Summer Trip '03

Packing details

Riding gear

I used a Rukka Air Power suit from Adventure Motorcycle Gear, with a turtleneck and a Gerbing's heated jacket when needed (most of the time in Alaska). BMW Kalahari boots, BMW Roadster gloves or lightweight Fox dirt-bike gloves, Arai Signet/e helmet and cheap sunglasses. Sometimes a Turtle Fur neckwarmer and Aerostich Triple Digit glove raincovers.

This time	Next time
Left saddlebag: stuff Laptop Sandals Extra gloves Small can of Pledge (for faceshield) Milepost magazine Water bag Chargers for cell phone & laptop First aid kit Extra engine oil	Left saddlebag: stuff Laptop Sandals Extra gloves Milepost magazine Chargers for cell phone & laptop First aid kit Extra engine oil
Right saddlebag: clothes Undies x 9 Socks x 5 Shorts & belt Lightweight pants 3 short-sleeve and 1 long-sleeve T-shirts Long johns Sheet & pillowcase turtleneck (plus one worn) Gerbing's heated jacket Swimsuit Poly thermal top Slumberjack travel pillow	Right saddlebag: clothes Undies x 4 Socks x 5 Shorts Lightweight pants 2 short-sleeve and 1 long-sleeve T-shirts Long johns Sheet & pillowcase turtleneck (plus one worn) Gerbing's heated jacket Swimsuit
Rear rack: heavy and bulky stuff in a SeaLine "Wall wart" battery charger Spare valve cover Spare rotor Pocket wheel balancer Tire irons Stove (Whisperlight Internationale) Sleeping bag Air compressor	Rear rack: heavy and bulky stuff in a watertight box Battery charger Spare valve cover (/5 style) Spare rotor Pocket wheel balancer Tire irons
Right saddlebag lid Tent Thermarest in small SealLine bag	Right saddlebag lid Tent Thermarest in small SealLine bag Left saddlebag lid Sleeping bag in waterproof sack
Tank compartment Ducky Palm Pilot Camera batteries Camelbak Pen Passport, when needed that day Cell phone	Tank compartment Ducky Palm Pilot Camera batteries Pen Small can of Pledge Passport, when needed that day. Small tank panniers Camelbak Water for cooking, washing, etc. Stove (Whisperlight Internationale) Cooking gear
Other: Camera was usually in a pocket of the riding suit, unless it was raining and then it was in the tank compartment.

Whaat would I do differently?  Not a lot. A few fewer undies, and I'd simplify the requirements for charging the laptop and cell phone by hardwiring those accessories to the bike (eliminating the bulky cigarette-lighter plugs and adapters). I'd reduce the size of the air compressor by taking off the outer cover, and pack a lighter spare valve cover. Despite the weight of the spare parts and tire irons, I think I'd take them again - but I'd carry them in a hard case on the rear rack, or affix some of them to the bike frame under the tank. Overall the weight was fine; it is always nice to be lighter but I never felt overloaded.

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