Bicycle

 Every good bike tour starts with a bike, and mine is a Marin Nicasio that I've affectionately named "Patty" after 80s rock legend Pat Benatar

Ive changed out so much of the stock parts that I can proudly call this bike my own.

I swapped the 2x crankset with a 3x so now I have more range when it comes to my shifting. The guy at the shop gave me a look when I asked him to install it and he told me I'd get more range with a bigger cassette and a 1x crank but my mentality is that a 3x with the 8 speed cassette will offer my chain better longevity. (Also i swapped the plastic pedals for hybrid flat/spd alloy pedals). 

Because I changed the crankset to a 3x, I had to change the front derailleur and the left hand shifter which also meant I needed to replace the bar tape so I figured to get orange bar tape. I wanted to match the orange pedals, though in hindsight, I probably should have gotten pink bar tape to go with the pink accents on the bike frame.....

Anyway I also replaced the stock tires with Panaracer Gravel King tires and attached a front cargo rack to my fork. I also mounted alloy fenders and a cheap rear rack I got off Amazon. 

 

I had to replace my front brake caliper because I stripped the bolt on my last one when I was trying to dial in my brakes. 

To keep all my electronics charged, I bought a PedalCell bottle dynamo. I plan on keeping it hooked up to my phone and power bank for most of my journey.