The best trip EVAR... planning questions.

[That German Guy]

So, My military service will be over 312400Amar07 (March 31st this year, you civillian FGTs ).

Uni starts on October 15th. I've been thinking of riding my bike around europe for a few months in between. I've been thinking what to take along, and have come up with this list:


General crap:
-Maps
-Two gasoline lighters
-Two small flashlights

Sleep/Shelter:
-One two-man tent
-Army-Issue sleeping bag
-Army-Issue foam insulation mat thingy
-2x3m lightweight tarp

Transport:
-Bike
-“Saddle bags“ (90l total)
-80-liter backpack

Food/Cooking:
-Gasoline stove
-2 packs solid fuel tablets
-Small pan
-Small pot
-6 liters of water
-Canned food for three days (emergency stock)
-Rice, Pasta, etc.
-Canned or similarly preserved meats

Clothing:
-Seven days of underwear/socks
-Three sets of outer garments
-One raincoat w/pants
-Two pairs of shoes
-One hat

Now, I've never planned for more than three days, so help me out here. There will probably be quite a few things missing.

-German Guy

[deltabourne]

You're an army guy... shouldn't you know what you need to survive?

[That German Guy]

Um... no.

Our survival time (We're NBC corps, so second-line) is three days without supplies.

[tunaman]

If you are in Germany, you shouldn't have any problem finding a climbing/mountaineering store somewhere nearby or at least on the web that can deliver to you. I suggest using freeze dried meals stored in plastic bags instead of canned meals that are widely available in such stores. Why? Because canned meals will take more space and will significantly add weight. Check out www.rei.com for some suggestions, but I am not sure if the same brands will be available in Europe.

Search online as there are many websites that are dedicated to discussion about bike touring.

Also, I would not suggest a gasoline stove. Look into getting a white gas stove or even a canister stove. They are a lot more efficient than what you are suggesting. An example would an MSR Whisperlite International.

Remember though that since you will be on bike and are mobile, you likely will not find yourself outside of a city for longer than a few days so supplies and food will never be too far away. No need to bring the kitchen sink with you.

[Othersider]

Might want to get a hostel membership. No need to sleep in the street when you're near a town.

[Clos]

Nab a couple boxes of MRE's for main meals...

I have my ruck packed for Iraq right now (leaving in a few days) and I've packed it to where I could live out of it for a month -- minus food and water.

Make sure you have a PT hat and gloves, or the equivalent with you just in case. Bring an entrenching tool (small shovel) and a roll of toilet paper, again, just in case.

Your list looks good. The only other thing I would exchange is the flashlights...make sure they are the self-power generating ones, the ones you wind up or shake, or the 9V battery ones. http://www.9voltlight.com/ I prefer having these in the field.