagonia Rain Shadow
- Rain pants
- Ed: Marmot
- Vanessa: North Face
- Sports bras (Vanessa only)
- Biking gloves
- Full-fingered gloves
- Normal People Clothes (come on, we don't want to look crazy all the time)
- jeans
- flip flops
- tennis shoes
- t-shirt
- Beanie
- Fleece jacket (can also be used under rain jacket on cold cycling days)
- Laundry dress (to wear when everything else is being washed)
- pajamas
- Toiletries
- Sunscreen! Lots!
- Lotion
- Dr. Bronner's Castile Soap for showering and washing clothes
- Shampoo
- Standard toiletries: toothbrush, toothpaste, contact solution, deodorant, floss
- Comb, mirror, razor
- Electronics
- Camera (Canon point-and-shoot)
- Netbook (slower than molasses)
- Video camera (Flip camera)
- Cell phones (iphone came in useful with occasionally confusing directions)
- Misc
- Maps: East coast cycling maps from Adventure Cycling
- Journal and pen
- Paper, envelopes, stamps, checkbook
- Passports
- First Aid kit
- Books
- Ed: 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, Gulliver's Travels, Anthem
- Vanessa: Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, Angela's Ashes, Once a Runner
- Stuff we sent home during the trip
- Bathing suit
- water bags
- Extra books (one at a time)
- Maps after we used them
- Bike maintenance book
- Extra street clothes
- French press
- Extra camera
- Extra mess kit
- Crank radio
- Extra bike lock
- Extra shoes
- Souvenirs
