We understand that gear can be expensive – and strongly suggest that you look on craigslist and at local second-hand stores for some of these items. Many cities also have second-hand bicycle and outdoor equipment stores — these often lead to amazing treasures being found quite inexpensively.

Required Gear for All Programs:

___ Sleeping bag (strictly rated for at *least* 20 degree)
___ Sleeping mat (packable)
___ Drybag for sleeping bag (waterproof)
___ Flashlight/headlamp + 2 sets of batteries
___ Warm fleece jacket
___ Warm fleece pants
___ Winter fleece hat
___ Rain pants (waterproof, not just water-resistant)
___ Rain jacket (waterproof, not just water-resistant)
___ Basic first aid kit

Required Gear for Bicycle Tours:

___ All items listed as required above
___ Bicycle
___ Bicycle helmet (no rollerskating or other helmets)
___ Secure u-lock (strictly no cable locks)
___ Hydration pack – 2 liter minimum (strictly no water bottle substitutes)
___ Third-eye mirror (helmet or handlebar-mounted)
___ Safety vest or bright clothing (red or yellow)
___ Sunglasses / eye protection (we suggest simple construction safety glasses)
___ Tire patch kit
___ Tire changing lever pack
___ Spare tubes (2)
___ Bike pump (mobile)
___ Bike lights (front and rear) + reflectors (front and rear)
___ Bike light batteries (plus backup set)
___ Speedometer / bicycle computer
___ Multi-tool (w/ hex keys)
___ Riding gloves (essential safety gear if you happen to fall)
___ Waterproof shoe covers
___ Daily riding snacks/trailmix (vegan, organic, wheat+soy free)

Additional Required Gear for Self-Contained Bicycle Tours:

___ All items listed as required above
___ Rear rack rated for at least 60lbs (no seatpost-mounted racks)
___ Waterproof bicycle panniers (not just water-resistant)
___ Rain covers for panniers
___ Tent with full-coverage rain fly
___ Garbage bags (at least 5)
___ Zip lock bags medium/large 1gal (at least 10)
___ Cellular phone (strictly required for safety reasons)
___ Metal eating bowl (no glass)
___ Fork + spoon + butter knife
___ Tea/hot liquid mug
___ Dry camping clothes (SEPARATE from riding clothes)
___ Dry warm layers (NON-cycling for camp only)
___ Wool or polypropylene socks
___ Separate, dry pair of shoes for camp

Recommended Gear for All Programs:

___ Shoes (cycling + camp + service projects)
___ Pants/shorts (cycling + camp + service projects)
___ Shirts (cycling + camp + service projects)
___ Socks (cycling + camp + service projects)
___ Warm fleece for camp + sleeping
___ Gloves (cycling + service projects)
___ Sunscreen
___ Undergarments
___ Bug repellent (non-toxic/natural)
___ Digital camera + batteries
___ Towel
___ Toothbrush / toothpaste / soap / shampoo (biodegradable only)
___ Medications + personal first aid
___ Snacks (vegan, organic, wheat+soy free – for biking, etc.)

___ Laptops (very highly recommended for our non-cycling workshops)

- Please avoid cotton items, as they lose their heat properties when they get wet.
- Please no fragile or expensive items – we are not responsible for theft or damage.
- We have a zero-tolerance drug policy – please do not bring alcohol or illegal substances – or you will be asked to leave the program without refund.

Supported Bicycle Tour Luggage & Packing Guidelines:

It is imperative that you pack lightly and efficiently, limiting your baggage to:
___ airplane carry-on-sized bag (45 linear inches – 9x14x22, 25lb limit)
___ your sleeping bag
___ camping mat
___ hydration pack

The above should not be combined. To ensure space for all clients, limits are strictly enforced with any exceeding items incurring a $150 surcharge.

For self-contained tours, you must be able to carry all of your gear on your bicycle, so pack accordingly.

Bicycle Requirements:

___ Road/hybrid/touring bike – no mountain, fixed gear or single-speed bikes
___ No shocks on either front or rear wheel
___ Kevlar-reinforced road/touring tires with least 75 PSI pressure
___ No visible rust anywhere on the bike
___ Front and rear brakes are required
___ Triple chain ring with at total of at least 21 speeds
___ No bikes over 10 years old, regardless of condition
___ For self-contained programs, bicycle rack must be rated to carry at least 60lbs.

Here are the reasons for our strict bicycle requirements — proper equipment makes a tremendous difference in speed of a cyclist. Wrong bicycle type, shocks and low tire pressure can slow you down dramatically. A triple chain ring w/ proper gearing allows you to climb hills without walking. The rust, brakes and age of bike are all serious safety considerations, but also ensure that all bicycles brought on tour will have minimum mechanical difficulties, and with only newer bikes on our programs, the parts are more standardized and we can help you repair most problems on the road.