The following is from my original list of things to pack for the tour. Some of the items I actually took, some of the items I never brought, some of the items I sent ahead instead of carrying. I've made many notes about my experiences with these items in hopes that it will be useful for others planning a long tour. LISTS OF ITEMS FOR ME TO PACK ============================= ITEMS FOR SAFETY ---------------- headlamp - found a used NiteRider dual-lamp unit (much more lamp than I wanted, but was a great buy); very nice, sturdy design; - many places to put the water-bottle-battery; best down low, under downtube. - mounted lamp on reflector bracket, underneath aero-bars; `twas difficult figuring how to mount; aero-bars are nice to have (see below) but don't leave much room to mount anything else up there. - proved necessary for several reasons: [1] for getting back to the camp after an evening at the pub, etc. [2] for getting through the Glennwood Canyon at 10pm. (but still didn't prevent the mule-deer from bounding out of the darkness and scaring the living daylights out of us). [3] for being seen on the road during bad weather. - If you think there's not much difference between these lamps and the little self-contained Cateye-style lamps, you're completely wrong. Those really suck in comparison. maps & phone number lists - make sure you exchange vital information with your travel partners before you start the tour, including medical info, emergency contacts, and people/places as `checkpoints' on your schedule (in case you get separated -- yes, it happened on the last day of our tour; got lost finding my aunt's house). - brought too many maps; the AAA books were mostly useless on the road (good for planning). loud whistle - never used; just gives me a warm fuzzy to have. kept it either on me or in the top pocket of my front pannier. flashing LED tail light - VistaLite Eclipse. I didn't believe the shop-owner when he recommended it to me, but it's AAA batteries that I put in before the tour are still running in it (5 months later)!!! It's also far more visible than other models I saw. - self-contained, separate from headlight system, mounts anywhere (those seat-tube mounts are useless if you put anything on your rear rack, btw.). helmet - wasn't required where we rode, but is in some places. (get one if you don't have; I'm an advocate) - made my friend buy one; I had a Performance styrofoam shell with embedded nylon mesh, which doesn't look as cool as those new ones, but is still functional. orange triangle of material and/or flag for back of bike I never actually bought this. Instead, I used a large yellow dry-bag, strung to the top rear of my bike rack (via a cargo net: a series of knotted bunjees). I did, however, see someone back home who mounted a small orange flag on his rear rack via a small horizontal pole, so it progruded out to the left-hand side of his bike (alerting cars to not get too close). I thought this was a great way to hold your ground and prevent the cars from getting too close or even bullying you off the shoulder of a road. I would highly recommend making you and your bike as visible as possible, no matter how silly you may think it is. compass Never used it, but we didn't find a need to go hiking through the forest. A warm fuzzy, just like the whistle. mini thermometer Completely useless. When you wake up early in the morning in the Rockies, it's cold; cold enough. Doesn't matter the number. I guess I just wanted to know because I've never spent a long time biking up there before. Honestly, it was one of those personal things that didn't make much sense, but didn't do much harm either. cell-phone (if I can afford it, for emergencies and reservations; programmed w/numbers) Couldn't afford it. And it didn't really make sense either. I was just trying to make Mom feel less worried. I did bring a list of contact numbers and addresses for emergencies, with a copy carried by my riding partner. ... ITEMS FOR FIRST AID: ------------------- Waterproof matches and case tin foil emergency blanket salt tablets gauze pads / sterile tape band aids / butterfly strips aspirin/advil pocket knife (tweezers,scissors,can-openner,...) sting-eaze disinfectant/anticeptic antibiotic ointment water purification tablets (iodine) moleskin wound kit (to clean bits of pavement out of our skin; hope it's never needed) Didn't need the first-aid on this trip, but I've had to, on the side of the road, patch myself up on other rides. It is just as easy to get a deep gash from shap edges on your bike, as it is to get a shallow strawberry leg-full of pavement; be prepared for both if you're hours from help. ITEMS FOR PERSONAL ------------------ insect repellent Definitely used! Summertime. water microfilter small plastic shovel some toilet paper (to be used with previous item) sponge to take showers with watch (day, date, solar-compas, and to keep track of time when not on bikes) sunscreen lotion (highest possible hpf) Definitely used! Chapstick (lip baum) is good to have too. waterproof bag for papers/logs/pens sandles (waterproof), hiking boots, road bike (Shimano clipless) shoes Choose your own combination of footwear; this worked for me. spare cleats Probably not needed; I was new to these things. They do wear, however; may want to bring if not starting with a new pair. wool sweater and socks Great for cold mornings; wool doesn't begin to stink, like cotton does, after a few days of wear. bathing suit Didn't bring one; used bike shorts instead. fishing pole (maybe) Useless unless the other riders have something to do. cycling gloves Oh, yeah! 2 or more cycling shorts Always have a clean pair. sweats jeans/slacks Brought jeans. Was a definite luxury. Took up too much space, though; next time I'll find something more packable. thinsulate, or similar, undershirt and sock liners Oh, yeah! rainsuit (shirt,pants,gloves,shoe-covers) Oh, yeah! I wouldn't bother with shoe-covers, though, unless you plan on long rainy days or freezing cold. cable (4 ft.) and/or u-lock Between the two of us, two locks and a cable, went together to lock up everything to a pole/tree. diary journal, pen (also for recording photo notes, signs, etc.) headlight battery charger a reset cycle computer Unfortunately, mine also reset halfway through the trip; I was very upset. cleaning rags, hand cleaning paste spare hard-to-find batteries Didn't need; started with new ones. ear cover A neoprene head-band; moved it down over my neck when it was still cold but too warm to cover the ears. traveler's checks Great, but it's just like having real money in your pocket: it takes restraint not to spend it right away. camera (I still need to buy one) A Minolta Freedom Zoom Explorer. Self-contained auto-focus, with case, flash, focus-on-infinity (for pictures of the mountains), macro (for flowers, etc.), and most importantly a time/date-stamp. ... ITEMS FOR REPAIRS ----------------- 3 spare spokes of each length Make sure you get the right lengths; can be hard to find, and easy to break more than one at a time if something catches in your wheel (saw it happen to another rider!). They weigh almost nothing, and can be taped to your frame, so they take no space. 2 spare tubes folding tire tube patches and sandpaper and glue I went the whole tour without a flat!!! That's because I was prepared! bearing grease and chain lube Dry-lube needs frequent re-application on long trips. bunjee cords & duct tape These, a pocket knife, and a pack of gum, and you can do anything! spanners allen wrenches cone wrenches special tools (bottom bracket,freewheel (hypercracker?), etc.) extra nuts, bolts, and washers I was ready to take apart and repair anything. ... FOOD ITEMS ---------- coffee, tea instant oatmeal Grape Nuts cereal and a good granola also work well as high-carb cereals that are compact. pancake mix multivitamins film cans full of spices cooking oil proteins: beans (lentils, etc.) carbs: noodles, rice, bulghur, barley, couscous, etc. wooden spoon to stir anything for potato dishes dehydrated milk soup mixes dried fruits tang, etc., for russian tea mix ... Bring what you like ---and then some. You will eat alot! Cold cereal and hot drinks in the morning, and fruits and snack-bars for brunch while you're riding, are what kept me fueled before lunch. That is, when a breakfast joint or big meal wasn't in the plan. For lunch, I found a great thing to pack was Pepito's tortias, for wrapping sandwiches; compact, no preservatives and crap, and in a re-sealable bag. More fruit. Dinner is the big meal. Anything goes. Get some protein, if you've been avoiding it the rest of the day. Just don't go to bed hungry; it'll spoil you the next day. ITEMS FOR CAMPING ----------------- rope to hang dry-bag, to hang tarp, and to hang dromedary bag 32 liter heavy duty dry bag (for hanging food and for items that must stay dry) This was the most useful item I ever brought on a trip! It's a bag like the ones you would take on a rafting trip. stove/fuel/cookware/utensils small tuperware to keep leftovers Ignore this one; zip-locks work just as well. And, besides, nothing is ever left over! tarp (10ft square) to cover bikes and other stuff Another great idea. It was also used to cover us when we got caught in Wyoming afternoon storms: when the lightning and high winds come, you sometimes have no choice but to get off the road, off the (metal) bikes, and under a cover, until the storm passes; sometimes it's your only cover. tent/fly/stakes (2-man,3-pole,w/vestibule) cheap plastic flooring for inside or outside tent Cheap from Sears. nylon mesh for drying stuff on the ride film canisters & pill bottles to hold misc stuff including spices. collapsible dromedary bag (6 gallon) for fresh water (drinking/showering) Anything collapsible is a good idea for a trip like this. empty bag to carry freshly bought groceries into camp A canvas bag that I could strap on using the bungees. You might also use a small day-pack, but don't forget this necessary item; your panniers will be full with other things, or maybe left back at camp! sleeping bags and air matresses (2; for both of us) wash basin ...