APOGEE ADVENTURES
2022 America Coast to Coast
Packing List
Apogee Adventures, PO Box 505, Brunswick, ME 04011
207.725.7025 or inf[email protected]
Please find the packing list for our America Coast to Coast (ACC) trip below. As always, be in touch with any
questions about the items on this list, where to find them, or packing questions.
Bicycles must be professionally tuned before trip start.
Cycling Essentials
❑ Touring bicycle – We have listed the names (with hyperlinks) of a few touring bicycles that we
recommend.
Fuji Touring
Kona Sutra
Salsa Marrakesh
Surly Disc Trucker
Trek 520
This is by no means an exhaustive list, but if you are thinking about using a different touring or adventure
bicycle, please email Kevin at kevin@apogeeadventures.com to make sure it is appropriate for this trip. A
few requirements are below:
• Front and back wheels must have at least 32 spokes.
• Make sure the rear wheel has been properly trued by a bicycle mechanic before the trip start and is
strong enough to support a rider and added weight over 2800 miles.
• Bicycle tires need to be from 700 x 32 to 700 x 40 mm in width (we highly recommend the Continental
Gatorskin Tires)
❑ Installed rear bicycle rack with strong vertical stays (not a rack that attaches to the seat post or the
Blackburn Trail Rack)
❑ 1 Pair of rear panniers (40-45 liters / 2400-2800 cubic inches combined - Ortlieb Backroller Classics are
recommended
❑ 1 Bicycle helmet (please read our blog entry on helmets)
❑ 1 Reflective triangle to wear while riding; the Jogalite Reflective Triangle is recommended (must be ~6”
tall)
❑ 1 Front head light that can be mounted to the handlebars; the Cygolite Dash Pro USB Light is
recommended
❑ 2 Rear tail lights that can be clipped to a hydration pack, shirt, helmet or pannier (one light will serve as a
spare); the Cygolite Hotshot – 100 Lumen is recommended.
❑ 1 Tire patch kit (Rema Tip Top Patch Kit is recommended)
❑ 6 Spare spokes (two that fit your front wheel and four that fit the rear)
❑ 1 Spare tire (please purchase a good, folding touring tire); we recommend the Continental Gatorskin –
32mm.
❑ 1 Set of tire levers
❑ 4 Spare tubes that match your tire size (tubes with removable valve core capability are recommended)
❑ 2 Water bottle cages (should be already mounted on the bike upon shipment of bike)
❑ 2 21-25 oz. bicycle water bottles (can be purchased at any bicycle shop)
❑ 3 Bungee cords that are two feet in length
❑ 1 Pair of well-padded cycling gloves
❑ 1 Bicycle cable lock (a medium strength combination lock is recommended)
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❑ 1 2- to 3-liter water hydration pack (Osprey’s Katari 3 is recommended. Keep it simple and stay away from
packs with lots of pockets. The primary function of the pack is to hold water, not carry gear.)
❑ 1 Handlebar bag (for easy access to sunblock, camera, snacks etc.). We recommend the Ortlieb Ultimate
Six Classic.
❑ 1 Pair of clip-in or cage pedals (we recommend the Shimano PD-EH500 Pedals if you opt for clip-ins).
Optional
❑ 1 Cycling computer
Clothing Essentials
❑ 5 Pairs of underwear, 3-4 Sports bras (as necessary)
❑ 5 Pairs of socks (synthetic recommended)
❑ 4-6 T-Shirts (at least 3 should be synthetic/non cotton and high visibility - riding jerseys can be substituted
for the synthetic t-shirts, but are not necessary)
❑ 1 Medium-weight fleece jacket, either zip or pullover
❑ 1 Waterproof shell jacket (should be made of coated nylon, Gore-Tex, H2NO, or some other wind and
waterproof material) – Note that water resistant is not waterproof; water resistant is insufficient.
❑ 3 Pairs of padded cycling shorts
❑ 2 Pairs of athletic or synthetic shorts - not heavy cotton cargo or jean shorts
❑ 1 Quick-drying swimsuit (can also substitute with synthetic shorts and sports bra)
❑ 1 Pair of shoes for cycling (running, all-terrain, tennis or cycling-specific shoes with clips to match pedals
are fine)
❑ 1 Pair of sandals for off the bike activities (Teva, Chaco, and Crocs are recommended brands)
Optional
❑ 1 Baseball cap or sun hat
❑ 1 Pair of pajamas (a cotton t-shirt and boxer shorts work well)
Camping Gear
❑ 1 Synthetic, medium weight, mummy sleeping bag (40° to 55° temperature rating - it should be no more
than 3.5 pounds and be small and compact.
❑ 1 Waterproof compression/stuff sack for sleeping bag
❑ 1 Inflatable sleeping pad (Thermarest and Big Agnes are recommended brand names)
❑ 1 Tupperware/Rubbermaid/plastic bowl (6” to 8”) w/ lid and cutlery (will serve as a plate and bowl)
❑ 1 Headlamp with one set of extra batteries
Optional
❑ Camping pillow (inflatable or very compact – note that a sleeping bag stuff sack filled with clothes also
works well)
Personal Items
❑ 1 Two-ounce bottle of hand sanitizer
❑ Personal toiletry items (toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, brush/comb, etc. – pack shampoos & conditioners in
small travel size bottles. The toiletry bottles can be replenished during the trip.)
❑ Medium-size quick drying camp towel
❑ Lip balm (with sun protection)
❑ Sunglasses
❑ Extra pair of glasses/contacts (as applicable)
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Optional
❑ Sun block & insect repellent (trip leaders will have group sun block and bug spray, but students are
welcome to bring a small, personal bottle if they would prefer)
❑ Leash for sunglasses (Croakies is a recommended brand)
Others/Extras
❑ Spending money ($30 to $40 per week)
❑ Contingency fund ($400 on a DEBIT, PRE-PAID DEBIT or GIFT CARD for bike repairs or unforeseeable
situations. Funds will also be used to ship your bike back to your home at the end of the trip. Funds will
only be used if necessary, and the remainder will be returned at the end of the trip. Please make sure your
son or daughter knows the PIN for their debit card).
Optional
❑ Disposable or digital camera (please do not plan to use a cell phone/smart phone as a camera)
❑ Journal and pencil/pen
❑ Book for reading (paperback recommended)
Recommended stores and websites for good deals and selection on gear
❑ Eastern Mountain Sports (www.ems.com)
❑ REI (www.rei.com)
❑ Performance Bike (www.performancebike.com)
❑ LL Bean (www.llbean.com)
❑ Amazon (www.amazon.com)
❑ Other outdoor gear co-ops or second hand stores (e.g. Goodwill)
Just as important as what your child packs, we also want to specifically address items your child should not
bring with them to their Apogee experience. Please do not pack the following:
❑ Smart watches, Kindles, video games, or other electronic devices. A cell phone is permitted for
students traveling to the trip start by airplane, bus, or train but must be handed over to leaders upon
arrival. If a student brings a cell phone, Apogee is not responsible for its damage or loss under any
circumstances. Please see our “Electronics and Personal Property Policy” document for more information.
❑ Bulky cotton items like sweatpants or denim clothing such as jeans. They are heavy, take a long time to
dry when wet, and can be dangerous in cold weather. Synthetic clothing is much more practical. It wicks
moisture away in hot conditions and keeps you cool. In cold, wet conditions it will keep you dry and
warm.
❑ Knives or multi-tools of any kind.
❑ More than is suggested on the packing list. Through years of experience, we feel confident that we
recommend sufficient gear and clothing while minimizing unnecessary items. In general, students will
have an opportunity to do laundry once per week while on trip.
❑ Please stick to this list and do not overpack. While we do have a support staffer for this trip, their
role is not to carry extra gear – everything that your child brings will need to be carried on their
bicycle, in addition to some group gear and food.
APOGEE ADVENTURES
2022 America Coast to Coast
Packing Instructions
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Packing Instructions:
1. Please label everything with your child’s name
2. All of our bike trips are self-supported, which means that students and their leaders will carry their
clothing, cooking gear, etc. on their bikes. Leaders will thoroughly explain how to properly pack panniers
at the start of the trip.
o While this trip is self-supported, Apogee maintains a dedicated support staff member and vehicle
for this trip to provide assistance in the event of medical or mechanical exigency. This vehicle does
not carry any personal or group equipment, and, when applicable, splits their time between two
concurrently running ACC groups.
3. If your child is flying:
o Please pack a drawstring bag or sturdy plastic bag with their helmet, a change of clothes, any
important medication, and a water bottle. This bag will act as their primary carry-on item on the
plane. If your child is using cycling-specific shoes, these should also be carried-on.
o Students should also carry-on their sleeping bag (as a personal item).
o Please pack your child’s remaining gear in their panniers, which should be checked on the plane by
putting them in a single cardboard box, not a duffel bag.
We will send more information about how to pack and ship your bike to Charleston, South Carolina in late
May.
