Hermes, The Bike:
Surly Disc Trucker kit steel bicycle (52cm), including:
- Continental Contact 26″ tires
- Disc brakes
- 36-spoke Shimano XT wheel hubs
Terry Butterfly Cromoly Gel saddle
Shimano Deore M590 crankset (22-32-44)
Shimano M324 Pedals
Front Panniers:
Left: Food and Bike Repair
6 spare tubes
Spare chain link
Chain lube
Compass
Pot, bowl, and spork
Right: Technology
Camera (I use a big honking one, but it’s worth it for the quality)
Tablet- Samsung Galaxy (would not recommend)
Books
Chargers
Outlet adapter
Rear Panniers:
Left: Sleeping
Hilleberg Akto tent
Down sleeping bag (borrowed)
Thermarest pad
Right: Clothing and Toiletries
Cycling clothes:
-two pairs cycling shorts
-one lightweight tank top
-one quick-dry long-sleeved dress
-two sports bras
-one neon windbreaker
-two pairs cycling gloves (long and short fingered)
-arm and leg warmers
-one tight top layer
-two pairs merino wool socks
Street clothes:
-one pair lightweight trousers
-one pair loose capris
-three quick-dry shirts (I have too many…)
-one regular bra
-one scarf
-one beanie hat
-one buff
-one down jacket
-one rainjacket
-one pair leggings
-one pair long underwear
-sneakers
*This pannier is entirely too full, and will be the major site of cutting weight when I get to send things home.
On Me:
Specialized Body Geometry Riata MTB shoes
Specialized Propero II helmet
Camelbak 3L backpack
We love following your journey. You are very special. We look forward to Christmas
Thanks! Helpful for my bike trip I’m about to go on. Do you bring anything to reduce sores from rubbing/chafing?
Hey Matt, glad to hear you’re about to head out on the road. Yeah, there’s a few things you can try.
First, apply chamois butter before you ride for the first few weeks, and when you bike in hot weather. You might already use this, but if not, you apply it liberally to wherever your ass is in contact with the seat. It reduces the chafing a lot. Then, it’s about your post-ride routine. Wash up as best you can, apply some goldbond powder to help dry the skin, and before bed apply some antibiotic ointment to help anything sore heal. Be sure to wear loose shorts after your rides to give your skin time to breathe. Generally, I found that my skin got pretty resilient with time on the bike, so by last summer I wasn’t using chamois butter as much, but every time I felt a sore spot threatening, this typically cleared it up quickly. Saddle sores are no joke, though. Enjoy the ride.