Home > TC Tours > Tour information
Pages on this topic: Suggested equipment list, Application / sign up.
Creve Coeur to Klondike Tour
Suggested equipment list
Here is an equipment list for the Creve Coeur to Klondike bike tour. It is meant to be a suggestion or starting point for your own list, not a list of requirements. Add or subtract as you see fit. Take what you think you need to be comfortable while camping. But remember that if you take too much, you will be uncomfortable with that heavy load while on the bike.
Consumables
- Food for lunch Saturday and Sunday. You can optionally purchase meals at shops along the route, but these shops are few and far between.
- Food for dinner Saturday and breakfast Sunday, unless you pay us to provide those meals for you.
- Water. There is almost no publicly accessable drinking water along most of the route. We will provide water stops, but you need to carry two water bottles with you.
- Money. There are places to purchase food and drink along the Katy Trail portion of the ride. Bring money if you want to do this.
Equipment
Bicycle clothing, Saturday and Sunday
This is for a ride in late September, where high temperatures could be anywhere from the 70s to the 90s and low temperatures could be in the 50s to 70s. Rain is possible but not likely (on average). Adjust this list based on the actual and predicted weather just before the start of the ride (such as leaving off the rain gear, or maybe adding a warmer jersey).
- Shorts, 2 pair
- Jerseys, 2 pair
- Socks, 2 pair
- Shoes
- Gloves
- Helmet
- Sunglasses
- Rain jacket
Casual clothing, Saturday evening
Pick clothing that is comfortable and packs down compactly. Much of this could be your second day riding apparel. Most riders will have ample time to explore Klondike Park (or nearby Augusta) Saturday afternoon and evening.
- Shirt
- Shorts or pants
- Underwear
- Socks
- Walking shoes or sandals
- Light jacket
- Clothes to sleep in
Shelter, sleeping gear
These are the biggest, bulkiest items on the list. Use a light, compact tent and sleeping bag designed for backpacking if you have them.
- Tent
- Groundcloth (optional)
- Sleeping bag or blanket
- Foam pad or air mattress
- Pillow (optional)
Eating
Anything inexpensive and non-breakable will do.
- Knife / Fork / Spoon
- Plate and/or bowl
- Cup
Cooking (optional)
Necessary if you are cooking your own meals. Pick the equipment based on your recipes.
- Stove
- Cookpot(s)
- Utensils
- Food
Bike and its equipment
Be prepared for minor breakdowns. Loaded bike touring places more stress on the bike than normal.
- Bike that fits you and can handle carrying 20 to 40 pounds of equipment
- Luggage rack (rear only or rear and front)
- Some combination of handlebar bag, seat bag, racktop bag and panniers to carry all your gear
- 2 water bottles and cages
- Computer (optional)
- Patch kit
- Spare tube(s)
- Pump
- Tire levers
- Other tools
- U-lock or lock and cable (optional but highly recommended)
Personal items, miscellaneous
- Snack food
- Towel, wash cloth
- Soap, shampoo
- Toothbrush, toothpaste
- Other toiletries
- Flashlight
- Pocketknife
- First aid kit
- After-dinner entertainment – playing cards, hackey sack, musical instrument, fishing pole, etc.
Use this list, add to it or subtract from it, modify it based on what gear you own and what past experience you have, or make a new list up from scratch. Whatever you do, be sure to make a list and check it at the start of your ride. Lists are a great way to organize your thoughts when planning for a trip like this, and an even better way to make sure you don’t forget some key item when you set off on your ride. Have fun planning for this trip, and we hope to see you at the start on September 22!