jhawk

Hi All,

I thought I'd get a bit of input from the community here on my packing list for my cross-country trip in 2015. (Across Canada - and probably beyond. Definitely want to see the world!) In the hopes of getting some perspective on what others have taken on similar journeys of similar scope and length. In addition to what I'm missing, what I need to chop, what I can do without, etc...

Anyway, the link is below. And feel free to go ham on 'er!

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets...CieWQXrIA/edit

Thanks,

Jack.

Cyclebum

Ditch the heavy, bulky jeans for a pair of wind pants. Never leave home without a pocket knife, duct tape, and cable ties. A pair of light water shoes can be handy off bike(or on, with platform pedals.)

A couple of pre-tour overnighters will help sort it all out. If in doubt, don't take it, unless the psychological comfort of having it outweighs the extra drag.

Northwestrider

+1 you have time for a couple of short trips, take advantage of it. Make sure you are able to do at least some bike maintenance as well. Chain, flats , and spokes for example

mm718

Jack-

Looks like your list is coming together. A few suggestions:

--What are the carabiners for? Can you get buy with one or none?
--I know you are a writer but there is a lot of redundancy with your electronics. Can you narrow this down?
--2 jerseys instead of 4
--1 pair of underwear total for off bike instead of 4. 1 pair shorts liners for on-bike.
---1 SS t-shirt instead of 3
--1 LS- shirt instead of 3
--You don't need cargo shorts with convertible pants
--No jeans. Very heavy and your convertible pants are enough.
--No toiletry case. Freezer bag instead--lighter and easier to find stuff.
--Going to 2 panniers only will save almost 5 lbs.

--Add one more tube
--Bug spray?


Will you encounter any cold temps? If so, you might want long underwear bottoms, an ultralight down jacket, and knit cap.

nun

Do you need a smartphone, tablet and netbook? How will you keep them all charged?

You have far too much clothing. I'd leave 75% of it behind.

As a comparison here is my packing list

Lightweight Touring Gear List Redux. | The Wheels of Chance

jhawk

Hi MM, thanks for your response - and all responses thus far. I will try to answer your questions to the best of my ability.

1. The carabiners are for my Hennessy Hammock set up, using those and slap-straps when hanging the hammock to the tree. Here are some pictures of my father's Hennessy set up, which I will replicate.



2. I can probably narrow it down to just my cell phone and tablet. But, I'm not sure whether I would want to - for example, carrying a laptop enables me to work more efficiently and faster on my freelance writing jobs, thereby increasing productivity and cash flow. The laptop does everything my tablet does, but with the tablet you have a smaller keyboard, less battery life, etc. As for my phone, my currently one is a POS and on it's way out. Maybe once I upgrade my phone (Currently own a Samsung Galaxy S), I'll be able to hack out the laptop and use just my tablet and phone because a newer phone will have greater capabilities. I don't know right now. Something to iron out, for sure.

3. Two - gotcha. I'm not expecting to experience super cold weather, but I'm unsure, I will probably end up taking my Merino Wool jersey that I was given to review by an American company and wear that if it gets chilly. Other than that, I have a long-sleeved jersey and a short sleeved jersey.

4. Gotcha. Might I ask why so few pairs?

As for the rest of it - understood. I will play around with it and see what I can cut off.

Definitely need bug spray - damn mosquitoes eat me alive enough as it is!

One thing that I should also note is that I'll be doing volunteering as well, with WWOOF as well as hopefully, HelpX, too. So, that is something to consider in my packing, I'll want an extra t-shirt that isn't a riding jersey if I'm going to be doing farm/garden type work, and the same goes for HelpX-type work.

Cheers for your reply and suggestions.

Jack.

mm718

Ah, yes you will need those carabiners It's good that you are thinking about options for narrowing down your electronics....

Regarding clothes, they are very heavy and bulky and I would be surprised if you didn't send a bunch home (assuming you start out with this packing list). I think I could get by one one jersey and one cotton shirt for off-bike but it's probably more common to have 2 riding shirts. It might be nice to have a second cotton shirt for variety given the home stays and work you'll be doing but beyond that seems excessive to me. With shorts liners underwear is unnecessary. Each days jersey and shorts liners can be washed in sinks and mostly dried overnight... I've also gone multiple days without washing my jersey and that's worked out fine. Some people believe that it's crucial to wash shorts every night to avoid saddle sores but I haven't had any problems wearing them a couple days in row without washing. If you lay them out in the sun UV rays will kill germs.

The jeans would be an extravagance IMHO as would the cargo shorts but everyone differs as to what's important for them and there's no one way to do this. No matter what you choose you'll be fine because you'll have the freedom to dial in your set-up as you go sending stuff home if desired. I think with a lighter load you'll enjoy yourself more. Simplicity, elegance--less stuff to keep track of, fiddle with, pack/unpack. maintain, repair...

at_hiker59

I use 2 very lightweight Easton tent stakes instead of 'biners.
A tube of Petroleum Jelly (Vaseline) or similar product for your bum. Petroleum jelly is also good for starting a fire.
I agree with the others on less clothing.

staehpj1

It isn't a very good list for us to work with for the following reasons:
1. It is probably incomplete. For example you list a stove, but not cookware of any sort. There are undoubtedly other omissions. Socks for example.
2. You are not specific about brands, models, or weights. For example sleeping pad could be a 6 ounce pad or a 6 pound one. You really need to be specific and list weights. Camp towel could be washcloth sized or beach towel sized weight differences can be huge. A washcloth sized microfiber car washing rag is a good choice. They are light, effective, and dirt cheap.

Given that I will still comment on a few items.

Electronics... Smartphone, tablet, and netbook? How about just a smartphone? Some of the bigger ones like the Galaxy Note are almost a tablet. At very least skip one of the three.

You have way to many clothes listed. One set of on bike and one set of off bike have worked for me. Two sets if you must, but 4 jerseys is way over the top. So are three tee shirts and three long sleeved shirts one of each of those is plenty. You can rinse out bike clothes when you get to camp every day if you want but every few days is fine IMO. If they don't dry putting them on damp isn't the end of the world.

Consider ditching the underwear and taking a pair of running shorts with a built in brief. That can be your off bike shorts, sleepwear, swim wear, and underwear. They rinse out well and dry very quickly so I find one enough, but a couple pairs is still only a few ounces (mine weigh 3.9 oz per pair).

Skip the jeans. They are heavy and take forever to dry.

Machka 

The list does look a bit incomplete.

But regarding the clothes ... never bring jeans on a tour. Why? They are bulky and take way too long to dry. Everything you bring should be lightweight and quick drying. When you go shopping, before you try things on, roll them up as small as possible. If the result is something still quite large and bulky, put it back and try something else.

And as I mentioned in another thread, aim for 2 purposes for each item. Wicking T-shirts instead of jerseys. Long-sleeve merino top instead of a long-sleeve jersey. Etc.

Machka 

Have a look at my clothing suggestions in this thread. They are somewhat female-specific (I'm female, after all) but many of the suggestions would apply to anyone.

https://www.bikeforums.net/touring/95...ng-advice.html

Louis Le Tour

Not to mention a little tube of super glue.

Machka 

Regarding the electronics ... try to travel with one item. Remember the concept ... one item that does multiple duties. We opted to travel with netbooks because they did everything we needed. Skype to call home, Google to look up accommodations, photo-editing software for the multitude of photos I took, etc. etc. Then I brought a very small USB to back up photos etc.


And also remember that you're cycling through Canada and won't likely be more than a day's ride away from shops. You can buy stuff along the way.

For example, if you arrive at a place where you're going to do volunteer work for a few days, drop in at the local OP shop there (or along the way in the week prior), and buy a T-shirt for $1 ... wear it for your volunteer work, then throw it away or take it back to an OP shop, if it is still in decent shape. And repeat. That way you don't need to carry a bunch of T-shirts with you all the time.

You've got 10 tops on your list right now (4 jerseys, 3 short-sleeved T-shirts, 3 long-sleeved T-shirts) ... that's a lot! I'd drop it to 3 lightweight wicking T-shirts which can be worn on or off the bicycle, and 2 long-sleeve (merino or polypro) which can be worn on or off the bicycle. Then buy stuff along the way as needed.

indyfabz

If you will be riding in mountainous areas where there is a decent chance of cold rain, you might want something to keep your fingers warm. I was riding in MT last month and had to endure 2 25 mile descents in cold, wet weather. It even snowed a during one fo those descents. Consider at least a pair of light, polypro glove liners and maybe even something a bit warmer. You can always mail them home/to yoursef once that likelihood diminishes. And maybe arm and leg warmers.

And +1 for what mm718 wrote regarding some items noted. While I don't cary electronics other than a dumb phone and charger, I do put my toilet items in a freezer bag for the very reasons he notes. 1 SS shirt. 1 LS shirt. Convertible pants. Recently bought a very light pair from North Face. Jeans are a brick compared to them. For me, it's two pair of undies (brtiefs so they are light and not bulky.

jhawk

Hi Machka,

Brilliant, brilliant, and brilliant!

Love the idea of the OP shop purchases of t-shirts... Something I hadn't even considered! Also, what you're saying with the clothing makes so much sense! (This is why I love the internet!)

Thanks!

gregw

Most has been covered, but just a few.

Make sure you have a way to set-up your hammock on the ground as a tent, there will surely be camp sites with no trees or rules against using them.

Bring a spare folding tire incase of a sidewall cut.

3 large water bottles.

I will rock the boat on the clothes count. Hand washing daily gets really old, really fast and produces marginal results. I carried 4 sets of riding clothes and 2 off bike on my cross country, and when I go again, I'll probably increase that to 5, and do wash at a coin laundry once a week, bike maintenance while waiting on the dryer.

gregw

I should be more specific about the spare tire, I use the lightest folding tire for my rim size, it's only there to last a few days till a real touring tire can be shipped ahead of me. If my back tire blows, I would have to move my front to the back, so that the spare is up front.

MichaelW

2 inner tubes. they are mission critical.
I carry a tyre boot rather than spare tyre.

Multi-function clothing:
T shirt= ride, relax, sleep-wear. I use 1 cycle jersey.
Padded shorts x3. Wash, wear, dry.
socks, thick, thin: several.
thin shorts = lighter, smaller than cargo shorts.
Long tights/tracksters + thin polycotton trekking pants.

jhawk

Hi Greg,

There is a way to makeshift the Hennessy Hammock as a Tent. It's detailed here: Used as a Tent: Hennessy Hammock

Jseis 

I went Seattle -NY via Canada in '76. July 16-August 16. About 4000 miles.

That means from B.C. coast rain, to hot dry Cache Creek Kamloops west of Canadian Rockies, to sub freezing in Rockies (at night early morning), to hot dry across Canadian Great Plains, to boiling hot humidity Manitoba east including thunderstorms. You are crossing a friggin continent. That being said: I used an excellent bike poncho (built for cycling), wool cycling shorts, a tee shirt, light long sleeve shirt, sweater, long pants, helmet. cap, gloves, two pair of socks. That's it for clothing.

I took enough tools to do a complete bike tear down. Shipped 1/2 the tools home from Calgary and fenders (mistake...I should've kept the fenders). Had six flats, broke six spokes. I had no spare tube or tire. I'd carry a foldable spare tire & 1 tube. 1 home built tent to sleep 6 complete with bug screens. Bug spray..imperative. East of Calgary a sheet would've been perfect for sleeping. Svea 123 stove with small aluminum bottle.

My bike and I completely loaded weighed ~ 218-220. I weighed 153. One rear rack, one front handlebar bag. I carried about 38-40 pounds. Bike around 25 pounds.

We took advantage of 2nd hand stores to add clothing we forgot particularly as Rockies were cold. Most occasional touring cyclists rarely average over 12 mph so weight penalty is mostly what you are willing to pack up a hill. We cycled into evening many times as we stretched a bit to far on campsites. A battery LED head light would've helped. Wished I had upright bars as that would've made the view more fun.

You are making a trip of a lifetime. Enjoy! The memories will come back for decades and decades.

gregw

There you go, looks pretty easy, just might need some extra cord. I wouldn't tie to the bike because as soon as you do, you'll need your bike for something. :-)

Machka 

I do a rotation with my tops ... and wear them more than once. Top 1 is worn on the bicycle, Top 2 is worn off the bicycle. Top 3 is in reserve. Do that for 2-3 days, then "retire" Top 1 to the laundry section of my pannier. Top 2 becomes my on bicycle top, and Top 3 becomes my off bicycle top. Do that for 2-3 days, then "retire" Top 2 to the laundry section of my pannier. Top 3 becomes my on bicycle top ... and I start looking for a laundry, while wearing my sarong.

I don't handwash my clothes ... I just hang them out and let the breeze do its thing.

SparkyGA

Might gross a few of you people out, but you really only need one pair of underwear, cycling shorts and jersey for on the bike.

1 pair of convertible pants are a blessing. You can wear them in camp, swimming, extra layer on colder days, and they look pretty good in more formal settings.

Carry only 1 spare tube. Invest in better tires instead

10 Wheels

I quit using underwear 6 years ago.....You don't even need one pair.

3 spare tubes and two methods to add air is best.

BigAura

+1