Please comment on my gear list.

[Newspaperguy]

This might give you some idea of the remote parts... this is not the crowded east coast, but the high empty western parts. Until I get to Xining, at the point of the dogleg on the second image, about 1500 km, I doubt I will see a bike shop, let alone one that will have parts for a bike that wasnt built before the end of the cultural revolution.

After that, between Huaxi and Turpan, while I will be on a main road, there is very very little in the way of habitation. I looked at a few routes through more remote areas, but there seems to be no water at all, let alone food.

That gets me to the Kyrgystan border.

I have thought long and hard about a trailer. I toured with a trailer in Australia once and did like it. There is even a bob trailer for sale in a shop nearby....

With that route, your gear list makes a lot more sense to me. Initially, I was picturing a route through the much more populated areas of Asia.

You may wish to carry more spare tubes and a package of tire boots. If you go with the trailer, then tubes and at least one spare tire to fit its wheel or wheels would be prudent. Also, a four-litre plastic jug may be a good idea if you're passing through areas where water is scarce. When you're in ares where water is plentiful, the jug would add a little extra bulk but no noticeable weight.

[Burton]

Just from those photos its clear why its sparcely populated - no snow or vegetation in some areas. I'm thinking water will be a major issue on a couple of those legs. Looks like you've been planning this for a while - how much liquid do you anticipate per day and how far will you anticipate getting without a source?

[Dan The Man]

I am a proponent of minimal gear, so I think you are bat**** crazy to lug even half that much stuff around, but I'm sure a lot of people think you're crazy for riding your bike on a trip like this. I'm sure you will have an adventure either way.

[Jude]

I can't imagine lugging all that stuff without a trailer. How about a BOB Ibex? I'm also paranoid about water after my experiences backpacking in the desert (and in very hot non-desert places) and I feel like the ability to lug a large amount of water on a trailer would be comforting me on a huge trip like yours.

[Burton]

OK So lets compare some experiences. I normally figure 4 liters per 100 km which is about a days drive loaded. Thats already adding 4 kg per day between water stops so I usually limit things to 6 liters over a maximum two day stretch and hydrate well before starting out. But thats only a couple hundred km between water stops and I tend to avoid travelling in really hot weather. I can't imagine having to lug an additional 20 to 30 kg to do a 500 km stretch. On top of everything else.

Whats the furthest any of you have gone between water stops? And how did you tackle it?

[Dan The Man]

OK So lets compare some experiences. I normally figure 4 liters per 100 km which is about a days drive loaded. Thats already adding 4 kg per day between water stops so I usually limit things to 6 liters over a maximum two day stretch and hydrate well before starting out. But thats only a couple hundred km between water stops and I tend to avoid travelling in really hot weather. I can't imagine having to lug an additional 20 to 30 kg to do a 500 km stretch. On top of everything else.

Whats the furthest any of you have gone between water stops? And how did you tackle it?

Went about 70 miles in Kansas in August without water. I discarded my reserve water bottle after leaving the desert thinking I wouldn't need it. Forgot to fill up at the last town, and didn't realize how empty Kansas could be. I counted off the miles and drank the dregs from some of the discarded pop bottles on the side of the road. Watch out for the yellow Pepsi!

Similar thing happened before in Colorado, just a big stretch between towns. I finished the last mouthful of my water with dinner and camped by the train tracks. I was so thirsty though that I couldn't sleep, and rode around at night looking for some water. Eventually I put in an ipod and managed to not think about how thirsty I was and fell asleep. The next morning it was about 30 or so miles to the nearest well, but my thirst wasn't nearly as bad as the night for some reason.

I also think I had about 30 miles in the really hot low desert of southern Arizona, where a refill spot I had planned on didn't pan out. It was a water treatment plant, but apparently you can't get water there. I didn't run out of water, but the 1.5 L that I had was stretched pretty thin.

[Burton]

Lets bump this up. We need some people to share experiences on water requirements and stratagies. This cyclist is planning some serious distance and won't last the first week if dehydration becomes an issue. Please post your own experiences and stratagies with long distance hydration requirements. How far did you go / how much did you need / how did you plan it / how did it work out.

[bicyclridr4life]

Henderson/Las Vegas, NV I carried a 2.5 gallon plastic just strapped to top of rear rack plus 3 bottles and a 2 liter of Dew in the panniers. I also stopped at the 7-11's for Gator-Aid when it was 110 in the shade.

[positron]

the extrawheel trailers would be the best option for a trailer. Same size wheel as the rest of the vehicle, and I believe they can be used with a second rear wheel...? even if not, it constitutes a second rim and front hub. If I were riding this route i would consider one seriously.

For water storage, MSR dromedary bags are unbeatable. they can be left empty most of the time and are compact and lightweight, but will give you a large volume for long stretches. They also make good pillows at night.

given the high arid conditions, I would also consider ultralight down sweaters with hoods from the likes of montbell. I have one that is the weight of a t-shirt and packs to the size of a baseball, but it is unbelievably warm in dry cold. useless if it gets wet, but under a rain shell a good versatile solution. Im talking about the 800 and 900 fill power types... better than fleece considering weight and bulk.

[azesty]

Tomorrow I am going on a test ride with some friends. The route I have picked is a nice one, about 70 km round trip. There are about 4 km of rough potholed roads, and about 5 km of steep climbing, but on nice roads.

I have most things now, though there are a few things missing. Largest things are two spare tyres, Schwalbe Mondials, which will be here in a couple of weeks. I will just pack an extra couple of litres of water.

I have just finished packing. All of it fits on my bike, and in fact may be lighter than I carried when I packed everything for two people on my bike for a short tour with a lot of climbing last summer. We went from 2500 m to 4300 m. With the low gearing a Surly LHT offers it wasnt difficult. Summer is a good time for a test ride, as it means all my cold/wet weather gear will be packed away. I dont need to test how that stuff works as I know that sort of kit and have bought some good quality stuff, a North Face 900 down jacket, a Macpac gortex jacket, and a few other warm bits.

Tomorrow should be fun. I will take 3 liters of water on the frame, and 3 more in the big bag across the back rack.

You should be able to see the bike fully loaded from last summers trip in the link in my sig.

z

[djb]

Have a good test ride, will check out the cgoab journal. What sort of weight does the stuff add up to now?
Cheers

[djb]

Ps, I only took a proper look at the photo of your bike now, and realized my mistake about your shifters, I had read sti and thought "brifters", but with your bars they must be trigger shifters. My mistake.

[flippant]

I see you're in Chengdu. I'm currently living in Longquan, a township (of 300,000 people) to the southeast of the city.

As it happens, I'm doing a bicycle tour as well, but in the United States, not China. Fancy catching up for a beer?

[azesty]

I see you're in Chengdu. I'm currently living in Longquan, a township (of 300,000 people) to the southeast of the city.

As it happens, I'm doing a bicycle tour as well, but in the United States, not China. Fancy catching up for a beer?

That would be great. PM sent.

I have been to Longquan a few time. The ridge that you sit at the foot of has been a favorite place for day rides, and I will be riding up that tomorrow, but a fair bit to the southeast of you, about halfway between you and Tian Fu Da Dao, the extension of Rem Min Nan Lu.

Love that area, lots of single lane new concrete roads through lovely farmland.

Have a good test ride, will check out the cgoab journal. What sort of weight does the stuff add up to now?
Cheers

Not sure about the weight, dont have any scales. Might swing by the school on the way home as there are a set of scales in the lab I can use.

z

[azesty]

Woops

[saddlesores]

longest distance without water? about 350 km in western australia, 105 degrees.
carried two large bottles in cages, plus 10 2-liter soda bottles in the bob. just
enough for 2-1/2 days (drinking water off the tuna fish at night).

what elevation will you be riding at?

originally wanted to use one of the 20L expando-bags, but worried about a leak
going unnoticed. soda bottles easy to find, can discard as you go along.

do carry a spare tire for the bob, can be zip-tied underneath. those small tires
don't last long. and the bob wheel is kinda crappy. be prepared to repack the
bearings along the way.

[gamecock]

Having never traveled that part of the world I am hesitant to argue with your list. Your research/experience should indicate to you what to carry. I never get out of sight of my home county without duct tape and zip ties. Good luck is my only comment.

[azesty]

Went for a 70 km ride today.

All my gear packs in easily, and though I am missing two spare tyres and a few other small things, I added an extra jacket, carried 4.5 liters of water, and 4 extra knicks, I still had room to spare for a couple of days basic food.

Didnt go on very rough roads, but did a little climbing, a km of steep section, no problems. The low gear on my LHT made it easy.

New bars with double wrap, outer layer Brooks leather tape, were great.

Happy with the setup.

Only a couple of months to go now! Yay!!!

z