Bike
(May 29 2012. If you want to go straight to the final equipment list please scroll down to the end!)
What bike to take? These days with anything material, we are really spoilt for choice - there is just so much of everything out there. I have a Reynolds 631 steel frame Aravis with 700cc wheels. The big debate for me has been, ‘do I go with 26in wheels or stay with 700cc?’ 26in wheels means a whole new bike ...and expense, though many who have done trips through South America recommend 26in wheels due to the availability of tyres and tubes along the route. But I am on a tight budget, and have decided to stick with what I have got - I will just have to carry spare tyres and tubes...and puncture repair kits!!! The bike has already done me nearly 8000km over African roads (admittedly not touring, rather commuting), but have done dirt on it and hit some pretty mean potholes at night, and it is still going strong, so fingers crossed........... I have to change some of the gearing configurations, especially if I want to get over the Andes and the Rockies towing a trailer with my guitar (idiot!!), but that can be sorted.
Bike - Aravis Reynolds 631 Air Hardened Steel Frame
Components - Shimano Deore V Brakes with Ultegra Deraillers
Rims - Mavic A 719 Front and Rear - 36 spokes.
Tyres - Schwalbe Marathon Plus 700 x 35 up to 50 if my rims will take them.
Saddle - debating. Present - Gobi. May go Brooks and may use Raleigh Gel Seat Cover.
Pannier Bags - Present - Ammaco - will change to Ortleib. Was originally only going to use rear pannier bags, as I had thought to tow a trailer, but on doing some more research, I think it will be wise to have front pannier bags as well in order to take some of the load off the rear wheel. I may also try and see if I can put the guitar on one side of the rear pannier, and if so may not have to tow a trailer. I also have an Altura Handle Bar Bag.
Pump - need to get another
3 Spare Tubes - will get a few more
Bike Trailer - I have a bike trailer, but I don’t even know what make it is! And it is an aluminium frame. I have used it once on tar and it held up but I don’t know how it would fare on dirt for such a trip. I would prefer a steel frame so will probably buy a BOB Ibex Trailer, if I decide to take one.
Other Equipment to date
Sleeping Bag - Marmot Never Summer minus18 Degree mummy sleeping bag with a Silk and a cotton Liner. I will also be carrying a small light weight sleeping bag for hot weather.
Mats - Therma Rest mattress and a thin camping mat
Trangia Stove - I will also buy a Universal Fuel Stove
Camping Pillow
Trowel
Tarp - must get a big one
First Aid Kit
GPS
Cell Phone
Camera - Canon SX1IS Power Shot and Panasonic Lumix
Computer - Apple Mac Book Air, with a couple of External Hard Drives
Bike Tools
Cyclo Computer
Ipod
Still need to buy
Tent - will go for Terra Nova Voyager.
Light weight Sleeping Bag
Bivvy/Tarp
Cycling Shorts - Base Layer Clothing, Gore Tex Waterproof Jacket, Gloves, Neoprene waterproof overshoes, Breathable Rain Pants.
Multi Fuel Stove - Lighters/waterproof matches
Sunglasses - three lenses for different weather conditions
Battery Charger - Solar and Electric, and spare batteries
Spare Parts for bike - chain, brake pads, spokes, cables, spare tyres and tubes
Water proof Zipped Bags
Cycle Shoes - need a large pair to be able to wear layers of socks! Also Cycle Sandals.
Trail Shoes
Dictionary - English/Spanish/Portuguese
Leatherman Multi Tool
Bio Soap and Dishwashing - Hand and Face Wipes, Deo Cream
Chamois
Silicone Sealer
Water filter
Collapsable Water Container/Solar Shower
Meths/Fuel Containers
Velcro/Rubber Straps/Duct Tape
Front Bike Lamp
Newspaper
The following is a detailed list of possible equipment that one could take on a bike tour compiled from research from other websites of people who have done an epic cycle trip, and general searching.
Bike Shoes
The following is a detailed list of possible equipment that one could take on a bike tour compiled from research from other websites of people who have done an epic cycle trip, and general searching.
From Cyclocamping - www.cyclocamping.com
Ortlieb Pannier Bags - rear
Ortlieb Pannier Bags - front
Tubus Rear Rack - Cargo
Tubus Front Rack - Ergo
Ortlieb Rack Pack
Ortlieb Xplorer Pack
Ortlieb Notebook Insert
Primus Omni Fuel Stove
Ortlieb GPS Cover
Ortlieb Folding Bucket
Katadyn Water Filter
Kateye Front Bike Light
Gorebikewear Helmet Cover
Ortlieb Repair Set
Nikwax Waterproof Spray
Leatherman Multi Tool
Pocket Shower
Thermal Blanket x 2
Fuel Bottles x 2
Kickstand
Terra Nova Voyager Tent
Tyres (folding) x 3
From Endura UK - www.endura.co.uk
Waterproof Gloves
Waterproof Overshoes
Merino Socks x 2
Merino Socks Winter x 2
Shark Glasses
Firefly Shorts x 2
Flyte Jacket
Merino Jersey
Venturi II Over Trousers
From Ibex Wool - www.ibexwear.com
Ibex Wool Bike Shorts x 2
Woollies Bottom
Indie Arm Warmer
Zepher Skull Cap
Balaclava
Leg Warmer
Knitty Gritty Fingerless Glove
El Fito Tight
Indie Short Sleeve Jersey
Glove Liner
From Campmor - www.campmor.com
Cycling Sandals
Ortleib Security Cables
Ortleib Outer Pocket x 2
Ortlieb Water Bag
Ortlieb Shower Valve
BOB Ibex Cycle Trailer
From Powertraveller - www.powertraveller.co.uk
Solargorilla Solar Charger 24V
From Over-board - www.overboard.co.uk
Waterproof Zoom lens Camera Case
Waterproof Laptop Case
Waterproof Ipod Case
Small Waterproof Phone Case
Waterproof Waist Pack
Waterproof Map Pouch
Sundry
Bio Soap - Personal and Washing
Deo Cream
Hand and Face Wipes
Chamois
Silicone Sealer
Cotton Tea Towel
Lighter/Matches
Duct Tape/Velcro/Rubber Straps
Trail Shoes
Bike Spare Parts - Various outlets
Chains x 2
Tubes x 4
Front Chain Rings 53-39-32
Rear Cassette 9 Speed 11-34
Pump and Bracket
Puncture Repair Kits x 5
Ergon Grips GC3
Jockey Wheels x 4
Cables x 4
Brake Pads x 6 pairs
Bike Mirror
Saddle
Dry lube
Cycle Computer Battery
Apple Store
Mac Book Air + Hard Drive
Mac Super Drive External CD/DVD
February 2012: Please see the Funds page for equipment yet to be purchased, and details of equipment already purchased. I will move all equipment to this page when it is all bought and I am ready to rock and roll.....3 months.....YES!
May 29th 2012 - FINAL EQUIPMENT LIST
After 10 days or so on the road, herewith now my final equipment list of what is packed and on board!!
EQUIPMENT
Aravis Touring Bike - with Reynolds 631 Steel Frame
Wheels - Mavic A719 36 spokes front and rear. Changed to DTSwiss TK540 rims in Austin Texas.
Tyres - Schwalbe Marathon Tour Plus 700cc x 40
Gearing - 9 speed Rear block 11 - 32 Changed to 11 - 34 in Austin, Texas; Front chain set - 22-32-42
Saddle - Brooks Flyer
Handle Bar Extensions - Ergon GC2
Cycle Computer - Cateye Velo 8
Cable Locks x 3
Cycle Light
Spares
Tyre - Schwalbe Marathon Mondial Folding tyre
3 x Spare tubes
5 x Puncture repair kits
Tools - alan keys, tyre levers, spoke key, Shifting Spanner, Screw Driver - flat and star, chain braker.
Gear cable, brake cable, spokes
Spare Pannier Bag attachments
2 x Pumps
Tyre pressure Guage
4 x bike water bottles
PANNIER RACKS
Rear - Tubus Cargo
Front - Tubus Ergo Low Rider
PANNIER BAGS
Rear - Carradice Super C (54lt per pr)
Front - Carradice Super C (28lt per pr)
Handlebar Bag - Carradice Super C (6 lt)
CYCLE CLOTHING
Hot Weather
2 x long sleeved ‘running’ jerseys
2 x cycle shorts
2 x baggy cycle shorts
Keen Cycling sandals
Helmet
Sunglasses x 3 lenses
Cycle gloves
2 x Bandannas
Cold/Wet Weather
Skins - Thermal top and bottom
Wool cycling tights
Windproof/waterproof overtrousers
Windproof cycle jacket
Waterproof Cycle Jacket
Poncho
Sub Zero cycle gloves
Neopreen overshoes
2 x thermal socks
Neck Gaiter
Waterproof Beany Hat
OTHER CLOTHING
Long sleeved T-shirt
Long sleeved cotton shirt
Long cotton trousers
Handkerchiefs
Camping towel x 2 (one small and one large)
Swimming costume/underpants
Sarong
Down Jacket
Trail shoes
Vibram 5 finger shoes
SLEEPING
Tent - Terra Nova Voyager XL
Thermarest Neo Air All season camping mat
Marmot never summer down sleeping bag with silk liner
Air pillow + thermarest down pillow
TECHNOLOGY
Computer - Apple Mac Book Air
Kindle
Ipod Classic
Cameras - Canon Powershot + Go Pro Hero2 video camera.
Memory sticks + sandisks
Solar charger - Solar Gorilla and Powergorilla
Battery Charger and re-chargeable batteries.
Mini 2 speaker
COOKING
Trangia Stove
Solhuma Wood burning stove.
2 x 500ml fuel containers
Mug
Folding knife,fork, spoon set
Leatherman Wave multi purpose knife
Mora camping knife
HEALTH/SAFETY/TOILETRIES
First Aid Kit
Plasters, bandages, dressings, ointment, imodium, ibuprofen, panadol, emergency blanket, essential oils (as insect repellent - citronella, lavender, tea tree), deet insect repellent. Arnica oil, acupuncture needles.
Toothpaste, toothbrush, soap, hairbrush.
Butt’r Chamois cycling cream
Platypus gravity water filter
Head torch
SUNDRY
Waterproof matches
4 x Lighters
Paracord
Folding water container/bucket
Binoculars
Guitalele
NUTRITION
Staple Food
Cereal/Muesli/Oats
Raisins
Eggs - wherever possible
Rice - Brown/White
Quinoa
Biltong/Jerky
Tuna/Salmon
Tea
Honey
Powdered Energy Drinks/Energy Bars/Energy Beans - wherever possible
Spirulina - wherever possible
Nuts/Trail Mix
Dehydrated Pasta and Sauce - wherever possible
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