Gear

Getting real

I have to be real here, as 2020 wound down, I found myself not really looking forward to the trip anymore, given the pandemic, the small struggles I’ve had on the bike, and just being worn out.  Depressing thoughts, depressing events around the world, depressing COVID numbers seemed to weigh me down.  The New Year changed all that.  Hey, I realize it’s more of the same for right now, but at least the year was different.  And, I got a GoPro for Christmas, which I really wanted to be able to take video on the trip (if you’ve any tips on making or editing the videos, PLEASE let me know!).  I’m also starting to pick up the last bits of gear I need.  It’s always exciting to plan your moves and get the things that will get you there.  Another motivating thing I’m doing is starting to plan my meals and prepare the food I’ll need.  I’ve got to find a couple of places along the way to mail myself food boxes as well.  As a vegan who has travelled, I know I won’t find food I can eat easily, so I’ll make my own.  It’s only 4 months until I leave and that feels close.

With the getting the last bit of gear and preparing the food for the trip, my excitement has come back.  After seriously contemplating giving the trip up, I was looking forward to it again.  Now I am relooking at maps, and getting serious.  I have also discovered a website, Bunk a Biker, where other bikers offer up their places for traveling bikers to stay.  While I find strangers scary, it’s comforting to know that there are people out there willing to put me up and help me if necessary.  I’m not sure the general public is ready for me, but, I might step out of my comfort zone and actually stay with some of these nice folks!

All the stuff

One thing I realized I haven’t talked about is my gear and what I’ll need on this trip.  Since I plan on camping for most of the time, I’m going to need basic camping gear.  That gear has to fit on my bike and be light enough for the bike to handle.  My bike has a GVW of 1,113 lbs.  The bike weighs, with a tank of gas and oil, ready to drive, 615 lbs.  I’m a big girl and with the bars, luggage, me, everything but the trip gear, it weighs about 859 lbs.  That leaves me about 254 lbs to play with.  I’d like to leave myself over 100 lbs of space, so I’d like to keep the gear as light as possible.

During my time as a backpacker, I’ve acquired a lot of lightweight gear.  I have a lightweight tent, a bit over 2 lbs, but I like Glenn’s tent better, even though it’s a bit heavier, by a couple of pounds.  He uses an older REI quarter dome 2 man tent.  I’ll be using Glenn’s JetBoil and it weighs 13.1 ounces and the fuel weighs 3.7 ounces per can.  I’ll likely carry a full can and a partial can, picking up another when I break into the new can.  I’ve a pot that weighs about 8.1 ounces and a titanium spork that weighs a half an ounce.  That’s my kitchen set up, about 5.25 pounds.

Kitchen set-up.  Stove, pot, coffee cup, spork, and fuel.

I had an Exped air mattress, but it got damaged.  I recently bought a Zooobelives air mattress.  While heavy at 3.3 lbs and I’d never take it backpacking, it comes with a built in pump, it inflates to 4 inches and has an R-value of 4.  This tells you how warm it will be.  Since I’m usually cold, I prefer a high R-value.  The bonus of this mattress, it was only $33.99!  For that kind of price, I at least have to test it out.  Truthfully, I did “test” it on the trip to Lake Crowley and it was comfortable.  I’ve seen a video from FTA Adventures mattress review where he actually drove his motorcycle over this mattress several times.  I sleep in a Marmot Angel Fire 20 degree bag that weighs 2 lbs 8 ounces, have a silk sleeping bag liner that comes in at 4.9 ounces and a Fillo that is 9 ounces.  That takes care of my sleeping arrangements at 6.8 pounds.

The entire house.  Sleeping bag, pillow, liner, mattress, tent, and lounge chair.

The house in the bag that will ride on the backseat.

The rest of the gear is camera gear, food, clothes, tools, personal supplies, and other stuff.  I should, once everything is loaded up, have about 175 lbs or so left to play with.  That should be plenty for me to add a bit and have some cushion.

Fine dining

Food is another issue for me.  Given the trouble I’ve often had when traveling, I’ve decided to treat this trip much as a backpacking trip.  I’ll make my own dehydrated meals to eat on the trip, and I have to say, I make some awesome backpacking meals!  This involves a fair bit of planning.  This is probably a surprise to you, but planning isn’t something I’m really great at.  I will need to make sure I’ve meals for at least 29 days, breakfast, lunch and dinner.  I know plenty of good recipes, but it will take time to make enough food for a month.  Of course, sitting here in my living room with a kitchen full of food, nothing sounds bad.  However, experience tells me that I will get fussy.  I’m usually so easy going, but you know, we all have our limits.  What sounds fantastic now, will be less than appealing after riding all day, particularly if I’ve already eaten it once or twice.  At least all the food I cook is easy to prepare!

Places to stay

Looking at the map, I have the potential to stay with Bunk a Biker hosts for 12 nights.  Many of these offer camping at their places and a lot of them are either women or couples, which could make things easier for me.  Being a single woman on my own could cause some concern, though I generally don’t have much to worry about.  I will give it some thought and maybe reach out to some when the time gets closer.  The premise is great, people that have space and want to, allow travelling bikers to stay with them, either in their houses or camped in their yard.  They don’t charge, though I’m sure you could offer to buy dinner or something.  Definitely something to consider and something we could all consider doing.

I will play with loading the bike, make food, and will continue to practice my riding.  The next four months will pass quickly!