The Equipment and Packing List
Tuesday, May 20th, 2008 
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Below is a packing list we included in our second book about our travels through South America. We have reviewed the list and feel like we may have left something obvious out, did we forget anything?
We realize it is a long list but because we are on a multi year tour we have a few extras to make life more comfortable. A lot of the electronic gear is necessary to create our web site, write and publish books, and mix video on the road. It is a bit of a load to travel with but not much considering it is practically everything we own.
We have been on the road for many years and have traveled through different climates, over various terrain and in both the developed and developing world. So we don’t always carry everything on the list at the same time and we have tried to note these distinctions where they apply and hope this packing list provides you with ideas for your next bicycle tour.
BICYCLES - Two touring bikes: each with 26-inch wheels, front and rear racks, bike computers, water bottles, cages, tail lights, kickstands, touring specific saddles, and clipless pedals.
Tim and his loaded bike (packed light for Southeast Asia).
PANNIERS (bike saddlebags) Both bikes had front and rear waterproof panniers, seat bags, handlebar bags, and pannier repair kit. We used adjustable bungee cords to hold the tent, sleeping bags, and pads on top of our rear racks. After South America, we added a clip on shoulder strap attachment to convert a pannier into daypack for off bike hikes and shopping.
CAMPING
- tent, stakes, ground cloth, and repair kit
- light weight tarp (used in wet climates to cover the bikes when camping)
- sleeping bags and waterproof dry bag stuff sacks
- sleeping pads also folds into camp chairs attachment
camping with the kangaroos
WATER PURIFICATION AND STORAGE
- 10-liter (2.6 gallon) water storage bag that converts to a solar shower with shower head attachment.
-3 bicycle water bottles (extra disposable 1.5 liter water bottles for long dry stretches)
- 0.25 micron ceramic water filter and repair kit
- iodine tablets
water filter and hand pump
KITCHEN
- 3 cooking pots and 2 coffee cups .
- utensils: two sporks
- pot scrubber
- liquid dish soap
all the pans pack into the biggest one
STOVE
- gasoline burning camp stove
- wind screen
- lighter
- repair kit
- fuel bottle (size changes depending on the frequency of gas stations and how much we use the stove).
stove and small fuel bottle
(Items below are also carried when we are camping/cooking a lot)
- small knife for cooking
- thin plastic flexible cutting board
- can opener, army style
- spices – salt, pepper, garlic, cinnamon, ginger, and more
- olive oil – kept in a sealed plastic container
- resealable bags
- dish drying cloth
FOOD - We always have at least two meals with us, in remote areas, we carry up to two weeks supply of food staples.
- coffee
- sweetener
- powdered milk
- peanut butter (when we can find it)
- bread or tortillas
- oatmeal
- pasta and sauce
- rice
- vegetables from the market or dried vegetables
- instant noodles
- canned meat
- powdered soup
ELECTRONICS
- laptop computer and power cord
- microphone
- network cable and coupler
- USB thumb drive
- MP3 player
- external amplified speakers
- headphones
- shortwave radio (phased out for an MP3 player with music and podcast
MP3 player strapped to the amplified speakers n handlebar bag.
CAMERA
- video/still camera
- additional high capacity battery
- connector cables
- power cord for charging
- lense cleaning kit
- zoom lense, wide angle lense, polarized lense
- UV filter
- mini-tripod
- blank mini DV tapes (being phased out)
- flash memory stick
POWER AND ELECTRICITY
- AA rechargeable batteries (number depends on the availability of electricity)
- AA battery charger and cord
- extension cord with three way splitter (US plugs)
- international plug adaptors
- light socket adaptor (T)
The “T” light socket adaptor makes an electrical outlet from a light bulb.
OTHER ELECTRONICS
- flash light/headlamps
- altimeter/compass watch someday we will change to a GPS.
HEALTH
- lip balm
- sunscreen
- insect repellant and mosquito coils
- multivitamins
- earplugs
- eye mask (blindfold) for sleeping
FIRST AID KIT
- international health and first aid manual
- adhesive bandages, various sizes
- elastic-wrap bandage
- gauge, pads and roll,
- antiseptic wipe
- safety pins
- medical tape
- scissors
- tweezers
- antibacterial cream
- burn/first aid cream
- antifungal cream
- eye drop antibiotic
- aspirin/ibuprofen (which ever is available)
- antihistamine
- Moleskin
- antacid tablets
- Doxycycline (Malaria)
- Antibiotic Metronidazole (Amoebiasis and Giardiasis)
- Antibiotic Ciprofloxacin (bacillary dysentery, shigellosis)
- Antibiotic Amoxycillin (broad spectrum for general use such as infected cuts)
- Mebendazole (worming)
- Thermometer
TOILETRY/SHOWER BAG
- toilet paper
- toothbrush and toothpaste
- quick drying towel
- brush/comb
- shampoo and conditioner
- bar soap
- razor
- fingernail clippers
- small mirror
- wet wipes
CYCLING CLOTHING
- 2 cycling shorts
- 1 – 2 short sleeve jerseys
- 1 wool long sleeve jerseys with rear pockets (in cold climates)
- 1 cycling tights
- 1 pair cycling gloves
- helmet
- sunglasses
- bandana
OFF BIKE CLOTHING
- 2 short sleeve shirt
- 2 convertible shorts/pants
- 4 pairs lightweight wool socks
- swimsuit
- sun hat
- underwear
- laundry bags used to separate clothing in our panniers
- sewing repair kit
COLD WEATHER GEAR
- fleece jacket
- long underwear top
- long underwear bottom
- mid-layer/wool long-sleeved top
- cold weather hat
- long fingered gloves
RAIN GEAR
- wind/rain jacket
- waterproof socks
- waterproof helmet covers
SHOES
- bike shoes
- walking shoes
- sandals
DOCUMENTS and MONEY
- money belt
- credit card
- ATM debit card
- travelers checks – we don’t use these as often anymore and we are phasing them out.
- local currency
- maps
- travel/guide books
- passports
- tourist visas and travel permits when applicable
- copies of important documents, (stashed in a separate area)
- vaccination records (can be important at some borders)
- driver’s licenses
- small notepad and pens
SECURITY
- combination pad lock for hostel lockers
- combination cable locks for bikes
- emergency stash of US currency
TOOLS
- patch kit
- tire levers
- tire pump
- tire pressure gauge
- chain tool
- allen key set
- cassette cracker (remover)
- chain ring bolt wrench
- cone wrench if not using sealed cartridge hubs
- chain lube/rag
- spoke wrench
- 8 and 10 mm wrenches
- pedal - 32 mm headset wrench if not using threadless system
- crank puller/bottom bracket tool
- multi tool/knife - (blade, pliers, screwdrivers, needle nose pliers, file, etc.)
more than the bare minimum tool set
SPARE PARTS AND REPAIR KITS
- one folding spare tire
- spare tubes, (number depends on the continent)
- shift/brake cables and housing
- spare brake pads
- spare spokes
- bike grease
- frame bolts
- short chain replacement section with extra joining links
- electrical. tape
- zip ties
small folding emergency tire
OTHER
- laundry cord and detergent
- pillow
- mini binoculars
- recreational reading books
- English/Spanish dictionary
Spotting black swans with mini binoculars
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