SO WHAT THE HECK DO YOU PACK WHEN YOU'RE BIKING 85-100 MILES A DAY?

 

23 years ago, I packed everything but the kitchen sink when I headed out west. After climbing up a 1% elevation for 20 - 30 miles, I stopped at the first post office I could find and mailed home over 15 pounds of gear. It's amazing what becomes instantly dispensable when you have to carry it yourself. The point is that weight kills! The lighter you can be, the easier the ride.

 

This trip is different because the SAG vehicles (Support and Gear) will carry two thirty pound bags of gear (the limit they allow) instead of me having to carry it on my bike.

 

The support vehicles following me from Topeka, Kansas to Erie, PA. From Erie, PA to Davidsonville, MD, I will be on my own with the help of family and friends. Because the vehicles are spread out over 25-30 riders at varying speeds and locations, I still have to carry some gear and of course food and liquids. In order to not feel completely stranded, especially in remote areas, there are some basics that I have.  

 

 

Start with a good light sturdy bike:

 

 

This is my new bike made by a company called Guru in Quebec, Canada. It's about 16.5 pounds and made of carbon fiber. Bought it from the folks at Parvilla Bicycle in Edgewater, MD.

 

 

Some gear bags:

 

 

Top Tube Bag

 

As much as I don't want to carry extra weight, I can't avoid having a couple bags on my bike at all times. The Top Tube bag (up front close to the handle bars) is for money, phone, fuel, ID, insurance card, etc.

 

 

 

 

 

I mentioned in one of my earlier blog post today that the clear plastic smart phone friendly cover was really not all that helpful for following a map app. And given that I really shouldn't be looking at my phone when I am riding, and that it's impossible to see through the plastic anyhow, the added feature was probably a waste of money.  But the little bag does carry a lot for being relatively small.

 

 

Rear Seat Bag

 

 

Attached to seat and seat post

 

 

 

What goes in the bag?   inner tube, bike tire pry tools, CO2 cartridge for filling tires (very cool), and multi-tool (left over from my first bike trip 23 years ago).

 

 

 

 

Gotta Hydrate

 

I always ride with two bottles. The one on the left is the usual size for 30-50 miles. The one on the right is not a biking bottle and not very hip as far as biking equipment goes. But I've never been big on being hip and my practical side as usual took over. I searched my local Target for the biggest bottle I could find that would fit in my bottle clips. It's wider and taller and holds about 8 ounces more fluid. The combined addition of 16 extra ounces will come in handy if I get in a tough spot.

 

 

What's to Come?

 

A fancy new biking computer! I should receive my new biking computer any day now. It will give me all the stats, wind, rain, coordinates, elevation, speed, distance, etc. Most importantly, it can map bike friendly routes no matter where I am. It also helps me connect to the internet through my phone, without using my phone battery. I will have a preset course, but this piece of equipment will back me up if I get separated from my group or decide to go it alone. It will be instrumental in my trip from Erie, PA to Davidsonville, MD since I will be mapping my own course.

 


 
All good items to have for a long ride!

LATEST UPDATE: VERY EXCITED. IT’S GAME ON NOW!

Just bought my one-way plane ticket to Kansas City, MO.  I will take a cab from the airport to Topeka, KS to meet up with the group. By the time I meet them, they will have biked half way across the country.