Packing List

This is a complete list of the gear and equipment we carry on our bicycles. It includes items for two adults along with two 11-year old boys who are being roadschooled.

• 4-person tent
• Sleeping Bags (4)
• Foam/Air Mattresses (4)
• Pillows (4)
• Flashlights (4) - We believe it's important to have one flashlight apiece since we all do a lot of reading and the kids are doing homeschooling. This was more important during the winter when we spent a lot of time in the tent due to the short days.
• Tarp (large) - Large enough to cover the bikes in a rainstorm. There were times when we were caught in a heavy rainstorm and our only protection was making an impromptu tent with us straddling our bikes with the tarp covering us! Anyway it has multiple uses including theft protection.
• Sheet(1) - For those hot muggy nights where just touching the nylon of the sleeping bag makes you break out in a hot sweat (only for John, the rest go without)

• Stove
• Bowls (4)
• Utensils - spoons(4), forks(4), knives(2)
• Serrated cutting knife (a regular one. We wrap it in plastic bags to prevent cutting panniers)
• Big wooden spoon
• Pot (we carry a 4-liter pot so we can make pasta for four)
• Lighter
• Spare parts for the stove
• Spare fuel bottle
• Hot pads for holding pot
• Iodine drops to purify water
• Food (the amount and kinds vary tremendously depending on where we are and how far we have to go before we can buy more. We always have something like granola bars or other snacks with us. Read more here).

Bicycle Clothing:.

• Bicycle helmets(4) – We carry extra foam cushioning for the inside of the helmet. It does wear out and the helmet becomes very uncomfortable when it does.
• T-shirts, Bicycling shorts, Regular shorts, Socks - about two apiece (Nancy also has 2 sports bras) (Nancy & the boys wear regular shorts over bicycle shorts)
• Shoes – John uses cleated cycling shoes while the others use regular sneakers
• Sweat bands(2) - Critical when climbing long, steep hills in the tropics.
• Bicycling gloves(3) - Gloves are a must-have for those steering, but not for Daryl on back of a tandem.

Off-Bike Clothing:

• Sandals for each of us
• Sneakers (John)
• Sweat pants (John)
• Skirt (Nancy)
• Long pants (the boys)
• Cap/visor
• Bandana

Winter Clothing:

• Hats(4) - A thin wool hat to wear under the helmet
• Gloves(4 pairs) - Winter gloves; wool works best
• Liner Gloves (4 pairs) - To insert inside the winter gloves; wool works best
• Neck gaiters (3) John doesn't cover his face, but Nancy & the boys like to cover their noses when cold.
• Long Sleeve Shirts - thin wool and thin cotton shirts to use in layers
• Felted wool sweater vest (2) - Nancy & Daryl get really cold so they need an extra layer
• Jackets (either fleece jackets or thick felted wool sweater)
• Raincoats/rainpants - To use for warmth (they act to stop the cold wind from penetrating into our layers of shirts) and to keep out moisture.
• Tights (6) - the boys have two pairs each to layer
• Wool socks - a thin pair and a thick pair for each of us

Bicycle:(We’ve got more details here)

• Bicycles (2 singles & a tandem) with racks
• Panniers and Trailers - A full set of panniers (front, rear, and handlebar) for all bikes plus two trailers. We are carrying lots of stuff, much more than the average cycle tourist, but remember that we have two children and they are being homeschooled.
• Spare tubes - More 700c tubes than 26" since the former are very difficult (if not impossible) to get in South or Central America. A spare tube for the trailer.
• Spare tires - Again more 700c tires for the same reason. A spare tire for the trailer.
• Flat Tire Kit (patch kit, 3 plastic tire spoons, spare tube) for two adult bikes.
• Pumps (3) - One on each bike
• Emergency Flashing Lights - For when we get caught in the dark or go through tunnels
• Water bottles
• Pressure gauge (1)
• Chain lube
• Cable lock (1)
• Cycle computer (1)
• Nylon webbing straps/bungee cords to hold things together and on to racks
• Extra side-release fastener for the nylon webbing straps
• Tool kit (check our our advice for tools and spare parts!)
  • Spare chain links
  • Dedicated 10mm wrench
  • Dedicated 8 mm wrench
  • Small adjustable wrench
  • Dedicated allen wrenches
  • Small pliers
  • Various nuts, bolts, and spacers
  • Spare chain
  • Spare freewheel
  • Dedicated spoke wrench
  • Freewheel removal tool
  • Chain whip (to remove the freewheel with)
  • Dedicated chain breaker
  • Crank remover
  • Spare brake and shifter cables
  • Valve cap which doubles as a tool to remove a Schrader valve
  • Multi-tool: Allen wrenches, screw drivers, star tool, chain breaker
  • Spare patch kit
  • Spare cantilever and disk brake pads
  • Spare tubes for all bike and trailer tires
  • Presta to Schrader valve converter
  • Timing chain adjuster (f/ tandem)

Roadschooling:

• Journals(4) - small spiral notebooks. We send them home when filled.
• Math books - a book for each kid at their level.
• Novels - depending on where we are, we sometimes carry a whole bunch and sometimes very few.
• Pencil bag - filled with pens, pencils, pencil sharpener, erasers, compass, protractor, and ruler
• Sketchpad (for Davy)
• Colored pencils
• Computer Software - Various math and language arts programs
• Spanish dictionary
• Calculator

Technical: (see Technology for Travelers page for more detailed information)

• Laptop computers (2)
• Sony camera
• Spare lithium ion battery for Sony camera
• Cannon video camera
• Flip video camera
• AA battery charger
• Rechargeable AA batteries
• External microphone (for Skype and recording on the computer)
• SDHC memory cards (3)
• Flash memory drives(3)
• Camera to USB cable
• Mini tripod
• Point-and-Click camera
• Blank DVD’s
• External CD/DVD reader/writer
• USB mice (2)
• Spare software (Photoshop, MS Word, and Pinnacle Studio Plus)
• Large freezer bags (when needed to protect computers)

Miscellaneous:

• Medical kit
  • Antibiotic ointment
  • Ibuprofen
  • Paper tape
  • Gauze
  • Band-Aids
  • Antihistamine ointment
  • Antinflammant cream
  • Q-tips
  • Lice comb
  • Allergy medicine
  • Throat lozenges
• Toiletries
  • Tooth brushes
  • Tooth paste
  • Dental floss
  • Wet Ones
  • Deodorant
  • Chapstick
  • Prescription drugs
  • Multi-vitamins
• Beads - Nancy is a bead artist, so carries a small pack with an assortment of beads, thread, and needles.
• Toilet paper - an essential!
• Bug spray
• Sunscreen
• Extra batteries
• mP3 player/headphones
• Wet Ones (travel pack)
• Eyeglass lens cleaner/cloth
• Sunglasses (4) (prescription for Davy & John)
• Velcro leg straps (to keep pants out of chain)
• Gameboys (2)
• Leatherman w/ pliers
• Pacsafe money belt
• Extra plastic bags (for when we caught in a rain storm)
• Compact, foldable day pack
• Checkbook (in case we need to send in a payment)
• Duct tape
• Electrical tape
• Extra shoelaces
• Playing Cards/Dice
• Driver’s License (parents)
• Passports (4)
• Reusable shopping bags (2)