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Old 04-14-14 | 03:23 AM
  #8  
MassiveD
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Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,441
Likes: 4
Your tool list might be perfect, but I always say, look at everything on the bike you know how to fix, and could fix on the road, and then match your tools to your bike. A generic multitool may not have the specific stuff you need, and many of them have useless extra weight. Sometimes you need two of something to make certain adjustments. When buying bike parts, I will pay extra for the one that is completely serviceable with small L alan wrenches. For me, all that stuff fits in the palm of my hand. On one Occasion I carried a fairly large pedal wrench, because my return trip required the removal of the pedals.

I always carry a quick stick for removing tires, and a road morph pump for inflating them. Along with patches, you will almost enjoy patching holes, should you get any.

I agree about stuff like deodorant, excess clothes. I fall into the group that holds that one should have a real lock, and better still, never leave the bike alone. You will have thousands of dollars of stuff in your bike and quite possibly have nothing if you have it stolen, camera passport, wallet, and all your gear, and changes of clothes could be gone. You can carry everything indoors with you, but it gets pretty cumbersome. Wheel your bike into big box stores, so far, nobody has objected.

A light option for raingear is a bike poncho with chaps, however, they are hard to find these days. Having some kind of top quality rain gear is key. Rain is the worst thing about touring.

I occasionally have real trouble with my neck, and I use speacialty pillows at home. I have never needed a pillow on the road. If it is cold, I carry a pile jacket. There are lighter options, but a pile jacket makes a great pillow, and stays warm if you get wet. I just ball some clothes up and stuff them under my head.

I do the front light is my flashlight thing. Actually around home I use a flashlight as my bike light, I hold it between my fingers. I can point at cars that are off to the side. But on tour, I want all the crap the cops might ask about, if they got shirty. So I have a bell, and I have a front light. In some places lights have to be on bikes even in daylight, never heard that around here, but how would I know about the next town over.

If I am travelling in areas with stores, I don't carry cooking gear or fire gear. The body is happier with un-cooked food, and if it is readily available, it saves a lot of weight and wasted time. Also, you can only really use that stuff in designated campgrounds. Your not welcome to camp on my property, but I won't hold it against you. Light any fire, even a candle, you are not welcome.
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