Gear Thoughts

My last bike tour was so inexpensive I estimated that I spent around 80 dollars over the course of 4 days. Most of the money was spent updating a few key pieces of gear I did not want to travel without. Light weight gear gets lighter and cheaper every year. When you are on a bike, weight is important to consider, but you can definitely sneak in a few creature comforts for the nights when your body needs good rest. My luxury sleep items are: a fleece (home-made) pillow, a mummy bag, and a full length sleeping pad. My mummy bag is rated down to 35 degrees and I usually sleep in synthetic thermals to keep my body at a nice temp. 

• The sleeping pad I chose is inexpensive, made by Wilderness Technology, but it does the trick and I picked it up at Next Adventure on sale.
• Sleeping pads are not essential, however they create a barrier between you and the cold ground and allow a softer place for your bones to lay.

Most of my budget gear I purchased online through Amazon after doing some research. Ultimately it doesn't matter what brand is stamped on the side of the product, it is about how you feel about the functionality of said product. Some of my favorite gear was picked up for free, at yard sales and at army surplus stores. YOU DO NOT NEED FANCY STUFF TO HIT THE ROAD. If you need fancy stuff, well then, maybe you should stick to glamping.

These are thoughts on gear. My actual gear is really boring to look at, but it works for me. As I travel more, my gear might need some updating, but experience will let me find what works best. Also, it should be said that knowledge weighs nothing, and the more you know about being prepared for the great out-of-doors, the less gear you have to take with you. That's all for now. Journey on!