Gearing Up - #7Countries7Passes - The Kit Selection

As the time of the Grand Depart on the #7Countries7Passes tour approaches, this is the kit that has made my final selection for the 3,000 kilometre journey from Copenhagen to Andorra.

Read more about the #7Countries7Passes trip here

Below I have linked through to the product that I will be using, where possible; so that you can find more detail about the items selected.

If any of the kit changes between now and the departure, I will update the below lists (and eventually photos) to reflect the change.



The Kona Rove Ti

First up, the bike. The Kona Rove Titanium.

This bike has already been on some great adventures in 2017, such as the Dirty Reiver Gravel Race.

For the #7Countries7Passes tour this bike has had a bit of a road-orientated overhaul. It includes fitting a Kinesis ATR Disc Fork, rather than the Lauf suspension fork; changing the handlebars and seat post to alloy options (following a crash back in April); altering the gearing for fully-laden touring; plus, a few other tweaks, like handlebar tape and saddle..

Read the full Bike Profile blog post here




Riding kit

My riding kit comes from four of my favourite brands: Sportful, Gore Apparel, GripGrab and POC Sports.

The kit has been selected based on comfort; for riding long, hard and fast days in the saddle.

The Sportful Pro Team and Gore Bike Wear Oxygen Light clothing ranges are designed to offer reassuring and durable performance and comfort.

The Sportful Stelvio jacket is one of the best fitting waterproofs that I have tested, and coupled with a Gore-Tex cap and Sportful NoRain warmers, it should provide great protection from downpours.

GripGrab gloves and socks are faultless for giving your extremities protection from the elements. The Black Mamba workshop gloves provide some added protection for your hands when things are really bad.

Finally, the POC helmet and glasses are the height of performance and comfort.




Camping and care kit

The world's lightest and smallest tent. The world's lightest down jacket. The world's smallest bath towel (disclosure: it's a hand towel). 

Micro. Mini. Ultralight. Those are the themes of my camping and care kit.

This is as parred-back as I will happily go on a touring trip. Some great pieces of kit in the line-up below. 






Tool kit and spares

My tool selection is a mix of lightweight and minimalist kit, but also kit that will keep me rolling should a mechanical or breakdown occur.

Having had two tyres blow out on the same day during the Coasts and Cols Tour (Read the Day 9 blog post here), a spare tyre is a must for me.

There are a few neat storage tricks in here: like wrapping tape around your hand pump, and using the Backcountry Research Strap to hold the spare tyre, sealant and third inner tube.

It is a simple kit, but these items have got me through some challenging mishaps.




Extras

As well as the above kit, there are a few additional items that feature for this long distance bike tour.

The Exposure Lights' Six Pack was selected because of its SmartPort capabilities; which means it can also double-up as a power bank. The Exposure Blaze Rear Light was chosen because it has a super long run time (48 hours), and it is 'daylight bright'.

My mapping and tracking comes in the form of the Wahoo ELEMNT [reviewed here].

Finally, a late addition worth shouting out: a pair of super-comfortable camp shoes, in the form of the Superfeet Bison sandals.





Departing soon...

That about sums up what I'm packing for the #7Countries7Passes tour. 

Not long now. The mountains await...






Comments

  1. How will you keep the Six pack charged as it doesn't look like you have his dynamo?
    Safe travels

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I have a few overnight stays along the trip, where I'll have the opportunity to charge up

      Delete
  2. Hi Tim,
    Great reads!
    Do you have an article available about how to fit everything actually on your bike?
    I'm not sure if my Canyon Endurace roadbike could carry all this stuff. What do I need to for parts on my bike to carry it all?
    Max

    ReplyDelete

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