Hi, we’re Brian & Amy Sweet from Winthrop, Washington. In the fall of 2010, after being business owners for eight years, we decided to sell our small town bookstore, rent out our house, and hit the road with our bicycles. We packed our panniers with our camping gear and headed down to the start of our bicycle trip in San Diego on January 25, 2011. We rode our bicycles through the southern U.S. and then up to Washington DC. From there we flew to Portugal and cycled across Europe all the way to the Black Sea. We wanted to see as much of the world as we could, at the pace of slowly rolling bicycle wheels. We met the people, ate the food, and experienced the culture and scenery of many places unknown. After our six months of bicycling, we went on to our next part of our world wide tour to teach English to highschool students in China for the fall and winter months.











Where we have been

more...

Gear List

When we backpack, we are very light packers.  We travel safe, but with little extra.  During this bicycle tour we've decided to take a bit extra.  Some for comfort (our larger tent), and some because we will actually be in society, rather than just in the woods (a change of clothes). But all of our stuff, except the tent, fits in our two rear panniers, with room to spare for a few days worth of food.  All told, without food, water and fuel, Brian is carrying 30 pounds of gear on his bicyle and Amy is carrying 26 pounds on hers.


This is everything we are carrying with us!

Bicycles (Each)                                                     Personal Gear (Each)
                                                                                                                   
Bianchi Volpe cross bikes                                       Thermarest                 
Tubus Rear racks                                                    Marmot down sleeping bag
Red Blinking rear lights                                           Helmet
Ortlieb Rear Panniers, 2 each                                  Bike shoes
Ortlieb handlebar bag, Amy                                     Camp/town shoes
Map Case, Amy                                                       Bicycle shorts
Rear view mirror                                                    Fingerless bike gloves
Bicycle Computers                                                  Cold weather gloves
                                                                             Long underwear top & bottom
Group / Camping Gear                                           Insulated lycra leggings
                                                                             Hat
Big Agnes Copper Spur 3 tent                                   Cycling booties
MSR Wisperlite International Stove                           Socks, 3 pair
2 liter titanium cook pot                                         Camp underwear (2)
Pot holder                                                             Short sleeve cycling shirt
Fuel Bottle                                                             Long sleeve cycling shirt
MSR waterbag                                                        Driclime windshirt
Lexan forks, 2                                                        Rain jacket
Lexan spoons, 2                                                      Sunglasses & case
Lexan Knife                                                            Zipoff pants
Sharp Knife                                                            Town shirt
Camera                                                                  Sweater
Bicycle lock                                                           Camp towel
Pac safe locks (for panniers), 2                                Neck Gator
Aqua Mira water treatment drops                             Book, journal, pen
Water Bottles, 4                                                     Down coat Compass                                                                Bandana
Maps                                                                     Passport
Battery charger                                                     Money belt
Camera & spare battery                                       
SD Card reader                                                     Toiletries / First Aid
Small bungy cords, 4                                             
Tie down straps, 2                                                Ibuprofen
Dr. Bronners Soap                                                 Travel size toothpaste
Sea to Summit collapsable bowls, 2                        Travel toothbrush
Mug, 1                                                                  Floss
Small day pack                                                      Bandaids
Winthrop postcards                                               Multivitamins
                                                                           Sunscreen
Repair Kit                                                            Chamois Butter
                                                                           Tweezers
Repair manual                                                       Comb
Bicycle pump                                                        The Keeper (Amy)
Multi Tool                                                             Benadryl
Grease                                                                 Pepto Bismol tablets
Assorted replacement bolts and screws                    Immodium
Spoke wrench                                                       Wet wipes
Hose clamps                                                          Gold Bond powder
Chain quick fasteners                                             Hair elastics
Small extra piece of chain                                      Nail clippers
Chain lube                                                            Ear plugs
Lock tight                                                             Neddle & thread, saftey pins
Thermarest patch kit                                             Antibiotic ointment
Bicycle tube patches/glue
Saddle grease
Tent pole repair sleeve
Mini knife/plyers
Duct Tape
Adjustable wrench
Tire levers
Brake pads, 8
Spare tube
Rag
Degreaser wipes
Zip ties
Spare bike shoe cleats/bolts
Brake & Shifter Cables




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