American Challenge

Pre-Trip Training Page

Preparing for the Biking

Training ahead of time is essential to your success on an Overland bike trip. Training will enable you to enjoy your trip and to ride safely this summmer. Please review the training guidelines on the Pre-Trip Training page.

Fully Self-Contained Bicycle Trips

Overland bicycle tours are self-contained—meaning there is no van support. You will carry all of your belongings, plus some group gear, on a sturdy rack mounted over the back wheel of your bike. You will hang panniers (these are saddlebags, pronounced “pan-yers”) off the rack and attach gear like your sleeping bag and sleeping pad to the top of the rack using bungee cords.

Packing for Your Trip

Our packing list is designed to keep you safe and comfortable while biking and camping this summer. Keep in mind, however, that there are a wide range of products available in terms of clothing and equipment. Although you want your clothing and equipment to be durable, this does not mean it has to be top of the line. Often times more basic and less expensive options perform just as well. Some of our favorite brands in terms of quality of product for a reasonable price include REI, EMS and L.L.Bean.

Label the following items with your name, address and phone number.  Bring only what you need and pack everything in your panniers. You can tape or strap your panniers together to check them as one piece of luggage. Please take your helmet and sleeping bag and pad with you on the plane as carry-on items in case your checked luggage fails to arrive on time.

Please bring only the clothes listed below. Do not wear an extra set of clothes for the flight. By layering you will stay cool on warm days, dry on rainy days and warm on cool nights. You will have the chance to do laundry periodically.

Clothing

• Fleece Jacket or Pullover
  To stay warm on cool nights. Also comes in handy as a pillow.


• Waterproof, Breathable Rain Jacket
  Your rain gear must be waterproof (not just water and/or wind resistant). GoreTex is one of the better-known waterproof, breathable fabrics, but there are many of these fabrics to choose from. Ponchos are not acceptable as they are difficult to ride in and don't provide the same protection that a rain jacket does.


• Shorts To Bike In
  Two or three pairs of bike shorts. These are spandex shorts with a padded seat called a chamois. Bike shorts should fit snugly and feel comfortable to reduce chafing and any discomforts from sitting on a bike seat for long distance rides.


• Around Camp Shorts
  One pair. Athletic shorts work well around camp as they are comfortable to wear, light and compressible to pack.


• T-Shirts
  Two or three for biking (at least one synthetic) and one for around camp. Bike jerseys are not necessary but if you have one and want to bring it, that's great. You'll need one synthetic shirt for inclement weather, otherwise cotton is fine.


• Underwear
  Four. Typically underwear is not worn under bike shorts, but you'll need some for around camp and days off.


• Socks
  Four pairs; at least one warm, synthetic pair for inclement weather and around camp.


• Pajamas
  One pair only. Pajamas aren't required as many students sleep in shorts and a t-shirt.


• Bathing Suit
  One only. Not required as many students swim in bike shorts (and a sports bra for girls).


• Sport Sandals
  With a heel strap for swimming and around camp. Good quality flip-flops or crocs are also okay if you don't have sport sandals.

Biking & Camping Equipment

• Touring Bicycle & Rear Rack
  Please see The Right Bicycle For Your Overland Trip. The Trek 520, Cannondale Touring 2, or the Surly Long Haul Trucker is recommended for this trip and the European Challenge. Keep in mind that a touring bicycle is required for this trip; if you have trouble finding or fitting one of the recommended touring bikes, please contact Ashley Ransom at ashley@overlandprograms.com.


• Panniers & Four Bungee Cords
  Panniers are saddlebags sold in pairs that attach to either side of your rear rack. For our trips you will want large panniers, 2400-3000 cubic inches total, designed for touring. One large pannier has internal dimensions of approximately 17" x 13" x 7". You should be able to fit all of your belongings, besides your sleeping bag and pad, into your two panniers and have some space for group gear. Consider compressibility of clothing while packing for your Overland bicycle tour.


• Spare Bike Parts & Tools
  Four spare tubes that matche your bike's tire size (Note: you may choose to start the trip with just two tubes and mail the other two ahead to one of the mail stops. On average, students on the American Challenge get 6-8 flat tires throughout the trip. Some punctures can be easily repaired with a patch, but other times putting in a new tube is a better option. Although four spare tubes may seem like a lot, many students use all their spares and some need to purchase more along the way.); one pair of spare brake pads; four spare spokes that fit your wheels (two front, two rear); one tire patch kit; tire levers; one spare tire.


• Hydration System, Water Bottles & Cages
  70-100 oz. bladder inside a small backpack (e.g., CamelBak). The simpler the better—the pack is used primarily to carry water and if it's too big and heavy or filled with other items, it will be uncomfortable to wear all day. Also attach one or two water bottles and cages to your bike frame.


• Helmet
  Carry on the plane with you.


• Biking Gloves
  Well-padded for comfort.


• Shoes For Biking
  Any comfortable touring or mountain biking shoes with bottom tread and a recessed cleat (no racing shoes). If you will use "clipless" pedals and shoes with cleats that attach to the pedals, please practice riding and clipping in and out of your pedals well before the start of the trip.


• Sleeping Bag
  Warm to 30 degrees or less. Lightweight and compact (when stuffed in a compression stuff-sack it should be no larger than 12" x 20"). Synthetic or down is acceptable. Carry on the plane with you.


• Sleeping Pad
  Compact and either 3/4 or full length. Closed cell foam (thin and firm—e.g. RidgeRest) or self-inflating (e.g. Therm-a-Rest) is acceptable. Carry on the plane with you.


• Utensils
  6" to 8" plastic dish or bowl with top; insulated plastic mug; spoon, fork and knife. These don't need to be special camping utensils. A Rubbermaid dish (or similar) and regular utensils are fine.


• Headlamp
  Small and lightweight. This comes in very handy in camp when it's dark and you're using both hands.

Miscellaneous Gear

• Towel
  Medium size cotton towel or synthetic camping towel.


• Plastic Bags
  Ten large ziplocks and five tall kitchen trash bags. The trash bags will be used to line your panniers and to wrap your sleeping bag and pad in. The ziplocks will be used to organize and waterproof the rest of your gear.


• Toiletries
  All travel size (in a plastic bag). If necessary, you will be able to restock en route.


• Chamois Cream
  Special cream to put on your bike shorts chamois to reduce the risk of chafing and saddle sores. Some popular brands are Chamois Butt'r and Assos. You can purchase chamois cream at any bike shop.


• Sunglasses, Sunscreen (SPF 15+), Chapstick (with SPF protection) & Insect Repellent


• Paperback Book and/or Journal
  Optional. Your group will collectively keep a group journal and you will receive a copy of the journal after the trip. If you would like to keep your own journal though, you should bring one.


• Camera/Batteries/Memory Card
  Optional. Interested in seeing your photographs or videos on Overland's website next year? Bring a camera with lots of pixels (10 or more) and lots of memory (4GB or more). Buying a new camera? One of our favorites is the Canon PowerShot SD960 IS digital camera.


• Spending Money
  $50/week for souvenirs, gifts and necessities (like more sunscreen if you run out or envelopes to mail letters). If you are flying home at the end of your trip, please bring additional money to set aside to pay the airline bike fee for your return flight.

Note: Please do not bring any type of knife or multi-tool (e.g., Swiss Army Knife, Leatherman).

We do not permit personal electronics on our programs (e.g., cellphones and iPods). We do, however, allow students who fly to their program to carry a cell phone while traveling; on arrival, Overland's leaders will collect all cell phones for the duration of the program and return them for flights home. Perhaps, a better option would be to bring a pre-paid phone card so that the leaders do not have to carry cell phones for the duration of the program.

Bringing A Bicycle On The Plane

If you are flying to the start of your trip, you will need to box your bike prior to your flights so that you can check the boxed bike as a piece of luggage. Most airlines charge about $100 to $200 one-way to check a bike. Please let your airline know that you will be bringing a bike, as many small planes cannot accommodate bike boxes. Please bring and set aside money to pay the bike fee for your return flight.

To box your bike, bring the bike to a bike shop where a mechanic will break it down and box it for about $50. Please make sure the mechanic leaves the cables attached and protected and does not remove the rear derailleur. For instructions on how to box your bike yourself, click here.