Below is a list of the basic equipment we took for the trip.
Bike Spares, Accessories & Bags Brake pads Brake/Gear cable Lock Multi tool Puncture repair kit Folding tyres Spare tubes Spoke key Spokes Cone spanners Water bottles - 3 each Ortlieb roller classic front panniers Ortlieb roller classic rear panniers Handlebar bag Map holder Water carrier Zefal pump Lights - front S-sun & rear Cateye Clothing Gloves - long and short fingered Cycle shorts Cycle tops (long & short) T-shirt Cycle shoes Waterproof jacket Windproof jacket Waterproof trousers Cycle helmets Sunglasses Camping Mess tins MSR Stove 2 MSR Fuel bottles Katadyn water filter Hilleberg tent Thermarest sleeping mats Sleeping bags Mosquito nets Torch and head torch Swiss army knife Titanium cutlery Titanium mugs MSR titanium mini cookset Gadgets Cateye bike computers i-pod (Kat) MP3 (Richard) Palmtop Shortwave radio Solar charger Dog dazer Tri-band mobile phone Digital Camera Miscellaneous Compass First aid kit Sun cream Insect repellent Gaffer tape Soap Money belt Maps Guide books Playing cards Passport Money
More Details...
The Tent: Hilleberg Nallo 2 GT
We decided on a tunnel style tent, mainly for space and stability. Hilleberg probably make the best tunnel tents, and this one is much lighter and roomier than the other types we considered. The length of time we would be camping for, the need to store all the panniers, and being utter novices at camping, made the space important to us. Plus it comes in mouldy green, unlike some of the more mountaineering-geared tents. Trying to be inconspicuous whilst wild camping in a bright yellow tent is not a good idea.
The Stove: MSR Dragonfly
We went round the houses several times with which stove to get - it was always between the Dragonfly, Whisperlite and the Primus Omnifuel. There was precious little feedback on the Primus, so we went with tried and tested MSR. Although we knew a few people had some problems with the Dragonfly at higher altitudes, it still seemed to be the most reliable choice, and it's easy to clean and service.
The Sleeping Bags: Macpac Santuary 500 and Marmot Sawtooth
There was never any question that we were going for down bags, for the pack size and warmth to weight ratio. Richard went for the MacPac Sanctuary 500. He says it's because for the performance, it has such a small pack size. I think he just liked the colour. I got a Marmot Sawtooth, which I hadn't considered until I saw it in a local camping shop. I like the hood, the pockets, it's not bright orange, but most of all it has a great temperature range. It's a bit bigger than the MacPac when compressed, but lighter.
First Aid Kit: Lifesystems Travel Medical Kit
This has pretty much all we would need in an emergency, apart from chocolate. It's vital to take syringes and hypodermics, in case you're ever unsure of the hygiene of any local facilities. Hopefully we'll not need those, or half the other things. The kit willl be topped up with things like malaria tablets and immodium before we go, but it covers almost everything else.