On my tour last fall I had an offer to help me pare down my weight by a guy who carries only a handlebar bag, a single rear pannier and a small dry bag on the rear rack. He did inspire me to leave my sneakers behind before setting out but that was the only thing I left and I really regretted that. The whole week I rode with him, I didn't take him up on the offer, mostly becasue I was embarrassed about bringing SOO much stuff, but especially my extensive first aid kit. I really wish I would have had him go through my stuff so at least could have benefitted from his experience and knowledge.
If I am able to pare down the weight I am having to ship to UT for a possible 8-10 day bike tour this fall, I may be able to afford to go. So I'm looking for help. I know I took too much with me last year so I know it's possible to pare down but I feel attached to everything I took so I need help.
I can't afford to replace items with the same type of item that is lighter so that's not what I'm asking about. I just want you to tell me what I might be able to ditch for this weeklong tour. This is the list of what I took last year. We had weather ranging from 30 degrees to the 90's, rain and hail so a wide range of clothes was needed.
Bike clothes:
2 jerseys
2 shorts
2 pairs of socks
biking shoes
2 pairs of underwear (top and bottom each)
rain coat
rain pants
rain gloves (not willing to leave any of the rain gear...I had to use it almost every day)
fingerless gloves
long sleeved jersey
vest
tights
shower cap for helmet cover
reflective vest
Off-bike clothes:
fleece jacket
thermals (top and bottom) must have for this time of year
capris
thin t-shirt
(didn't bring sneakers but I really regretted it and will be this time)
Kitchen:
stove
lighter
2 pots
collapsible bowl
collapsible cup
fork
spoon
knife
can opener (small scout kind)
folding spoon for cooking
small plate
2 Platypus bags (had to use both a couple times)
sharp knife (decided to leave that at home this time since the other knife will work)
cutting board
Camp:
tent
sleeping pad & mat (can't sleep without both so not willing to part with one or the other)
small couch pillow (same as above...clothes in a stuff sack doesn't cut it)
sleeping bag
silk liner
rope for hanging clothes to dry and food off the ground
clothes pins
headlamp
camp towel
First aid kit...I wont list what all I took but let's say that it weighed in at 4 lbs so I want to know what the average first aid kit consists of because I want to pare this down. I'm thinking that allergry medicine, allergy eye drops, advil for sure but what else should I definitely have? What does a road rash kit that most people take with them have in it? I had a horrible crash with bad road rash so I was carrying everything I needed to take care of it like I did at home but obviously that's overkill...
Toieltries: (items were travel size when possible)
hairbrush
tooth brush
tooth paste
deodorant
sunscreen
chap stick
lotion (well, I didn't bring it last time but won't go without it again)
floss baby wipes
multipurpose soap
nail clippers
toilet paper
Tools:
So I won't list what I brought here either...but the people I was with had more than enough tools so I'm just going to be bringing the stuff necessary to change/fix a tube and a multi tool to make minor adjustments in case I have trouble and they're not around.
Misc:
phone
camera
Garmin bike computer
compact charger for the three above items
wallet
tiny little pad of paper as a journal
cable lock (will definitely be bringing again)
Ok, now convince me why I should leave certain things at home...but leave the things alone that I have stated that I have to have because I won't go without them no matter how much weight/bulk it saves.
Tiff
