A Working Equipment List

The equipment list is currently as follows and will be updated as it becomes more complete.
Last Edit: June 11, 2007

Camping:
Gas stove: Dragonfly, MSR
(2) 650 ml gas container: MSR
Kitchen set: Blacklite, MSR. I sent home the pan to cut down on weight
Sleeping bag: MEC Phareo (-7C)
Sleeping pad: Big Agnes, insulated, self-inflated.
Tent: Hubba Hubba (that means you, ladies), MSR
Homemade tent footprint (improvised tarp)
Head lamp
Pocket knife
rope: 50'
Duct tape
camp soap
Tarp: 9' x 12', for cowering
toilet paper

Bicycle:
Devinci Caribou C2: w/ disc brakes
Rear and Front Racks: Journey, Axiom
Fenders
Front and Rear Panniers: Champlain, Axiom, with covers
Handlebar Bag: Radisson, Axiom
3 bottle cages
3 water bottles + 2 1L Nalgene bottles
Cycle computer
Helmet
Bike gloves
2 spare tubes
1 spare tire: TopContact, Continental
Pump/ tire gauge
bell

Misc:
Microfiber towel
Bungie cords
Nylon straps
12 W solar panel: Sent home!
Kodak DX4530 digital camera, 3 batteries, memory card, lenses, cord
Maps: of every province and major city
Backpack
iPod, headphones, charger
First Aid kit
Ayn Rand's "Altlas Shrugged"

Clothing:
2 pairs quick-dry pants/shorts
2 pairs biking shorts
1 pair rain pants
2 quick-dry t-shirts
2 quick-dry long sleeve shirts
1 fleece pullover
1 rain jacket, Goretex
1 pair bike shoes: Shimano SH-MT70
2 pair running socks
water-proof booties
long-johns: sent home in Alberta
tuque
Sandals
wool socks
2 pairs normal socks
2 pairs underwear

Food

On tour I usually have WAY too much food. I mean, I could live on the food I carry for days and days if I wanted to. Why do I do this? A few reasons. I don't like knowing that I don't have any food on me. Some people cycle without any and buy at their first opportunity. I feel safer knowing I could live for a while on my supplies if need be. Also, I like variety so I carry a wide assortment of snacks and meals. The cost is having to lug around a few kilos of pasta, oatmeal, trailmix, energy bars, etc.

Paul and the Art of Bicycle Maintenance

My buddy Paul was gracious enough to lend me his Friday afternoon and expertise to teach me about bike maintenance. I figure it'll come in handy and according to him, if I remember everything he said, and with the right tools, I'd never need to bring the bike in for another tune up again. I'm not sure I have that much faith in myself, but it's a nice thought.

We went through everything from changing a tire to tuning up the brakes and derailleurs, as well as more than a few of my brother's beers. Hey, it's a team effort! Team Phil!





This is me learning what a pedal is.











Paul, Bike Guru










The happiest day: When I used my Advanced Macro- economics (Romer) and Econo- metric Methods (Johnston, DiNardo) text books as a bike stand. They didn't work well, but it still brought a smile to my face.
(Days till Departure: 32)

Plan Developments and Equipment Acquiring

Some developments have come about recently. The newest is that I purchased my plane tickets. I will be arriving in Victoria, BC May 12th at noon. Exciting. I have yet to purchase return tickets and I devote the lack of eagerness to do so to my lack of confidence that I'll actually make it to my destination alive, or at least in a timely manner.

Another exciting development was the purchase of my sweeeeet touring bike. About a month ago my Dad and I went to T.O. for the weekend to check out the international bicycle convention. It was humongous! As well, it housed many different touring bikes, which was a treat because this style of bike is difficult to come by. By the end of the weekend, I was the proud owner of a 2007 Devinci Caribou C2 (photo is of 2006 model).

Hey, so what is a touring bike? Well, it's a lot like a road bike, but purposely heavier so that it has more of a presence while on the road. They have features enabling them to hold front and rear racks that hold panniers or saddlebags. The geometry of the frame is more relaxed so it's a more comfortable ride, important for logging many hours. The rims are usually a lot more solid so they can handle the weight of 70-100 lbs from the panniers. Touring bikes are very functional and are designed for long-term use; often used as commuting bikes in the off-season. There are other smaller differences, but mainly of personal preference.

So, lately I've been undergoing the wonderfully exciting task of equipping my new ride. You know, bike computer, lights, racks, fenders, helmet, bike gloves and shoes, etc. The kind folks down at Northern Sports (the only serious bike shop here) are starting to know me by name and word has caught on of my plans. When I have everything in order, I will be sure to post my equipment list.

As my list of "Items to be Purchased" becomes shorter and shorter, I feel a HUGE THANK YOU to my buddy Kevin Reinhardt is in order. He passed on to me the wisdom he gained from a similar trip last summer and for that, I'm grateful. Thanks duder. (Days till departure: 43)

I'm Still Alive and so is the Trip

Hi guys,
Ok, I know I haven't posted anything on here for, like, three months. Normally that would mean that I've fallen off the TransCanada Bicycle Tour wagon. But I really haven't. It's just that very little progress has been made, because with this adventure, progress is highly correlated with earnings, and I've been earning poorly. But that will change shortly and there'll be progress, and yes more posts.

I'm currently saving for a bike. Nope I don't have one yet. Well, I have a mountain bike, but I'm in the market for a touring bike. What else, oh, I'm training as well, but that's kinda boring.

I want to say a huge THANK YOU to my buddy Gary out east who set me up with a bunch of equipment before I left the Fax. Thanks to him, and our visits to MEC, most of my camping equipment has been purchased. I even slept out in my backyard on the 23rd of December. It was a good time, considering it was below 0C. You might think I'm crazy, and I probably am, but part of the painstaking training that I'm undergoing right now includes me sleeping in my sleeping bag every night. Yep. I figure, the better I can sleep with the sleeping gear I'll have on the trip, the better I'll sleep. Not that I'll have much difficulty getting to sleep after 8 to 10 hours of cycling...

I've been flirting with the idea of posting blogs while on the road and to do that effectively I'd bring my laptop and a solar panel with me. We'll see how that idea pans out, but I wouldn't be the first to do it. (Days till departure: 115)

Introduction to Phil's TransCanadian Bicycle Tour

Hi my name is Phil. On May 12th, 2007 I will begin on my TransCanada bicycle tour from Victoria, BC to St. John's, NF. As it stands, the route consists of, well... as much as 10,000 kms and as little as 5,000 kms. We'll see how things go once I'm on the road. Basically, I want to visit all of the provinces and many of my family and friends in Canada. The point of the tour is to do something remarkable and completely independently, hence I'm going solo. It combines the three C's that derive great pleasure in my life: Camping, Cycling and Canada. I plan to take as long as four months to do all of them and I will be documenting my plans and adventure as they arise. Thanks for reading! (Days till departure: 210)