Well, planning time is over, for what it’s worth. Time for the rubber to hit the road, as they say.
I managed to get way too much stuff crammed in to way to little space. It’s a bit like Tetris to get everything in there, but we did it. I just hope I can remember how when I have to unpack at the hotel tomorrow night.
What I managed to get into the 2 micatech panniers and my tank bag:
5 pairs of socks, underwear and t-shirts
1 pair of shorts
swim trunks
1 pair of riding pants
1 rain jacket
1 pair of rain pants
1 pair of shoes
1 pair of sandals
shower kit with towel
mesh jacket outer shell
1 CamelBak MULE hydration pack
1 extra dry bag (for when everything won’t go back in the panniers)
tarp for under the tent
electronics box containing a EEEpc, 500GB external HDD, camera battery charger, misc cables for stuff
GoPro camera accessories
Complete tool kit
air compressor and pressure gauge
tire repair kit
sweatshirt
tie-down straps
baseball hat
small first aid kit
I’m sure I’ve forgotten some stuff, but it’s getting late and it’s the night before we’re supposed to leave. I’ll try to get pictures of all the stuff when I have the time. I wimped out and shipped the tent, sleeping bag and air mattress ahead. I will likely be riding back with them on the top of the panniers.
I also have the GoPro camera mounted on the crashbar. I’m going to attempt to take a picture every 2 seconds throughout the trip and stitch them together into a really boring movie. We’ll see how that goes.
Tomorrows destination: Somewhere around St. Louis.