I tried some dried apricots from Walmart the other day. They were pretty damn good. So were the dried cherries. The expiration date was something like 2009 or whatever (if unopened and stored properly, I'm sure).

I would take some of those on a trip. If you don't need em, they'll still make for a great snack.

Like Jim said, its a nice kit, but its not a personal kit.

Lately I've come to really appreciate the philosophy of Peter Kummerfeldt of http://www.outdoorsafe.com . His take is that you carry a VERY small basic kit with you at ALL times, tell someone you trust where you're going and when you plan to return, and dress to survive a night or are stuck in bad weather. You're surviving, not homesteading.

All the other gear is great, but it is icing.

You need to take some of the basic bits from you rkit and put them in a bag of some kind that will be with you at ALL times. These bits should include:

>Minimal shelter - I'm leaning toward the 55 gallon trash bags and maybe a mylar emergency sheet
>Fire-starting capability (lighter, sparker, petroleum-soaked cotton balls)
>Loud whistle w/ lanyard or wrist loop
>Good signal mirror w/ lanyard or wrist loop
>Small headlamp w/ extra batteries, preferably lithium
>Sturdy knife
>very basic personal first aid kit

The idea is that you this most basic gear in a tiny bag or in your pocket so you can get yourself through the night or through short-term bad weather.

Consider a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB).

Ken K.

I would think a SPOT (~PLB) might be perfect for road trips in remote areas. If your bike breaks down in a remote area outside of cell coverage the "not an emergency but I need help" button would be perfect. Then you would need an overnight kit (sleeping bag, bivy sack, water, food, and firestarter)to weather a storm or spend a night until help arrives.

IMHO ... too many sharps, replace with food. I don't see any repair tools, wrenches, spark plugs, etc. Add sunscreen, spare glasses.

Given that weight is not an issue, I'd go with a 3l camelback hydration pack or similar.

Under communication -- Leave a trip plan, consider family radios.

If you are talking Winter, add pocket heat packs, a sleeping bag and pad, possibly a camping stove for quick hot food. <A white out storm could leave you 40 miles out overnight>

Teacher

Thanks. I didn't specify that I do carry tools and plugs for the bike.
I do leave a detailed plan with my wife. I leave her with a duplicate map with a line drawn on it of my exact route.
I don't ride in wintery weather.
My vision doesn't require glasses.

All of the things people are suggesting are great. I am making a list of all of the advice and will create a plan to implement them.

I agree. I have his video and his book. I had sent him this list and he also suggested the PLB.

Thanks.

Just like many already said, you really don't need that much redundancy. Keep it light and small, you do might actually have to carry it. The bigger the kit, the more likely it will be left behind.

The best way to find out what you need and don't need is very simple; test it! Any kit, should be portable(or at least have a part which is portable). Walk at least 15 miles with your kit and before you know it, you are tossing stuff out. Start practising with your equipment and practise your skills. Experience, knowledge, skills and will power, is far better and importent than having a reduncant piece of equipment.

and one thing, i spotted on the list: the lack of a stove of proper cooking equipment. If you going to carry that much, you might as well toss in a small stove and some light cookwear aswell.

Interesting kit. A few questions and ideas:

- going solo?

- what's the risk of a debilitating injury?

- how long before rescue would be initiated?

- how good is cell-phone coverage (any first-hand information)?

- add some heavy-duty painkillers?

- add some sturdy leather gloves?

- suitable boots, broken in, should you need to walk any distance?

- bigger cup (one pint/half litre minimum) or a two-quart stainless pot?

- maybe dump the tube tent and add a 3/4 length closed-cell sleeping pad? a light sleeping bag instead of bivvy sacks?

Yes, solo.
There is a high risk of debilitating injury
Max 6 hours before resuce would be initiated because my wife has specific instructions on how and when to do so.
Cell phone coverage is limited to nonexistant where I ride.
I carry hiking shoes in my pack since walking in riding boots would be tough.
I agree with you and others. the tube tent isn't needed if I have the bivy and the tarp.
Thanks.

Maybe add a few 6-8" zipties. Good for quick gear repair, tarp rigging, shelther buiding, etc.