Final Kit Check
With my trip being delayed from it’s initial start date in July (Due to an awesome 3 months spent with good friends in Vermont), I am now ready to set off. This delay did however mean that my kit had to be updated as I was not really prepared for the cold conditions that I will now be experiencing at this time of the year.
Without further adieu, here is my kit list for my trip across the USA.
The Bike Stuff
- My baby, a 26er Dual Suspension Mountain Bike. Running tubeless with full lock out and my comfy saddle which doesn’t look comfy (Yes a road/touring bike would be quicker, but I wouldn’t be able to hit the trails in the towns I stop in. A 29er would be first prize, but I don’t have one.)
- Ritchey Tri Bar extensions (To change up that seating position during long stretches
- Cateye wireless bike computer
- Crank Brothers multi tool, Leatherman, 2 x Spare tubes, patch kit, 2 x CO2 bombs and adaptor, 2x master links, replacement drop out, tyre levers, zip ties, insulation tape, nylon chord, shock pump, hand pump
- 3l Camel Back Bladder, 3 x insulated water bottles
- Bike lock
Storage
- Seat post mounted pannier with Avenair pannier bags
-Timbuk2 top tube bag
-Topeak saddle bag (Mounted under the tri bars
- 35l Red Mountain custom backpack (Made by a supplier in Cape Town for a race in 2008 and still going strong
- Handle bar mount map bag
- 4 x 25l dry bags (one for each of the main compartments in the pannier bags and one for the back pack)
- 2 x Bungee Chords
Cycling Kit
- 3 x good quality bib shorts (I have 3 different brands in order to change the areas that I chaff in. Hopefully it won’t be bad so I will be able to mail one pair back later in the ride). Pearl Izumi, Zerhor, Assos (Their higher end stuff)
- 2 x cycling tops with full zips in the front. (When you are layered up, it is often easier to unzip instated of take off while you are riding
- Fox fingerliss gloves
- Cape Storm lightweight fleece
- First Ascent arm warmers
- Linebreak compression tights (a bit of warmth from these guys as well)
- Seirus waterproof/thermal balaclava
- Pearl Izumi Cyclone, waterproof/thermal cycling gloves
- Pearl Izumi waterproof/thermal shoe covers
- Marmot waterproof jacket with a hood (I believe a hood is vital)
- First Ascent Water proof pants
- 2 x Buffs (You can never have too many)
- 3 x Cycling socks (I am sure I will purchase more on the way
- Pearl Izumi cycling shoes
- Bell Yukon helmet
- Oakley Jawbones with photochromic lenses
- Anit Chafe stick
Camping Gear
- Outdoor Research alpine bivy
- K-Way Zermat sleeping bag
- REI light core self inflating sleeping mat (Epicly small and comfortable)
- Toiletries. No rinse bodywash, toothbrush, tooth paste, small doe stick, ZAM-BUK, sunscreen
- MSR camping towel
“Casual” Kit
- First Ascent lightweight convertible pants
- First Ascent running shorts
- 2 x NB technical tops (From The Total Sports Challenge and African X Trail Run)
- Vibram Komodo Sport (So So So comfy… )
- Pearl Izumi running gaiters
Lighting
- Princeton Tec Eos bike light (100 lumens)
- Black Diamond Icon (100 Lumens)
- Princeton Tec Quad (40 Lumens) as a back up
- 2 x Red flashing rear lights. (one helmet mounted, one bike mounted)
- Spare batteries
Nav and Electronics
- iPhone with a Lifeproof case and bike mount
- iPod Shuffle with Skull Candy Ear Buds (Best sport combo ever)
- Bike mounted solar charging pad.
- Compass
- Adventure Cycling Association’s Maps (Transamerica and Western Express)
Misc
- First Aid Kit (lots of Ibuprofen and antihistamines)
- South African Flag
- Reflective Tape
- Whistle (Easy to access at all times)
- Lighter
- Spirit of adventure
- Pepper Spray (Which unfortunately needed to ward of dog attacks)
As you can see, it is a fairly minimal list, but having done a fair amount of multi day events, I feel comfortable after a fair bit of gear testing that I will use all the stuff I have with me and that I won’t be desperately wanting something along the way.
Feel free to suggest anything you think I should take.
Thank you to wehadamoment.com for helping me you out with winterizing my kit.
