Western Express Summer 2013… All Aboard

Posted on January 28, 2013 by anthonycaferro

After a 3 year absence that saw me start a career as a professional Fire Fighter/EMT and travel to several overseas destinations, I’m finally back to planning a lovely bicycle tour. This time around, I’m planning to tackle several mountain passes through the Sierra Nevada and Rocky Mountains, revisit the spectacular red rock scenery of Southern Utah, and meditate on cruise down Highway 50 through the Northern Nevada desert, aka the “loneliest highway in America”… and I’m also looking for friends to join me. Solo missions are fun, but this time around, I’m thinking fellow cyclists might be nice. I’m considering a June or July ride, from San Francisco to Denver, taking 3-4 weeks. You can find out more information at Adventure Cycling, and let me know if you want to come along… the more the merrier!

Western Express

Posted in on the road, preparing for the tour | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Two years later: Packing List Redux

Posted on July 30, 2012 by anthonycaferro

Two years ago, I left on an amazing adventure. 8 weeks and 3500 miles later I got home with a lifetime full of stories. This blog and its pictures serves to remind me of my tour and I’ve found myself consistently giving the address to new bike tourists looking for reliable packing lists. I scoured the Internet for lists before compiling mine, but it seems like a lot of those sites are now down.

So in celebration of the two year anniversary of my cross country tour, I’ve taken my most recent packing list and revised it a bit to reflect only the most essential items needed. Hopefully it will help others on their journey, and keep me sane until I can get out again.

Cross USA bike tour
(Hi Line/Northern Tier to Northern Lakes Route)
Packing list

Raleigh Sojourn with front and back racks

20120730-093019.jpg

Back rack:
Tent tarp
Tent
Sleeping bag
Crash pad
Orange safety flag
3 bungee cables
U-Lock
Sandals
Solar power
Empty backpack for daily food, etc

Seat-post bag:
Spare tube
Bike multi tool
Tire levers
Patch kit
Kevlar spoke
Extra chain link

Pannier 1:
2 spare tubes
Spare foldable tire
Batteries
Compass
Elastic clothesline
Zipties
Superglue
Casette tool
Small pliers
Chain lube
Rim tape
Rags
Rubberbands
Rain Jacket
Rain Pants
Small first aid kit

Pannier 2:
Maps
Book
Portable Speakers
Deodorant
Toothbrush
Soap
Lightweight towel
Citronella oil

Pannier 3:
Fork spoon knife kit
Jet-boil coffee press
Extra jet-boil fuel
Collapsible cup
1000 mL water bottle

Pannier 4:
Collared shirt
One pair extra Shorts
Long sleeved bike jersey
Military Thermal underwear
Wool hat
2 pair short socks
1 pair long wool socks

Handlebar bag:
Matches
Pocketknife
Headphones
Headlight/flashlight
iPhone and charger
Sunglasses

Attached to bike or myself:
Pump (attached to frame)
Sneakers
Helmet
2 water bottles (mounted on frame)
Back blinker (attached to seat post)
Wallet and ID
Odometer (mounted on handlebars)
Sansa mp3 player (mounted on handlebars)
Shorts and shirt
Adidas samba sneakers
Duct tape (wrapped on seat post)
2 Spare spokes (attached to frame)

Posted in bicycle tour cross country raleigh soujourn, bicycle touring, gear and equipment, preparing for the tour | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Helmut von Protectyahead

Posted on January 1, 2012 by anthonycaferro

I was recently hit head on by a left turning 16-year-old driving a car full of kids. Flipped up over and landed some measurable amount of distance from the middle of the intersection to the side of the curb. It was just a short cruise down the street for me….and I didn’t have my helmet! Stupid. Made it out alive. Whether across continents or across town, please protect your head.

My city ride didn’t fare so well.

Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments