Our bikes are in pieces and folded into boxes. We’ve picked out our favorite padded shorts. We have a 20-ounce bottle of butt cream. I think we’re ready!

Tomorrow, Richard and I fly to Seattle to start our cross-country bike ride. 

Once again, our generous parents have made room in their homes for our stuff, and we’ve widdled down our possessions to only that which we’ll need for the next two months. 

My gear list for the bike tour looks something like this:

One tent — Big Agnes Flycreek Platinum Ultralight 2 person; 1 lb. 9 oz.                                                                                                     

One sleeping bag — ZPacks 20-degree; 1 lb.

One sleeping pad — Thermorest NeoAir XLite, women’s regular 

Two pairs of bike shorts

One sleeveless bike jersey

One pair leg covers

One pair wind pants

Three pair wool socks

Adventure Cycling Northern Tier map set

Limar helmet

Specialized gloves

Moxie shrug

Nashbar waterproof rear panniers

There’s more but my head is tired so I’m having trouble remembering. If you have any specific gear questions, send me a message and I will do my best to answer them.