Gear List
What's necessary and what's a luxury?
Gear from 2019 Chicago - Amarillo ride. Not pictured: three bike bags & my phone.
When you’re carrying everything, you learn to only bring what is absolutely necessary. I learned this the hard way while hiking to Everest Base Camp in Nepal a few years ago. I’ve always lived at sea level so the trek to around 17,000ft became laborious due to the elevation. My pack weighed 28lbs and that didn’t even include a tent or cooking gear. In my defense, it was my first time backpacking on my own. (Why would you choose Everest Base Camp as your first backpacking experience? Go big or go home as my Texan brethren would say). When I embarked on the Annapurna Circuit a few weeks later, my pack was a spry 12lbs.
Pictured above is what I brought on the ride in 2019. Pictured below is what it looks like when I first start out coming fresh off the plane.
Here is the full list from 2019*:
On the Bike: seat post bag, frame bag, handle bar bag, water bottles (2), front light, tail light, phone holder
Tools: phone + charger, headphones, pump, multi-tool, tire levers, inner tubes (2)
Riding: sunglasses, helmet, cycling shoes, gloves, Garmin watch + charger, underwear, sports bra, Pearl Izumi Sugar 5in shorts, jersey, socks, rain jacket, buff
Resting: glasses, ballet flats, underwear, bralette, yoga pants, long sleeve shirt, puffy, neck gaiter
First Aid: Ibuprofen, bandaids, dermabond
Toiletries: comb, conditioner, face lotion, tooth brush / paste, sunscreen, lip balm, nail clipper
Other: wooden spoon, small laundry detergent, battery pack, electrolyte tablets, razor
Changes for 2025:
There aren’t many changes, because you don’t need much when all you’re doing is biking from dawn until dusk. Also, why did I bring a wooden spoon? Changes? For starters, I’ll most likely cut the entire “other” category. I’m toying with the idea of replacing my glasses/sunglasses/headphones with a pair of Ray Ban Meta smart glasses, but still debating since they are known to slide down your nose — alot. Additions: Selfie stick, shotgun mic, long sleeve shirt, riding hat, detergent bar. I’m also going to try out a set of women’s specific Terry Cycling high rise shorts. However, at $130, they better be like sitting on a cloud compared to my $40 Pearl Izumis.
*These are not sponsored links and I do not get any kickbacks for them. They are here so you can get a sense of what I used and a convenient link if you want to buy them.