Trip Preparations

It is getting close to our big event and there are a lot of planning and packing details to prepare for a 45 day bike ride. From my backpacking trips, I came to believe in checklists, which I have created for this trip. 

I need cycling clothing and street clothing for seven weeks, and need to cover various weather events.   Of course we need tools, spare bicycle gear, and accessories.  I happen to be a food fanatic, and I am fretting about meals and  preferred road snacks,  including my plant based protein powder,  homemade granola (with Greek yogurt and blueberries I can buy on the trip).

I decided I need to pack all my frickin’ screens: Wahoo Elemnt Roam bicycle computer, iPhone, laptop, iPad, and Kindle Paperwhite; with charging hub and cables (the bike and on bike accessories alone total 6 USB charged devices).  Geez!  Thankfully Doug and Carol will take a few items in their RV on their  drive from Richmond, VA  to the west coast. That is a huge help because I am flying with one medium luggage bag, one Scicon Aero Comfort bicycle bag and a day pack for carry-on.  

 

 

This is just the planned cycling clothing: 4 jerseys, 4 bibs, 2 jackets, arm and legwarmers and sun screens, hats, headbands, 4 gloves fingerless, 2 gloves fingers, 2 base layer long sleeve. 2 base layers short, ear bands. If we were bikepacking, I would take about half this. Still I can do Woolite cleaning in the hotel sink.

My bicycle is packed and ready with a final weight of 48.6 lbs. This was essential because domestic flights now try a bicycle as a standard luggage fee as long as it is under 50 lbs. I got really here. I like this luggage because you don't need to remove the handlebars nor the seat. We cyclists are very persnickety about saddle and handlebar settings, so I don't need to disturb the set up.
My bicycle is packed and ready with a final weight of 48.6 lbs. This was essential because domestic flights now treat a bicycle case with a standard luggage fee as long as it is under 50 lbs. I got lucky here. I like this soft bicycle case because you don't need to remove or adjust the handlebars nor the seat. We cyclists are very persnickety about saddle and handlebar settings, so I didn't need to disturb the set up.I also added extra foam padding to protect the vulnerable components. The problem with hard cases is the packed weight likely will exceed 50 lbs.

2 thoughts on “Trip Preparations”

  1. Hi Steve,
    The site looks great. I am looking forward to following you on your adventure!!! I may even try to get it working on Strava. The one thing I can tell you from our backpacking trips is you gotta have the right gear, and remember to save room for that case of RC Cola….

    1. On our backpacking trips, we learned the hard way not to carry too much. Yes, it is all about the cool gear, like my titanium camp cup. For $38 I saved like 10 grams.

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