Just in case anyone else is thinking of doing some long distance cycling we thought that it might assist to set out the kit that we took with us on this trip.

Bicycles

We have  toured for many years on Surly Long Haul Trucker bicycles. They have worked really well but this year we have moved over to recumbent trikes.  After lots of false starts, we ended up with an AZUB Tricon 20 for Bernie.  David plumped for an HP Velotechnik Scorpion fs20.

High pressure pumps

Water bottles (including 1 each that has a filter to allow us to filter river water)

Altura Bar Bags (very useful as detachable from the bike)

Racks (front and back for David, just back for Bernie)

Brooks leather saddle for David (who swears by this) and now for Bernie too (squeaks but is more comfortable than the ones that are silent)

1 extended cable to extend the lock

Back lights

Helmets

Cycling fingerless gloves

Waterproof warn weather cycling gloves

Waterproof overtrousers

Waterproof overshoes (booties)

Toolkit containing basic tools, puncture repair kits.

Spare tubes for both bikes and trailer

We did the first 3 legs with Carryfreedom trailers with 2 wheels. We packed most of the kit into a large back that sits on David’s trailer (weighing about 40 pounds) and had a smaller one for Bernie.  However we reverted to Carradice heavy duty panniers for the next trip.

Tent

Lightwave t20 hyper 2 person tent. Very light but it can be difficult to get the poles into place when the tent is very dry.  But overall is very good.

Sleeping bags:

We have 2 old goose down sleeping backs with silk inner sleeping bags, packed in drybag containers.  However we use lighter sleeping bags for the summer parts.

Sleeping mats

Neo Air Thermarest (highly recommended)

Clothes:

Everyone has their own view on how many sets of clothes to take but we had 2 sets of cycling clothes plus one set of casual clothes each, all stuffed into a single drybag.

Micro fleece jumper

Full Fleece jackets – not used on summer trip but essential at high altitude in autumn/fall

Merino wool thermal top and leggings. Leggings useful as cycling leggings as well as wearing in evenings or under trousers.

1 pair of cycling shoes and 1 pair trainers each

Cooking:

1 whisperlite stove plus 2 petrol (gas) canisters. This works off standard unleaded petrol (gas) and was hugely reliable.

1 set of pans

Spork and knife set

I light bread knife

2 x penknives

1 wooden spoon

Electrical equipment

Mobile phones

Tablet and logitech keyboard

Kindle Fire

Camera

Other items

Headtorches

1 micro towel

Scrabble and cards

Notebook and pens (essential)

Role of Duct tape (never travel without this)