Bill and Michelle Kyle's 2004 Cross Canada Cycling Trip

Equipment

Original equipment

This is what we started out with. We aimed to travel light and did not bring a stove, fuel or cooking pots.

	Bill's equipment	Michelle's equipment
Bicycle	13-year old mountain bike (26" tires) with more than 40,000 miles on it	New hybrid city bike (28" tires)
Bike gear	Tire repair kit, 3 x 26" tubes, 3-prong allen key, other allen keys, wrench, pedal wrench, spoke wrench, hand pump, box cutter, front & rear lights, lock, helmet, bicycling gloves, 2 panniers, backpack	Cordless bike computer, multi-tool, 1 x 28" tube, rear light, lock, helmet, bicycling gloves, 2 panniers, handlebar pouch, seat pouch
Camping gear	Tent, tent poles, tarp, 2 bowl-plates, 2 cutlery, 2 plastic glasses, J-cloth, 2 sun tan lotion, flashlight, bungie cords	Sleeping bag (+5 degrees), blanket, 2 pillow cases, 2 therm-a-rests, Off, Muskol, AfterBite, SeamGrip, swiss army knife, duct tape, clothesline string, 2 paper clips
Food	2 water bottles	2 water bottles, container: gatorade mix, psyllium, 3 power bars, scoop
Clothing	Cycling/rain jacket, clip-on shades, 2 pair running shoes, cycling shorts, tights, shorts, 3 t-shirts, 4 underwear, 3 pair socks, cotton pants, long-sleeved top	Cycling jacket, rain jacket, clip-on shades, running shoes, cycling shorts, 3 tank tops, t-shirt, 4 underwear, 3 pair socks, bra, dressier cotton top & capri pants, sweat top & pants, flip flops
Miscellaneous	Wallet, keys, lightweight camp towel, toiletries, maps, first aid kit, toilet paper	Mini-wallet, keys, towel, toiletries, camera, notebook, pen, measuring tape, bathing suit, swim goggles, alarm clock watch, mini-compass, plane tickets

Things we didn't use much

We used these rarely or not at all: box cutter, spoke wrench, bike lights, first aid kit, handlebar pouch, seat pouch, blanket, Off, Muskol, AfterBite, SeamGrip, clothesline string, 2 paper clips, psyllium, alarm clock watch, mini-compass

Equipment changes

Whenever we replaced an item, we carried the old one with us until we were sure the new one would work out. Removed items were mailed home or discarded.

Day	Bill's equipment		Michelle's equipment		Why
Day	Added	Removed	Added	Removed	Why
4		box cutter, pedal wrench			used to remove bikes from boxes and assemble bikes, finished
6			second pump, women's saddle		pump: backup saddle: improved comfort
13			warm fleece, 1 pair socks		gift from Sheila when existing clothes were soaked
17		redundant allen keys		original saddle, saddle pouch, handlebar pouch	allen keys: not needed saddle: successfully replaced pouches: not needed
24	new front tire	old front tire (Day 26)	one 28" tube, new cycling gloves		tire: original equipment worn out tube: backup gloves: original equipment worn out
40			rainproof and breathable jacket, quick-dry pants	old rain jacket, capri pants (Day 42)	original clothing inadequate for rain
66	warmer gloves, helmet liners, sleeping bag (-5 degrees)		warmer gloves, helmet liner	blanket	additions: colder weather coming blanket: not needed
73	new back tire	old back tire (Day 83)			original equipment damaged

Other people's equipment lists

We looked at these lists when planning what we would take with us.

Thomas Schleicher
Mike Vermeulen
Loretta and Marvin Wideen
Kirk Nangreaves
Ted Bullock
Jeff Zakrzewski and Ian Laidlaw