So what´s on our bikes anyway???

It´s not easy to pack everything you ´might´need for a 6 month cycle touring trip!

Where do you start?

I guess the first step for us was to work out what essential equipment and clothing we needed to survive on our trip.  Through our years of Adventure racing and bike touring we had a pretty good idea.  Looking back now, there is not much at all that we haven´t needed... hence our idea to write this blog to help anyone about to head off on a similar tour.

Lets start with Bike choice...

After lengthy discussions and lots of research we decided to purchase Surly Ogres.  They are built tough...perfect for long distance touring and rough roads.  The 29 inch wheels have handled everything we´ve thrown at them and given us a more comfortable ride.

They thrive on the rough gravel roads but also cruise along on smooth tarseal.

The componentry is built to last and easily found in most small bike shops in South America.

Gear carrying setup

At the back we opted for our Freeloader rear pannier racks with Ortleib Classic Back roller panniers, because they are tough and waterproof.  They have been excellent in terms of easy access, keeping stuff 100% safe and dry.

We keep all of our clothing and sleeping bags etc in them.  Anything we need dry are stored here.

Debbie´s left pannier

Both of our sleeping bags, sleeping mats, head torches, Diary, maps, passports, water pump.ear plugs and eye masks

Debbie´s right pannier

Clothing: both spare cycle shorts, thermal tops x2, thermal tights, tshirt, fleece top, cotton shirt, trekking shorts, long trousers-zip off, socks x2, undies x3, bra, sports bra, singlet, fleece pants, sun hats, mossie nets for head, sunglasses case, bike tools - chain whip.  PLB-resQlink

Both sets of gloves, beanies and buffs

Jandles

Emma´s left pannier

Electronics - solar charger, phone-camera etc cords and plugs, Kindle,ipod

First Aid kit - pain relief, water purification, variety of antibiotics for skin infections, diarrhoea, altitude sickness pills, bandages, tape, betadine, creams

Muesli

Plastic container for perishable foods

Crackers (emergency lunch)

2x overpants

2x rain jackets

Emma´s right pannier

  thermal tops x2, thermal tights, tshirt, fleece top, cotton shirt, trekking shorts, long trousers-zip off, socks x2, undies x3, bra, sports bra, singlet, fleece pants, sunglasses case,

both micro fibre towels, both lavalavas, shampoo, conditioner

Toilet bag - toothpaste, brushes, floss, mouthwash, deodorant, face cream, comb,small swissarmy knife, sewing kit, cotton buds, tweezers ,

Spare spokes

Jandles

On top of freeloader carriers

We each have our trekking shoes inside our Macpac 40 litre backpacks, in a dry bag, strapped to our freeloaders.  Debbie also has a spare tyre. 

At the Front we opted for two Salsa Anything Cages each and Debbie chose a metal carrier and Emma, a Oveja Negra front handlebar bag (sling)

Debbie adjusting the cooker and pot that sits on her front carrier.

Debbies Anything Cages

These vary from being completely empty to chocker full of food.... depending where we are.

The right side generally has been full of Absolute Wilderness Dehydrated Meals since we left NZ.  They have been saved for emergency meals or when we have had upset stomachs from the local cuisine.

The left side usually has an arrangement of pastas, sauces, soups, rice, vegetables and condiments.

Debbie´s Pot!

The pot sits on top of the front carrier and has the cooker, matches, flint, pot scrubber, Sea to summit collapsible plates and cups inside it

Debbie´s handlebar bag

This precious old handlebar bag has made several bike trips with Debbie.  Due to it´s age, we put a waterproof zip bag inside it which actually makes for a perfect handbag whenever we leave the bikes.

We put everything that we need during the day as well as valuables.

Sunscreen, insect repellent, camera, toilet paper and sanitiser, pocket knife, leatherman, electrical tape, allen key tool, spoons, steripen, waterproof notebook and pencil, snacks, cable ties, metal protector for stove

Emma´s handlebar bag

This holds the MSR hubba hubba tent and the MSR gearshed.  It has been excellent and doesn´t bump around like we initially expected.

Emma´s anything cages

The right side has a sturdy Sealine drybag which is excellent at holding it´s shape no matter if it is getting empty or not.  It has an evergrowing supply of containers in it - all originally peanut butter but now hold, milk powder, hot chocolate powder, marmite, peanut butter, manjar (a caramel sweetened spread), coffee

The left side is either full of food, or a 3 litre water container, depending on where we are and what we need.  

3 Water bottle cages each

One of these holds the MSR fuel bottle or a spare bottle of Benzina Blanca

The other two hold water bottles

Bento boxes

These are great for holding daily snacks and bars.

Emma has two and Debbie has one.

Bike tool - seat post carriers

We each have a large seat post carrier that can expand if needed.

We each carry two spare tubes.

Emma has spare Lyzene patches, tyre levers, tyre boot

Debbie has a Park Tool, spare brake and gear cables, chain links, bottom bracket tool, tyre lever, small roll of duct tape

No matter how full our panniers may be.... we always have room for fresh berries, apples or peaches that we pick on the roadside!!

Luckily the Ortleib panniers are dust proof as well as waterproof!!!

Be sure to wash your bike down after riding across salt flats!!!

Cycle touring gives you a real sense of freedom.  A home away from home!

There are many type of bikes and gear carrying options .....  we´ve tried a few other options out

Some can carry a lot more than ours.... but we think we´ll stick to what we´ve got!

Travelling light makes handling the extreme conditions more bearable

Happy Pedalling!!!