Packing List

Updated on January 30th, 2007

I want to share with you exactly what I will be toting around on this journey. So without too much preamble, here is what I'm bringing, and why:

My bike

The bike I am currently planning on bringing is a road racing bike, totally unsuited for the heavy weight of touring. I won't lie to you - it might break. It's already shown lots of frame flex in test runs. But since I don't have another bike I will just try to make my load as light as possible, and try to keep on paved roads. (I may have to buy a mountain bike in Beijing because there are no roads in Mongolia)

Cannondale R1000

Bags

Everything will go into my 2 panniers, and my front handlebar bag. The panniers are totally waterproof, as is the the boat-bag insert from previous trips that I will bring as an emergency bag.

2 Ortlieb Panniers
I can't say enough about how great these panniers are. They are SO waterproof that you could throw them in a lake and even pull them underwater!! There's no pockets, but that's fine. I kept everything I needed throughout the dayin the handlebar bag.

Handlebar Bag with Map Case
Ortlieb's handlebar bag is adaquate. The fabric is 100%waterproof (rubber), and I never had a problem with leakage, but there is actually no seal. The top mearly flops down over the bag part. It's sort of tight, so maybe that's why I never had a leak. It also comes with a lock so no one can steal the bag (it's quick release, as are the panniers), but it doesn't lock the bag closed at all, so you still need to take it with you if it has your valuables - which of course is exactly where you keep your valuables... The map case is totally sealed,a nd really useful - worth the extra money it costs. I Xeroxed maps at 7-Elevens as I needed them, but mostly relied on the GPS.
(map case was lost in Seoul)

Emergency Waterproof Bag
I used this on my previous trip, and it's still as good as new. It's basically an extra-thick clear rubber bag. Kayakers use it because it's so water-proof that it can be submerged and still keep everythign dry. It's a tiny bit heavy, but as long as it fits, I'd recommend it to anyone to be extra sure those laptops stay dry. Clear - is best, so you can see what/where things are.

Saddle Bag
This one is quick-release, which is awesome. Not at all waterproof, so I kept tools here on rainy days. Otherwise it was another place to keep my cell phone and stuff I needed quickly.

Bike Tools and Accessories

The bike needs certain things without a doubt, and since I know how to fix everything on the bike, I will be carrying around all the tools needed in case it breaks down. I wish they weren't so heavy - maybe I can find some light weight ones but they would probably break anyway...

Tools and bag
Tire levers, hex wrench set, screw driver set,Ti skewer,chain lube, pliers, Mavic Ksyrium nipple wrench, tube patches,headset wrench for cassette, cassette tool, cassette chain whip, pressure gauge, hex nut tool, bag


Satellite Navigation System (GPS)
This is the most handy item I'm carrying. It tells me exactly where I am, and where/when my next turn is. It also acts as a cyclo computer because it can tell me my speed/avg/max/elevation/odometer/time and an array of other things! It can even tell me the exact time of sunset wherever I am! It weighs MUCH less, has more detail, and costs less than a map book, and works ANYWHERE in the world!! I really recommend it!!!
(SMASHED in Japan... under a truck tire!!!)


Cyclo Computer
I replaced my previous wired computer with this more advanced model. It is wireless, and offers extra features such as altitude, and temperature... but I have never been able to figure out the altitude/grade feature and the temperature seems to be off by 2 degrees Celsius... Hmmm...
(two thumbs down on this wireless one - it powers off at each stop and unless I remember to turn it back on, it doesn't log my miles when I start again)

Light and Battery Case
I'm actually not as concerned about my front light as I am about my rear lights. I can go slow at night, and make sure I don't hit anything. I'm mostly worried about being hit from behind, so while I only have this 1 front light, I've got FIVE rear lights!

Kryptonite U-Lock
The lightest available still isn't that light, but at least I know it's unbreakable
(Lost in Japan - but later mailed to me!!)

Cable Lock
Added deterrence, and a quick solution for those quick stops in safe places
(Lost in Japan... replaced with equally poor quality $1 lock... then mailed to me a month later!)

Motion Sensor Combo Lock

Mini Cable and Pad Lock

Topeak Mini Pump
I dread the day I have to use this pump. It takes 500 strokes to fill a tire, but the weight/size savings is a huge compromise

E3 Saddle
Praised in online reviews, but I'm here to tell you this saddle kicked my ASS for the first 5 days. Not sure I can recommend it... perhaps there's a reason Selle Italia has been around for so long, and I've never heard of this company.

Handlebar Rear Lights
These not only are inconspicuous during when not in use, weigh nothing, and take up no space, but they are very cool when they are used. Unfortunately they are not tight, so they can fall out if not wedged with enough handlebar tape.
(LOST left one in Japan)

Versatile Leash-On Lights
These kick ass, and can go anywhere. I wear a red one on my helmet, and 2 white ones on my panniers. Together with the handlebar lights I look like an amusement park ride. Trucks steer WAY clear of me at night.

Bell
After losing one of my handlebar-end lights, I found a cool bell that goes inside the handlebar end. I only ever saw this in Japan, but have since seen it on occation in the US.


Clothes

I'm not going to bring any clothes I don't NEED. Last time I traveled the world for over a year with only 2 pairs of underwear, 2 shirts, a pair of shorts, pants, and sandals. It was a daily chore of doing laundry, but it made truly light travel possible. This time I only have a little more room, but I have to include bike clothes in my packing.

Double-Sided Clothes Bag

Vacuum Compression Clothing Bag


Bike Clothes

2 Pairs of Bike Shorts

Bike Pants

2 Bicycle Jerseys

1 Long Sleeve Thermal

2 Pairs of Socks

2 Bandanas

Bicycle Gloves

Rain Jacket

Helmet
The Atmos, by Giro, got great reviews, and has tons of ventilation. It was a great helmet to have, and has lasted a long time (I now have 2!)

Bicycle Shoes
I have Sidi race shoes, but I figured I would be doing so much walking when off the bike that I should get some new shoes that would work with my clipless pedals, but be good for walking. The Specialized Taho shoes I got served (and still serve) me well.

Galoshes
While Pearl Izumi and many others make waterproof booties for bike shoes, they cost alot. I had these extra galoshes and just cut a hole in the bottom for the SPD system. They worked fine - though on some really rainy days the water just ended coming up through the SPD system anyway.

Bicycle Glasses

Street clothes

2 pairs of underwear

Zip-off Pants/Shorts

Short Sleeve Button-Down Shirt

Foam Flip Flops and Shoe Bag


 

Toiletries

Again, I will only carry small bottles, and will count on finding soap as I go along. The luxury I had last time was really great - a designer deodorant. I'll need deodorant anyway, and I figure I may as well use one that smells classy - just because I'm sleeping in the park doesn't mean I can't smell like a respectable, gainfully employed member of society!

Toiletry Bag

Deodorant

Razor

Travel Toothbrush and Toothpaste

Tissue/Toilet Paper

Sarong Towel

Medicine and Bag

Hand Sanitizer
(not necessary in Japan)

Nail Clippers

Sunscreen

Chapstick/Zinc Oxide Face Protection

 

First Aid Kit:
Emergency string, mini Duct tape, sewing kit, thermometer/compass key-ring, zip-ties, rubber bands, Dermatone moisturizer/zinc oxide/balm, safety pins, aspirin, band-aids, Bacitracin, Imodium, syringes, splinter removers, toothpick, Sudafed, surgical tape, gauze, Alkazelzer, non-mercury thermometer, throat lozenges

Emergency Kit and Bag:
Sunblock, extra sting, and anything else I might need for the bike, or me

Clothes Line

Extra Ziploc Bags

Personal Items

These are probably all I really need, and most people carry them around all the time anyway. No explanation needed.

Passport

Wallet
(STOLEN in Japan... with ALL my savings, Japanese drivers license, Hong Kong ID, Japanese and US bank cards, etc - the saddest moment in all my travel experiences)

Glasses

Mobile Phone
(STOLEN and replaced in Japan)

Watch

Pen/Sharpie marker

 

Chopsticks
(ok, you probably don't carry these around all the time, but I do)

Electronics

These are the most painful (and heavy) to pack. But I think they would be even more painful to leave behind. In my original RTW trip I thought I didn't need a computer, but I ended up buying one because I needed it so badly. I don't think this will be any different. The Sony camera and MP3 player are small, but the laptop and SLR camera are pretty big. Grrr...

Sony laptop computer and case
(Battery exploded in Japan!!! Still works with power cord. Weights less now!)


Sony Digital Camera and Memory (256Mb and 1Gb)



MP3 Player and Cable


Cable Box

Miscellaneous

Superlight Tent
Big Agnes - Seedhouse SL 1


Sleeping Sheet


Fleece Sleeping Bag
Kind of crappy for anything under 60F (15C), but hey, $5 is $5. Whaddya want?

Emergency Bivy Bag
Not recomeneded for anything but an emergency. NO breathabiltity means sleeping in a pool of condensation... even in winter conditions!

Lonely Planet Guide Books
    

Inflatable Globe
(I know it's ridiculous, but I've had it ever since I started my RTW trip, and have marked it with all my routes)

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