Gear Changes

Naturally on a trip like this you expect to go through some supplies, like food, sunblock, tire patches, and so on. Here are some of the less obvious changes to my inventory during the trip.

Items that were lost or left behind

• a water bottle
• a bag of bagels
• a pair of long johns
• a clothesline and pins
• a poncho (blew away)
• a pair of sunglasses
• a bungee cord

Items I replaced because they wore out or broke

• at least half a dozen tires and at least a dozen tubes
• half a set of wheel bearings (10) (got rusty)
• a whole lot of bearing grease and chain lube
• the entire drive train of the bike (crank, chain, gears, and derailleur)
• two rear-view mirrors (the mounts broke, not the glass)
• two water bottles (they leaked)
• hydration bag and tube (developed an advanced culture)
• a solar battery charger (damaged by water)
• three T-shirts
• three pairs of shoes
• four pairs of socks
• PalmPilot keyboard (water damaged)
• one brake cable and housing

Items I replaced even though they hadn't worn out

• pedals (in favor of ones with clips)
• tent (in favor of one that weighed half as much)
• sleeping pad (in favor of a larger one)
• a tire pump and gauge (in favor of a pump with a built-in gauge)
• gloves and mittens (in favor of a slightly larger pair)