GEAR

After I purchased a used Trek 520 I put hundreds of miles on it in preparation for my trip and had no problems whatsoever. I probably need to qualify the above by stating that I purchased the bike USED. Compared to my last bike (a Peugeot) I feel like I went from a Volkswagen to a Cadillac. I use Jandd bags front and rear with a Performance handlebar bag.

Before I get to the gear I took with me, I need to give out one little piece of advice. If you are mechanically declined like I am, then the best thing you can do is to sign up for a local course on bike maintenance and then VOLUNTEER to work in your favorite bike shop for a few weekends at assembling bikes. It will make you much more comfortable with tearing your bike down and making repairs on it. The degree of self confidence can not be measured.

And never leave for any long distance trip without having given your bike a major inspection. Leave this to the professionals if you are not adept. Find a bike shop whose mechanics you trust and let them do the work for you.

Whether it be just a light tune-up or replacement of major components, the peace of mind you get from knowing your bike has been professionally inspected is worth it.

On to the list of gear (bear in mind that I tried to load this 40% front and 60% rear. The best way to ensure the right proportions is to take the packed bags and weigh them on a scale. You'll figure it out!)

Also, bear in mind the toiletry list was done from a male perspective. You ladies know what you need to take in addition to (or in spite of) what I've listed!!

This list is fairly comprehensive but you must tailor it to your requirements and personal needs. Items marked with a "**" are what I consider optional. At least my experience showed I really did not need to have it with me. However, the other stuff is either required every day or was like an insurance policy--just in case.

tire patch kit	tire irons	6" crescent	Swiss army knife	extra spokes with nipples
screwdrivers	spoke wrench	allen wrenches	freewheel remover	8/10 and 9/10 mm wrenches
tire gauge	bottom bracket tools	spare tube (2)	cable cutters	derailleur cable
chain lube	chain tool	brake cable	chain links	kevlar spoke
brake wrench and shoes	rim strips (installed)	crank extractor	straps or Bungee cords	small reel fish line **

stove **	fuel **	pots/pans (mess kit) **	spare fuel container **	utensils
spices **	storage containers	sponge or scouring pad **	bag ties	matches/lighter

P-51 (can opener)

flashlight w/batteries

pump	lock/chain set	water bottles/camel back	horn or bell **	bike lights (front/rear)
spare tire	sleeping bag	tent	tarp/ground cloth	foam pad

swim trunks	socks	wind breaker	"off the bike" shoes	good rain gear
underwear (shorts/shirts)	cycle shirt with pockets (2)	cycle shorts (2)	long pants	lightweight sweater **
shoe covers (plastic bags)	small towel	arm/leg warmers	gloves	bandanna
shirt (nice)	handkerchief	riding shoes	sunglasses	helmet and mirror

lip balm	sunscreen	medicinal ointment	gauze	eye ointment/eyedrops
elastic bandage	hydrocortisone cream	insect repellent	disinfectant soap	adhesive tape
gauze pads	aspirin/ibuprofen	alcohol pads	campho-phenique

toothbrush	toilet paper	soap	mirror **	toothpaste
sewing kit **	comb/brush	shampoo	dental floss	shaving gear **

deck of cards **	rope (nylon)	cleaning rags	camera and lenses	credit card numbers
large plastic bags	reflective tape **	Ziploc bags	rubber bands	credit card balance #
wallet	spare change	empty film cannisters	compass **	credit card report # **
maps	film	keys	notebook and pens	tape recorder/tape/batteries
small tripod **	spare bolts (h2o bot, rack)	credit card	driver's license	insurance card
bike license numbers	Bible/fav book **	cash card	addresses of friends	stamps **
	H2O purification tabs **	inflatable pillow **	thermometer **

HANG ON A SEC!!! LET'S GO HERE, INSTEAD! >>>>>>