Here I am, packing for a ten day cycling trip down to Phoenix and on to Texas. What, you may ask, does one pack for such a trip? It can't be much, because I'll have to carry it on my bike. Here's what I plan to pack, and why.

• 2 water bottles
  Because it's the desert.
• 2 spare tubes
  Because there are cacti in the desert.
• 1 set tire irons
• 1 frame pump
• 1 small bottle chain lube
  For stopping that darn creaking that will likely drive me insane otherwise.
• 1 set hex wrenches
  For re-attaching parts that fall off while crossing those rumble strips near Phoenix that I keep hearing about.
• 1 taillight
  So I can look cool like Knight Rider. My taillight does the cool sweeping LED thing.
• 1 pr insulated warmup pants
• 2 pr gloves
• 1 fleece beanie
  For those potentially frigid Texas mornings.
• 1 helmet
  For those potentially deadly Arizona snowbirds. You know, the people who live up here (ND) during the summer.
• 2 pairs shoes (1 for the bike)
• small deodorant, toothbrush, toothpaste, and sunscreen
• 2 pr biking shorts
• 1 pr casual shorts
  F or those warm New Mexico afternoons. Did I mention the forecast is calling for -16°F in Minot, ND, during this trip?
• 2 bike jerseys
• 2 t-shirts (one long sleeved)
• 1 trek raincoat
• >1 pr socks
• >1 pr underwear
• 1 digital camera + spare battery + extra memory sticks
• 1 handheld GPS
  F or those time when we'll be lost in the desert.
• 1 cellular phone
  I wonder if there is cell service in the middle of the desert.
• 1 bike computer
  So we know HOW lost we are.
• 1 seat post rack for mounting panniers
• 2 small panniers
• 2 small bungee cords
  For holding misc stuff like Mexican hitchhikers to the rack.
• Airline tickets
  In case we make it to Texas, we'll have a ride home.
• Maps
  In case my GPS is stolen by some shady character.
• 1 bike lock
  To prevent having to walk to El Paso.

Oh, and I almost forgot... 1 bike. Yes, it all fits in the bags. It's all on the bike, pictured above.