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Old 04-16-10 | 06:56 PM
  #51  
Greg_R
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Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 646
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From: Portland, OR

Bikes: Surly LHT set up for commuting

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
tights
vest
shower cap for helmet cover
reflective vest

Off-bike clothes:
fleece jacket You already have a rain coat and long sleeve jersey. A thick insulating layer (breathable) should be enough. Jackets come with heavy zippers, snaps, etc.... just get a pull-over (wool, thick polypro, etc.).
thermals (top and bottom) must have for this time of year see above. If it is always cold then get 2 warm sets of clothes, otherwise carry one. Right now you have thermals, long sleeve jerseys, jackets, vests, etc.
capris
thin t-shirt
(didn't bring sneakers but I really regretted it and will be this time) shoes are heavy. Crocs are very lightweight and are almost as good as shoes.

Kitchen:
OK, way too much kitchen gear. You have a water bottle for your bike and you should have 1 pot for your meals (prepare/cook for 1 pot). Eat from the pot. Fork, Spoon, multi-tool (bike repair, can opener & knife for eating). By the way, cans are extremely heavy, you should be able to avoid them with careful shopping (tuna comes in foil pouches now, etc.). I think your main issue is that you are cooking like you are at home. You can make very delicious 1-pot meals with all the prep work being done ahead of time. If you really want to shave pounds then look into "Pepsi can stoves" instead of traditional fuel stoves. Also, I prefer hurricane matches over a lighter in case I need to start a wood fire.
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 what tent are you using? There are light ones and heavy ones. The same goes for your mattress and sleeping bag
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 Heavy, but if you have a rodent or bear issue then you'll need it for food storage
clothes pins
headlamp
camp towel Small plastic garden trowel, something lightweight

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...Large gauze pad and tape, needle & suture thread, -real- pain killer, Advil, blister care kit, asprin for heart issues, Benadryl (allergic reactions), antiseptic wipes, & personal meds. Anything else will stop bleeding. Your goal with the first aid kit is to get to safety if you have a major medical problem. For minor medical problems they will work themselves out with Advil.

Toieltries: (items were travel size when possible)
ditch the deodorant and nail clippers (your multi-tool should have small scissors or a file for clipping a sharp nail edge). I'm not sure about needing the hairbrush (I have short hair so I don't bring one).
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:
The previously mentioned multi-tool, tire levers, & pump. Cell phone if you are riding in an area with reception.
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 Maps are lighter & don't need batteries
compact charger for the three above items consider alkaline batteries for the camera & replace along the route as needed
wallet What do you need from this? Drivers license, 1 CC, and some cash... no need to haul everything else around
tiny little pad of paper as a journal don't forget a golf pencil
cable lock (will definitely be bringing again) HEAVY but if you think it's a requirement...

Keep in mind, a few ounces here and there will soon add up to a few pounds
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