Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by BalloonBiker on July 20, 2010 at 7:31am

As for me, I ride a 2008 Jamis Aurora. I've put on a Terry Saddle and a handbuilt rear wheel. Plus I have full fenders front and back and a back rack. I also have a front rack for in the future when I want to carry even more stuff.

Last weekend I did a short ride up to Kettle Morraine for camping with a few friends. The picture above is the bike all packed up and ready to go. I just took two panniers, but that was no problem for carrying all of my stuff.

I carried:
In the panniers:
Lightweight sleeping bag (eureka silver city)
Sleeping map (inflatable pacific outdoors)
Tent (Rei Dome tent-2 person)
Homemade pillow
Stove
Mess kit and larger pot thing
sport and knife
a change of clothes
Lunchbox cooler
Food (lentils, zucchini, TVP)
Foldable backpack to use when extra storage was needed.

On the rack back rack
Tent poles
sandals
camp stool
Lock

In my Seatpost bag:
tube
patch kit
tire levers
multitool
pocket knife

In the handlebar bag:
Phone
Snacks
book
map/route
wallet
keys
Camera

I probably also had extra stuff, but it was totally doable. The nashbar panniers are cheap, but they really held up just fine.

This trip was kind of dry run for me. In August I'm going to do a week long tour, so it's good to know that I can carry all of my stuff without issues.

Permalink Reply by Glenn on July 20, 2010 at 7:54am

Personally I tour on all of my bikes. It all depends on my mood. I just throw the stuff in my day/weekend hiking pack and a simple handlebar or saddle bag and head on out.

example:
BAG
-1 pair of pants
-1 pair of shorts
-2 shirts
-socks
-cook stove and hiking cook set
-maps
-knife
-Scary campfire stories book
HANDLEBAR BAG
-food
-multi-tool and patch kit
-Map in use
-extra batteries for lights
FRAME
-frame pump
-fleece blanket rolled around tent
Strapped under the saddle
-Fenders (almost always)
-front and rear lights


Though, I am getting ready to build a good touring specific bike from an old 90's mountain Bike. Great geometry and perfect size. More details when that projects done. it is my belief though that any bike is a good touring bike :-D

Permalink Reply by Bob Kastigar on July 20, 2010 at 1:50pm

jamimaria said:

I probably also had extra stuff, but it was totally doable.

I always seem to have "extra stuff" - too much. I keep trying to reduce it, without success.

Short trips, maybe a week or less, I ride with panniers only on the rear.

Longer trips, several weeks, I ride with panniers on the front and back.

I don't carry cooking gear but I do carry camping gear. Notice the bag on the top of the rear rack: this has tent, pad, and sleeping bag basically, and maybe a few minor items. This is held on by two bungee cords. Since it blocks the rear light, I have a second rear light mounted on the bottom of the fenders.

If I am taking the bike on Amtrak, in a box, I take each pair of panniers and strap them together with one bungee cord from the camping bag. This gives me only two "bags" to check in, the limit your allowed without paying extra. You're already paying extra for the bike and box.

I carry the camping bag on the train. I've opened it up, stretched out the pad and sleeping bag on the floor and slept away on the train on overnight trips. It's a handy way to travel cheap and to carry stuff on the train.

The panniers are Arkel, which are very good quality but also expensive. There are two basic choices in travel panniers: single compartment, or multiple compartments. The single compartments can be the most water resistant (fewer splices and zippers) but the contents need to be sorted in individual containers. Multiple compartments aren't quite so water resistant, but they are easier to organize by putting things in individual containers. The Arkel bags have excellent plastic covers but you do need to put them on BEFORE it starts raining hard.

The assorted stuff is pretty much the same: an appropriate supply of clothes to change. Even in summer, something to use if there's an unexpected cooling. The usual tools, certainly enough to fix a flat or change a tube and then some other pliers, wrenches, hardware, tape, etc. (I once was on a trip where three of the four cable broke!) I take a pair of sandals that I can wear if it rains, and also wear if I swim in a river or creek. I also carry a full-sized towel for this, and also use it to stretch out on a picnic bench and take a nap in the middle of the afternoon sometimes.

On the handlebar bag: I carry the maps I might need inside, but on the plastic that usually holds a map I make a drawing of the bags and what's in them, so if I do have to get something out I can locate it easily. Also, the usual chemicals: suntan lotion, insect repellent. Toothpaste, and I found some combination shampoo & Body Soap which works pretty well.

I do carry lots of spare batteries. There's too much electronical stuff to carry. Camera, GPS, cell phone, lights. I try and only buy things that use AA batteries so I don't need to carry different types of batteries. Regarding the cell phone: remember to bring the charger, and you might want to get one of these waterproof containers for it as well. The warranty won't cover repair if it gets wet.

A link to many of the rides and trips I've been on:
http://orion.neiu.edu/~rkastig1/bikehome.html

Permalink Reply by Tomas Lopez-Betanzos on July 22, 2010 at 3:46am

Hey folks.

Depending on the length of the tour I'll carry more or less junk. A couple weekends ago I did a two day metra tour up to Chain O' Lakes State Park. Only one pannier was necessary for such a short distance. But in April, for my tour to New Orleans I used two panniers and an HB bag. It was kinda weird for the CO'L trip I packed so much less food, clothes, and supplies since I'd be gone for a shorter period of time but I hardly noticed the difference. I'll describe a more complete packing experience below.

PACKING LIST:

on the bike
Surly LHT
SKS fenders
Jandd Mountaineering rear rack
Topeak roadmorph frame pump
lock skewers
Brooks B17 saddle
lights
kryptonite U-lock
cyclo-computer
bell


Bags bags bags!
Topeak HB bag (doubles as a fanny pack: extra style points)
two bike buckets
a bungee or two

The buckets are legendary. Cheap, waterproof, visible, durable, dorky, can function as a chair, table, stepladder, tent stake, and an actual bucket. The only downside is their shape which is not very aerodynamic. Beware of headwinds.

in the bags
two jerseys
one short
one society friendly shirt
one lightweight pant
rain gear
toque
light jacket
smartwool thermals
cycling gloves
helmet
sunglasses
two pairs of socks
cycling shoes (Lake makes fantastic shoes for clipless pedals and off the bike)

Clothes had to be compactable material. They typically used up about half a bucket. There are videos out there showing ideal clothing packing methods. These methods make a big difference sometimes. Bungees and rear rack make a nice clothesline for drying the mornings laundry.


Tools
multi-tool
tire levers
patch kit
mini lube
adjustable spanner
zip ties
screwdriver

Tools can quickly become heavy and space consuming. I prefer to get by on the minimum and get to a shop where I'll have access to superior tools I wouldn't want to carry. If you need to pack a crank puller, you're taking the wrong bike.

Food

Usually an assortment of dense carbs, protein, sugar and fat. AKA granola, mixed nuts and dried fruit. The occasional M&Ms are a nice treat. Beware of uncoated chocolate. I've never packed a fuel stove, but I have brought a sterno for wet fire starting.

Shelter
Hennessy UL ASym camping hammock.
15+ sleeping bag

The hammock is gloriously light, but it's just a hammock, so if you're used to bringing gear into a tent it might not be for you. That said, there's hanging storage space on the guyline which holds up the mosquito netting. I find it comfy, but I could sleep anywhere after a loaded 80 mile day. It's not for the claustrophobic.

Navigation

Maps (duh)
cellphone
camera
compass

Adventure Cycling maps were effective at pointing out the nearest grocery, or campground etc. I'd occasionally call someone with internet access who could help get me unlost. Kiosk maps are very helpful but not portable. Snap a digital photo of it for later. Same goes for library computers with google maps.

My account of the trip to New Orleans is recorded here

Permalink Reply by Chad McQueen on April 7, 2011 at 6:48am

Afternoon everybody,
Bike of choice is my Gunnar Grand Tour, PB Cascadia fenders, Arkell GT-54 bags in back, small HB bag, and Sak-A-Roo for longer excursians. Tubus racks and surley junk straps make carring everthing super easy to manage. MSR is my goto for amping gear and cooking. I'll get a picture loaded soon and planning trips for the season is in progress, Milwaukee Twin Cities and the UP are in the works.