Being tired Friday evening, 6/3/05 (night prior to the trip), I failed to include information such as packing. I have always enjoyed packing for some reason. Maybe the excitement of the trip and seeing if you can fit 10 pounds of crap in a 5 pound bag, I don't know. But when I get the 10 pounds in the bag, I'm pretty pleased. I remember as a child, watching my grandpa Paschal and my father, both, being pack nuts too. It was like "OOH! I see a small area (about 2"x4") that is being wasted. Let's see, can that small bag (4"x8" in size) fit in there? grr-huh-mm.... there. Perfect!"
Let me just review the packing order, primarily for myself for future packing. I have been on other pages and as petty as it sounds, I have wondered what they had packed and where. So this is not as informative to you as it is to me. It also helps me to almost use it as a checklist...
*Handlebar Bag*
The handlebar bag served as the 12V power switch/outlet. The Radio Shack 3 cigarette lighter plug sits in the bag with the Blackberry (phone/email), Ipod (tunes), and Garmin Quest (GPS) chargers all stay plugged. Additiaonlly, this bag holds the kickstand plate (for use when you want to set the bike up in soft dirt to keep the stand from sinking into the earth), and the Radio Shack Pro-83 handheld scanner (used for mostly weather updates and sometimes entertainment. ie, CB, police, family radios, air traffic. you get the idea). Also included is some helmet visor cleaner.
*Tank Bag*
In the Cortech tank bag, I keep all of my valuables. There is a nylon strap that I wrap around the handlebar in the case that wind happens or I knock the bag over myself. When I hit a pit stop and need to leave the ACE for a few, I unclip the Garmin and zip it into the bag, unclip the bag from the strap and grab it by the handle and allow it to be my company. In the outside map window, I use it to hold the Ipod. It is really too small for a map. In the future, I may print directions out and slip them in the window so I do not have to change the mode of the GPS to view them. Within is my Canon Powershot S60, wallet (holding only $40. I use a wire band nech pouch for the credit cards and big bills), map, batteries, gum, audo cables and controls, and the famous duct tape.
*Left Saddlebag
The left, my favorite saddlebag and I don't know why. Maybe because I usually put the things in it that I need to retrieve somewhat quickly without having to walk around to the right saddlebag. Since the forcast for rain looked slim, I put all of the rain gear in this bag instead of the easy access GranTour bag (later) because this bag would soon have a tent bungee'd to it. In the bag are my leather chaps (no comments on the sexiness please), Frogg Togg rain gear (jacket and pants), rain cover for the GranTour and Cortech tank bag, and dehydrated food. Atop the left saddlebag sits an OR water resistant bag that holds the Backcountry tent, ground cloth, and stool.
*Right Saddlebag
*Kuryakyn Gran Tour Bag
In the main compartment I stowed a spare pair of blue jeans, bicycling shorts, bicycling warm pants, long sleeve T, short sleeve T, socks, liner for Fisrt Gear jacket, coffee, Jetboil, Anti Monkey Butt powder, a Top Ramen, 1.5 liter of water, and the lantern in the center. On the inside-top is the ultra light towel, and personal hygiene bag.
In the outside top section I stored items that I wanted to gain access to very easily. Within it is a few Cliff bars, bag of jerky, clear helmet visor, and my motorcycling baseball cap. The visor fit perfectly. On the top is the night light for reading, pocket knife, and flash light.
In the left/upper zipper comparrtment sits my sunglasses, glasses, map, and GPS bag.
In the right/upper compartment is the first aid kit, an emergency roll of toilet paper, and aspirin.
That's it for the packing. On to the less boring stuff...
