Gear, bikes and stuff

What do you take on a bike tour?

Bikes of course. In 2000 Rudy and I went to Jonathan's Bike Shop in Santa Rosa (long gone sadly) and Jonathan recommended a Bianchi Volpe, a touring bike. Touring bikes have longer chain stays so your feet won't hit what ever bags you load on back. The wheels have extra spokes to carry the weight and our bikes are steel for strength, comfort and durability. We bought the bikes after determining Volpe means Fox. How could we refuse. The bikes have three chain rings in the front 7 gears in the back, so we can climb hills at a very slow pace and fly along with tail winds. We have two panniers (bags) on the back and little trunk like bags that sit on the top of the back rack. There is also a little tool kit in a small bag attached to the back of the seat. I have two water bottles. A computer that has an odometer, a trip odometer (which we reset daily), a speedometer, a listing for maximum speed (which also resets) and Rudy's has average speed. I have a map case that fits to my handle bar in which I place our maps obtained from Adventure Cycling in Missoula, Montana. The maps are very good, giving all the information you need to travel across the country. They publish lots of maps and have a great web site.

I have a Leatherman multi tool, a Murphy Goode cork screw, extra zip ties and a tire pump, some extra tubes, an extra tire, a small security cable with lock.

Clothing, also of course. I have four pairs of riding shorts, three jerseys, arm warmers, leg warmers, ear warmers , a vest, and a brightly colored jacket designed for cycling from Performance. It is rain proof and I also have a pair of rain pants. Several pairs of socks, a nice Bell cycling helmet and Diadora cycling shoes. Bungee cords to help secure some of this stuff to the bike. We pack our clothes in zip lock bags, it helps keep them in order and as we squeeze the air out of the bags it cuts down on volume of stuff you are fitting in the panniers. Oh, I also have a pair of nylon pants with zip off legs and one polo shirt and a pair of non cycling shoes for when we are off the bike for the day.

The normal toiletries as well as sun block and the most important item, Bag Balm.

Communication: We both have cell phones, mine is Verizon and Rudy's is AT&T. There have been a few places where I have service and Rudy does not. If Rudy has service, so do I.
I have a HP Mini note book model 110 purchased through Verizon. A neat little machine and I and get online via WiFi or cable or through the Verizon network. So far, WiFi has been the way to go.

We both wear heart monitors and watch the old tickers hum along as we ride.