Helpful tips:

Mail or UPS a box with change of clothes, batteries, new books, and food to a bike shop along your route. This will give you the ability to have extra things without carrying so much. Box up your dirty clothes, read books and anything you don’t need and send it back. Call ahead of time to make sure this will work with the shop. If not, find another bike shop.

 

Have a back up map. Maps tend to get well used and lost. Keep an extra just in case.

 

Leave wedding rings and nice jewelry safe at home.

 

1 week before you want to depart, put all you plan on taking in a pile on the floor to see how much stuff you are bringing. Put it all in the bags or on the trailer to see how the bike rides and to make sure you will have enough room.

 

In your repair kit, plan on fixing clothes and bags along with basic bike repairs. Sewing kits, fishing line, duck tape, shoe laces, extra cords for securing your load, thin wire, extra spokes (most bikes have 3 lengths). The front wheel, drive and non drive side of the rear wheel all have different length spokes. You should include a patch kit, several tubes, tire irons, and tire boots in your repair kit.

 

Take sun screen and body lotion, a must haves for a tour.

 

Have a locking system to secure bike and trailer if using one.

 

A good first aid kit is very important.

 

Check bolts on bottom of shoes several times on the trip if using clipless pedals. Having extra cleats is a good idea, they are little and easy to pack.

 

Have a list of good bike shops along the way for any problems that are to big for you to handle or restocking supplies. Researching on the internet is the easiest part of planning a trip.

 

Having a light you can put on your head will come in handy for making camp when you arrive after dark. This will give you hands free light.

 

Practice fixing a flat, and any road side repairs before you hit the road. Having the ability before you need it is always best. We as well as most bike shops would be happy to show you anything you might be a little rusty on at no charge.

 

Most important, have a blast!!