The list of items that populate my bags and my bike is exhausting. My Kit List accounts from this past month are almost completely inclusive. However, if I was to upturn my bicycle and shake all the contents from the bags, a few items would fall to the ground to my surprise. Some are useful, just in case; some are useless, mostly; and at least one item is an unexpected stowaway. Item origins are indicated in parentheses, when known. Less than half of these things are even remotely essential. If you are looking for a way to trim down your touring load, start with the small stuff.
nail clippers, the worst I have ever used, $1.99 CDN in a small gas station (northern B.C.)
insulated electrical housing, 3 inches (came with Supernova headlight, Alaska)
extra Surly rimstrip for Marge Lite rim, black (Bozeman, MT)
1ft. yellow ribbon with reflective strip (Alaska)
3 spokes, length unknown but hopefully useful somewhere on the bike (Alaska and Montana)
tube of Nivea SPF lip product (Ontario, since June 2011)
spare tube, 26×2.3″ with unthreaded Presta valve (from REI, Bozeman, MT)
tent stakes, began with 13 in AK, 9 remaining
homemade postcards, a dwindling supply of 100 (Ft. Collins, CO)
wallet
assorted business cards and grocery rewards cards
lens filters for camera (Fort Collins, CO)
6 links SRAM 9sp chain (Fort Collins, CO)
Origin-8 plastic chain retention, did not fit Lael’s drivetrain properly (Fort Collins, CO)
small Ziploc bag of 50 ibuprofen, dwindling (Anchorage, Alaska)
4 standard matchbooks with logo (Fort Collins, CO)
1 page from Dirt Rag magazine, Surly Krampus advertisement, to protect MacBook screen from keyboard when packed (Bozeman, MT)
postage stamps (Antonito, CO)
embroidered patch on Carradice Camper saddlebag, Great Allegheny Passage (March 2011)
3 plastic zip-ties (Alaska and Colorado)
1 small rubber band marked “Organic Broccoli” (origin unknown)
On our recent travels near Santa Fe, Joe Cruz exhumed a similarly well-used orange tube of the exact same Nivea SPF lip product from his bag. His was purchased in South America, mine in Ontario, Canada. There must be something about men with fatbikes and soft lips.
I can’t speak to your full kit, but I disagree that the patch is non-essential. Essential!
The patch is essential, and you never know when you need a certified organic rubber band. Is the rubber organic, or just the broccoli? Something to consider.
You can further diminish your postcard supply by sending me another.
Wait by the mailbox. Will be there in a week.
I put lip salve in the essential category – esp. at altitude and dryness. Also from my personal point of view as a flute player….
Anymore, your defense proves my theory about men on fatbikes.