Amérique du Sud à vélo

Bikes

After much hesitation about the material (aluminum vs. steel), budget, gear (back/front luggage rack, dynamo lights, brake types, tire model, and other such sexy subjects...) - We cycled with 2 Riverside 7 by Btwin (Décathlon Group). It's a 16kg baby, solid and with reliable components (Shwalbe Marathon tires, hydraulic brakes, suspension fork...) at an unbeatable price! Sadly, Decathlon decided to stop its production for now. Another recommended option, if your budget allows it: Surly Long Haul Trucker

 

Saddle

Following the advice of many other cyclo-travellers, we put our hindquarters on a leather made Brooks saddle (the B17 type). Yes, it's made of leather, yes it hurts at the beginning (300 km ish) but definitely a no brainer to keep up with long distances without pain and rubbing.

 

Bicycle panniers

Regarding the panniers (don't even think of carrying a backpack while riding a bike for that long), we opted for the German brand Ortlieb. It's a worldwide reference in terms of sturdy bicycle touring panniers. 200% tested and approved! You can mistreat them, immerse them, fill them with dead rats, spread mud on them, scratch them... They'll remain intact!

 

Tent

After many hours (days!) of online research, we opted for the Hubba Hubba NX by MSR (1.8 kg): two doors, great ventilation, and adequate space for a lightweight tent. Tested and approved from -15ºC to +35ºC, in windy Patagonia and rainy Ireland.

 

Sleeping bag

Given the variation of the temperature along our way, each one of us sleeps with silks bag (sac a viande) and down sleeping bag. Down filling, is more expensive that synthetic filling, but it also provides a more interesting thermic power. Annnnd, it's much lighter.

 

Inflatable mattress

Contrary to common beliefs, the air mattress is not only used for comfort but mainly for isolation purpose. We also use a cheap tarp to protect the tent and add a layer of isolation (also serves as tablecloth and roof from time to time)

On top of the mattress, we use ultralight inflatable pillows, that go unnoticed at the bottom of the panniers, but really improve the quality of sleep.

 

Stove

In South America, like in many regions in the world, the gas bottles cannot be found. This is why we chose to buy the MSR Whisperlite stove, that goes with any kind of fuel: gas, oil, kerosene.

On the flip side, this technology allows us to cook by sub-zero temperature and high in altitude.