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Preparing for my first bike trip across Europe was a daunting task, I found gear lists and advice of others very helpful in this process. Therefore, I thought I would throw together a little information about what I use and the thought process behind it. 

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HOWEVER: I feel it is important to note that you can have an adventure by bicycle with almost ANY gear. Don't get too caught up in the gear vortex. My first tour I had basic clothing, a cheap tent and a broken sleeping pad. JUST GET OUT THERE.

 

Cycling Europe I opted for a traditional touring setup with a Surly Longhaul Trucker bicycle, bombproof Ortlieb panniers, drybag, and handlebar bag. I tried to keep my setup light and versatile. However, looking back on the trip there is a lot I could have left behind (clothing especially). Quickly I discovered it was dirt roads, gravel and hidden single track that I loved.

 

After much deliberation I decided that for South America I wanted a more off road capable bike and a setup that would allow me to ride these routes whilst travelling through a diverse range of weather conditions. Much of my gear was still useable, but I also swapped a few things and introduced some new items. Below is a current list of what I am using in South America. 

 

If any gear changes I will try to update the list to reflect this. 

 

Bike:

 

-Bombtrack Beyond +1 2018 model

 

A 27.5” wheeled steel mountain bike. Capable of mounting all types of racks and cages. Has proved excellent on all manner of terrain. 

 

Largely stock aside from:

 

• Brooks B17 saddle

• Shimano hydraulic brakes

• 180mm Shimano Icetech front disc rotor

• DMR metal pedals

• Ergon grips

• Maxxis Chronicle 27.5”x3” tyres (running tubeless)

 

Luggage:

 

• Tubus Logo rear rack

• Salsa Anything HD cages with Salsa drysacks x2

• King Cage steel bottle cages x2

• King Cage Titanium Manythings cage

• Voile and Black Diamond straps

• Alpkit Stingray custom rolltop framebag

• Alpkit Fuelpod 25 toptube bag

• Mountain Hardware Scrambler 40 backpack (strapped to rack)

• Revelate Designs harness with Ortlieb 22L drysack

• Revelate Designs Egress Pocket

• Acepack feedbag

• Handmade Bolivian feedbag

 

Camping:

 

• Six Moon Designs Lunar Solo tent

• Thermarest XTherm sleeping pad

• Cumulus Xlite 400 down sleeping bag

• Rab silk sleeping bag liner

• Tyvek groundsheet

• MSR Groundhog pegs

 

Kitchen:

 

• Trangia Alchohol Stove

• Vargo Hexagon Titanium Wood Stove

• MSR windshield

• Seatosummit 1.2L pot

• Seatosummit plastic spork

• Sawyer Mini water filter

• 2L Platypus bladder

• GSI mug

• GSI pot scraper

• Bic lighter x2

 

Tools:

 

• Opinel no9 knife

• Cheap Leatherman copy

• Topeak multitool

• Assorted Allen keys and wrench

• Lezyne Mini HV pump

• Chain lube

• Spare chain link

• Spare brake pads

• Rag

• Tubeless sealant

• Tubeless bacon strips

• Puncture repair kit

• Pedros tyre levers

• Tyre boot

• Spare tubes x2 (Tubolitos)

• Needle and thread

• Zip ties and duct tape

 

Clothing:

 

• Salomon XA Pro 3D trailrunners

• Merino socks (one for sleeping) x3

• Icebreaker merino boxers x2

• Mountain Hardware zip off trousers/shorts

• Rab shorts

• Icebreaker merino t-shirt

• Bolivian football t-shirt

• Icebreaker merino longsleeve

• Cotton button up longsleeve shirt

• Mountain Equipment zip up breathable jacket

• Black Diamond synthetic softshell

• Arc’teryx Alpha FL rain jacket

• Rab windshell

• Columbia rain trousers

• Bamboo leggings

• Wool hat

• Converse cap

• Widebrim hat for deserts

• Buff

• Teva sandals

• Wrap around sunglasses

• Neoprene socks for wet weather

• Giro cycling gloves

• Mountain Equipment waterproof insulated gloves

 

Electronics:

 

• Iphone SE (with Lifeproof case)

• Anker 20000mah powerbank 

• Apple MacBook 13” (with waterproof sleeve)

• External hard drive

• Fuji XT2 camera with 18-55mm f2.8 lens

• Garmin InReach satellite messenger/safety beacon

• Giant bicycle speedometer

• Cheap headphones

• Kindle Paperwhite e-reader

• Black Diamond Storm headlamp

• Assorted cables, chargers, memory cards and cleaning stuff

 

Misc:

 

• Trusty Casio watch

• Specialized helmet

• Small first aid kit

• Small chain and padlock

• A few water purification tablets

• Sunscreen

• Notebook

• Joby tripod

• Toiletries bag

• Travel towel

• Klean Kanteen 2L

• SIS 1L water bottle x2

 

 

If you have any questions about gear, my setup or bicycle travel in general please don’t hesitate to get in touch.