Prepare to Pack!

In 28 days I will begin the bike journey from the west to east coast! Everything is coming together perfectly and with a busy schedule in the next month it is time to start thinking about packing! So how do you pack for a nearly 2 month, 3,700 mile journey and keep it under 45lbs? If you have the answer please let me know! That weight is the recommended amount for each rider (not including bike) to haul in our support cargo vans during the ride. Before I get started a quick shout out to Schlegels Bicycles! They have been very helpful getting my bike into tip top shape for this ride. I've gotten a bike fit, a new saddle that made a little bit more for comfort without sacrificing too much performance, gator skin tires, new chain, and an upcoming full tune-up.

So lets get started on the packing. Of course the most important piece of equipment is the bike, my Giant TCR Advance 1 that I've had for almost 3 years now. I love the bike but I don't usually recommend a specific bike to everyone. Your best bet is to go to a knowledgeable store and have them fit you to the bike. Too often people haul over a large chunk of money for the "elite" bike but if it doesn't fit your riding style, body make-up, or goals then it could be a horrible investment. Also packing 2 pairs of R4WH biking kits (Shorts and jersey) and I'll sneak another kit in to hopefully keep on clean clothes most days. I'm not sure how often laundry will be done so I'm sure I'll pack quite a few wipes as well. I prefer bibs when talking about biking shorts, these have the built in suspenders and makes for a much more comfortable ride without revealing your backside to everyone on the road. Also needing biking gloves, shoes, helmet, socks, and sunglasses. Also I'll bring along 2 water bottles, my Garmin gear for tracking my stats, earphones and my iphone to keep up with my podcasts, and plenty of sunscreen. The weather the 1st couple weeks can be very challenging as well with is being late winter/early spring and spending some time in the desert. In regards to the weather I'll pack a top and bottom base layer, knee and arm warmers, full finger gloves, shoe covers, skull cap, a heave cycling jacket, and rain jacket. Am I to the 45 lbs yet!? How am I going to do this!

So now into the non-cycling gear. The biggest thing is the sleeping bag and pad. If anyone has a recommendation on these I would appreciate any help picking out a quality pad and bag that will ensure me the best night sleep. I'll also need a dressier outfit (khakis and polo) for giving presentations along with a couple casual outfits for after riding. All of you know I'm also into running and swimming so my running gear and jammers and goggles for swimming will have to sneak away with me as well. I definitely can't forget hygiene either! I use Every Man Jack products, these are free of a lot of the harmful chemicals and dyes in general products such as aluminum in deodorant.  I will also need my compression gear and might even squeeze in my small electrical stimulation unit to help with recovery after the long days. Most of our meals will be provided and we are sponsored by PowerBar for our food while riding but I'll need a couple of my go to supplements to come along with me. I will bring along my Vibrant Health green drink mix that I use as my daily mutli-vitamin plus so much more and my ultra-filtrated  low temperature processed amino acid/protein powder that is hormone and antibiotic free without any additional sweeteners. I'm still considering bringing my own bike nutrition, UCAN superstartch and energy 28 mixes, to keep my blood sugar levels in check and not wreck my body nutritionally on the ride  but the cost is troublesome especially when PowerBar will be supplying products to us but with almost certain havoc on the body.

I'm sure there are a few smaller items I'm missing here... but hopefully they all get into my bag before leaving. If you have any tips on the 45 lbs limit, sleeping bag/pad, or any other packing advice let me know! Thank you everyone so far for all of the moral and financial support! I'm amazed at my generous friends and support group around me. There is still time to donate. I am less than $700 away from reaching the amount all national riders are expect to raise. If you can help please visit my personal page by clicking here to pay through Paypal or ask me how you could send a check. Thanks again for all the support and only 4 weeks away from this blog getting real with stories and pictures from my actual adventure!