JESS'S BIKE TOURING ESSENTIALS
We use almost everything we have with us, every day,
but there are a few things that I'm extra obsessed with....
CARGO NET
I PUT THIS OVER MY BACK RACK PACK. I CAN JUST REACH BEHIND ME AND TUCK THINGS INTO IT, LIKE MY SWEATY GLOVES, OR MY JACKET OR MY BANDANA. I ALWAYS HANG BANANAS FROM IT. AND SPROUTS. ITS JUST ALL STRETCHY AND HANDY AND I LOVE IT. DON'T TRAVEL WITHOUT ONE OF THESE!
BANDANA
My bandana is gray from my days carving coal for Zivic. Its all worn in. I use it to sit on when the ground is prickly. I drench it in water and put it on my neck when I get hot. I use it to dry the dishes. I blow my nose in it. Use it to make cheese. I wear it on my head. Its my favorite bit of cloth. Like an adult blankie.
SWISS ARMY KNIFE
Well now, what would my Swiss Half say if I didn't have one of these babies? Someone in Louisiana gave me one and I promptly gave away my pretty wood-handled (French) Opinel's... Here we've got tweezers, stabbers, cutters, pokers, diggers all in one little efficient Swiss package.
BLACK EYE-LINER...
I think I would be lost without it. It makes me feel like a lady on even the worst of days. And, NO, I would not be on this tour without it.
NANO PUFF!
Well--this thing is worth it's (very light) weight in Gold. It's as minimal looking as you can get in sporty gear (which I like) and it is AMAZING. You can wear it from 30 degrees to 75 and its always the right thing, how is that? Is it magic? I've had to sleep in this thing MANY nights, I love it. If I have to wear a puffy thing, this is it. Now, where's the coverall version?
COCOON SILK TRAVEL SHEET
Basically, singlehandedly responsible for any sleep I get in the tent. This silk sheet keeps all the synthetic camping/sleeping stuff from being in direct contact with my skin which seems to make all the difference in the world.
THE MISSION:
WHO: Zach Whitney + Jessamee Sanders
WHAT: A year-long (?) bicycle tour...
WHEN: Beginning March 2013
WHERE: Around the USA, route undetermined, 5-10K miles
WHY: Because life is too short to be settling down just yet...
HOW: By pedaling our butts off and selling lovely jewelry along the way
Zach builds things and loves to ride his bike. Jessamee designs things and loves to travel (jessamee.com, tamlinandthefall.com)
On May 9 Zach turns 30. Minute? Momentous? Zach’s sentiment? ‘I get to bike 60 miles and then sleep in a camper! Yeah!’ We have a spot unofficially reserved in a little camper in Langtry TX (pop. 14), it has air conditioning and hopefully there will be beer and tortilla chips somewhere nearby to complete Zach’s Bliss Requirements. HAPPY BIRTHDAY BABE! You’re as beautiful and amazing as ever, ripening perfectly, I love you like crazy!
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Reader Comments (2)
Hey Guys!
Happy Birthday Zach! Welcome to the old folks club.
I hope you use this as an excuse to take a day off if you haven't. Glad to hear you guys are o.k.
haven't kept up lately but will soon. I'm still here in upstate but will be back in Calif. on May 21. We'll be around those parts until the very end of June, if you guys happen to make it by then. Otherwise, we'll catch up later. guten luckski
Zach Happy belated birthday! Had I known the morning I met you two I would have gotten your coffee and perhaps a Honey Bun for your B-day!
It was awesome meeting you and Jessamee, and I look forward to keeping track of your trip via this site. Don't forget to check out Bisbee, AZ, and Tombstone, AZ; loaded with hippies! If you enjoyed yourself in Austin, you'll definitely get your fill in Bisbee. If you're ever in these parts again, you'd better give a fella a call. Stay safe, have fun and keep the pictures coming.
your buddy at DHS,
Rey
P.S. Jessamee which of the necklaces would you recommend?