Not the 400 miles expected - probably because I didn't do the Day 0 tours & such. But still, 630km ( 391 mi) was pretty cool.
Validated some of my packing / traveling gear and made some changes along the way. Definitely helped to stay at Lotar's in Syracuse and a couple other stops along the way.
Routewerks handlebar bag:
- Confirmed: Electrolytes, snack bar, bug net, backscratcher, Car key, Hitch key, Lock key, Rack Key, Garmin Tempe, Swiss Army Knife, Garmin Edge, Cell Phone, Wallet, First Aid Kit, Chap Stick, Friction Frosting, Dude Wipes, Insect Repellent, Sunscreen, Buff
- Change next time: don't need the keys - get a combination lock. More dude wipes, fewer wet-ones. Get a bottle of spray sunscreen - easier to apply & store.
Toiletry kit:
- Confirmed: Bag w/ mirror, toothbrush, toothpaste, nail clippers, tweezers, floss, Deo, Shower Soap, Washcloth, Lotion, Tylenol, Naproxen, Ibuprofen, Calcium supplement, Dude Wipes, Clothesline, Winter Hat
- Change next time: didn't use sink stopper, pain meds was a lot but better to have them & not need them ya' know? Same w/ the winter hat. Chose to not bring NyQuil and didn't need it anyway.
Wearing:
- Confirmed: Bike, helmet, sunglasses, gloves, sun-shirt w/ sleeves (or LS shirt), bibs, sneakers, helmet liner, Garmin Watch, Road ID, Front & Rear Lights, Water Bottles, Bear Spray
- Change: ULock w/ cable - get a combination lock! Helmet Liner was crucial in keeping the head from getting sunburned. Get FRONT LIGHT that flashes!
Bike Duffel Bag:
- Confirmed: Reading glasses, chamois cream, Repair kit, charge cables for electronics, charge block, power bank, Sun hat / ball cap, Wipes, Handtowel, Rain Coat, extra water bottle,
- Change: Tarp, Net, Bag Cover, Ext Cord, full MODL set, wrist brace, cold packs, happy nuts, USB Fan - move the ext cord to a duffel, only needed 1 power bank, charge block needed inside & at charging stations. Never used the umbrella. Sleeping mask wasn't used - never stopped long enough for a nap. Also didn't use the reading glasses, but this is where they should be. Bring SOME MODL, but don't need the full set.
- After 2 days, I changed from the duffel to a pannier. It was fine except the pannier banged against the spokes of the wheel. I need a better rack. FAN needs to go into overnight bag also.
Green duffel (clothes & inside):
- Confirmed: Book, shower shoes, toiletry kit, towel, GoMacro bars, hydration packets, clothes - STNKY bag, LS sun shirt, 4 bibs, 2 sun sleeves, 3 sun shirts, 1 gravel shirt, 1 camp shorts, 1 bathing suit, 3 socks (1 worn), 2 underwear (pjs)
- Change: only wore 1 pair of socks the whole week, used ALL the bibs, but threw one of them away at the end, used bathing suit, camp shorts for PJs, only wore the gravel shirt once - it wasn't as comfy as the sun shirts though it was UPF 50. Don't bring so many bars as the rest stops are well stocked.
Black duffel (sleeping):
- Confirmed: Tent, Air mattress, quilt, liner 1, liner 2, pillow 1, pillow 2, Towel, sleep masks
- Change: stool instead of full-chair. Is there a better option than the quilt? Would like to limit this to a single bag.
Would like to limit myself to one duffel bag, or maybe just panniers? The bus trip back was brutally uncomfortable so either I leave the car at Albany & take the bus at the start, or take the train to Buffalo? Either way, looks like the. But biking with all the bags to the train station would be impossible. At one of the hotel stops I did some repacking and put all the stuff I needed for the night in just one bag and put it on my back and rode to the hotel.
Totally didn't need that huge tent, especially since I slept inside all the time. But depends on weather next year.
