Highway 71 to Kansas City this morning. I rode ahead to golden city ...big nasty highways..bah ...ha ha;)

I know there are several cyclists following this blog . One of the questions any cycle router needs to ask is what gear to take. So as the sun sets here in Missouri I will try to give an idea of what is or is not working for me on this tour.
The bike..a 2007 daws galaxy has been perfect. I fitted a new brooks b17 saddle in montannA when the old one developed a split...my panniers are carradice overlanders..they do the job but need waterproof sacks inside. If I could afford ortliebs I would ride with those. My arckit sleep mat failed ..it should not have. I bought a thermrest replacement in pueblo. I have gone through three cheapo water bottles that split when I squeeze them..tbh I may S well just ride with soda bottles and replace them every few days. My tent is a quecha t2 pro from decathlon. Cheap and at 2kg for a two person tent its perfect. It's to hot to use the tent at lower elevation states but it was invaluable at higher altitudes. I ditched the trangia cookset early in the ride. I just didn't need it and it was just extra weight. I have had two bottle cages fail on me..no big deal as I now carry most of my water in a front pannier to try to keep it cooler. I went through one set of brake pads on the downhills on the mountains earlier in the ride. Carry a spare set as bike shops ate few and far between on this route.
Schwalbe marathon plus tyres are holding up.well..although the rear one hS a side wall tear its not showing any signs of bulging.
High vis triangle is a.must...truck drivers all over the world are dam dangerous and the USA is no exception.
Waterproof clothing...I used it in Oregon and not once since. I live in my cycle shorts and shirt. Sunglasses from liddle finally died on me so replacements are on shoppi.g.list. bri.g an.inflatable.pillow. I carry a simple foam sleep mat as well as the thermosest..I use it to sit on on the daytimes and put under the thermorest as some campsites have rough ground.
Icarry basic tools but haven't needed any of th yet thankfully.
Sleepi.g bag is just a 40 quid blacks.basic 2 season bag and that is fine here. The colder nights at altitude had me sleeping clothed in the bag but here I haven't used the sleep bag I. A week or two its so hot.
ShimNo touring spd shoes..do the job on and off the bike..but after about 50 miles they hurt my feet. I carry a pair of crock shoes for campsite use.
I have 2 pairs of socks in constant wash rotation..two cycle shirts..one cycle bib shorts..bib longs..overshoes..alturs nigh vision hi vis jacket..waterproof gloves..fingerless gloves...and tbh I could ship all that home in this heat and ride with just a barbag a tent and sleep mat and I'd be fine. But I needed those items in the mountains and there are more mountains coming so I'm holding on to.them.
Maps are aca trsnsam maps...also I.have the dame.maps loaded into my.Harmon gpsmap 60 with USA citymaps. I only.use the GPS.in.towns or to pinpoint my position if.I.feel the need.
I carry sunscreen and Insect repellant on a combined spray.
Basic toiletry kit..bog roll..razor etc. And some hand disinfectant. Tootbrush..co.tact lens stuff etc.
I double taped my bars for comfort..not sure it makes much difference though.
I've had one.broken spoke..so far.
I think the trsnsam is a tour that can.be done with minimal gear. As lo.g as your bike is sound and you have cash.and sleeping kit u will be good. I've seen riders struggling with all kinds of crap on the bike and those with just barbag and tent. Doing this tour self supported is totally possible..totally fun and best with only essential gear I think..but each of us is different I guess :)