Bicycle

Over the last nine summers, my bicycle touring setup has been remarkably light. This is one part of my life where, “Less is more.”

The bicycle I am riding is affectionately called “The Horse.” Initially, people told me to come up with a more creative moniker, but this bike has steadfastly become, and always will be, known as a “Horse With No Name” – aka after the legendary song by America.

It is a Trek 520 that I purchased in 2016 for the initial cross-country ride from Yorktown to San Francisco. And “The Horse” has served me unbelievably well. During the 2022 Ireland circumnavigation, a bike mechanic told me to never stop riding this bicycle.

“It’s a great frame,” he said in his thick Irish accent. “They don’t make them like that anymore.”

I was told by other knowledgeable mechanics that I should pursue buying a new bicycle for this 18,000-mile adventure, but there’s just no way. “The Horse” is going the distance.

The gears, crank and pedals are all from the Shimano company. My helmet is a Specialized brand and, my front light is an “Ascher” and the rear light is an “Omega.”

It took years for me to find the best saddle, but I’m now super content with a leather “Anatomica Sella.”

The tires I prefer are “Schwalbe Marathon Supremes,” but I will start the trip with “Continental Top Contact,” as they went the entire summer of 2024 – over 3,000 miles – without incurring a flat.

My handlebars are the ultra-comfortable “Jones Bars,” which allow me to put my hands in endless positions to avoid numbness and fatigue. Attached to the Jones Bar is a “Nite Ize” phone carrier.

Camping equipment

The tent, which will be my home for upwards of 14 months, is a one-man Big Agnes. It’s easy to set up and take down while serving to keep me warm.

The air mattress, critical for sleep, is a “Helix” insulated air pad that I purchased from REI. I prefer “long and wide,” and that has served me well over the last few summers.

My sleeping bag is a Mont-Bell Alpine Burrow. On those super cold nights, I will be also using a “Sea To Summit” sleeping bag liner that features a mummy hood.