The Bikes

Gazelle Playa

I was so lucky to have found it, just out of pure luck, I walked into my LBS (Local Bike Shop) asked the mechanic if they had a bike that I would be able to set up for self supported touring, fit me fairly well and would not break the bank.
He took me to the rear of the shop and showed me a couple of bikes, but right away the Gazelle just stood out.
I had done a couple of months research on the net for the size and gearing that would be needed and it was just what I wanted to see. The used Gazelle Playa was just about my size. It had three water bottle cages and 24 gears.
I took it for a test ride and the fit was almost perfect all it needed were just some minor adjustments to the saddle and handle bars. I think the bike was used for touring by the previous owner, and it was in good condition.
The shop gave me a year warranty, so after a few days later when they had a chance to tune up the bike, I paid him 300 euros and took my new ride home.

                  
                          My new touring bike on the first shake down ride early spring 2005.

I kept the same gearing, 42 - 32 - 22 up front and the 8 speed 11 / 30 on the rear. I bought and installed the Giant aluminum front and rear racks, and for panniers I bought the AGU Ventura 135 (17 liter) for the front , the AGU Ventura 150 (36 liter) for the rear and the AGU Yamaska 420 KF (7 liter) handle bar bag. Now these bags are cheap but they are the right size for my needs, they are water resistant, very breathable but they do need rain covers.
After the first few shake down rides I had made some changes, I bought Schwalbe Marathon Plus tires ( and they are bullet proof) also a Brooks Champion Flyer saddle, they springs make for a lot better ride.
I changed my handle bars with the ones from Monique's bike, I found my original handle bars were cut about 3cm, and now (after about 800 kms with the new bars), I have found the width is much better for my wider shoulders, and it feels even more comfortable.
I also replaced the bar ends and rear view mirror, the old mirror was a bit too small, and after setting up Monique's bike I bought a mirror just like hers. But I could not install it with the existing bar ends so ended up buying a set, again just like Monique's bike. They are much better because the ends are twisted inwards and up which keeps my hands a bit more secure. I also replaced the grips, I bought these new type that are thicker and a bit wider so I could rest my hands much better, also they lock in place so they do not spin on the bar again even more comfortable.

        
Left: March 18, 2007   The new handle bar setup. Right: April 21 2008 The newest set up with the Tubus racks, Ortlieb bags and also a front mudguard to protect the drive-train from dirt. All ready for Santiago de Compostela.

Trek 7.2 fx WSD

It took quite a while before we found the right bike for Monique. Because of her smallish frame and a limited budget we were forced to look overseas for a bike. It took quite a lot of searching but we did find the right bike, the Trek 7.2 FX.
Wanting to keep the diamond design of the frame (for stability while loaded down with front and rear panniers) and the WSD (Womans Specific Design) assured us it would fit her perfectly.
Finding the bike here in the south of Holland was another challenge, the nearest Trek dealer ended up being a jerk, and after visiting his shop a few times we decided to find another dealer.
We ended up in the city of Heerlen about 25 kms from Maastricht, to another Trek dealer which was a lot more helpful and, he answered all our questions with patience and understanding, so we decided to buy the bike from him.
There were many changes that had to be made, first the gearing was a way too high for loaded touring so we changed it to  42 - 32 - 22 up front and 8 speed 11 / 32 for the rear.
Next came the mud guards, flat bar and rear view mirror. Followed by the Tubus Cargo and Tera racks. And for panniers we went with the AGU Ventura 135 (17 liter) front, AGU Ventura 150 (36 liter) rear and the AGU Yamaska 420 KF (7 liter) handlebar bag, they worked well for my first tour to Greece so we got the same.
Looking back we should not have done that, as it led to some real confusion in the tent :-)
The original handle bar was first replaced with a the butterfly design bar, but due to shoulder pain was replaced again.
The original bar was installed for the fall 2006 tour but that too was not right, and has since been replaced with my  handle bar, because it was a bit too short for me but perfect for Monique's smaller shoulder width. Switching them has worked out very well for both of us. We have also changed the hand grips, these seem to work much better at protecting her hands from all the road vibrations.
The bike came with Bontranger tires which were really not up to the job and we have now changed them to the bullet proof Schwalbe Marathon Plus tires.
Finally we changed the saddle for a sprung Brooks Champion Flyer "S", which did not need any breaking in at all, it worked perfect from day one.

        
1&2- March 18, 2007 Monique's latest handle bar setup. Right: The bike all set up for this spring tour.
3- April 21, 2008 Monique's newest set up the the Ortlieb bags, all ready for Santiago de Compostela.

I added this picture with the rear rack mount on the bike because the breaks were in the way. I used a stainless steel threaded rod with a few washers, six nuts and some blue loc-tight, it has worked out well and never had any problems with it. To adjust the saddle hight you only need to loosen the two inner nuts.

Packing list

There are many packing lists on the net, the following is our latest set up. 
It has taken several tours to come up with this list, but it is not set in stone and when we learn or find of something new we add/change it. Therefore I will continue updating this page periodically.
The large amount of clothes are needed because some campsites do not have laundry facilities. Also when we tour, (spring and autumn) it still gets a bit cold especially early in the morning, so we dress very warm and start shedding layers of clothes as the day warms up.
There are people that take far less for (one reason or another) but we think this is the minimum we need for being comfortable. Again this is our personal list, and one has to try things out for themselves to find what they really need.
All the equipment below (panniers included) come to +/-23kgs for me and +/-18kgs for Monique. Those numbers go up with the 1.5L water (each) and about 0.5kg food (each).
The tent is the heaviest item at over 6kgs and that will (eventually) be cut down by a couple kgs when we replace it.
But like I mentioned on the Tips page the light weight tents are a lot more expensive.

Clothes

Helmet
Sun protective hat/cap that also covers the neck.
Bandana, for under the helmet, soaks up sweat, keeps the bugs off the head.
Shower cap, for helmet rain cover and doubles as saddle cover at night.
Wool cap (for cold days and keeping head warm at night)
1 spare set glasses
1 pair cycling glasses
4 T-shirts, long sleeve short sleeve and no sleeve (depending on location of tour)
4 cycling shorts.
1 pair swimming shorts
1 pair of pants with zippered legs, that double as shorts.
Money belt.
1 pair leg warmers
1 set of thermal underwear.
1 pair normal underwear
4 pair cycling socks
1 pair sweat socks
1 pair cycling shoes.
1 pair sandals.
1 pair flip-flops

1 rain jacket
1 wind breaker
1 thick sweater
1 pair of cycling gloves

Camping

Jack Wolfskin Worlds End rt tent
1 ground sheet for sleeping area
1 small ground sheet for porch area
2 sleeping bags, lightweight one season.
2 inflatable pillows
2 Thermarest mattresses
2 Magnum cable locks (180 x 12mm)
2 Purse alarms both 120db (activated by removing a pin)
1 multi function camping knife
4 nylon adjustable straps + 1 spare (for securing the tent and sleeping bags to the racks)
2 bungee cords

Kitchen

1 Campingaz Twister 270 burner (we got this because for its 2900 watt output)  
1 Campingaz CV 470 container +
MSR classic cooking set (stainless steel)
1 pan
2 spoons, 2 forks and 2 knifes.
1 plastic cutting board (small)
2 collapsible plastic containers from Toperware, for leftovers or use as salad bowls
Salt and pepper shakers.
1 lighter
Thermos
2 plastic plates
2 plastic cups
1 perforated lid for pot's (to drain the water for the spaghetti)
6 packs of dried noodles (for emergencies)

Laundry

30 meter nylon rope
2 dozen clothes pins
Washing powder

Hygiene

Bottle of his/hers shampoo & shower gel ( Unisex )
Tooth brushes
Tooth paste
1 nail clipper
Deodorant his/hers ( Unisex )
1 small pair of scissors
2 packs of hygiene baby wipes (they really do clean everything even chain oil)
Chamois cream

Tools & Spares

Topeak Mini Morph air pump.
Tire patch kit
2 inner tubes
Chain oil
Chain removing tool
2 spare chain links
*** 2 extra sets of brake pads
Screw driver  normal
*** 1 set élan wrenches
Spoke adjusting wrench
Extra spokes
Packing tape
Electrical tape for outside use (black)
+/- 10 long plastic ties
*** #8, 9 & 10 wrenches
1 small long nose pliers that can also cut cables
1 brake cable & 1 rear derailleur cable

*** Some items will be replaced by a multi tool

Miscellaneous

Maps
2 books
Passports
Wallets
Insurance documents
1 journal note book & two pens
Suntan lotion
5 Large clear zip lock bags
2 needle's
Heavy duty thread (for jean material)

First aid kit

Assorted adhesive band aids.
Disinfectant spray.
Large none adhesive dressings.
Gauze tape.
2 bandage rolls.
Paracetamol or Depon tabs.
Anti-Diarrhea tabs.
Tick removal tool.
After-bite stick.

Electronics

Camera   Canon Powershot SX100IS with 1Gb SD card + 1Gb spare card
Notebook   Asus EEEpc 901 with 16 Gb SD card
2 MP3 players  (his and hers ;-)
2 cheap mobile phones and their chargers
2 LED lamps (strap to head)
Small alarm clock

Approximate weight is 24kgs for me and 18kgs for Monique.

This is always evolving with new and updated equipment as we go.

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