Topics in the gear section:

List of Gear being carried.

Kitchen

Small MSR Blacklite Cookpot and Lid

MSR Whisperlite Internationale Stove

22 oz. Fuel container

Plastic fork and spoon (added a plastic knife)

Folding bowl & plastic plate

Bedroom

Marmot 40 deg. Down Sleeping Bag

Therm-a-rest Camp Pad

Therm-a-rest Pad Chair Converter

Air Pillow & Small Fleece Pillow

Eureka Backcountry II Tent

Watch (alarm)

Bike Clothes

2 Long Sleeve Jerseys (sent home in Cutbank, Mt.)

2 Pr. Bike Shorts

Arm & leg warmers

Rain Coat & pants

Over boots

3 pr. Bike socks

2 Pr. Winter Socks

Fleece gloves, glove liners (sent home in Cutbank, Mt.)

Balaclava

Under armour Cold gear shirt

2 Pr. Bike gloves

Fleece vest

Winter hat (sent home in Cutbank, Mt.)

Extra Short Sleeved Jersey (arrived in Cutbank, Mt.)

Off-Bike Clothes

Sneakers

Convertible pants

2 Dri fit tee shirts

Polyester shorts (sent home in Cutbank, Mt.)

2 Pr. Underwear

Windproof pants & dri fit hoody

Misc. Gear

Digital Camera

Nikon Binoculars (sent home in Winthrop, Wa.)

Cell Phone

Passport

Health Information

Cards

Dice

Journal

Book to read (recycled in Luddington, Mi.)

Bike Gear

Brake cable

Shift cable

Assorted tools

Spare Tire (added 2 new tires as replacements)

3 Spare tubes

Cycle computer

Headlight/flashlight

Front Rack

Front Panniers

Chain Lube

Grease

Grease cleaner

Cable lock

3 Qts. Water Carrying Capacity

Tail light

BOB Trailer and Dry bag for it

Maps and Itinerary

Contact Info. For people along route

Medical Kit

Medicines and Vitamins

Toiletries

Sun Screen

Bug stuff

The new bike a Jamis Aurora (description below)

The B__east __O__f __B__urden Bicycle Trailer, which is usually shortened to __BOB (description below).

Tent - As on past trips, I will be using the Eureka Backcountry 2 tent. I bought it for a tour to Gloucester, Ma. with a group of 4H kids. This tent has withstood many nights of foul weather and has been suitable for carting all over the place. It was small, yet roomy enough to store gear inside and still have a comfortable place to sleep and spend time in inclement weather. Other camping gear will include my two indulgences to weight, a full size standard Therm-a-Rest sleeping pad and the accompaning lounge chair kit to make the pad a chair. What better way to wile away the hours at a campsite than supporting your back and sore backside in a comfortable chair? These will be added weight from other sleeping pad options but good sleep is important for recovery. My sleeping bag is a 40 degree Marmot Wind River bag. I have yet to use it but it is very lightweight and cozy. As a supplement to the bag I will carry a simple fleece blanket in the event of cold evenings in the mountains before summer arrives. The fleece and other winter gear can be sent home when no longer needed.

Stove - Both Jay and I will be carrying single burner MSR (Mountain Safety Research) Whisperlight Internationale stoves. My son and his girl friend bought this for me for Christmas in anticipation of this trip. The attraction to this stove is its ability to use multiple fuels. In the event that Coleman fuel is not available, any unleaded gasoline will work. With 2 stoves we can cook a mulit-course meal in less time. Martin will also be bringing his own cooking gear as he has a limited time to ride and may have to split off from us, thus needing his own kitchen supplies.

Camera - To help document this adventure I will be carrying a Canon PowerShot A530 digital camera. The digital images can be uploaded to this site or sent home to Becky for her perusal. As an avid birdwatcher, I will also carry a pair of Nikon Monarch binoculars (8x42) These are reasonably lightweight but powerful binocs that will aid in any birding or other sight-seeing we do on the trip (Hopefully we will not have to use them to follow tornadoes or other serious storms coming our way or scout out bridges or overpasses to hide in during a storm.

Winter Riding Gear - Since the Cascades and Rockies are a part of the route and we are leaving in May, there is a danger of cold weather and possible snow in the mountains. To help stay comfortable I will be taking some extra cold- weather gear like glove liners, fleece gloves, balaclava, fleece vest, neoprene over-booties and wind-proof leggings and tops. Though extra bulk, these items are lightweight and dispensible when cold weather conditions are no longer a threat, so they will be sent home.

For less cold times where cool mornings and evenings are possible, I will use arm and leg warmers to keep the extremeties warm.

Rain Gear - Sierra Designs lightweight rain jacket and pants. For those long days in the saddle when it is rainy, I will probably use the neoprene over-booties as well. They will aid in keeping my feet dry. These may prove useful for the full route if they do make foul weather riding more comfortable. My riding shoes are lightweight mountain biking shoes with SPD cleats. They are more comfortable to walk in than road shoes with raised cleats. To make them light-wieght they are mesh in places making them less protective in cold and wet weather, thus the over-booties importance.

A new bike!

There's three words a cyclist likes to hear almost as much as the two words "Let's ride!" Here's my bike, a Jamis Aurora, their touring model and the specs. I have the 55 cm model in this color scheme. Some may ask, "Isn't a bike just a bike?" If they aren't into cycling or willing to suffer a long explanation the easiest answer may be, "Is a shoe just a shoe?" You don't wear the same shoes to the prom as you do to climb Everest.

Speaking of shoes for just a second, I am thinking of taking three types of footwear. A pair of moutain biking shoes with SPD cleats that clip into the pedals. A pair of sneakers and a pair of sandals.

Touring bikes are built to be comfortable for long hours in the saddle. But have no fear even with all the best intentions of the bike builder and the traveler it is quite possible to ride past "the point of pleasure" on any given day or trip.

Some specific ways that a touring bike can be made more comfortable include a longer wheel base, more relaxed frame angles and greater trail in front fork.

The BOB Trailer, YAK model

The YAK trailer is the original and keystone product of the B.O.B. Trailers, Company: its design enables cyclists to attach the single-wheel trailer to virtually any bike's rear wheel. The YAK's "in-line" design creates a low center of gravity, excellent aerodynamics, and all-around stability. YAK's are compatible with full-suspension bikes, as well as with bikes that have solid-axle hubs.

FEATURES

• Attaches quickly and easily to a bike's rear wheel using the BOB patented Quick Release attachment system
• Low center of gravity for stability. Keeps the weight off your bicycle for improved handling and performance
• Constructed of 4130 chromoly steel tubing to ensure strength, stability, durability and light weight (13.5 lbs./6.1 kgs)
• Trailer tracks rear wheel of bicycle - ideal for commuting, narrow roads and single track
• 70 lbs. carrying capacity

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