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For the most part, everything I own, I can carry on my back. I do have a few books and journals packed away with friends and relatives, but nothing of much significance. I don't carry my bicycle, because it's meant for riding, and what follows is a list of necessities while touring in the tropics. It's important to have high quality gear which you can depend upon.

Such a list can be useful when you start out on your first tour. Inevitably, on that tour, you will always bring too much. Absolutely everyone makes that mistake. If it's a cross country affair, after the first few hundred miles, you will be shipping a box of extras back home. A good packing list takes years to refine.

It is amazing how much we take for granted and can do without. We have houses, garages, attics, basements, storage sheds, closets, and spare bedrooms full of gadgets we never use. I once heard it remarked that if you own something which if during a period of one year never use, you should give it away to someone who will. This is what is known as sharing, which is the opposite of hoarding.

Charles DiBella in April 2009
with students in Sisaket, Thailand

My list is for the minimalist, but a true minimalist may argue that point. You may want a cooking stove, fuel, cooking gear, a tent, sleeping pad, warmer sleeping bag, mosquito net, another pair of shoes, or more layers of clothing. While traveling in the tropics, I have strategies to get along fine without these. The less I own, the less I need to carry.

• Giro crash helmet ( first things first )
• ToPeak Road Morph G Master Blaster air pump
• ToPeak Alien II bicycle repair tool
• patch kit (glue, patches, scraper, single edge razor)
• three tire levers, lightweight chain oil
• extra chain links, extra master link
• cable, padlock w/key to lock bicycle
• small padlock w/key for room door or storage locker
• waterproof pannier covers, umbrella
• 3 x 4 meter waterproof tarp


• bath, hair, and laundry soaps
• prickly heat powder
• toothbrush and toothpaste
• razor, blades, and shaving mirror
• ear swabs, toothpicks, lip and skin balm
• menthol oil, tissue paper
• bandages, medical tape, cotton, anti bacterial agent
• nail clipper and scissors
• comb, ear plugs
• reading glasses, prescription sunglasses


• cotton shirt - wear one, carrying one spare
• cotton long pants - wear one, carrying one spare
• Thai silk underwear - wear one, carrying one spare
• lightweight towel (Khmer kroma)
• head scarf, large cotton shoulder/shopping bag
• one pair lightweight waterproof footwear


• large bed sheet sewn into a sleeping bag
• mosquito coil, small candles
• disposable butane lighter
• military can opener
• metal cup, spoon and sharp knife
• water, herbal tea, instant coffee


• pen, pencil, yellow highlighter
• erasable white board marker
• black permanent sharpie marker
• small paper notebook
• rubber bands, small measuring tape
• 5 meter long bungie cord (used for an indoor clothesline)


• US passport and several passport photos
• 10 crisp US ten dollar bills
• 1 one hundred dollar traveler check
• 2 valid debit cards from different accounts
• 1 valid Arizona drivers license
• various maps and guidebooks


• ASUS Eee PC w/charger
• (900MHZ, 512RAM, 4GB Flash Storage, 3 USB ports, WiFi, Webcam)
• Logitech optical USB mouse
• WiFi signal detector - Canary Wireless HS10
• Canon Digital Camera - Powershot A630 w/ 2GB SD card
• extra 2 GB SD Memory Card and USB SD card reader
• 80 GB mini hard drive with external case and USB cable
• MP3 player MuVo TX FM 1 GB with ear buds


• bedside alarm clock (WestClox)
• speedometer - 9 function bicycle computer
• rear lamp - flashing red
• head lamp - also serves as flashlight
• Sony NiMH battery charger - BCG-34HE
• 4-AA and 2-AAA NiMH spare batteries
• (all electronics, except computer, use AA or AAA)

Everything is double bagged to be waterproof, and packed within small drawstring tote bags. Sometime I will line the tote bags with a small plastic ziplock or a common plastic shopping bag. Everything is placed within Jannd Expedition Panniers, with a lot of room to spare.

Important documents such as passport, drivers license, traveler check, credit cards, addresses, account numbers, and phone numbers, are all recorded, scanned, or photographed. This information is uploaded, and available at a secure, password protected location on the Internet.

Use the menu bar above and below to explore the website. If you'd like to write to me, you can make contact in a few ways:

• use the webform at www.recycles.org
• visit my Facebook profile
• comment on the Bikepaths Forum
• or send email to hopiland@gmail.com

Being on the road alone isn't always easy. One must expect tests and trials around any corner, but such things are what make us strong and cause us to grow. If you've found my site interesting, I hope to hear from you. Your few words of encouragement in passing are the same as a simple "thumbs up" from a stranger as I go along my way.

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