Gear

Apparently some folk like to know what gear we’re using. We’re definitely no ‘gear geeks’ so won’t get involved in intense discussion into the relative pros and cons of titchy bits of kit.  We’ll try to keep the list updated with how the gear is holding out.

KEARA:

This is gonna be the most female ‘gear list’ you’ve every read. I’ve not listed the nitty gritty, cos I didn’t know what it was when I bought it, and more or less I still don’t know.  Novices might enjoy the novice opinion! If it’s made it onto this list it’s because I love it enough to have noticed it. That’s high praise indeed!

The bike

Thorn Sherpa ‘basic’ spec  (check out their website for the full spec)

Thorn Expedition Lowloaders and Rear racks

Terry’s liberator x saddle

Ergon GP2 anatomic grips with Ergo control bar ends

Schwalbe Marathon Supreme Tyres

Packing

Topeak Tour Guide Handlebar Bag (thanks Bex!)

Ortlieb Bikepacker Plus Rear Panniers

Ortlieb Frontroller Classic

Lots of handy light little bags for ‘organising stuff’

Camping gear

Cheap Indian tent and sleeping bag (better than expected so far!)

Thermarest Prolite Plus (absolutely worth the extra $ for this top spec esp when every other night we’re on a foamie!)

MSR Whisperlite stove (thanks gav!)

Leatherman Skeletool

Odds and sods

Couple of 1l water bottles with cover tops

A decent headlamp (or a crap Indian one as I keep losing and replacing them)

A cheap winky red LED taillight (clipped onto vis vest for dark)

Giro monza helmet

Nike ‘spinning’ shoes: cheap and so far awesome

Endura road overshoes

Salomon XE crosstrainers (the bomb!)

Flip-flops

Extremities windstopper gloves (wish i hadnt lost these already….they were amazing!)

Clothing

Icebreaker cycle shorts

Icebreaker 200 leggings

Icebreaker 150 Tank

Icebreaker 200 Beanie

Icebreaker Quantum Hoodie

Icebreaker glove liners

Altura Mistral shorts

Couple of lightweight quickdry tshirts

Superlight supercheap vis vest (sportsdirect)

Sarong

Geeky stuff

Ipod Classic – the big one!

Altec Lansing Orbit Speaker

Cateye Wireless Velo Micro

Kindle

A hipflask! (thank Churchend x)

First Aid Kit

Repair Kits

For the ladies:-

It seems no one wants to talk/write about what women wear in the undie/short department on long distance tours. But I’m hoping I’ve got it nailed now so if you need detailed advice give me a shout! The most important things though for me are:

Get a saddle with a hole in it

Alternate your short/knicker ‘seams’ everyday

Bring a coupla pairs of good boxers

PETE:

Most of my gear is likely with an employee of Seattle airport or has already been sold on ebay!  The replacement bike is far from what I had custom built in Vancouver but it’s handling the journey fine so far. Here’s whats in my possession now…with generous donations from BOB trailers and Icebreaker.

Cube 62cm Touring frame – an aluminium frame that’s a size to big for me, but managed to make it work by adding an adjustable stem and bringing the saddle forward.

Thudbuster – takes away the bumps v effectively,

Richey adjustable stem & bull horn grips – these allow me to change my body position on the bike, to relieve wrist pain and back pain.

Saddle – standard cube, missing my brooks leather saddle immensely!

Tires – Schwalbe marathon plus 700x35c

Wheels – standard cube wheelset & rims

BOB Yak trailer – a sturdy steel frame trailer with waterproof bag allows you to keep all the weight off the bike. In my experience this translates to less punctures, broken spokes and rim issues. Using a trailer also allows you to have front suspension forks, v nice for the wrists on a long ride.

Clothing

Icebreaker 200 L/S Chase Crewe top

Icebreaker BF260 Terrain Zip

Icebreaker Pocket 200 Beanie

Icebreaker  GT320 Ascent Full Zip

Icebreaker Glove Liners

Marmot down jacket

Bike Doctor poncho – a life saver

Arcteryx gore tex jacket

Salomon cross trainers

Sarong – v useful item, on the hot days I’d soak it in cold water and drape it over my head and shoulders. On the cold days it acts as a scarf…..also works as David Beckham skirt.

little pink basket – snigger as you will, but I love my little pink basket, attached on top of my rear rack it perfectly holds a days worth of food for both of us….well worth the 20 rupees!