Gear List

My friend Kiki biked across the United States a couple years ago, and in many ways, we discovered each other almost too late. I say this because I met her just about two years ago at the Banff Film Festival through a mutual friend, about a year-and-a-half before she moved to Colorado from the Washington D.C. area. She randomly forwarded a link to some crazy balsa log raft race on the Peruvian Amazon... which I ended up doing. Our mutual love of cycling brought us together to do the MS 150, some random mountain biking, and a lot of dreaming about leaving the Washington D.C. life. We also both happen to be meticulous planners, and so, I started my gear list based on her opus at http://kiki.bikesacrossthe.us/gear-list/, which reflects 8 months of planning, researching, and compilations from the various resources out there. The main differences in our lists reflect the fact that I am less "gadgety" in the electronics department (no GPS for me) but more of a "gear head" when it comes to cycling stuff, traveling in developing countries, and cycling year round.

This list reflects an ever-evolving idea of what I've decided to take, is based on countless hours of research, my own touring experience, test rides, and was last updated on May 5, 2013. These days, I tour with a range of gear setups on a Surly Midnight Special, from a lightweight traditional touring setup to an ultra-lightweight bikepacking setup, depending on the terrain and length of my tour. My Troll has been relegated to be my winter bike commuter with studded bike tires. 

I decided long ago that I did not want to spam my friends and family with ads to monetize this blog, however, I am an Amazon.com affiliate for gear that I think has been the most useful on my trip.  If any of my ramblings convince you that you want this stuff, please go through the link below (or the links in my blog posts) and I'll get a small commission. 

Electronics / Camera
Neoprene Padded Bags for Electronics (3)
1 TB USB Flash Drive loaded with movies (1)
500 GB USB Flash Drive to back up pictures, music, and computer (1)
SD Cards (3)
USB Card Reader (1)
Olympus PEN EP-L1 with 17mm Pancake Lens (1)
Lens Cap (1)
Camera Battery Charger (1)
Extra Camera Battery (1)
Samsung B2100 Unlocked International Quad-Band Phone (Extreme Anti-Shock and Waterproof) (1)
Earbuds (1)
USB Wall Plug Adaptor (1)
11" MacBook Air (1)
Plastic Case for MacBook Air (1)

Custom Waterford Padded Sleeve for MacBook Air (1)

Mophie USB Charger for Lights/Phone/Camera

Camp Setup / Sleeping
Thermarest ProLite Pad (1)
Thermarest Patch Kit (1)
Thermarest 35 Degree Down Blanket (1)
Thermarest Stuff Sack Pillow (1)
Sea-to-Summit Sleeping Bag Liner (1)
REI Passage 1 Tent and Footprint (1)
Hammock and Webbing (1)

Kitchen / Cooking
Primus Litech Pot and Fry Pan Lid Set (1)
Mini Cutting Board (1)
Folding Steel Spoon/Knife/Fork (1)
Sea-to-Summit X-Cup (1)
Mini Trangia-Style Stove with Wind Screen (1)
Biodegradeable Dish/Camping Soap (1)
Sponge (Cut in Half) (1)
Spices in Ziplocks 
Ziplocks (Freezer) (10)
Mini-Spatula (1)
Swiss Army Knife with Corkscrew, Bottle Opener, and Can Opener (1)

Camping Accessories
Petzl Headlamp (1)
Extra Batteries for Headlamp and Taillight (6)
Water Purification tablets or Iodine/Microdyn Equivalent (1)
MSR Water Filter (1)
MSR Water Filter Maintenance Kit (1)
Sea-to-Summit Folding Bucket (1)
4L Water Bladder (1)
2L Camelbak (1)
Sea-to-Summit Small Waterproof Compression Sack for Down Blanket (1)
Sea-to-Summit Orange Waterproof Drybag for Tent (1)
Compression Straps (2)

Poo Trowel (1)
Lighter (1)
Waterproof Matches (2)
Camp Towel (1)
Ortlieb Pannier Backpack Converter (1)

Clothing
Mesh Bags to Compartmentalize Clothes (set)
Small Mesh Bags to Compartmentalize Clothes (set)
Swimsuit (1)
Hiking Capris (1)
Long Hiking Zip-Off Pants (2)
Camp Shorts (1)
Underwear (6)
Sports Bra (3)
Merino Wool 3/4 Sleeve Shirt (1)
Merino Wool Long Sleeve (1)
Hoodie Sweatshirt (1)
Merino Wool Long Underwear (1)
Merino Wool Tank Tops (3)
Short Cycling Socks (4)
Merino Wool Cycling Socks (1)
Midweight Smartwool Hiking Socks (1)
Bandana (1)
Multipurpose Bandana/Balaclava (1)
Winter Gloves (1)
Arm Warmers (1)
Rainshell Jacket (1)
Rainshell Cycling Pants (1)
Down Jacket (1)
Cold Weather Hat (1)
Dry Bag for Shoes (1) 
Solomon Trail Running Shoes (pair)
Flipflops (1)

Cycling Gear
Helmet (1)
Helmet Mirror (1)
Sunglasses with Interchangeable Lenses (1)
Pearl Izumi Mountain Bike Cycling Shoes (1)

Bike Touring Setup
Surly Troll (1)
Shimano PD-M324 SPD Dual Platform Pedal (pair)
Ergon GC2 Handlebar Grips with Bar Ends - Size Small (pair)
Topeak Handlebar Extender for Horn and Light (1)
Brooks B17 Seat (1)
Brooks Maintenance Kit (1)
Ortlieb Back Roller Classic (pair)
Ortlieb Front Roller Classic (pair) 
Ortlieb Bag Repair Kit (1)
Ortlieb Bag Clip Replacement (1)
Ortlieb Pannier Repair Kit (1)
Fenders (pair)
Schwalbe Marathon Mondial Tires (2 on bike, 1 spare)
1L Zefal Water Bottles (2)
Tubus Cargo Back Rack (1)
Tubus Duo Front Rack (1)
Topeak Seatpost Cage Attachment (1)
Bottle Cage for Camping Stove Fuel (1)
Rechargeable Headlight and Bracket (1)
Planet Bike Taillight and Rack Bracket (1)
Super Awesome Dinosaur Horn (1)
Revelate Designs Gas Tank Top Tube Bag (1)
Revelate Designs Feedbags (2)
Revelate Designs Harness (1)
Revelate Designs Large Pocket for Harness (1)

Porcelein Rocket Custom Framebag (1)
Pletscher Double Kickstand and Feet (1)

Bike Maintenance
Park Tool School Blue Book of Repair (1)
Outdoor Products Dry Bag (1)
Leyzne Mini Pump (1)
Tube Patch Kit (3)
Spokes (6)
Fiber Spoke Fix (1)
Extra Disc Brake Pads (4)
Extra Brake Cable (pair)
Extra Shifter Cable (pair)
Extra Rack Screws, Washers, Shims (various)
Electrical Tape (1)
Tri-Flow Lubricant (1)
Chain Lube (1)
Small Container Grease for Pedals and Other Large Parts (1)
Grease Rag from Old T-Shirt (1)
Alien Multitool (1)
Hex Toolset - Selected Sizes (1)
Mini Cassette Remover (1)
Universal Spoke Tool (1)
Locktite (1)
Kryptonite Cable Lock 7' (1)
Hefty Combination Lock (1)
Spare Tubes (3)
Duct Tape (Mini) (1)
SRAM Powerlinks 9-speed (2)
Extra Chain Links (5)
Zipties in Various Sizes (a bunch)
Tire Levers (4)
Wrenches for Hub Adjustments

First Aid
Outdoor Products Dry Bag (1)
Sports Tape
Bandaids
Triple Antibiotic
Bug Spray
Pain Killers
Cipro
Alcohol Pads
Small Scissors (on Swiss Army knife)

Toiletries
Outdoor Products Dry Bag (1)
Chapstick
Sunscreen
Toilet Paper
Toothpaste
Floss
Hand Sanitizer
Shampoo
Comb
Razor
MoonCup 
Sheeee-weeeeeee (or equivalent)
Contacts - 1 Year Supply
Small Contact Solution / Case
Glasses

Miscellaneous
Outdoor Products Dry Bag (1)
Passport and Yellow Immunization Card (1)
Moleskin Notebook (1)
Pen (2)
Photos of Friends and Family (taped into notebook)
Copy of Passport (taped into notebook)
Copy of Eye Prescription (taped into notebook)
Photography How To Cheat Sheet (taped into notebook)
Earplugs (5 sets of disposable)
Hefty Needle and Thread
Mini Super Glue
Lonely Planet Latest Edition PDF Version - Mexico, Central and South America
Mexico Road Maps PDF Version
National Geographic Baja California Adventure Maps 
PADI Card and Dive Log
Star Wars Lego Figures (for fun)