In the first of our series of articles on the 2011 Cycling Silk Expedition, we wanted to ask Kate Harris and Mel Yule about their preparations for a 12-month transcontinental journey by bike. Most of us can identify with the difficulties of packing for a typical weeklong vacation. Even if we forget something, in most cases we can purchase the item at our destination or make do until we return home. That’s not an option for these explorers. The stakes get raised when you are spending long stretches of time in sparsely populated areas without easy access to supplies. We thought it would be fascinating to learn how they approach the problem. We were surprised to learn how their responses reveal so much of their personalities; they tackle the each situation with a special combination of planning, improvisation, humor and fortitude that will prepare them to face whatever unfolds during the expedition. Continue reading “The Things They Carried: What to Pack for a Year-Long Silk Road Expedition”
