The odd thing about our gear is that until the day came for us to pack it, we had never checked if it fitted in the bags, and have never tried to ride the bikes fully loaded. We think the best place to try this for the first time is biking from the hostel to the ferry in Buenos Aries. Its only 1km through the middle of the city which should be relatively straighforward.
Below is Bens gear list. The Anna's gear is pretty similar.
Below is Bens gear list. The Anna's gear is pretty similar.
Bike
2010 Cannondale F4
Upgrades and additions
Rear wheel
Tyres: Schwalbe Marathon XR
Front Rack: Freeloader
Rear Rack: Tubus
Bottle Carriers
Brooks B17 Saddle
Shimano Cleat Pedals
Bar Ends and grips - Bens are much better than Annas, her grips don´t lock on and they hurt her left hand.
Cycle computer Cat eye. Lost the magnet between Salta and Jujuy.
Spares
1 x shifter cables
4 x brake pads
10 x spokes
2x tubes
4 x hose clamps
Wire ties in various sizes
Fabric tape and insulation tape.
Nuts and bolts
Tools
Gerber multi-tool
Bike multi tool
Small crescent wrench
Cassette removal tools
Pump
Chain oil
Patch kit. some patches better than others. Brought more in La Paz.
Equipment
2 x Ortlieb back roller panniers
2 x Ortlieb Front roller panniers
1 x Ortlieb dry bag backpack
Lightweight duffel bag to contain the panniers on buses and planes.
Ortlieb handlebar bag
Dry Bags of various sizes - Exped
Exped Swan sleeping bag
Therm-a-rest Prolite Plus (large) sleeping mat. Anna has the three quarter length, which is perfect for her shortness.
Exped Sirius II extreme 3-4 season tent. Going mouldy due to poor tent maintinence, cleaned in La Paz.
Black or Camo Tarp/Fly with Guy Lines (to cook under and to hide Bikes if Required). Also good for preventing mud being traisped into the tent.
MSR Wisperlite International multi-fuel stove
Fuel Bottles 600mL+1000ml (on external mounts) Aired out for a month before air travel.
Wind protector for stove
Helmet
Cycle lock and cable
Silk sleeping bag liner
Head lamp Petzel Myo XP
Cooking pot (MSR Blacklite) and stainless plate
Gerber Gator Folding Knife
Stone and diamond sharpener (knife must be razor sharp!)
Stone and diamond sharpener (knife must be razor sharp!)
Knife Fork and spoon
(From the kitchen no Spork for me - spork for Anna G)
(From the kitchen no Spork for me - spork for Anna G)
Camelback Bladder 2*3L
Water Filter MSR Waterworks
Clothes
2 x padded mountain biking shorts
Macpac Quick dry Long pants
2 x travel shirts (quick dry)
3 x Icebreaker t-shirts
Krank Rush Merino long sleeve top
Icebreaker Jetter Jacket
Macpac Endeavour Pants Rainpants Men's
Macpac Prophet Rain jacket
Ground Effect Day glow jacket
Lycra knee warmers
Swimming shorts
Gore-tex gloves
Thermal gloves
Woollen socks * 4 (1 Thick and warm 2xTramping 1xRuning)
Boxer shorts 3
Travel towel
Jandals
Off Bike shoes Merrel Camelion
Bike SPD Cleat Shoes - Shimano MB60
Neoprene over booties
Other stuff
Digital SLR camera
Point and shoot camera (waterproof for rainy days)
Memory cards (2*8G+5*4G to send home)
Memory card backup
Small Portabable Hard Drive
Small Portabable Hard Drive
Charger
Extra batteries
Memory card reader
English Spanish Dictionary
Passport and waterproof pouch
First-aid kit with the basics plus some antibiotics and a few other things to get me through most things
30 m of 2 mm cord (4*5m+10m)
Lonely Planet South America on a shoe string Book
Power Adapter
Book
All Bens gear out of the Bags
It all fits!
"The Mighty One" Fully loaded for the first time
We have not had significant gear failures yet on the trip, touch wood. There are some holes appearing in our clothes which Anna is diligently sewing up. Bikes have recieved a 5000km service in La Paz. Bens clothes don´t fit him any more, his favourite Ground Effect shorts are almost falling off. Annas favourite shorts are wearing thin on the top from the sun. We find our fleece wardrobe is sometimes inappropriate in cities and other 'normal' situations.
