Equipment, Accessories and Clothing

One would think that for a bicycle ride across the country, all you need are a bike and a helmet.

Not so fast!

Let’s start with the fact that we bought new bicycles for this trip — with electric shifting and disc brakes.

Of course we also need clip in pedals and bike shoes.

And personally, I have been on a search for a comfortable women’s saddle— I have gone through five different saddles and finally landed on the Bi-Saddle (no pun intended) — it is literally two pieces that you can measure to your butt bones but open down the middle.  What a relief!

My husband ordered a custom fit saddle that was 3D printed by a company called Posedla, located somewhere in Czech Republic  – the company sent him a smiling butt kit – a piece of foam that he sat on, took pictures and emailed back to them, and he is very happy with the results.

You’d be amazed at all the accessories we can squeeze onto that skinny piece of equipment!

• Wahoo  – which tracks power, distance, elevation, speed, etc. (and which connects to Elment, Ride with GPS, Strava, and, for me, Map My Fitness)
• Lights (front and rear)
• Speaker – connected via Bluetooth to my phone
• Rear view mirror (though some are now using a radar sensor which also connects to Wahoo)
• Water Bottles (2) – though for longer rides, i like to wear a camelback
• Saddle bags (2) — top bar carries i-phone, skinny wallet, snacks, and tissues
• Under saddle bag carries tools, spare tubes and air cartridges for flats- we have ordered mini bike tire pumps too.

And then, in my separate accessory bag for travel:

• Extra bike gloves (long and short fingered)
• Head cap for cold days
• Separate arm sleeves
• Leg warmers
• Batteries and chargers
• Reflective belt (for busier roads)
• Noom and other goopie power aids
• Foot covers for cold days
• Bottle brushes/denture tablets (great for cleaning the bladder of a camelback)
• Single use hand wipes
• Toilet paper – for use of the green latrine

The company told us that we need to buy heavier tires (they’re called gators — heavier and slightly wider), and to bring extra bike parts — tires, tubes, spokes and chains — so we are sending those ahead separately.  We are planning for several flats along the  way.

As to clothing – we have been told that we are limited to basically two soft carry-on bags, and warned not to over pack — laundry day is 1x week

That leaves us with — 

• 6 kits (bike shorts, socks and top)
• Bike jacket/vest/rain cover
• 7 pair undies and socks
• 2 Tee shirts
• Jeans
• Hoodie
• 2 shorts
• Pjs
• Sneakers, flip flops 
• Toiletry bag