Equipment

The Bike

Koga

Koga Miyata WorldTraveller 2007: 60 cm aluminum frame : wt. 44.5 lbs, comes fully equipped with: f/r Tubus racks, Brooks Flyer Saddle Men’s Black Top, fenders, head/tail lights, integrated lock, Integrated pump/holder, f/r kickstands, 3 water bottle holders (came with 2; bought a 3rd).  For those who are interested – see all the standard equipment at Koga Miyata WorldTraveller. Notes: Rear tail light broke in California and was replaced by off-the-shelf LED light. Brooks saddle was tossed in Mexico due to flared sides and plastic-like hardening of seat. Replaced by off-the-shelf saddle for $5 which I love 100x more than the Brooks. The front Tubus rack was damaged beyond repair in Guatemala and was replaced by same.

Other bike equipment added:

Schwalbe Marathon Plus (front/rear)

Nashbar Trekking ATB/Hybrid Handlebar

Ergon GP1 Grips

RAM Mounting Systems Handlebar Mount (for GPS)

Phil Wood Touring Hubs (front/rear)

Garmin 010-00422-00 GPSMAP 60CSx 2.6-Inch Mapping Handheld GPS

Cateye CC-MC100W Micro Wireless 10-Function Bicycle Computer (Black)

Ortlieb ultralite handlebar mount mirror

Delta Airzound Bike Horn

Kinesis Top Tube Brevet Bag (for p&s camera)

Clothes/Items Worn:

Giro bicycling helmet

SweatVac Bandana Style Black

Oakley Flak Jacket Polarized XLJ sunglasses

Fox Racing Base Bike Jersey – Short-Sleeve

Louis Garneau Ergo Air Gloves

Louis Garneau Men’s Alveo Duo Shorts

Smartwool PhD Cycling Ultra Light Mini Crew socks

Shimano Bike Sandals

Left Front Pannier [18 lbs]

/Ortlieb Bike Packer Plus/

ASUS Eee PC 901 20G (8.9″ Display, 1.6 GHz Intel ATOM Processor, 1 GB RAM, 20 GB Solid State Drive, Linux, 6 Cell Battery) Fine Ebony

Anti-Shock Sleeve Case for Asus Eee PC (sleeve is then packed into Sea to Summit EVAC Dry Sack)

MSR Dragonfly Liquid-Fuel Stove

MSR 33oz Fuel Bottle

MSR Dragonfly Expedition Service Kit for Liquid-Fuel Stove

REI Ti Ware Nonstick Titanium Pot – 1.3 Liter

Utensils – REI polycarbonate spoon, fork, knife, spatula

Tupperware FlatOut 3-Cup Container

Ultralight wt shaving mirror

Camp Soap – 4 oz.

Walkabout Wash Kit

2 Towels – REI multi towels 1 XL, 1 sm

GI Type US Military P-38 Can Opener

Toiletries

Sanyo Eneloop Precharged Rechargeable Batteries

1 roll t-paper

Nashbar Bicycle Cover

Right Front Pannier [18 lbs]

/Ortlieb Bike Packer Plus/

Main food storage – food sits inside Ursack bear bag w/ aluminum insert

Ziplock bags with spices, salt/pepper, sweetner, etc.

Strapped to top of pannier:

Columbia Trail Meister hiking shoes – stored in waterproof bag

Left Rear Pannier [13 lbs]

/Ortlieb Backroller Plus/

Mountain Hardwear Lamina 0 Sleeping Bag (inside Sea to Summit eVent Compression Dry Sack)

Cables for computer, phone, camera

Zoom V.92 USB Mini External Modem

Right Rear Pannier [16.5 lbs]

/Ortlieb Backroller Plus/

Clothes all stored in Sea To Summit eVent Compression Dry Sack – 8 x 18

ITMB Travel maps

Cold Weather Clothing:

1 long sleeve Under Armor t-shirt

1 Wool Jersey Long Sleeve Jersey

1 pr Pearl Izumi Men’s Therma Fleece Leg Warmers

1 Patagonia Lightweight Capilene Crew

Turtle Fur Original Earband

1 pr Pearl Izumi Inferno Glove

Louis Garneau 2008/09 Cycling Helmet Cover

The North Face WindStopper Neck Gaiter

Patagonia R2 Jacket

Warm Weather Clothing:

1 pr extra long Cargo shorts Added in Belize to replace lost pants

1 pr board shorts Added in Mexico

3 pr Smartwool PhD Cycling Ultra Light Mini Crew socks

1 pr Louis Garneau Alveo mt bike cycling shorts

2 pr Under Armor t-shirt

REI Ultra Light Jacket

Handlebar Bag [7 lbs]

/Ortlieb Ultimate 5 Plus handlebar bag (had to use Bracket Extension)/

Olympus Stylus Tough-6000 10 MP Waterproof Digital CameraAdded in Guadalajara, Mexico

Canon PowerShot SX20IS 12.1MP Digital Camera with 20x Wide Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 2.5-inch Articulating LCD Added in Oaxaca, Mexico

Apple iPod touch 32 GB (3rd Generation) Added 10/19 in Monterey, CA

Surefire E2L-HA-WH Outdoorsman 6V LED Flashlight

iPod Touch 2nd Gen Armor Case with Aquapac Waterproof Headphones & Armband (Made by OtterBox) Added 10/19 in Monterey, CA

SteriPEN Adventurer Handheld Water Purifier Added 10/20 in Monterey, CA

Radio Shack AM/FM/WX/TV Pocket Radio Added 04/09 in Atchison, KS

Fisher Trekker Space Pen, Chrome (SC725)

Petzl Tactikka XP Desert Camo Headlamp Variation Parent

SanDisk SDCZ7-4096-A11 4GB Ultra Cruzer Titanium USB Flash Drive (Silver) (loaded with Firefox, Thunderbird and Skype).

Insect spray (50% deet)

Potable Aqua® Water Purification Tablets

Ear plugs

Cell phone

Ka-Bar 2-3050-9 Mule Field Folder Knife

Mini Cyclist Journal

Sunscreen

SweatVac Performance Race Hat

Rear Trunk Bag [30.5 lbs]

/Ortlieb RackPack Large/ – secured with 54″ ROK Straps

Big Agnes Seedhouse SL1 Tent

3 spare tubes

MSR Dromedary Bag – 6 Liter

Remington Short Cut Clipper

First aid kit

The Travel Hammock Silk Sleep Sack

Strapped to top of trunk bag: – stored in bright yellow mesh bag

Novara Stratos Bike Jacket – Men’s

Novara Stratos Rain Pants – Men’s

SealSkinz Waterproof MVT Socks – Unisex

Louis Garneau X-Warmer Booties (XL fit my size 13 shoes perfectly)

Strapped to top of trunk bag:

Schwalbe Marathon Plus

GoLite Chrome Dome Trekking Umbrella Added during 05/10 Florida visit

Therm-a-Rest Z-Lite Sleeping Pad Added 08/09 in Fairbanks, AK

Ortlieb Outer Pocket for Panniers

Topeak Alien II 26-Function Bicycle Tool

Tire levers

Patch kit

Rope – 50 ft nylon/polyester cord

Tools – 6″ adjustable wrench, brake/derailleur cables, 2 sets brake pads, extra spokes, rubber gloves, extra chain links/pins, zip-ties, chain lube and rag

Tire pressure gauge

Kool-Stop Tire Bead Jack w/ Handle

Out Of Service

Streamlines Tideland casting handline Shipped to Atlanta from Guatemala, never used

Sunlinq 12 watt Folding Solar Power Panel Shipped to Atlanta from Guatemala, could not use after Tekkeon battery broke

Canary Wireless Digital Hotspotter HS-20 Shipped to Atlanta from Guatemala, obsoleted by iTouch

Windmill – Delta Shockproof Lighter, Matte Green Gave away in Guatemala, never used

1 pr REI Sahara Convertible Pants Lost in Mexico

Tekkeon MP3450 myPower ALL Rechargeable Battery Broke in Mexico

Dog Dazer II – Ultrasonic Dog Repeller and Trainer Broke in Mexico

Inclinometer Tossed in Guatemala, never used

3′ bamboo stick (dog deterrent) Lost in Guatemala

Big Agnes Emerald Mountain SL3 Tent Left in Atlanta, too big for limited camping, main zipper broke

Pedro’s Universal Bicycle Crank Remover with Handle Left in Cookeville, TN, never used + heavy

Brooks saddle cover Wore out after six months

Leki Super Makalu Anti-Shock Trekking Pole Lost on Katy Trail, MO

Pacsafe 120 Anti-Theft Backpack Shipped to Atlanta from Missoula, never used

Big Agnes Insulated Air Core Mummy Pad – Long Tossed in Fairbanks, AK, too hard to fix holes on the road

Big Agnes Emerald Mountain SL3 Vestibule Left in Atlanta, GA, never used

Pacsafe 85 Backpacker Medium Shipped to Atlanta from Council Bluffs, never used

Hennessy Expedition A-Sym Hammock Shipped to Atlanta from Grande Cache, loved it but rarely used

Granite Gear Vapor Trail Backpack Shipped to Atlanta from Council Bluffs, never used

Apple iPod classic 80 GB Black (6th Generation) Sold in Monterey, upgraded to iTouch

Otterbox Waterproof Case for Ipod Classic Sold in Monterey, didn’t fit iTouch

Coast Camp Light Left in Atlanta, GA, never used

Pentax Optio W30 7.1 MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom Lost in Tepic, Mexico

Walkstool Comfort 22″ inch XL Compact Stool Portable Folding Chair with Case for sports & travel Photography Left in Atlanta, GA, never used

Big Agnes Cyclone SL Chair Kit – 20” – need to type on laptop in tent and this helps a lot. Left in Atlanta, GA, never used

JBL On Tour Portable Speaker System ( Black ) Sold in Cookeville, TN, never used

Canon 40D DSLR Camera Sold in Monterey, CA, at the time I felt it was too “high profile” for where I was traveling to, regret selling it now

Tamron 18-270mm Zoom Lens Sold in Monterey, CA

Canon BG-E2N Battery Grip Sold in Monterey, CA

Coleman Fuel Filler Tossed in Alberta, Canada, never used

light wt lexan cutting board – 50g Tossed in Canada, never used

Ortlieb Hip Pack Sold in Monterey, CA, sold with Canon camera

Halt! Dog Repellent Tossed at Canadian border, should have tried to bring it across

Safety Triangle Tossed in California, didn’t use once Ortlieb bag that it attached to was sold

iSun BattPak 3-Way Battery Charger Broke in California

Western Mountaineering Flight Vest Shipped to Atlanta from Monterey, CA, didn’t think I’d use it in Central/South America

Suunto Core Wrist-Top Computer Watch Died in California after water seeped inside

Total Weight of all gear: 91.0 lbs (41.3 kg) No longer accurate. Best guess is 60 lbs as of October, 2009.

11 Responses to “Equipment”
  1. I ended up here while searching for Cycling Shorts Chamois? Why? Beats me ask the search engine but anyhow I enjoyed reading your blog, thx for the info!

  2. Steve says:

    Damn dude. You are loaded up!

    ….where’s the beer? :)

  3. Dave B says:

    I’m looking forward to following your journey, mostly because I’m planning to do about the same type of bike ride. ROCK ON! I might see you on the road

  4. Rob R says:

    Just wondering if you ever thought about pulling a trailer?

    Awesome adventure. Very jealous. Look forward to watching your adventure unfold. Good luck.

  5. Dave A says:

    Woo, that’s a lot of stuff!

    But despite what some others might say, it’s not too much. I rode for 3 months with bike + gear weighing 110lbs, and I met some (very experienced, long-time around-the-world cyclists) people along the way who had more. It just means you go a bit slower up the hills, no big deal :-)

    In my experience the dog repellant isn’t needed unless you happen to find a dog that is trained to attack. In my travels I’ve found that dogs will chase you as you’re riding away, but not as you’re approaching them– once you turn your back to them, they feel they have the upper hand, so will bark and make a big fuss. You just have to exert dominance– yell loudly, throw stones near their feet… and as much as possible don’t turn your back to them until you feel you’re out of “their territory”.

    Best of luck, have fun! Hope you find lots of time to hang out without the internet and computers– it’s a fantastic experience.

  6. Daniel says:

    Hey man, good luck on your trip. I rode the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route last summer solo, and it was a great experirence. I started out with a lot of stuff, but tended to prioritize the extra weight with stuff that would keep me safe, like a four season hilleberg tent, a water filter instead of drops, etc. Your trip’s terrain will be different, so I’m sure your packing needs are adjusted. However, as you go along down the road I have a feeling that you may shed at least 15 percent of the gear as you find it unnecessary. I rode along on the GDR with another rider who sent home at least 10 pounds of unnecessary gear on at least a couple of occasions, but I couldn’t bring myself to shed as much as he did. Good luck, I wish you all the best!

  7. Dennis B says:

    Now thats what I call preparation. It’s very impressive big guy, keep it up!

  8. Mark says:

    Great meeting you in Sioux City last night Scott. It was fun sharing a few beers and swapping touring stories with a kindred bagger and adventurer. Hope we didn’t keep you up to late. Keep your britches between the ditches and don’t forget that as you enter South Dakota today its not the end of the world, but you can see it from here.

  9. emanuele says:

    you could have built a stronger and better bike using an old cromoly steel mtb frame, upgrading all transmission parts (bottom bracket, phil hubs, drivetrain) for maybe 500 euro
    the myata is 2000 eur.. for a 28″ aluminum frame probably made in taiwan to same exact specs as any other regular cheap aluminum frame (probably a thicker one to make it stronger, a really cheap city bike frame in all likelihood)

    • scott says:

      Couple problems with this although I really do appreciate the feedback. First of all I don’t have the background to build the transmission parts so I’d have to pay someone to do it. The stock Koga touring bike comes with some of the highest quality components available. This is why it’s arguably one of the top 3 or 4 long distance touring bikes in the world. If I went with a steel MTB frame as you suggested I’d also have to buy new wheels, tires, a saddle, racks, lights, pump, fenders, and handlebar. I’d also lose the built-in lock that I love. :)

      People have been riding on these bikes with ~100lbs of gear for years without having a problem. Koga will even overnight a new frame anywhere in the world if there’s a warranty issue. For someone riding in the conditions I am and with the weight I’m carrying I’d gladly pay the extra money and get something I know will be reliable.

  10. i always use leg warmers during the winter months to feel comfy.~`’

  11.  
Leave a Reply