Wallowa Tour – Packing List
"Items listed below should be packed for this tour. Feel free to add or delete items. Just keep in mind that some of the items listed below are absolute necessities. Additionally, adding numerous heavy items means a heavier trailer. Please contact us if you have any questions on what to bring at info@wildheartcycling.com." The preceding text is included with the packing list.
□ Bike (Please have your bike tuned by a qualified mechanic before the start of the tour.) A reliable, well tuned bike is fundamental for a great trip for yourself and other folks on the tour. Bike problems do occur but most can be avoided by having your local shop give your bike a good once over.
□ Bike Trailer (Wild Heart will provide) We show you how to attach and ride with the trailer. Never hesitate to ask questions.
□ Water Bottles (2-4) or CamelBak (We will provide you with a 24 oz water bottle to keep at the beginning of the tour.) I can easily drink 2 to 4 water bottles in a day. I carry two and plan on refilling the first bottle once I begin drinking out of the second water bottle. Know thy self. If your a heavy drinker then bring extra bottles. You can easily store the extra bottles in your trailer.
□ Tire Irons We use these to change a flat. We recommend you carry a pair in case you want to change the flat before your guide arrives.
□ Spare Bicycle Tube This goes with the tire irons. By the way who came up with the term tire irons. Sounds heavy.
□ Tube Patch Kit Carry one of those little patch kits you can get at your local bike shop. You can use it to patch your tube with the hole in it.
□ Bike Pump Have a lightweight frame pump that works. If new try it out at home before you bring it on your tour. All pumps are not equal, by a long shot. I've experienced a few crappy pumps over the years.
□ Bike Helmet Mandatory. Have a helmet that is comfortable and cool.
□ Bike Shoes Bike shoes should be comfortable but have a stiff sole. You can lose a lot of energy with a street shoe that has a flexible sole. A pair of cycling shoes coupled with mountain bike pedals makes for a nice touring setup. Mountain bike pedals use a recessed cleat. This makes for easier walking in your bike shoes.
□ Cycling Shorts (2 ~3 pairs) – There are laundry facilities at Wallowa Lake Campground (Days 3 & 4). Multiple pairs are essential. Plan on rinsing/washing your shorts nightly. Following this practice will help prevent "diaper rash". I also apply Assos Creme to the chamois of my shorts each morning. I hang the just washed shorts off my trailer as ride along. I usually bring three pairs when I guide.
□ Cycling
□ Cycling Gloves I bring one pair. Gloves protect the palms if you fall and put your arm out. They also help dampen some of the road vibration.
□ Cycling Socks (2 ~3 pairs) I bring two pairs. Avoid cotton socks. I like socks that breathe really well.
□ Rain Jacket/Wind Breaker On the Wallowa Tour we cross a pass that can be quite cool and possibly wet. Here again I would look for a lightweight rain jacket. A jacket combined with a helmet cover makes for comfortable ride in the rain. Louis Garneau makes a sweet helmet cover.
□ Rain Pants Don't worry about being fashion conscious here. You can use your hiking rain pants just make sure to use a pant strap to keep the fabric out of the chain. Rain pants cause a conundrum for me. If a I wear them I usually sweat profusely. If I don't wear them then I my lower half gets soaked. I always bring them but I only wear them if it's cool and rainy.
□ Warm Cycling Shirt or Pile Jacket I wear this same shirt around camp in the evening. I have a wool Ibex long sleeve wool jersey that I love. It's ~4 years old and it still works great.
□ Sunglasses A must have. The Wallowa's are typical dry and bright.
□ Sunscreen I apply it in the morning and then again around lunch.
□ Tent Here's where you can save some weight. I use a Black Diamond 1st Light Tent. At 2 pounds 11 ounces it has to be one of the lightest tents on the market. The tent also has generous amount of space inside. We rent these tents. If your tent is around 4~5 pounds I would think seriously about renting one or purchasing your own.
□ Sleeping Bag Here's another area where you can save weight. For this season I'm using REI Travel Down Bag +45 deg. At 1 pound 11 ounces it comes in as a lightweight bag. For our summer tours I expect it will perform admirably. I'll let you know.
□ Sleeping Pad Go with a thin lightweight pad. I like the Thermarest type since you can add air to them. Pick a lightweight pad and you can save a few ounces. We rent lightweight pads.
□ Swim Suit Shouldn't be much weight here. A cool dip in a deep pool is always fun.
□ Towel I bring a lightweight pack towel. They dry quickly and take up very little space. Bringing a full length beach towel is an extravagance I would leave home.
□ Camera I bring a high resolution point and shoot. Most of the photos on our website were shot with this camera.
□ Evening
□ Winter Hat I like to wear a winter hat when I first get up. It's an easy lightweight way to add warmth.
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□ Head Lamp Necessary for the late night trip to the bathroom.
□ Toilet Kit – Toothbrush, shampoo, etc. Bring only what you need. Leave the full size shampoo bottle in your shower home.
□ Personal Items – Book, medications, etc. I usually bring a book. I avoid bring War and Peace or other hefty books. Bike touring is definitely a time to catch up on your reading.
□ Appetite You will be well fed!
Recommended though not required:
o Triple chain ring on the front The lower the gearing the better. When I'm climbing I try to keep myself comfortable by spinning.
o Mountain bike cassette and derailleur on the rear A mountain bike cassette combined with a triple ring is the ideal combo for bicycle touring. Our goal is not to go fast but to go comfortably.
Ben
Bicycle tours in Oregon, California, and Vermont
www.wildheartcycling.com
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