Ride4Water: The Kit List
Whoever said that it’s “not about the gear” when doing adventures probably had really, really good gear. During my first adventures I learned this firsthand when relying on gear was either secondhand or…
1 minute read
Whoever said that it is “not about the gear” when doing adventures probably had really, really good gear. During my first adventures, I learned firsthand that gear matters after relying on items that were either secondhand or purchased with an on-a-shoestring budget.
Like say, my tent. Usually tents help your ability to get a night of good sleep. But mine? It would constantly collapse on me with every gust of the wind no matter how tightly I hammered those stakes in the ground. I’ve learned what works, mainly, by first learning what does not work.
Ride4Water across Maine was filled with new memories that I am grateful to have shared with you because of social media. Many people who followed along have reached out asking about a full description of most of my kit list for cycle touring. Now that I have had a moment to catch my breath after the Ride4Water journey, I am sharing those details with you in hopes that it helps you on your very own journey!
But, first. A shout out thank you to Backcountry for not only supplying most of my gear needs, but also having Gearheads available 24/7 to help with the making the decisions about what gear would be most suitable. These are most of the items that got me across the state with direct links to view more details.
Bicycle Gear
Ortlieb Back-Roller Free Panniers - Lagoon/Black
Ultimate Six Free 5L - Black
Cargo Evo
The Sinewave Reactor
KryptoFlex 525 Looped Cable (4)
KryptoLok Combo U-Lock
Giro Agilis MIPS Helmet
Ortlieb Rack-Pack Free 31L - Lagoon/Black
Tara Lowride
SCHMIDT SON28 12 ISO Dynamo Hub
Spurcycle Original Bell
Impero Ultimate Frame Pump
Giro Ventana Cycling Shoe
Ortlieb Sport-Roller Free Panniers - Lagoon/Black
Blackburn Water Bottle Cages (3)
Sprintech Dropbar Mirror
Self Defense Pepper Spray
PEDRO'S Tire Lever - 2 pack
Silca Italian Army Knife
Bike tubes 26'' (3)
Honest Digital Pressure Gauge
Park Tool Pre-Glued Super Patch Kit
Park Tool AWS-11 Metric Folding Hex Wrench Set
CAMPING GEAR
Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL1 Bikepack Tent: 1-Person 3-Season
Sea To Summit Ultralight Sleeping Pad
Sea To Summit Coolmax
Sea To Summit Traveller TrI Sleeping Bag: 50F Down
Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL1 Bikepack Footprint
Petzl Bindi Ultralight Headlamp, Emerald
Sawyer Permethrin Insect Repellent (for gear)
Sawyer’s Picaridin Insect Repellent (for self)
COOKING
Primus Omnilite TI Stove
Coghlan's G.I. Can Opener
MSR Alpine Dish Brush/Scraper
GSI Outdoors Pinnacle Soloist II Cook Set
GSI Outdoors Camp Dish Cloth
Sawyer Squeeze Water Filter
MSR Dromlite Bag, 6L
ELECTRONICS
Garmin Enduro
WIFORT Waterproof Case
iPhone 12 Mini
Clothing
Backcountry Techleisure Short - Atlantic Deep
Showers Pass Double Century RTX
OOFOS OOahh Luxe Recovery Slide Sandal - White
Goodr OG Polarized Sunglasses - Whiskey Shots with Satan
Backcountry Techleisure Short - Black
ATHLETA Shanti Crop Tank Print
Bombas Women's Performance Cycling Calf Sock
ATLETA Ultimate Stash Pocket 7" Short - Magnolia Purple
ExOfficio Give-N-Go Sport Mesh Bralette - Admiral Blue Monstera/Admiral Blue
ExOfficio Give-N-Go Sport 2.0 Bikini Brief Underwear - Admiral Blue Monstera/Admiral Blue
HYGIENE
Packtowl Ultralite Towel, Beach size, Bloom Noir
Scrubba Wash Bag
Sawyer Stay-Put SPF 30
Sea To Summit Wilderness Wash
Clean Tangerine | Deodorant
Sea to Summit Lite Line Clothesline
NUTRITION
Spurcycle Water Bottle - Catch Up
Spurcycle Water Bottle - Must Go Hard
Spurcycle Water Bottle - Relish Your Ride
Tailwind Nutrition Endurance Fuel
Vitamin 12
Sportslegs Capsules
So much for being a self-proclaimed minimalist!
Special thanks to these companies for joining as a supporters and partner for the Ride4Water and the mission behind the miles!
Ride4Water: Let’s roll
Doing ultra-endurance events often puts my mind and body in the ultimate state of flow and allows me to be completely focused on just that one step ahead. During Run4Water across Maine…
2 minute read
Doing ultra-endurance events often puts my mind and body in the ultimate state of flow and allows me to be completely focused on just that one step ahead. During Run4Water across Maine in 2020 - running 138-miles nonstop across the state in 33 hours - mile 50 had me pondering whether there could have been a better, more fun way to see the state than by legs alone.
Ride4Water across Maine is just that chance to both pick up the pace by cycling and slow down the pace by stopping to discover the beauty along the long, rocky Atlantic Coast. Ride4Water is a ride I’m embarking 360-miles across the state of Maine covering about 60 miles every day from West Quoddy Head Light near the Canadian border to Kittery, Maine just across the river from the New Hampshire state line. Even more fun — my adventure pal + church friend Hannah is joining the adventure!
Here are some of the reasons I am excited to explore and share this journey with you!
🌞 Starting with the sun. The nation’s most easternmost point on the mainland is at West Quoddy Head Light in Lubec, Maine, the start of Ride4Water.
🍇 Riding past the wild blueberry capital of the world and, hopefully, fueling up on some of the best berries.
🌊 Passing through Acadia National Park and experiencing the thunder of the sea against the rocky shores at Thunder Hole!
Cycling past Old Orchard Beach, Portland Head Light, Kennebunkport, and beaches like Popham are all areas I cannot wait to explore and share with you.
But, most of all — water. The “why” behind what I do. Adventures can last a day or a week but the impact can last a lifetime. Funds raised will go towards funding a clean water project in Uganda on behalf of H2O for Life. Donations are encouraged and accepted here: give water here. There are too many people on the planet we share without clean water and we can change that, my fellow water warriors!
As always, I hope you know you can do big things even if you don’t believe you can. You can do big things despite having fears, worries, or doubts. You can even do big things even if you don’t feel like it all the time. All you have to do? Show up and start.
📣 Shout out and huge thank you to Giro, Garmin, Reelight, ORTLIEB, Sinewave Cycles, Spurcycle, Tailwind Nutrition, and Backcountry for sponsoring the Ride4Water! 📣
Listen to chat with BikeLife Podcast
You’re invited to listen to “The Gift of Exploring” on the Warm Showers podcast (Episode 27). During the episode, I share some of my cycling experiences over the years and big plans on the horizon! 🚲
The long road ahead
How does one run 341-miles across the state of Ohio. The same way all the miles are taken – one mile at a time.
If you followed along during my last big endurance challenge – Run4Water across Maine…
3 minute read
How does one run 341-miles across the state of Ohio? The same way all the miles are taken – one mile at a time.
If you followed along during my last big endurance challenge – Run4Water across Maine running 138-miles nonstop in 33 hours – you’ll know that the last 5-miles got very raw, and I felt lower than I had felt physically than any other endurance feat, to date. My whole body hurt more than when I broke my pelvis training for Race Across America. All that I wanted to do was ugly cry on the side of the road and rip & throw grass into the air. So, I did. Then, when my temper tantrum was done, there was only one thing left to do.
RUN!
Running across the state of Maine was originally a run across the state of Ohio. But, COVID had other plans. So, now it’s time to go back to the original idea – to run 341-miles across the state of Ohio completing 11 ultramarathons (31-miles) in 11 days to fund 11 water projects in Uganda. I have no idea if my body can do it, but there is only one way to find out – to have the courage to try!
There has been some interest in what gear I use and how I fuel during long-distance endurance events. I am here to share those details about the “what” I use and the “why” behind it.
Nutrition
Early in my days of endurance, a triathlon coach kindly pointed out my fueling was as if I went to an all-you-can-eat buffet rather than having an actual plan or strategy. Since doing primary just a sports drink, I’ve had a smoother, more steady energy level. I have been using Tailwind for years now, and it got my through my last big 138-mile nonstop run across Maine. Why? Because it works! It keeps my engine running without crashing or bonking, helps me stay hydrated, and keeps things simple with a couple scoops an hour. Lots of incredible athletes use Tailwind, too, like Courtney Dauwalter and Maggie Guterl. Check them out!
WATCH
I’m rocking the latest Garmin Enduro watch specifically for endurance athletes and couldn’t be more excited about it. During some of my longer runs, I would last longer than my watch would especially running more than 24 hours at a time! I no longer need to carry with me an external power source to keep it charged. Thanks to my Garmin, you will also be able to track me during my upcoming Run4Water across Ohio.
shoes
Newtons Running shoes are great for minimizing the impact the pounding of the pavement can have on your muscles and joints. They naturally makes you more of a mid-foot (not heel-striking) runner. I’ve surprisingly been injury-free despite running, cycling, and swimming ridiculously long distances, and I believe it has to do with finding the right gear that works for your body.
recovery sandals
I used to believe that the most comfortable footwear outside of running would be to go completely barefoot until I tried OOFOS. This footwear helps with recovery with their OOfoam technology that absorbs 37% more impact than traditional footwear meaning happy feet and happy joints!
socks
Bombas are the best! So cosy. Plus, they are doing lots of good in our world with every purchase.
laces
LockLaces have been on my shoes for years now, from back when I did my first IRONMAN. Ain’t got time to tie my shoes! One less thing to get in the way to not have to deal with my shoelaces coming untied because, sooner or later, it always happens.
clothing
There are many reasons to love Athleta gear. Being someone that most would consider an “extreme minimalist”, I get excited about finding gear that I can wear on the trails or in the gym, and out-and-about. Functional and fashionable!
It is not about the watch, shoes, or sports drink. It’s about running. But, it’s hard to enjoy running if your feet are blistered, your watch keeps dying or malfunctioning during your run, or you can’t keep food down. These are all very real problems that don’t need to be that way. Thankfully, this gear makes it possible to get more joy and fun with every step.
Looking forward to sharing the journey with you virtually and in-person for the long road ahead!