When Matt and I dreamed up the idea to do a bike tour down the west coast of South America, the prospect was so exciting that we wanted to just go. Immediately.

It seemed simple enough: get a bike, camping gear and a plane ticket and hit the road. Of course there are logistical concerns which at the time were of no concern at all: route, vaccinations, money, jobs, how to eat and drink on the road, etc.

Fast forward 8 months: the To Do and To Buy lists are growing faster than we can check things off.  Luckily, I love Excel spreadsheets so i get to have a little nerd-fun while we prepare. If you are thinking about doing a bike tour in another country, you can download our free lists here soon. We sold almost everything we owned and are now officially homeless while we visit family and friends and prepare for departure.

We have been sleeping outside this week, getting used to sleeping on the tiny air mattresses on the ground that have to be blown up nightly. Matt wants an automatic pump so he refuses and now I get to do it. “Let’s not carry so many gadgets!” I said. I guess it’s not too late to take that back? T minus 34 days.