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Looking for gear list input
I'm attempting to compile a gear list for a Pacific Coast tour that I'm starting in June. After doing a lot of thinking and studying other lists, I've come up with my own. I'm terrible at planning these sorts of things, and I know its really long, but I'd really appreciate it if some of you experienced self-sufficient tourers could take a look and tell me what you think.
A couple points: I plan on camping 95% of the time, with a couple stays at friends' house or hostels. I've also omitted all the stuff that is on the bike (panniers, water bottles, pump, etc). And my tent is heavier than I'd like, but its all I have. *********[some changes made already thanks to input!] Camping: tent - REI Hoodoo 3 sleeping bag - North Face Aleutian, 20F degree sleeping pad - Thermarest So-Lite pillow (sack w/ clothes in it) two waterproof compression sacks (for sleeping bag and stuff I want to keep dry) Other Camping: headlamp sunscreen chapstick multivitamins baby wipes travel towel soap/shampoo bathroom stuff (contacts, glasses, toothbrush, etc) Kitchen: stove - Trangia Mini fuel - denatured alcohol fuel storage container matches lighter P-38 (can opener) vietnamese coffee maker small spice set (garlic, cheyenne, salt/pepper) olive oil fork spoon knife small cutting board small scrubber dish soap water purification tablets Clothing: one rain jacket one shower cap (for head in the rain/saddle) one bandanna one fleece jacket two long sleeve base layer/thermal one pair rain pants one hat one beanie sunglasses one pair riding gloves two pairs padded bike briefs one pair shorts (on bike) one pair board shorts (off bike) one pair boxer shorts two cotton t-shirts one pair wool socks one pair shoe covers two pair cotton socks one pair shoes (regular shoes - using platform pedals) one pair flip-flops (for showers and beach) Bike tools/spares/etc: tubes x2 patch kit bike multi-tool presta valve adapters x2 spare spokes spoke wrench chain lube rag zip ties duct tape spare bolts, nuts Miscellaneous: maps (ACA) notepad pen digital camera camera battery charger laptop w/ cord reading material wallet cell phone cell phone charger trash bags (to keep stuff dry) rags ear plugs small first aid kit |
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I am no expert, but I did do a tour down the Pacific coast in parts of Sept / Oct last year. You are bringing way too much for my liking. More stuff = more weight, and with all those constant hills you will want to be as light as possible. Take a second look at all that clothing. Jeans are heavy and not necessary. You can eliminate alot of the redundant clothing and instead wash what you bring as often as possible. Tide makes single use laundry detergent sink packets that work great. Just bring a rubber sink stopper and wash clothes in any sink. Most campgrounds have sinks in bathrooms. You can also purchase something additional along the way if you need it like a T-shirt for $10 or $15 at a surf shop and then just throw it in the garbage if you don't want to keep it or wash it. You also won't need the 20 degree sleeping bag, especially with the fleece clothing you are bringing. I used a 1lb 50 degree bag with long johns and down vest and that worked perfect. Water purification is not needed. Water resupply is available usually in small towns commonly spaced every 10 to 30 miles. In fact, from Astoria to San Francisco I only carried more than one water bottle about once or maybe twice. Bring toilet paper, maybe this is an unmentionable that you already were assuming on taking. I have a no electronics rule while touring. It's just more weight to carry and life can be pretty good without for awhile. You are going to love that tour. It's absolutely beautiful!
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MWF - thanks, the clothing list is specifically what I'm trying to get whittled down. Since I'm leaving in early June, I'm expecting to be wet. The redundant clothes are more to make sure I have a dry set at all times - not necessarily clean. But I agree, I'm definitely going to have to get rid of some stuff. Maybe no boxer shorts? or wool socks? :P
and I agree, jeans shouldn't be on the list. Maybe I will pick up some lighter hiking-type pants or something? I don't own anything but jeans or shorts. electronics: I'm still not sure about the laptop - we'll see how heavy my bike is with/without it. But I'm definitely bringing my phone and camera. I already have the sleeping bag, so I can't change that. |
quick and dirty review:
headlight & flashlight are redundant, skip flashlight what is a p38? sporks suck, fork & spoon better rain jacket & poncho reduntant, skip poncho NO JEANS - too heavy, take forever to dry. light cotton or nylon pants. lots of guys like the zip-off leg ones what is the difference between a hat & a beanie - can you skip one? need long finger riding gloves, possibly toe covers what are you wearing on your legs if it's cold while you're riding? only 2 or 1 tee shirt only 2 cotton socks I would use quick-dry sythetic bike jerseys, looks like you're using t-shirts. make sure you have something to wear that when it rains, drys quickly or stays reasonably warm. some people like wool i'd take a 2nd long sleeve thermal-ish top for in camp when the first one is wet from riding in the rain one bandana are you riding in your one pair shoes? (no clipless? that's fine, otherwise, you forgot your bike shoes?) why do you need even one presta valve adaptor, i assume your pump is presta? how are you getting your cassette off if you break a drive-side spoke? fiberfix spoke, stein cracker, or chain whip (kidding about that last one) what is misc lube and can you use chain lube for it? add a brake cable skip the laptop if possible |
thanks valygrl - I made some more changes
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tip, do you have a tail light? There are several dark tunnels on the coast (with no shoulder to ride on) where your visibility to motorists can be greatly improved with a small blinking red light. The clip on kind work fine. Also lots of fog at times so it is useful to have it on in the middle of the day even.
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yep! I have headlight too.
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My input in red
Originally Posted by tip
(Post 12601162)
I'm attempting to compile a gear list for a Pacific Coast tour that I'm starting in June. After doing a lot of thinking and studying other lists, I've come up with my own. I'm terrible at planning these sorts of things, and I know its really long, but I'd really appreciate it if some of you experienced self-sufficient tourers could take a look and tell me what you think.
A couple points: I plan on camping 95% of the time, with a couple stays at friends' house or hostels. I've also omitted all the stuff that is on the bike (panniers, water bottles, pump, etc). And my tent is heavier than I'd like, but its all I have. *********[some changes made already thanks to input!] Camping: tent - REI Hoodoo 3 sleeping bag - North Face Aleutian, 20F degree sleeping pad - Thermarest So-Lite pillow (stuff sack w/ clothes in it) ditch it waterproof compression sack (for sleeping bag) ditch it Other Camping: headlight What is a headlight? are you cycling at night. Use your headlamp in an emergency sunscreen chapstick multivitamins baby wipes travel towel soap/shampoo bathroom stuff (contacts, glasses, toothbrush, etc) Kitchen: stove - Trangia Mini fuel - denatured alcohol fuel storage container matches redundant, you will be camping near other people. If your lighter doesn't work you won't die lighter cook-set P-38 (can opener) small spice set (garlic, cheyenne, salt/pepper) olive oil fork spoon knife small cutting board small scrubber dish soap water purification tablets (for emergency) unnecessary, lots of water along pacific coast, unpotable water is hard to find Clothing: one rain jacket one shower cap (for head in the rain) does your rain jacket have a hood? one bandanna one fleece jacket two long sleeve base layer/thermal one pair rain pants one hat one beanie sunglasses one pair riding gloves (my sailing gloves) two pairs padded bike briefs two pair shorts (one for on-bike, one off) that makes 3 shorts for the bike, could do it with 2 instead two pairs boxer shorts two cotton t-shirts one pair wool socks one pair waterproof socks two pair cotton socks one pair shoes (regular shoes - using platform pedals) one pair board shorts more shorts? one pair flip flops (for showers and beach) Bike tools/spares/etc: tubes x2 folding tire patch kit bike multi-tool presta valve adapters x2 why 2? never have needed to use 1 before, 2 seem excessive spare spokes spoke wrench chain lube rag zip ties duct tape hope it's not a whole roll, just wrap up a bit spare bolts, nuts brake pads Miscellaneous: maps (ACA) notepad pen digital camera camera battery charger laptop w/ cord reading material (a good book that I haven't read) if you want to read, keep trading your book with others or with coffee shops on the road wallet cell phone cell phone charger trash bags (to keep stuff dry) towel rags ear plugs small first aid kit |
Pretty similar to my self-sufficient load BUT.
The Trangia comes with 1 pot. If you need 2 pots for more advanced recipies then a Trangia 27 is better. I took the smallest wooden spoon and 2 sporks. My cutting board was the thin flexy type, a useful food prep surface, I also took a small paring knife with a guard for food use. I use some plastic waterproof storage boxes for culinaries and ziplocks for pasta/rice etc. Small olive oil sprays are good and make economical use of oil. Matches, lighter and water purification tables are light and small and useful, I take them all. If you expect rain then put clothes and electricals in a drybag, the nylon type is sufficient, you dont need heavyweight welded construction. Take 3 bike shorts and 1 pr normal shorts, quick drying eg polyester. You can use them as swimming, casual use or over your bike shorts if needed. I would use 2 merino or technical T shirts, 1-2 cycling jerseys but only 1 long-sleeve jersey. I prefer quick-dry synthetic slip style underwear to boxers but thats personal. I prefer Teva sandals to flip flops, better walkability around campsites and safer. Use a waterproof and a separate flyweight windproof. The windproof is much better to ride in, up to light showers. In the cold, you can use both together for quite good insulation. My sleeping mat got a leak and I could never find it. I used a 3/4 mat + a small length of closed-cell foam for my feet. After the leak, I put the foam mat at the top. The foam was useful for a sitting mat and was pretty trashed by the end. You will need a cassette tool for spoke replacement, I use the NBT2. It cant remove a workshop-tight lockring so tighten it a number of clicks (6-7) so you can remove it with the tool. Use your shower cap on the saddle every night. Do you need to carry a laptop? Its a heavy overhead. You can text (SMS) home to say you are OK. You can take extra memory cards for storage (hint dont put all your pix on one card) and upload at libraries along the way. Can you combine the phone and camera charger ie a USB spec? Some solar chargers have USB power output. |
Originally Posted by tip
(Post 12601162)
I'm attempting to compile a gear list for a Pacific Coast tour that I'm starting in June.
Edit: I'd ditch anything made of cotton, unless you're planning to stop at a laundromat when you need to wash stuff. Synthetics dry much faster and make hand-washing stuff in a sink practical. |
It sounds like you are taking more clothes than necessary. Also I would advise not taking anything cotton. It takes forever to dry and is pretty uncomfortable when wet. I would skip the underwear too. Personally I would also skip the laptop.
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fire starter
I'd lose the matches in favor of a firesteel for lighting a trangia. Don't have to worry about it getting wet or running out of them!
Russ www.pathlesspedaled.com |
hope this helps.
Russ www.pathlesspedaled.com one rain jacket one shower cap (for head in the rain) -lose the shower cap one bandanna - would trade for a wool buff, more multipurpose one fleece jacket two long sleeve base layer/thermal - cut to one pair of wool ones and you can rewear without them stinking one pair rain pants one hat one beanie - bring either the hat or the beanie, or use a wool Buff to cover your ears sunglasses one pair riding gloves (my sailing gloves) two pairs padded bike briefs two pair shorts (one for on-bike, one off) - get one pair of multipurpose shorts two pairs boxer shorts two cotton t-shirts - would get one wool short sleeve. one pair wool socks one pair waterproof socks - two pair cotton socks one pair shoes (regular shoes - using platform pedals) - would get a pair of Keen sandals, good foot support, dries fast, can be used in water/shower...would let you get rid of waterproof socks, flip flops, etc., one pair board shorts one pair flip flops (for showers and beach) - don't need these if you have Keens |
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This is our list for touring on our tandem, with weights. This list was designed for touring from 45° and raining on up to warm and sunny, and includes minimal townie clothes. Next tour, wife will have a synthetic tunic, and we'd add light booties. Those are the only things we'd change/add. Note that the weight includes everything on the bike except bottles and cages, and it's for two people.
The trick to touring in poor weather is not to have anything that's cotton, and use wool for socks only. You'll have to wear the socks to bed to dry them. Everything else will dry in the tent by morning. We use a down bag even for rainy weather camping, partly because it's so breathable that we can easily dry stuff in it. We use a good waterproof pad to sleep on, and a large enough tent so that the bag does not touch the tent walls or the tub floor anywhere, and which does not leak, and which also has room in it to store and dry stuff. The tent specs are very important. Many people use a tent that's too small, trying to save a pound. It's not worth it. We also use several waterproof compression sacks, very important. One for dirty/wet, one for clean/dry, one for stuff you'll put on and off during the day, making it 5 sacks between us. Everything goes to and from the tent already in waterproof sacks. The running shoes are Goretex. |
P-38 Can opener, best in lightweight. http://www.amazon.com/GI-P-38-Can-Op...uct/B000EGHWXS
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Might help to know where you're planning to start and end as well as how long you think the trip will take. I'd lose the matches in favor of a firesteel for lighting a trangia. Don't have to worry about it getting wet or running out of them! We also use several waterproof compression sacks, very important. |
Something to consider, just about every pepsi can alcohol stove I've made is not only significantly lighter (by a factor of 10 or so) than a Trangia burner, they also burn more efficiently. I know it's only 100 grams or so, but it comes at no cost, and you actually get a better burner out of it.
If you don't want to invest in a new tent, but still want something lighter, you can try buying a 9X9 bit of Tyvek and using it as a tarp. Tarp camping is a bit different than tent camping, you have to be pickier about site location. You do however get great weight savings, my bit of tyvek with tie out loops cost me maybe $15 in materials, and only weights 500 grams. Ditch outright the towel and rags, you can make due without them, I don't think you'll need brake pads, they don't fail suddenly. For clothing, think about it in terms of functionality. I usually bring one rain garment, one insulation garment, and two base layers. I might be generous with socks, but I rarely find the need for more than that. Long fingered bike gloves can double as insulation. |
You could easily lose ten pounds of stuff, but it'll cost you:rolleyes: Even if you ignored all of us and left with the kit you're currently planning to take, I'm sure you'll have a blast. But since you asked...
Camping: tent - REI Hoodoo 3 - Tarptent instead. Save weight and space. sleeping bag - North Face Aleutian, 20F degree - Get a summer bag (+/- 35 deg.) sleeping pad - Thermarest So-Lite pillow (stuff sack w/ clothes in it) waterproof compression sack (for sleeping bag) Other Camping: headlight sunscreen chapstick - I'd ditch this and pick it up if necessary. multivitamins - Probably not necessary. baby wipes - You have a hanky and soap, why would you need these? travel towel soap/shampoo bathroom stuff (contacts, glasses, toothbrush, etc) Kitchen: stove - Trangia Mini fuel - denatured alcohol fuel storage container matches - Unnecessary. lighter cook-set - A pot with a lid is enough. P-38 (can opener) - These are handy! small spice set (garlic, cheyenne, salt/pepper) olive oil fork spoon knife small cutting board small scrubber dish soap - You're already bringing soap. Unnecessary. water purification tablets (for emergency) - Unnecessary. Clothing: one rain jacket one shower cap (for head in the rain) - Unnecessary. one bandanna one fleece jacket - A synthetic or down jacket will be lighter and less bulky. two long sleeve base layer/thermal - Bring one merino wool long sleeve. one pair rain pants one hat one beanie sunglasses one pair riding gloves (my sailing gloves) two pairs padded bike briefs two pair shorts (one for on-bike, one off) two pairs boxer shorts - Only one if any at all. two cotton t-shirts - Merino wool tops would be better. one pair wool socks - Two pair wool socks. one pair waterproof socks - I'd prefer waterproof booties. Keeps the shoes dry too. two pair cotton socks - Unnecessary. one pair shoes (regular shoes - using platform pedals) one pair board shorts - Unnecessary. one pair flip flops (for showers and beach) No lightweight pants? No knee/leg warmers? Bike tools/spares/etc: tubes x2 folding tire - Unnecessary. patch kit bike multi-tool presta valve adapters x2 - Unnecessary. spare spokes spoke wrench chain lube rag zip ties duct tape spare bolts, nuts brake pads - Unnecessary. Miscellaneous: maps (ACA) notepad pen digital camera camera battery charger laptop w/ cord - iPad or other tablet device? reading material (a good book that I haven't read) wallet cell phone - Unnecessary. cell phone charger - Unnecessary. trash bags (to keep stuff dry) towel - Another towel? You have a bandana and a travel towel already. Unnecessary. rags ear plugs small first aid kit |
You should always carry and use chapstick.
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Originally Posted by 10 Wheels
(Post 12606682)
You should always carry and use chapstick.
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Originally Posted by niknak
(Post 12606692)
Unless you never get chapped lips.
Edit: I realise how odd that sounds... |
Originally Posted by niknak
(Post 12606645)
You could easily lose ten pounds of stuff, but it'll cost you:rolleyes: Even if you ignored all of us and left with the kit you're currently planning to take, I'm sure you'll have a blast. But since you asked...
Camping: tent - REI Hoodoo 3 - Tarptent instead. Save weight and space. sleeping bag - North Face Aleutian, 20F degree - Get a summer bag (+/- 35 deg.) sleeping pad - Thermarest So-Lite pillow (stuff sack w/ clothes in it) waterproof compression sack (for sleeping bag) Other Camping: headlight sunscreen chapstick - I'd ditch this and pick it up if necessary. multivitamins - Probably not necessary. baby wipes - You have a hanky and soap, why would you need these? travel towel soap/shampoo bathroom stuff (contacts, glasses, toothbrush, etc) Kitchen: stove - Trangia Mini fuel - denatured alcohol fuel storage container matches - Unnecessary. lighter cook-set - A pot with a lid is enough. P-38 (can opener) - These are handy! small spice set (garlic, cheyenne, salt/pepper) olive oil fork spoon knife small cutting board small scrubber dish soap - You're already bringing soap. Unnecessary. water purification tablets (for emergency) - Unnecessary. Clothing: one rain jacket one shower cap (for head in the rain) - Unnecessary. one bandanna one fleece jacket - A synthetic or down jacket will be lighter and less bulky. two long sleeve base layer/thermal - Bring one merino wool long sleeve. one pair rain pants one hat one beanie sunglasses one pair riding gloves (my sailing gloves) two pairs padded bike briefs two pair shorts (one for on-bike, one off) two pairs boxer shorts - Only one if any at all. two cotton t-shirts - Merino wool tops would be better. one pair wool socks - Two pair wool socks. one pair waterproof socks - I'd prefer waterproof booties. Keeps the shoes dry too. two pair cotton socks - Unnecessary. one pair shoes (regular shoes - using platform pedals) one pair board shorts - Unnecessary. one pair flip flops (for showers and beach) No lightweight pants? No knee/leg warmers? Bike tools/spares/etc: tubes x2 folding tire - Unnecessary. patch kit bike multi-tool presta valve adapters x2 - Unnecessary. spare spokes spoke wrench chain lube rag zip ties duct tape spare bolts, nuts brake pads - Unnecessary. Miscellaneous: maps (ACA) notepad pen digital camera camera battery charger laptop w/ cord - iPad or other tablet device? reading material (a good book that I haven't read) wallet cell phone - Unnecessary. cell phone charger - Unnecessary. trash bags (to keep stuff dry) towel - Another towel? You have a bandana and a travel towel already. Unnecessary. rags ear plugs small first aid kit Oh and brake pads can fail kind of suddenly. I had that happen on the TA in Kentucky and it would have been impossible to ride without brakes there. My daughter managed to pretty much melt a set of pads in Virginia on a crazy steep descent. That said on the coast there is no need to carry pads. If you start out with a reasonably fresh set you will not wear them out on this trip and there are enough bike shops along the way that you could buy some if they looked iffy. |
Originally Posted by niknak
(Post 12606692)
Unless you never get chapped lips.
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Originally Posted by thestoutdog
(Post 12605808)
P-38 Can opener, best in lightweight. http://www.amazon.com/GI-P-38-Can-Op...uct/B000EGHWXS
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