Rudy's Final Packing List

This is my list of everything that made it in the bike box today. For group items I was in charge of cooking gear (which is why the "group stuff" is dominated by cooking stuff); Will had the bike gear and Ian the maps (if you were wondering how we were going to figure out where we are going). More for future records, it will be interesting to see what of this junk I actually use...

GROUP STUFF
Potset: http://www.rei.com/product/784110
Large utensils: 2large spoons, spatula, pasta spoon, can opener, spatula thingy
1x shammy cleanup towel
Coleman propane burner (I will buy the tanks when we get there)
2 bic lighters
10 firestarter things (for our large bonfires or something like that).
1 2.5gallon water bladder (folds up flat). We can use it in camp and I can fill it before long days when we anticipate no water (like heading east)
First Aid kit

CYCLING
1x bike
1x Spare tube
Allen wrench set
1 extra SRAM chain link (because I have it and it is smaller than a penny)
2x cable locks (one that locks and one with eyehole ends that the other can fit through)
1 back of my seat bike rack and basket for easy access carrying of food/spare items
1 helmet
1 bike glasses
2 (cable) bike locks
1 Front light
2 rear blinkies
4 bike water bottles (plus 1 nalgene bottle)

PERSONAL STUFF CLOTHES
2 jerseys
3 bike shorts
1 swim trunks
1 light camping shorts with zip off pant bottoms
1 synthetic tights
2 (synthetic) t-shirts
1 fleece
1 long sleeve synthetic shirt
1 long sleeve light camping shirt
1 rain jacket + windbreaker
1 reflective wind vest
1 sandals
1 running shoes
1 cycling shoes
3 underarmour boxer/briefs
5 synthetic socks
1 smartwool socks
1 arm warmers
1 knee warmers
1 water proof shoe covers
1 sports watch

CAMPING
2 man tent with groundcloth and fly
1 utensil (spork)
Large and small ziplock bags
1 bowl
1 cup
1 (summer) sleeping bag
1 sleeping mat (thermarest)
1x single blade pocket knife
1x shammy body towel
1x long rope
4x bungee cords
1x small flashlight
Lots x Rubber bands
Wire
1x Strap
Zip ties
2x Carabineers

MISCELLANEOUS
cell phone and charger
passport
wallet w/ ID, credit cards, cash
receipt for REI BOB trailer pickup
toiletries: toothpaste, toothbrush, floss, 3x soap, razor, 3x hotel shampoos
1 small hand sanitizer bottle from the AFC
digital video camera
2xAA and 2xAAA bateries
sunscreen
skin so soft (bug repellant)
Pirate Flag
Deck of cards
The fountainhead
Pen
Diary
Extra smiles
Unlimited sense of humor

Video Practice and Some Pre-Flight Packing

So, here is the first video of the blog. It will likely also be the most boring of the videos because it takes place in my house with me packing. I wanted to make sure this uploading process would work before taking a camera 3000 miles, and fortunately my new FLIP didnt let me down. Voila, here it is! Expect lots of enthusiastic narration of the trip by yours truly.



This video is from Friday night before the trip; Saturday included packing everything into a bike box (relatively difficult considering the large quantity of items), and the flight to LA leaves Sunday (tomorrow) morning.

The Trip Overview.

Hi everyone, and welcome to the Whimsical West Coast Cruise touring trip blog. I (Rudy) will be maintaining and adding to the blog over the course of our bike trip for all to enjoy.

So what is this trip? Rudy, Will, Ian, and Mike (all recent graduates from UVA) will embark on an epic 6 week 3000mi bike touring trip from Los Angeles north to Vancouver along the Pacific Ocean, then east through the states of Washington, Idaho, and Montana, passing over the "Going to the sun road" in Glacier National Park, before heading north into British Columbia and visiting Banff and Jasper National Parks, and finally finishing in Calgary.

We will be carrying all of our gear and updating the blog as often as we encounter civilized people with computers. Expect postings of mileage, updates on our progress, insights into our endeavor, and pictures and video footage of of deliriously excited/exhausted guys on bikes.