Task 1 : Hike the Appalachian Trail

One of the best parts of preparing for a journey is the purchase of new equipment. But with backpacking, it's more about what not to take, namely anything too heavy, because you're the one that has to carry it, not your bike.

How did I go about it?

Key criteria: light weight, maximum comfort and multi-use.

For example, starting off looking at my iPod Classic. I had an original wall charger that is 4.3 ounces (123 grams) and also required a Firewire cable which was single use. So, I replaced the wall charger with one that was lighter and took the USB cable I would be carrying anyway. I replaced the USB cable with a retractable type, but removed the retracting component.

Post Trip Analysis

After completing the hike of the Appalachian Trail, I have reviewed some of the gear I took and what I'm now going to take on Task 2.

Total PACK Weight

13lb 5 oz (6,048 grams)

What am I carrying while hiking?

• Pack
• Sleeping System
• Carried Clothing
• Cooking & Filtration
• Entertainment & Map
• Photography
• First Aid & Hygiene
• Tools

What am I wearing on the AT?

• Hiking Clothing
• Rain Clothing
• Sleep Clothing

What are you going to eat?

• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner

Complete Gear List

Backpacking Purchasing Factors

1. Weight
2. Warmth (Clothing and sleeping)
3. Multi-use
4. Compactness

Task 2 : Bicycling the Great Divide

As I left for the Appalachian Trail in February I didn't have a concrete plan on what gear I was going to take on the Great Divide. To a large extent, I was going to see what worked on the hike and whatever survived, I'd take on the bike trip. But the key decision was around the bike itself.

That was short listed to the following options:

1. Use my Specialized Stumpjumper with new rack/panniers.
2. Use my Specialized Stumpjumper with an ExtraWheel.
3. Buy a new Surly Big Dummy.

Photo: Option 3, Surly Big Dummy	Photo: Option 2, ExtraWheel

Cycling Purchasing Factors

1. Strength
2. Use when not touring
3. Weight (less of a factor than backpacking)

I had serious lust for the Big Dummy, however that option was eliminated due to it not being available to buy before my trip. Plus, I really couldn't justify the $2,000 expense. So instead I bought the ExtraWheel. Why?

1. Bad experience with racks that break and rear wheel that disintegrate due to being overloaded.
2. Higher cost of high quality rack and pannier bags.
3. Easy to put on another bike should I need to ditch the Stumpie.
4. Can also have a rear rack.
5. Rotation of 'spare' tire installed on the trailer wheel.

Some drawbacks are

1. Added rolling fiction.
2. Harder to load up. I still resist on installing a bike stand.