Gear

Here are a few bits of my kit which I am taking with me on my trip:

Bianchi Sempre Pro (59cm) – This is the bike that I have had since 2016. Whilst it may not be the most ‘ideal’ bike for the trip having been originally designed to be a race bike, it should (hopefully) be up to the task. A wise man told me ‘The best bike for the job is the one you have’. It runs Campagnolo Veloce which again, isn’t the most ideal for trying to get replacement parts halfway round the world but hey, I love a challenge. I’m using MTB pedals as stumbling round in SPD cleats isn’t high on my list of things I enjoy.

Masi Premiare (61cm) – This bike was purchased in Myanmar due to the Bianchi being damaged on the flight from Nepal to Myanmar. It’s a carbon fibre frame with standard box section wheels and Shimano Claris (8 speed)

Hunt 4 Season Aero Wheels with Continental Grandprix 4 Season 28mm Tyres – Strong wheels were a must, being on the heavy side and having to carry a fair bit of kit, the wheels would have to deal with quite a bit of weight on them. These have a 115kg rider weight limit, lots of spokes (24 and 28 front and rear) and the hubs are well sealed from the elements. Wider all round tyres should make for a more ‘comfortable’ ride and provide a sturdy ride through rough(er) terrain and wet conditions.

Apidura Frame Bag and Saddle Bag – Having read lots of reviews online, these seem to be ideally suited for the task at hand. Waterproof, light and strong.

B-Twin food pouches – These are fantastic for storing snacks on the trip and allow me to easy access food on the go reducing the number of times I have to stop. Very cheap and invaluable.

Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 Bikepacking Tent – Again, purely based on reviews and scouring the internet, this seemed like the best option. It appears to have a decent balance between weight, size and durability. The 2 things that sold it to me was the fact that it is the Bikepacking version so has smaller poles to allow it to fit on a bike with ease. Secondly, I was torn between this and the Big Agnes Fly Creek HV UL2 Bikepacking tent which was lighter. I chose the Copper Spur as it was freestanding, had more headroom on the inside and the access point was from both sides rather than head on. I have coupled this with the Footprint for added waterproofness and hopefully prevent damage to the tent. This is stored between the handlebars on my bike in place of a handlebar bag.

GoPro Hero 7 Black – Wanting to document the trip for nostalgic purposes, it seemed only fitting to get a GoPro. This one has ‘hyper smooth’ video which according to the marketing hype which reeled me in, is ideal for cycling.

Wahoo Elemnt Bolt – The last thing I want to do is get lost in the middle of nowhere. Hopefully this will get me where I want to go as I don’t think I should be trusted with a map and compass. It’s light, got downloadable maps and with only a couple of buttons, even I should be able to work it.

Bell Stratus MIPS Helmet – Went for all black (obviously). The MIPS system is supposed to greatly reduce the risk of injury should there be a crash. Hopefully I don’t ever have to test this… Better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it.

Kask Protone Helmet – After the crash in Greece, I was in need of a new Helmet. After trying on some helmets I was drawn into this one because not only is it really light, it looks awesome. It also fitted really well. So many helmets didn’t quite sit right or the straps cut off my ears so fit and being comfortable is so important when it is on your head for hours every day.