Six days to go until first ride of what will be a crazy great 43 rides. My wife thinks I’m prego as I am nesting – doing all those tasks I’ve put off, creating endless lists of the things I need to do, or pack, or still need to get, or tryout, or just a list of random thoughts.

I’ve started to pack. It’s a necessary evil that unfortunately is very individual. There is no right or wrong…unless you forget something critical, like bike shoes. Thankfully, I’m not going out in the bush for 47 days to live off the land! There will be stores, Trek Guides will have some stuff and there is always trying to time out a delivery order from Amazon at some random location. I prefer to have stuff when I need it not when I can get it. So it’s a puzzle of anticipation, available space & weight, plus some forecasting luck. So as you read this, Murphy and his law are definitely surrounding me for a first strike!

So ya, my packing and my lists, which is just another name for chaos (or KAOS) theory. My packing consists of 4 major piles of stuff:

• Things that go on the bike – helmet, saddle, pedals, bike bag, mirror, sensors (ya gotta have data), attachment gizmos
• Anything electronic – all chargers and their connecting cables, go pro and accessories, phone, toothbrush, ear buds, extension outlet, power brick, batteries…is everything powered?
• Toiletries – this is very broad and needs access daily. I am the king of lotions – you name it, I got it – skin, hair, joints, muscles, chamios butter (better known as butt cream). Add-in your personal hygiene stuff and contact lens care, it’s a big, surprisingly, awkward pile. You throw in any food items too, like powder drink mixed or bars.
• Lastly are clothes and shoes – bike clothes (jerseys, bibs/shorts, socks plus spares for Murphy) for 10 days, rain gear, jackets, off bike clothes for time at the bar, pj’s, swimsuit, caz shoes and flip flops…there’s so much!

These piles need to be strategically and surgically divided based upon frequency of access. If I were to develop an algorithm, feels like a moon shot! Access is: as you ride; when you stop in transit – like food stops; daily; and anticipated as needed – like rain gear or med something. Then lastly, what bag will the item actually go and how difficult will it be to get at, if needed. I’m going safe and not sorry.

• Stuff on bike stays with bike but need to pack to get there in a gym bag
• Things that might be needed – a set of spare clothes, extra drink mix, rain gear, etc. – goes in a day back pack for the van
• Things that are needed for hygiene and electronics go in a gym bag for transport to next lodging location. In this bag would be rain gear storage or access. The gym bag is a strength workout by itself. The guides will love me😍
• Then there is all clothing goes into suitcase (with wheels) and any weird Harold items being brought (there was a suggestion to bring a spare saddle…really!)

That’s the packing list, list. Then I have all my honey do list of household tasks that happen in the fall – most will wait but the list is still there. There is the list of accounts and passwords I control. Which in the world of multi-factor authentication, is useless as I still have to verify that I authorize stuff, so I might as well do it. More secure, probs. More convenient, not so much. Easier to get things done, doubtful.

With all of this stuff, just have to have a focus on the goal list:

• Stay upright on the bike. Cycling isn’t a contact sport!!!
• Ride all the miles and keep the sweeper van a lonely place!
• Smile and laugh!!!

Do I need a safety list? Hmmmmmmmm…maybe another day.