Bike – 2005 Cannondale T800 (purchased new Jan 2005)
Components/accessories – all stock except saddle replaced with a women’s Terry Liberator in 2010. Exterior seat covering started to tear in last month of 2013 American tour.
Rear brake pads replaced in Lincoln, NE May 2013. Chain replaced in Lincoln, NE after 800 miles May 2013 (not new at start of tour; this was my third or fourth chain) and again in Salida, CO August 2013(at 3500 mile mark).
New Schwalbe Marathon tires at start of 2013 American tour, new small chainring (swapped a 26 for a 24)and handlebars rewrapped prior to March 2013 Grampians tour.
I use a Topeak Road Morph pump and toe clips instead of clipless pedals. I have Planet Bike fenders (with which I have a love-hate relationship – it seems like I constantly adjust the front one but it is all worth it on rainy days).
Front rack – Tubus Ergo
Rear rack – what came stock.
Front left pannier – Lone Peak P-099
Contents:
tent and rainfly (2013 REI two-person tent)
groundsheet (I use a foil emergency blanket)
tent pegs
flip-flops
bear bag rope
(chain lube in outside pocket)
Front right pannier – Lone Peak P-099
Contents:
two or three spare tubes (tube repair kit/valve converter/tire levers kept in outside pocket)
bike tools – allen key for each size on bike (not full set); 2 wrenches (1 10mm; 1 adjustable); multi-tool with mini-pliers; spare zip ties; small roll black electrical tape; 2 fiber-fix spokes; chain tool; spare nuts and bolts for each size; spare rags
rain covers for Lone Peaks
small folding bucket (I use this to stuff clothes into to make a pillow at night; carry my toiletries to showerblock; wash up when there is access to water but no shower; rinse rags for bike repair, etc.)
a few Tide Pods (can get small bag of these at Walmart)
toiletries and diaper rash cream (just the small, travel-size basics)
basic first-aid kit and extra hotel shower cap
(sunscreen and bike lock in outside pocket)
Left rear pannier – Ortlieb Sportspacker
Contents:
On-bike clothes packed in ziploc (2 jerseys; 2 pairs bike shorts; 1 pair thin tights to go over bike shorts)
Off-bike clothes packed in ziploc (2 t-shirts; 1 pair convertible pants; 1 pair shorts; 1 long-sleeve shirt)
Warmies packed in ziploc (1 thermal underwear top and 1 bottom; winter hat and thin gloves; 1 pair warm socks for sleeping)
Rain gear packed loose (jacket and pants)
(extra water bottle and food as required)
**I sent home the long-sleeve shirt and thermal top from Yellowstone since I didn’t think I’d need that much warm gear for the rest of the trip.)
Right rear pannier – Ortlieb Sportspacker
Contents:
The ‘office’ – journal; expenses notebook; maps not in use; battery chargers; touristy notes/brochures; itinerary (keep track of miles on this)
Sleeping bag – Kelty Women’s Light Year 20F, long
‘Delicates’ ziploc (2 pairs underwear; 2 sports bras; 3 pairs socks; sarong; travel towel; sunhat; sleepsheet)
Warm, light-weight jacket packed loose
(extra water bottle as required)
Rear rack contents:
Tent poles in own bag rolled within Ridge Rest sleeping pad
Thermarest Ridge Rest 3/4 length closed cell foam pad. The roll is held with two ladies’ belts from a thrift shop. The roll is secured to the rack with adjustable webbed straps with clips [purchased from auto store – I also use these straps on the outside of my bike box when travelling (it keeps the flaps contained if the TSA tape comes undone)].
Handlebar bag:
Cheap pre-paid dumb phone
Camera
Wallet
Asthma inhaler
Lip balm
Tiny cosmetic mirror (check that sunscreen all rubbed in; also use for diaper rash cream application on occasion when I need to figure out where to put it on thick)
Any directions/extra maps for day not in map case on top of bag
Two hotel shower caps tucked in outside side pocket (one to wrap over the cycle computer and one to go over the seat if raining or threat of dew/frost overnight).
Cycling gloves
Verne and Kermit in front pocket
Camelback – I stay better hydrated using one of these. I don’t keep anything else in the backpack usually. I attach my rear blinkie-light to this on my back. It is more visible this way than attached to my rear rack (it gets hidden under the thermarest if attached there).
NOTE: Clothing listed assumes I’m naked (e.g. I wear one jersey and have one spare). I’m a cold sleeper, so I always take one more thermal top than most other people.