Final Kit List - Geek Time

Important and exciting for some, merely a necessity for others; the acquisition of lots of stuff has been fun, though I'm wondering quite where the paring down and simplification comes in. I've definitely chosen to be prepared for all eventualities and lose stuff along the way rather than being super minimalist from the start. I've no doubt I have too much stuff - my bike weighs a ton.

The Bike

Frame and fork: Surly Long Haul Trucker, 56 cm - Cheaper than a classic Reynolds tubeset, I just hope it doesn't break (though it can (and has) easily be welded should the worst happen).

Headset: Chris King NoThreadSet - Expensive but (arguably) the best.

Stem(s): Thorn and Cannondale - Double stem setup with cut-down bars seen online - keeps bar bag out of the way.

Bars: Nitto Noodle

Brake Levers: Cane Creek SCR-5

Wheels - Rims: DT Swiss TK 7.1, Spokes: DT Swiss Alpine III, Front Hub: Schmidt SON Dynamo, Rear Hub: Shimano XT - Handbuilt by me (fingers crossed).

Tyres: Schwalbe Marathon Plus 700x35c - Industry standard, no punctures after 800 miles or so.

Shifters: Shimano Dura Ace Down Tube - To avoid the risk of terminally broken STIs.

Groupset: Shimano XT front derailleur, rear derailleur, chainset (22/32/44), chain, cassette (11-34) - Solid.

Seatpost: Thomson Elite Layback - More expensive-but-quality.

Saddle: Brooks B-17 Special - SO comfy.

Brakes: Avid Shorty with Kool Stop pads

Mudguards: SKS Chromoplastics

Lights: Schmidt Edelux front, Busch and Muller 4D Toplight rear - Light sensing, no batteries.

Pedals: Shimano PD-A530

Bottle Cages: Topeak Modula

Racks: Tubus Tara front and Logo rear - Worldwide warranty, standard choice.

Trip Computer: Vetta VL110A HD

Pump: Lezyne Pressure Drive

Bar Tape: Brooks Leather

Stand: Click-Stand

Luggage: Ortlieb Front Roller Classic, Ortlieb Sport Packer Plus, Ortlieb Rack Pack, Ortlieb Ulimate 5 Classic Bar Bag

Kryptonite Cable Lock and Mini D Lock

Topeak Alien III Multi Tool (+ loose allen keys 4 + 5), Puncture Repair Kit, Tyre Levers x 2, Saddle Bag, 2 Inner tubes, Tyre Boots, spare Schwalbe Extreme Tyres, Emergency WMFG Rear Mech Hanger, Quicklink, spare Kool Stop Brake Pads, NBT2 Cassette Removal Tool, Wet Lube, spare brake and gear cables, spare chain, spare cleats, screw spares, spare dynamo wire.

Camping

Hilleberg Nallo 2 GT Tent with Footprint - Pure quality, plenty of space.

Exped Downmat 7 Pump - Almost as comfy as my bed.

Exped Woodpecker WB Sleeping Bag and Cocoon silk liner - Super warm (down to -27, probably too warm!) and waterproof, so it's bivvy-ready.

Hennessy Ultralight Backpacker A-Sym Hammock (if I have space)

Lifeventure Mosquito Net

Cooking

Primus OmniFuel Stove - Swedish, like the tent, and pure quality again.

Primus EtaPower 1L Pot - ditto.

Primus Litech Frying Pan - ditto.

Fire stick, waterproof matches, lighter

Fallkniven F1 Knife - Another Swedish brand and a very nicely crafted survival tool.

Spatula

Light My Fire Food Set and Spork

Measuring Spoons

Mini Grater

Tupperware

Ortlieb Folding Bowl - For washing-up and washing in.

Primus Thermos - Coffee on the bike : )

Recipes - Thanks here to my wonderful Mum. I'd be going very hungry without her help.

Water

Katadyn Water Filter (space pending) - For gunky water, hopefully unnecessary.

SteriPen Purifier - As long as the water is clear, this makes it safe.

MSR 6L Dromedary Water Bag

Bottles - 2 x 1L SiS, 1 x 1L Nalgene and 2 x Camelbak Podium - I can carry a total of 10 litres of water once it gets a bit warmer and drier.

Clothing

Northwave Mission bike shoes, Birkenstocks

Merino socks, 2 pairs Endura, 1 pair DeFeet Woolie Boolie, 1 pair Chocolate Fish possum, 1 pair Sealskinz

Endura Humvee 3/4 shorts, Endura Singletrack shorts

Howies Merino padded shorts, 1 pair Gore and 1 pair Pearl Izumi padded shorts

Endura eVent Venturi waterproof jacket and trousers

Howies Merino longsleeve baselayer x 2, shortsleeve x 2

Howies Yurt Merino jumper and midlayer - I'm a Merino fiend. Warm, cool, doesn't smell - way better than synthetics.

Howies hoody

Sportful Gilet

Endura Merino armwarmers and skull cap, Specialized knee and leg warmers

Endura Deluge gloves, Chocolate Fish Possum/Merino gloves, Northwave mitts

Poncy casquette

2 pairs Merino boxers

Chocolate Fish Merino longjohns

Buff

Unicef t-shirt

2 x Craghoppers shirts

Davitamon Lotto bike jersey

Miscellaneous

Exped waterproof bags

Compass

Petzl Headtorch

MSR towels - 1 x body, 1 x bike/tent, 1 x dishes

Biodegradable wash stuff

Star chart - to make sense of all the extra stars away from towns and cities.

DaKine Heli Pack - A day pack for days off the bike and extra carrying capacity for food.

Contact cards

Reflective vest

Pac-Safe - Potential extra security, unsure of its necessity.

Arno and toe straps

Diary and notebook

Books - possibly the most important thing, along with music.

iPod - 80GB full, about 6 weeks' worth of stuff to listen to and watch.

Online details

Inhaler

SD card reader - Removes the need for cables.

Zipties, duct tape, electrical tape - To solve anything.

Nikon and Panasonic charger

Cameras - Nikon D80 DSLR for the best shots and a smaller Panasonic Lumix TS1 for video and handlebar mounted snapshots.

Solio solar charger - For phone and iPod

Plug adaptor

Sunglasses

Nail clippers

Small mirror and toiletries

Money belt

Insect repellant

First aid kit and sterile equipment

Needle and thread

Dry handwash

Deodorant

Mug

Leatherman Crunch

Trowel - for digging poo holes!

Uno - A fairly language independent game, has passed many an evening.

Brooks Proofide and spanner

Sunscreen

Vaseline and Carmex

Pens and pencils

Paramol tablets

Batteries (AA, AAA, CR123A)

Downmat repair kit

Malaria tablets - 1 year's supply

Survival card - knife, laser, fire starter, whistle, tweezers.

Dummy wallet - sure, have this (expired bank cards and library cards)!

Watch

Razor

iPod speaker, 2 pairs earphones

Normal wallet and ID