As my departure date grows closer so does my panic and anxiety getting everything done.  Not only am I packing for my first fully self-supported long distance bike ride, but I am also moving out of my home – selling or storing all of my possessions.  With all this going on, it seems like a good time to share my packing list – and ask everyone to make suggestions of anything I could be forgetting!!!

Let’s look at this by sections:  

Eating

• Jet Boil stove (with pot, cup built in)
  
• 2 fuel bottles
  
• Extra pot
• Scrubber
• Water Filter & iodine tablets
• Camelback & 2 bottles – total water capacity = 4.5 L
• Swiss army knife
• Biodegradable soap  (also spotlighting as shampoo and laundry detergent)

Sleeping

• Tent (Hubba Hubba, 2person)
• Groundsheet
• Thermarest (3/4 length)
• Sleeping bag (down, -18 C)

Repair Kit

• Multitool with allen keys, wrenches, chain break
• 2 spare tubes
• 2 patch kits
• Tire boot
• Tire levers
• Presta valve adapter
• Various nuts & bolts
• Lube & rag
• Duct tape
• Seam sealer
• Sewing kit
• Extra bags
• Extra zap straps
• Pump

First Aid Kit

• Mutli-day expedition pre-packaged kit
• Polysporin
• Advil
• Cold sore medication
• Antifungal cream
• Extra bandaids

Toiletries

• Toothbrush
• Toothpaste
• Contacts & Solution
• Extra lenses
• Hand sanitizer & wipes
• Toilet paper
• Copious amounts of sunscreen

Clothes

• Rain jacket
• Rain pants
• Rain shoe covers
• Rain helmet cover
• Windbreaker
• Down jacket
• Vest
• Long sleeve shirt
• 3 tank tops
• 2 cycling shorts
• 3 cycling socks
• 3 underwear
• 3 sports bras
• Cycling gloves
• Regular gloves
• Tights doubling as regular pants
• Shorts (aka swim bottoms)
• Dress
• Wrap
• Flip flops
• Vibrams
• Bandana

Unnecessary but necessary?

• Backpack
• Cell phone
• Wallet
• Passport
• Bear spray
• Whistle
• Solar panel (Nomad 13)
• Charging device (Guide 50)
• Computer (MacBook 11″)
• Mini speaker
• DSLR Camera
• Notebook & pens
• Deck of cards
• Climbing shoes & harness

Hopefully I am not forgetting anything!!!  A big thanks to Luke and the guys at North Park Bikes for running through my repair kit and thinking of everything I could possibly need there – plus their number to call from the side of the road if need be!  And although they are lovely, it’s call I hope not to make!

Categories: Across Canada, Biking, Gear

Tags: across canada, biking, Camping, Cycling, gear, long distance, packing, self-supported