 The Serow loaded with kit and ready for the journey
The need to travel light is obviously the most important factor
to consider when faced with the "what kit?" question.
As the first part of my journey is in North America - the land
of plenty, I have decided to depart with what I believe to be the
basic necessities and to buy anything extra as and when I need it.
One area of equipment I have elected to do without is cooking
gear, hoping that a combination of eating out and my propensity
for raw food will stand me in good stead. Should this on-the-road
gastronomy prove unsatisfactory, I will buy myself a small petrol
stove and turn my hand to some field based cuisine. My choice of
clothing is basically what I wear on the bike here everyday in the
UK with added thermal layers for Alaska and lightweight items for
the warmer climes. On the whole, I am trying to keep my kit simple and avoid too
many 'handy' gadgets, in the belief that the less stuff you have,
the less there is to go wrong.
- Lightweight, one-man tent (Terra Nova 'Solar')
- Three-season sleeping bag (Rab 'Ladakh 600')
- Inflatable sleeping mat (Thermarest)
- Sockets: 8,10,12,13,14,17,19,22
- Combination spanners: sizes as above
- Mole grips
- 3/8" drive ratchet
- ¼" drive ratchet
- Extension bars
- Spark plug remover
- Bit holder
- Various bits - flat head, cross head, allen head
- Tyre pressure gauge
- Tyre levers
- Multimeter
- Leatherman tool
Bike Related Items
- Puncture repair kit
- Cable repair kit
- Hand pump (mountain bike type)
- 1 gallon jerry can
- Luggage straps
- Bungee straps
- Cable ties
- Disc lock
- Gaffer tape
- WD40
- Oil
- Grease
- Rags
- Manual
Spares
- Spark plug
- Front and rear brake pads
- Front and rear wheel bearings
- Head and tail light bulbs
- Main fuses
- Clutch lever
- Front brake lever
- Ignition key
- Inner tubes
Clothing
- Leather trousers
- Leather jacket
- Leather gloves
- Thermal inner gloves
- One-piece waterproof suit
- Helmet and goggles
- Thermal long johns and t-shirt
- Scarf
- Lightweight trousers
- T-shirts
- Underwear
- Socks
- Leather boots
- Sandals
- Swimming costume
- Shorts
- Sunglasses
- Balaclava
Personal Kit
- Camera, lenses, film and mini tripod
- Head torch
- Maps
- Plastic map case
- Small calculator
- Notebook
- Diary
- Pens
- Address book
- Reading and guide/phrase books
- Swiss army knife
- Compass
- Watch with alarm
- String
- Sewing kit
- Earplugs
- Rubber bands
- Small padlock
- Length of metal rope
- Matches
- Safety pins
Toiletries
- Travel towel
- Soap
- Shampoo (and conditioner!)
- Hairbrush
- Toothbrush
- Toothpaste
- Mirror
- Universal sink plug
- Lip salve
- Sunblock
- Moisturising lotion
First Aid Kit
- Plasters
- Various dressings
- Various bandages
- Micropore tape
- Tweezers
- Antiseptic cream
- Painkillers
- Re-hydration salts
- Multivitamins
- Insect repellant
- Anti-malarial tablets
- Antihistamine tablets
- Rubber gloves (ooh doctor!)
Documentation
- Passport
- Driving licence
- Vehicle registration document
- International driving permit
- International certificate of motor vehicles
- Travel insurance
- Multiple copies of all the above
- Scanned copies of all the above emailed to myself and friends/family
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The camping equipment must cope with cold climates
All the tools have to fit into this small box!