Bicycle Touring Essentials - Choosing correct gear for your next global expedition

 Preparing for a trip across China. What do you really need to bring for a summer expedition? Minus the Joe Rocket Kevlar-reinforced bomber jacket, this was the essential kit list (clothing, sleeping bag, thermarest, camera soft carrying case, cycling SPD shoes, Goretex jacket and pants).

 Photo in infrared. Sorting out the expedition equipment list. Bike (Kona Explosif) Trailer (Bob Ibex Suspension Plus) did not complete the mission. A bike build continued until 9 hours before the launch.

Medical supplies (top center, gauze, alcohol, antibiotics -topical and oral, razors, baby moisturizing wipes -essential for remote locations, camping without water resupply, straps, gum, WD40, power supply (Toshiba 13" notebook computer), duct/gaffer tape, Brunton 25w solar charging panel, bungees

 Compressed gas stoves (butane/LPG) were left behind in Korea, I used rubbing alcohol purchased from local pharmacies with a MSR multi-fuel camp stove.

 Electronics: two external hard drives (a) 750GB portable LG (b) 1TB Seagate GoFlex. Toilet paper (:, electronic adapters, cable locks, personal safety alarms, AC/DC power converter for use with Solar 25w charging blanket, headphones/mp3, audio recorder, plus adapter (I would add at power bar for China*)

 More essential kit from IDEAS foundation, touque/hat, MSR water filtration, MSR stoves, MSR fuel bottles, Arteryx Goretex shell outer jacket - Thanks IDEAS!

For sale in Korea, this equipment is perfect for another expedition -somewhere outside China!

Most important kit, the family that loves you before you leave, while you're away and when you return home

Two little characters, Sierra P and Min Jae P - Love you guys!

Trying out the new gun! Sony Handycam HDR-XR550V 240GB video/film camera + H20 housing!

Can you take a bike box on an expedition (sea to land start, Incheon, Korea-Tianjin, China) NO! Unless you take a flight to the starting point, then YES!

Shin armor essential for downhill mountain biking, not expedition bicycle touring. 

Tilley endurables hat was helpful keeping cover off days. The Topeak Alien II is an important bicycle tool, it is versatile, lacking only pliers for tackling bigger projects. MSR fuel bottles important ONLY IF COOKING! 

This setup has the Ortlieb Ultimate Large handlebar bag (German technology -low tech, amazing!) and Manfrotto Magic Arm and Super Clamp combination for video use.

Manfrotto's Super clamp/Magic Arm is heavy and intended for smooth road use only!

Gear is important for bicycle touring, what to bring is an important amateur question. After sorting it out after launch, you'll know exactly what you'll need and what non-essential kit needs to be shipped back.

Essential kit: backback, GPS, MSR water filtration microfilter, Lowepro SLR camera bag for all accessible camera/phone/chargers in daily usage), Helmet and light (I chose Cygolite Expilion 250 lumen USB charged) 

Perfect setup for expedition filming and exploring (frame isn't suitable due to steel flex)

If it doesn't work, fix it. If it works, don't touch it! Replacing the wrong bicycle is essential before a long ride!

 Once everything gets organized at home, you'll know what you'll need for the long road.

 My finished product looked like this. I never owned a touring bicycle before. This is it!

 If everything is balanced, front and rear pannier racks are essential (weight balanced). The rear wheel should be solid builds (I went with Bontrager Race Disc wheelsets built by the TREK company).

 My forks are 2008 Fox Racing Shox 32 Float RL, adjustable is essentially the best element of my bike!

 I met Haligul, a local nurse in Toksun and she invited me to her village for water resupply (I filtered the roadway aqua duct instead with the MSR filter)

 The bicycle touring bug can bite you anytime, and it's impossible to lose the feeling (:

 Camping inside the Tian Shan Mountains, a highlight of the expedition.

 Dry clay tiles of Earth.

 Soft steps on an amazing place to be!

 Hair is styled by overnight camping in the Tian Shan Mountain desert

 Simple life. The right touring bike attached to your tent for a little extra security.

 Signs in Arabic/Chinese Pinying

 This is the G312. Next stop is the highway toilets (Pass! The smell will kill you!)

 Balanced right. I found using a recycled 10000km frame best.

 If you essential bicycle touring kit is organized right, it should pack into this fit.

 I was happy to finally have the "bicycle touring" feeling, took a lifetime to get here!

 Water resupply was crucial along the G312, good luck reaching the Taklamakan Desert otherwise. The Taklamakan Desert had irrigation water available for drinking, nothing outside the desert south of the Tian Shan Mountains on the long haul G312 to Luntai, a few truck stops on the roadside was all!

 Panniers by Ortlieb (Germany). Bicycle touring made PRO.

 Attach your LOGOS everywhere to be noticed, and prevent BIKE THEFT

Cycling in western China over the next 47 days... To be continued...

Handy: Adventure Cycle-Touring Handbook, 2nd Edition: Worldwide Cycling Route & Planning Guide