The tour
This is my first bicycle trip. It begins in the end of April in Vancouver
Canada. I plan to go to Vancouver Island, southern BC and parts of the
Rockies. I have to se Dawson City in Yukon territory, Canada. I would like
to bicycle "Top of the world highway" into Alaska. I will catch the ferry
back south towards Bellingham when it's time. From Bellingham will I ride
along the highway number 1 towards San Francisco California and the Sierra
Nevada mountains in the same state. Hopefully will I have some time and
money left to see some friends in Arkansas and Mississippi as well.
I am not going to use my bicycle all the time though. I am going to
concentrate at some special places and put me and the bicycle on bus or
train along other parts. I plan to do some hiking, kayaking and canoeing.
I have hardly been using a bicycle during the last 15 years, so why did
I choose a bicycle this time? There's a few reasons for that. I like the
physical challenge, it won't be that expensive if my bicycle break down
as when my motorcycle did. It might slow me down as well. For some reason
do I travel very fast sometimes when I travel alone. To have your own
vehicle gives you so many opportunities.
A special thank you to Jary (see links) that have been very helpful to me.
I will send some reports to this web site during the trip.
Equipment
Bicycle
All over can you read that you should have a steel frame, which sounds
reasonable. It's more likely to find someone that can weld iron
than aluminium. The problem is to find a steel frame, especially if you
like mountain bikes. Finally did I find out that Marlin manufactures what
I was looking for. They are sold by Cykelnetto and Eriksbergs cykel in
Sweden. I bought a Marin Bear valley. I use Schwalbe Marathon XR tires.
I had to change the handlebar because I could not attach the bag at the
thick original one. I even had to raise it a little bit to sit comfortable.
To be able to attach the rear Tubus rack did I have to weld some more
"holdings" to the bike. The low rider worked fine though.
Tools
I bought a Park Pack mini Tool Kit, see Links.
Hex wrench 3-6, 8 mm
Straight blade screwdriver
Open end wrench 8,9 and 10 mm
Gear clean brush
Pump
Tire lever
Self glued patches
Double ended spoke wrench
Multi tool (Victorinox)
Spare parts
Tire boot
Screws/nuts
Tape
Brake- and gear cable
Two pair of brake pads
One tube
Short piece of chain links
Spokes
Chain lube
Other equipment
Bike lock (cable)
Straps
Bags by Vaude (5 pieces),
One 50 litre backpack
Tarp and bag in one to carry my bicycle bags (Vaude)
Bicycle computer
Camping gear to be independent (Stove, tent and so on…)
Med. kit
SLR camera
Small digital camera/USB cable
Clothes of course
It's very important to keep your luggage minimized.
Transport
I flew with Lufthansa. The cost to bring the bicycle on the same flight
as my self was about 61 euro. I had to crate it (I used the same box as
it was delivered in as a new bike) and take off the handlebar and pedals.
It's very easy and simple.