Even if you plan to have a bike trip outfitter provide you with just about everything, plan on bringing your own helmet, bike gloves, bike shoes, clips and saddle. You should know how to fix your bike and have the parts and tools to do so. For any problem, Park's Mico Tool Box MTB·1 (651.777.6868, www.parktools.com. $39.95) offers astound· ing options to save the day. Nothing's faster than or easier to pack than the tiny, mighty Blackburn Mammoth Dualstage Pump (877.346.6098, www.aardvarkcycles.com. $44.95) with dual action draw, which lets it fill a tire in half the time it takes an ordinary pump. Always ride with protective eyewear to keep rocks, sticks and the sun out
of your face. The Smith Remix (800·635·4401, www.smith·sport.com. $60) is a super· tough piece of eyewear with a shatter· proof polycarbonate lens and Smith's Tapered Lens Technology which assures distortion·free vision. The Giro Exodus helmet (800·969· 4476, www.giro.com. $125) has 21 cooling vents and a stabilizing fit system that's pony· tail compatible.
Next comes the body armor. Try Dainese Pro arm and leg guards (714.481.
3701, www.dainese.com. elbow/forearm, $45.00, knee/shin, $49.95) for technical, remote riding under Sugoi Conrad Radial baggies or pant (800·432·1335, www.sugoi.com. $90-$120) which also look good in town. Once safety is out of the way, think comfort. For extended trips, you'll be
happy to have proper bike shorts. Peart Izumi Mesa shorts (800.328.8488, www.pearl· izumi.com, $75) are padded and baggy, surf·style. Bellwether's Hidden Ridden Skort (800·321·6198, www.bellwethersf.com. $59) doubles as a riding short and skirt for women.
When there's no avoiding rain, Peart Izumi's Storm Shield Pant and Jacket
(800·328·8488, www.pearlizumi.com. $140 jacket, $110 pant) are fully waterproof and feature a hood and pit zips, both essential. You'll be able to ride longer when you hands and feet are happy. Start with
a good pair of gloves. The Fox Racing Sidewinder glove (888·369·7223, www.foxrac· ing.com, $38) with a generously padded palm and increased ventilation will help pre· vent blisters while still keeping your paws cool and dry. Size your gloves carefully look· ing for a snug, comfortable fit. Since walking on serious trips is inevitable, shelve the stiff cycling shoes and opt for something like Diadora's muscular Transalp (800.729. 4482, www.gitabike.com. $100), which hikes as well as it bikes. Lightly cushioned for a snug fit inside your cycling shoe, SmartWool cycling sock (800.550.9665, www.smart· wool.com, $10) will keep your toes tapping for miles and miles. When it comes to deciding what bike to take, the Santa Cruz Superlight X
(831.459.7560, www.santacruzbicycles.com. $2,299) may be the ultimate adventure trav· el bike. Thanks to a simplicity and efficiency of deSign the Superlight is exceptionally easy to maintain on the road. It's also light, durable and climbs as well as it descends, perfect for all·day singletrack explorations. An affordable touring option is the depend· able Marin Eldridge Grade (800·222·7557, www.marinbikes.com. $830). Add a Rock Shox MTB Seatpost (800·677·7177, www.rockshox.com. $119) to minimize back and butt strain.
Self·supported bikers will need either a trailer or panniers. The BOB Yak
Trailer (805.541.2554, www.bobtrailers.com. $250) totes all your gear. Although you can get a BOB dry sack for only $29 more, spring for the burlier Ortlieb Rack·Pack instead (253.833.3939, www.ortliebusa.com. $90XL).ltfitsperfectly.Trico Sports' Iron Case (800.473.7705, www.tricosports.com. $299) is lockable, with room for the gear that isn't going riding.
If you're driving, Yakima's Steelhead (800.581.6748, www.yakima.com. $100)
is still an industry standard for fork·mount roof racks, easily fitted to a wide range of rims and tires. Add locks ($20-$50) and bring along a fat tire·compatible Kryptonite Evolution ATB (800·729·5625, www.kryptonitelock.com. $55) for when you aren't on the bike and it isn't in the rack.-AT
