I am going to be using two different bikes, one for supported parts of the ride, one for unsupported.

Dawes Discovery 301 Hybrid, 13kg, 24 speed, large wheels for distance, chunky frame for rack, panniers and mudguards, mountain bike gearing for long slow climbs with weight, SPD pedals, wide tyres and cushy saddle for comfort. You can go all day on this bike... slowly.

Giant SC2.0 Road Bike, 9kg, 24 speed, large wheels narrow tyres for distance and speed, no mudguards, no room for bags, gearing for speed, SPD pedals, with USE suspension seatpost and Selle Italia saddle (thanks Mike) for extra comfort. This bike gets you there in a hurry, but you feel every bump and pick up a few aches and pains in the process.

Most of the ride is unsupported and the full weight of baggage on the Dawes is around 16kg or 36lbs, more than the weight of the bike. The way I see it though, that's not a great deal more than the weight I've lost since I first hopped on my bike after Christmas.

Here is a rough list of items.

• 56 litre panniers
• 11 litre rack bag.
• Vaude bivi tent
• Travelite sleeping bag
• Goretex army surplus bivi bag
• Compact insulation mat
• Travel towel
• Rain jacket
• Hi-viz tabard
• Waterproof trousers and shoe covers
• 2 base layers
• Padded long leggings
• Padded shorts
• Long sleeved sweater
• Cotton t-shirt, trousers, sun hat and Crocs for off-bike
• Bridgedale and SealSkinz Socks
• Shimano mountainbike SPD trainers
• Compact toiletries
• Lights, doubling as torches
• Gecko 101 GPS Unit
• Radio
• Book
• Multitool, puncture repair kit, pliers and chain tool
• Pump
• Spare inner tubes
• Helmet
• Sunglasses
• Sunblock
• Ibuprofen tablets and gel, blister pads and sudacrem, (don't ask what that's for)
• 1.75 litres of water in two bottles
• Gel gloves
• Waterproof gloves
• Phone and charger
• Wallet
• Tin whistle..no room for a sax...even the soprano!
• Plastic bags
• Maps, notebook and pencil
• Bungees
• Bike lock
• Batteries

If you think I've left anything out, please let me know!