I will detail out what we (Jennifer and I) are taking. Important Note! We are not traveling light! Those who do travel light will want to skip this next section!
Camp!
Tent: An 8 x 10 Eureka Outfitter 6! Tall enough to stand up in. We use 2 groundsheets, one under the tent, and one inside to protect the floor.
Cot: Each of us has a Big Grizzly take down cot. Very compact, and very comfortable.
Cot Pad: Jennifer uses a standard Thermarest, I use a Thermarest Camp Rest.
Sleeping Bags: Wiggy's 40 degree rectangular bag.
Cotton sheet for really hot nights!
Pillows: Of course!
Chairs: Very nice, very compact Kermit chairs. Expensive, but worth it.
Shade Tarp: Almost a requirement if you are spending time in camp. We use an inexpensive "blue" plastic tarp, and a couple of take down poles, with extra rope and stakes.
Battery powered fan, one for each of us.
Personal!
6 non-cotton shorts, 6 non-cotton sirts, 6 non-cotton underware, 6 do-rags. These are packed in 3, 2 gallon ziplocs. Shirt, shorts, underware, do-rag are rolled up as a unit, and one used each day. Since I ride a recumbent, I do not use Jerseys or padded shorts.
One pair non-cotton long pants, one long sleeve fleece shirt (the Cold Bag).
many bandanas
LED Headlamp (2) plus one flashlight.
Compact umbrella.
Rain/Wind shirt, Rain Hat.
Sun Hat.
Reading Material.
Camp Shoes (I use Crocs).
Walkabout Shoes (I use old running shoes)
Snacks. (granola bars, fruit bits, almonds...for the late night munchies)
Drink Mix (I like the sugar free Hawaiian punch)
Personal Medical Supplies (prescription meds, etc...) in a completely waterproof container!
First Aid Kit
cellphone (bleh!)
Shower kit. I use a small net bag, and carry a packtowel and a smallish squeeze bottle of baby shampoo, which is good as hair and body wash. The packtowel is a chamios type towel, and while it will be pretty ripe by the end of the ride, it will last all week if you hang it up after your shower!
For the Bikes!
Floor Pump
Helmet, gloves, bike shoes, sunglasses.
Cargo Bags.
WHERE DOES ALL THIS GO!
Well, we use 2 bags per person. Three are NRS Bill's Bags, which are roll top waterproof portage packs/backpacks. I also use a venerable Granite Gear Superior One portage pack.
All of our packs are made even more waterproof by using (2!) heavy plastic liner bags in each pack. We get the Banana Bag brand at Roush Hardware in Westerville.
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| Me carry 2 packs at one time! |
Making GOBA more enjoyable:
Wisdom while on the road...
DO NOT stress about getting into camp by a particular time. You really do have all day to get there. And Secret Tip: If you get to camp before 2pm, you may participate in unloading the luggage trucks! Get there after 3pm, and someone else has already done it for you.
On the very hot days, ride just fast enough to generate a cooling breeze, but not so fast you begin to heat up. Carry an extra water bottle to hose down your head & shirt so you stay cooler.
When you get a flat tire, walk your bike to the nearest shade. Sit down, have a drink and maybe a snack. Contemplate the vagaries of life. Then fix your tire. Don't know how? - just ask for help, plenty of people are just quivering to show off their tube changing skills!
Zipties are a great thing to have along. Pack a couple of dozen along in assorted lengths.
See a big hill coming up? Not a strong climber? Shift into your lowest gear - it is always easier to shift up to a higher gear ratio when you are on the hill. Try "spinning" in that lowest gear until you get to the top, you will usually be less winded than if you used a larger gear ratio.
Once you get to the top of that hill, please, PLEASE do not stop while still on the road! Roll completely off the road so you are not in anyone's way. I have seen so many near collisions...the person behind on that hill may be just looking down, trying to make it to the top.
Wisdom while in camp...
Try to visit the Massage Tent during the tour. About 30 dollars gets 30 minutes of massage, and you cannot believe how good that feels to abused muscles. And they always have cold water for sale.
Bring Earplugs. Everyone snores.
I like to have a Potty Pack with me on my bike, and when I visit the porta-jons. The Potty Pack has a 1/2 roll of your favorite TP, a travel bottle of hand sanitizer, and a travel pack of wet wipes in a quart ziploc bag. Those Porta-Jons run out of supplies at the very most trying times! A little paranoia pays off here.
When you get a flat tire, walk your bike to the nearest shade. Sit down, have a drink and maybe a snack. Contemplate the vagaries of life. Then fix your tire. Don't know how? - just ask for help, plenty of people are just quivering to show off their tube changing skills!
Zipties are a great thing to have along. Pack a couple of dozen along in assorted lengths.
Love your fellow camper!
When you leave your tent, always, ALWAYS zip up the windows and doors! Even if you are heading out for a 5 minute visit to the porta-jons, do this. Sudden squalls come up all the time, and a violent 5 minute squall can soak everything in your tent!
The groundsheet for your tent should be tucked completely under the tent floor! When the groundsheet sticks out beyond the tent, it becomes a COLLECTOR for rainwater to pool underneath your tent.
Always detest those idiots with a boombox. GOBA does not need a soundtrack!
Always cheer people playing with Frisbees.
Why do you have helmet, gloves, bike shoes, and sunglasses listed under "For the bikes"?
ReplyDeleteDo you have a trailer for the canoe? I am assuming that you put the paddles and pfds IN the canoe?