Boring (but obligatory) equipment list

It is traditional to begin a bicycle touring travelogue with an equipment list.  So, here it is:

Bike:

-Motobecane Mirage Sport (almost every component has worn out and been replaced since I got this bike 11,000 miles ago, so it is a bit like the ship of Theseus paradox)
-700x25C Shwalbe Marathon Plus Tires (I love these tires so far, but we'll see how I feel about them a month from now)

-Blackburn EX-1 Rack
-Ortlieb Backroller Classic Panniers
-Cateye Strada Cyclometer
-Knog Frog lights (headlight serving double duty as my flashlight)
-Kool Stop dual compound brake pads (my absolute favorite)

Camping:

-ALPS Razor Sleeping Bag (marketed as a sleeping bag liner) (~1.25lbs.)

-Wenzel Starlite tent (~3lbs)

Tools:
-Topeak multitool
-Topeak pump
-2 spare tubes
-Glued patches
-Fiberfix spoke
-Emergency derailler hanger
-Spare chain link
-Craftsman 6" adjustable wrench
-Park adhesive tire boots
-Gerber Gator Knife

-Spare SPD cleat w/ bolts

-Small amount of duct tape

Clothing:

-2 compression fit tees

-Cycling cap

-2 pairs of Pearl Izumi bike shorts

-50/50 long sleeve shirt

-Synthetic basketball shorts

-5 pairs of synthetic socks

-Lake SPD shoes

Misc:

-Loads of maps

-Small compass

-Nylon wallet

-Disposable lighter

-Cable lock

Toiletries, first aid, food... blah, blah, blah.

The total weight of my gear comes in right around 15lbs, which I'm really happy about.  It seriously decreases the chance of having rack/back wheel troubles, improves handling, and makes climbing much easier.

The major thing I'm leaving behind is cooking stuff.  It would add 3lbs. and hundreds of dollars of cost to my rig.  The major reason I'm leaving it is because I know myself too well.  I barely ever cook in my apartment with all the conveniences of modern appliances.  Peanut butter off a knife blade will suit me much better. 

Lessons from Indiana

On spring break Will, Andy, and I headed off for what we thought was a four day jaunt through Indiana and Michigan to help prepare for our transcontinental trip.

On the first day we faced a constant 21mph headwind which seriously impeded our progress.  We made it only as far as the Indiana/Michigan border and found a nice place to camp with little effort.

Temperatures that evening dipped down to about 20 degrees.  Each of us was using $25 department store sleeping bags.  Mine held up nicely to the cold, Andy's so-so, Will's not at all.  On top of this, the floor of the tent I loaned Will had rotted out in storage.  It was a tough night, especially for Will and Andy.

I woke up to find that Will and Andy had already broken camp.  Anyone who knows Will knows why that might be terrifying.  Will offered to continue travelling through MI if we stayed in motels, Andy was sick and needed to return to Chicago.

The ride back was a blast.  We ditched the rotten tent in a McDonald's trash can in Gary (carefully saving the stakes for future use).  We met some very nice people and got a very interesting vantage of Gary.

Introduction

On June 14th Will and I will be departing for a roughly 2,500 mile bike ride from Chicago to San Francisco.

We will be riding 60-100 miles a day, camping wherever we feel like (if we feel so inclined), and deriving sustenance mostly from peanut butter and trail mix.  We aren't trying to follow a schedule (we know better than that by now), but we should be on an Amtrak train from San Francisco to Chicago sometime in mid/late July.

In the week leading up to our departure, I will be updating this blog with background information about our trip.  I will attempt to limit my entries to only things which some hypothetical reader could possibly find interesting.  On the road, I will be updating this blog with photos and entries using my trusty iPhone.

Anthony