Just documenting what I took on the Adventure Monkey Flint Hills Photo-Cycling Tour:
Bike & Gear:
- Surly Long Haul Trucker
- Helmet: Bell Ukon FS
- Tires: Serfas Vermin
- Front Rack: Blackburn MTF-1
- Rear Rack: Planet Bike Eco Rack
- Front Panniers: Taigo Mountain Front Panniers
- Rear Panniers: Nashbar ATB Panniers
- Top tube bag: Schwinn Top Tube Bag
- Pump: Topeak Road Morph
- Tail Light: Planet Bike Superflash
- Under-Seat Bag: Nashbar
- 2 spare 26″ tubes
- Tube patch kit
- Bicycle toolkit (multitool, etc.)
- Bike cable lock
- Brooks Saddle Cover
- Head light (cheap “be seen” flashing light, plus a Coleman 3AAA LED Headlamp)
Camping Gear:
- Tent: Eureka Pinnacle Pass 2XTA
- Sleeping pad: Cabella’s XPG Ultralight Sleeping Pad, Regular
- Sleeping bag: Northeast Outfitters Trailhead Mummy
- Pillow: Dellca Inflatable Pillow
- Timex Travel Alarm Clock
Clothing & Personal:
- 2 nylon cargo shorts (Old Navy)
- 3 cycling shorts
- 3 cycling jerseys
- 1 long-sleeve shirts
- 2 pairs socks
- 1 pair riding gloves
- Riding sandals (Lake SPD)
- Off-bike sandals
- Rain jacket (Specialized Deflect Jacket)
- Nashbar Helmet Cover
- MSR Packtowl UltraLite, large
- Sunglasses, w/extra lens and Take A Look Mirror
- Small notebook w/pen
- Travel wallet w/credit card, ID, insurance card, cash
- Toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, razor, shampoo, etc.)
- Misc energy bars
- Cell phone
- Camera
- MP3 player and speaker
- Several dry bags (Walmart Ultimate Dry Sacks)
This is basically the same kit as some of my previous tours, except a new pillow, extra outer shorts, and panniers instead of one large duffel bag.
The gear was organized with the sleeping bag in one rear pannier, the sleeping pad & pillow in the other, the tent on the rear rack, clothing in one front pannier, and electronics/sandals/toiletries in the other, and some miscellaneous items spread around in various panniers. Despite persistent rain, everything stayed pretty dry.
Total: About 66 pounds for loaded bike plus gear, not including water bottles. Probably about 34-35 pounds for the bike itself…
I’m pretty happy with the list, except that I’d like a smaller/lighter tent and smaller/lighter sleeping bag. Plus, for true self-supported, I’d need to come up with a cooking kit (stove, pots, utensils, etc.) and perhaps warmer clothing options.
See also: Flint Hills Bike Tour On Tap, Shakedown
