Touring Load and Packing list with weights

[Kelly Sleeper]

First off this is not about what I consider best for you. Only how I do it. I can assure you I'm in no way attempting to be light. I like to take what I want / need to be comfortable. I have taken into consideration hills and my abilities. The weight is in a range of what I've used in the past and passes the test of my capabilities. So hopefully you understand it's not an argument or even a considered better than other ways of doing it just a way to do it. Ok enough disclaimer .. just realized I could write another page on trying not to offend.. but then what fun would that be.

Ok so in July I'm doing a 2 week (14 days) self contained tour in Alaska. At this point there are some unknowns. Such as if there will be a place to do laundry. To that end I'm test packing as though there will be no laundry available.
This list avails me the ability to travel for two weeks without need of washing clothes. It also covers temperatures from the high 40's to mid 70's.

Packing List

Clothing
5 Pair of Riding Pants (Convertible) (3 Days each)
7 Pair of Wool Underwear (2 Days each)
7 Shirts Long Sleeve (2 Days each)
1 Pair Wool Underwear Long Johns -
2 Base Layer Tops
7 Pair of Wool Socks (2 Days each)
1 Rain Gear
1 Sweater
2 Camp Towels
1 Swim suit
1 Balaclava
1 Ear cover
1 Pair Gloves
extra pair of shoes

Electronics
Nikon D90 with 2 lenses
Iphone
iPad with camera card adapter
extension cord
2 LED head lamps for campsite.
Charging devices

Cooking
French Press
2 lbs of coffee
Boiling Stove
Origami Dishes
Thermos
10 packs of instant oat meal
10 packs of instant things like mashed potatoes
Knife Spoon Fork
1 Gallon folding Water Container

Campsite
Sleeping Bag
Sleeping Pad
Extra piece of foam
Solar Shower
Tent
extra stakes
Hammer

Bike Tools and Parts
Brake Cables
Shifter Cables
Black Tape
Chain links
Master Link
Spokes
Spoke Tool
Chain Whip
Air Pressure Gauge
3 Tubes
Patch Kit
Boot Kit
Folding Tire
Chain Lube
Brooks Multitool Pouch

After packing the following weights came about.

Left Rear - Clothing - 15.00 Lbs
Right Rear - Sleeping bag & pad- cold weather gear 16 .00 Lbs
Seat Bag Large Saddlesack tools tubes camera 18.00 lbs
Left front - Stove food dishes etc 10.00 lbs
Right Front - Electronics / rain gear 11.00 lbs
Front Rack / Basket Tent thermos 12.00 lbs
Total 82 lb.

I had to leave 1/2 of one of the front panniers open for shared food and have added 5 lbs to that pannier ...
If we have a laundry day then clothes could be cut in 1/2
Some big weight items...
Camera - with zoom lens comes in at 5.5 lbs
Thermos- Stanley Steel - comes in at 3.0 lbs

I was going to migrate another 6 lbs of stuff to the front panniers .. may just carry my camera lens up there and move soft goods to saddle bag as well as tools. The weight limit on the front low rider rack is 33 lbs so I don't plan on pushing that number.

Anyway I thought it was interesting how fast weight adds up.. yes if I wanted to safe weight I could save a lb by using plastic water bottles instead of insulated steel. Save another 4.5 lbs by taking a point and shoot camera, and another by leaving the thermos at home.. might do that anyway... between the french press and a good boiler stover I take advantage of just stopping to make more coffee... not to mention I could save almost 1.5 lbs on a lighter stove. Depending on how remote / I have 3 lbs of tools and supplies that I wouldn't normally carry but that make me self sufficient for all but the worst of cases. I was proud of myself for leaving the spare derailleur at home.

In the most likely case the only thing I'll leave behind is the thermos. Even loaded as above I can ride freehanded long enough to zip a coat and it feel solid at 40 mph on a downhill.

So Bike 40 + gear 80 + me 225 = 345 lbs .. yelpers know why I loves my Bombadil.

When it's all said and done this is about normal with 75% of it being packed the same way it's been packed for every tour over the last 10 years... I don't miss the days of trying to figure out where I put things. I like having things in the order needed, easy to reach when needed and used for multiple purposes. For me on this trip a minimalist weight will end up at 60 lbs and I'll end up taking around 70.

Kelly

[Jim Thill - Hiawatha Cyclery]

I just got back from Death Valley. In addition to much of what you'll be carrying, I also carried over 4 gallons of water (initially). And I started with a week's worth of groceries, including things like 2 jars of PB, a 5lb bag of potatoes, 1 lb salami, 1 lb cheese, several pounds of quinoa, nuts, and other snack-ish foods. At some point I'd also crammed a dozen eggs and a pound of bacon into a pannier.

I didn't weigh my fully loaded bike, but when I start to think of the components of my kit, 150 lbs seems like a solid estimate for total rolling weight, less rider.

[MSmith]

I spent the summer of 2005 on the road.  One of the many many cool things about a long tour is that you evolve a very good packing "system."  A few weeks in, you can set up camp or break down camp in about minutes.  It's very comforting to always know where everything is.

I am very glad that I had the presence of mind to write a packing list such as yours *after* I got back.  Now, years later, I can take a quick look at that list and be ready for a trip in a jiffy. 

One note on your choice of clothing:  I found that you don't really need to take too too many clothes. You can almost always find enough time and water to wash socks and underwear.  Gas station bathrooms are very handy, but a stream or pond will work just as well.  I put a large safety pin on each side of my handlebar bag.  Every night, I would wash that day's hosiery and unmentionables and hang them over the bike for the night.  In the morning, I would pin one sock to each safety pin and strap the undies on the front rack with my sandals.  After a few hours of riding, everything was dry.  I had three sets in rotation, so that I was wearing one, had a clean set for tomorrow, and a set drying.  I had one more set on reserve, but in over two months I never had to touch them.  (I was comforted to know they were there if I needed them...)  I found that I could rotate through two lightweight wool shirts for riding.  The shirts just got washed every two or three wearings.  I just let them air out at the end of the day.  I'm sure you've thought it through, but that's what worked for me.

And the weight does really add up!  I always try to keep in mind the old backpackers maxim "Keep track of the ounces and the the pounds will take care of themselves..."

Have a good trip, and have fun planning it.  That's half the fun! 

Cheers- Mike in So. Boston, Mass

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[Kevin M]

Don't forget gaffers tape, a pipe clamp, and extra rack hardware.

That is quite a load, I'm curious as to what racks and panniers you're using.

I'm a fan of the french press, but if you're you're grinding two weeks of coffee before you embark it probably won't taste any better than Starbuck's Via instant coffee after day 2. Via actually is pretty damn good for camp coffee.

[Peter Pesce]

"French press" - now that's a man with his priorities straight.

Still, I've got to concur with Kevin M that Via is not too bad at all. But I've never toured anywhere so I'm not speaking as a bike touring expert, only as a coffee drinker.

Pete, CT
SingleSixtySidepullSam

[William]

But for a lot of us coffee is a thing you do, not just a thing you drink.  When I lived around the corner from Vine St. Peet's, it was the going that I enjoyed the most.  Coffee on tour, for me, is this small red cone filter holder and waiting for the drip.  It's just how I do coffee on tour.  

A lot of the time it's the drinking, but sometimes it's the doing.  

[Tim McNamara]

On Jan 12, 2012, at 3:15 PM, Kelly Sleeper wrote:

> First off this is not about what I consider best for you. Only how I do it. I can assure you I'm in no way attempting to be light. I like to take what I want / need to be comfortable. I have taken into consideration hills and my abilities. The weight is in a range of what I've used in the past and passes the test of my capabilities. So hopefully you understand it's not an argument or even a considered better than other ways of doing it just a way to do it. Ok enough disclaimer .. just realized I could write another page on trying not to offend.. but then what fun would that be.
>
> Ok so in July I'm doing a 2 week (14 days) self contained tour in Alaska. At this point there are some unknowns. Such as if there will be a place to do laundry. To that end I'm test packing as though there will be no laundry available.
> This list avails me the ability to travel for two weeks without need of washing clothes. It also covers temperatures from the high 40's to mid 70's.

The question of course is what works for you for the conditions you'll be encountering. I wouldn't want 150 lbs of gear, someone else might not find that bothersome at all. Someone else's essential might be my waste of space and vice versa, etc. My "good enough" list of stuff might leave someone else feeling stressed and anxious about their survival (and they might be right, if my bleached bones are discovered three years after the last time my family and friends hear from me). The decision is utterly personal: what do you need to have a great trip (after all, how many times are you going to do this tour)?

[Tim McNamara]

On Jan 12, 2012, at 3:15 PM, Kelly Sleeper wrote:

> First off this is not about what I consider best for you. Only how I do it. I can assure you I'm in no way attempting to be light. I like to take what I want / need to be comfortable. I have taken into consideration hills and my abilities. The weight is in a range of what I've used in the past and passes the test of my capabilities. So hopefully you understand it's not an argument or even a considered better than other ways of doing it just a way to do it. Ok enough disclaimer .. just realized I could write another page on trying not to offend.. but then what fun would that be.
>
> Ok so in July I'm doing a 2 week (14 days) self contained tour in Alaska. At this point there are some unknowns. Such as if there will be a place to do laundry. To that end I'm test packing as though there will be no laundry available.
> This list avails me the ability to travel for two weeks without need of washing clothes. It also covers temperatures from the high 40's to mid 70's.

The question of course is what works for you for the conditions you'll be encountering. I wouldn't want 150 lbs of gear, someone else might not find that bothersome at all. Someone else's essential might be my waste of space and vice versa, etc. My "good enough" list of stuff might leave someone else feeling stressed and anxious about their survival (and they might be right, if my bleached bones are discovered three years after the last time my family and friends hear from me). The decision is utterly personal: what do you need to have a great trip (after all, how many times are you going to do this tour)?

[Kelly Sleeper]

@Kevin
Nitto Big Back Rack
http://www.rivbike.com/product-p/r4.htm

Nitto Mini Front
http://www.rivbike.com/product-p/r2.htm

Wald Wired Basket
http://www.rivbike.com/product-p/bskt.htm

Tubus Nova Front Rack
http://www.peterwhitecycles.com/tubus_racks.asp Note: This is the first year I've used low riders. In the past I've always used the Old Man Mountain racks. So far I love the combination of the mini rack and the low riders. I then also use the front wald basket. Very clean and easy to get to things. Much easier to load and unload at night.

@Kevin and Peter
It's a mini manual coffee grinder that makes it all possible.

This is my old configuration:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tksleeper/6172721048/

This is the New:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tksleeper/6668205819/in/photostream

I'm no incorporating the large saddlesack on the back. I'll actually get to see how it works come May.. for S240's without rear panniers it's great.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tksleeper/6172724400/in/set-72157627604208847

Kelly

[William]

It would all be feather light if you could just jettison that silly second top tube!

KIDDING!!!

[Kelly Sleeper]

@William It's ok buddy I'm not 2tt sensitive.

[dougP]

It's for loads like this that Grant added the 2TT. 100 lb loads call
for an extra stout bike. My Atlantis has a nice cushy ride on 40 mm
tires with 40-50 lbs; probably need to think about it before doubling
up on that.

dougP

[Kelly Sleeper]

@Doug

I do know on my other tour bikes .. including the compact frames that when loaded and standing they were very noodle feeling .. like standing together on a tandem the first time... or riding in sand.. had to pedal very consciously. This one first time out blew my mind.. I just stood up and took off with like there was no weight.... Not to mention I never enjoyed just riding my other tour bikes. This one is fun to ride loaded or unloaded.

The taller folks like me 6'5" don't have the choices out there that short folks do. Even the 64cm Bombadil for me is a tad on the small side.

Kelly

[Bill M.]

Some thoughts:

I don't see a pump listed but you'll surely need one. Get one with an
integrated gauge (Topeak Road Morph), or calibrate your thumb and
leave the separate gauge behind.

Take a couple of Fiberfix spokes, leave the chain whip at home.

I agree with Mike, you're way long on wool underwear and socks. They
can be re-worn for many days between washes with a little airing
out.

For coffee, are you aware of the Aeropress as an alternative to a
traditional French press? Light weight, all plastic (unbreakable),
and fast. It uses paper filters but they are tiny.

If the iPad is just for unloading photos, leave it home and stock up
on 16 gig SD cards instead. Way less weight and bulk, but more
importantly less chance of damage or loss and no need for charging.
If you really need to view photos on the road, use microSD cards with
an adapter, and plug them into the iPhone for playback.

Bill

[Kelly Sleeper]

iPad is a luxury but is really nice for tv on my slingbox.. And I use it to duplicate the ad cards .. If sd is damaged photos on iPad if ipad destroyed still have photos.

The pump is a frame pump ..unlisted ...feels like part of bike... Just picked up really nice pressure gauge. I agree with your choice of a pump being a better choice,

It's all good ... I'm liking the different coffee suggestions...

Actually just enjoying the conversation

[Zack]

A 14 day self-contained Alaska trip sounds awesome.  What fun!

For my bike camping coffee, I love using a Melitta single cup drip brewer paired with a gold filter.  I like it because it's small, lightweight, easy to clean, and creates no waste other than the spent grounds. 

Most importantly, it brews a fantastic cup of coffee.  

At home I alternate between a french press an a Hario pour-over filter.  

[Darin G.]

Where will you be touring? I lived up there for 13 years and I am
envious.

One item I didn't see was a mosquito headnet. Do not forget it. I've
seen otherwise sane people lose their minds due to the bugs. I'd also
make sure that some of your clothing is bug proof (rain pants and
jackets work). New "Buzz Off" pants, shirts and bandanas, won't keep
you completely safe but they do help. I'd even consider Buzz Off
socks. The little bastards seem to love ankle blood.

Obviously you need a headlamp but two might be overkill. I don't know
if I ever used one in July.

Also, if you are on the road system virtually every spot on the map
with a gas station has a laundromat. Many Alaskans still live off the
grid and need a place to wash clothes. I seem to remember a place in
Soldotna where you could rent a hot tub and soak while you did your
laundry.

Bears are an issue. Unless you know you will be staying at
campgrounds with food lockers you need a bear-proof food container.
I'd also consider bear spray.

Lastly, I know its a heresy but I'm a fan of Starbucks Via coffee for
backcountry trips. Virtually weightless and surpassingly palatable.
Also, Alaskans love coffee--If you get the shakes there are a number
of espresso shacks, even in fairly remote places.

I can't wait to hear about your plans and I'm a resource if you have
questions.

D.G.

[dougP]

@Kelly:

Interesting...maybe a lot of tour bikes aren't as over-built as
commonly assumed. The only other bike I've toured on was a converted
racing bike (obviously inadequate), with the same noodly feel you
describe. On tour, one tends to see lots of converted MTBs.
Personally not a fan of the 2TT look but if you can load a big Bomba
down with 80 lbs of gear & have a solid ride, it sounds like the
second tube is seriously functional. Should load the Atlantis down to
see where it becomes noodly.

dougP

[Kelly Sleeper]

Well this will be the first one I paid for.. Self contained.. Lots of things like ragrbri and such.

Denali Adventure
http://www.adventurecycling.org/tours/tourdetail.cfm?t=SC12&id=301&p=1

The other two tours this year will be on my own.

[Anne Paulson]

Best of luck. Sounds like a fantastic trip.

They have water on Alaska. I suggest bringing some laundry soap,maybe a collapsible sink, and a clothesline, in place of all those clothes. Wash every day or two, bring clothes for three days, and you're golden. I can assure you your riding partners will be washing clothes by hand.

You shouldn't need to provide your own breakfast and dinner food. Your group will be cooking breakfast and dinner together, taking turns. I imagine your group will buy food along the way. Your leader will know where the stores are.

Part of the shared equipment is stoves, so I think you can dispense with your own. the shared equipment includes fuel and pots, too, plus cooking gear. They might parcel out the group tools as well. Half a pannier might not be enough.

-- Anne Paulson

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My hovercraft is full of eels

[Darin G.]

Definitely will be laundry facilities in Glenallen and Cantwell.
Wouldn't be surpassed if there were others along the way.

I don't know if you have time to extend your trip, but a midnight sun
ride on the Denali National Park road from the park entrance to Wonder
Lake would be a fantastic end to your trip.

Have a great trip.

On Jan 12, 10:43 pm, Kelly Sleeper <tkslee...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Well this will be the first one I paid for..  Self contained.. Lots of things like ragrbri and such.
>

> Denali Adventurehttp://www.adventurecycling.org/tours/tourdetail.cfm?t=SC12&id=301&p=1

[Kelly Sleeper]

Anne,

You are right..

It's my at my leisure food. In under 5 minutes I can have coffee and food while waiting out a rain storm or just enjoying a view. That is one thing that is a must for me. Not to mention the dreaded OH MY GOD YOU COOKED WHAT?????

The amount of clothing I'm taking is excessive at this point.. and will most likely be cut back to a weeks supply and thus only one day ruined having to do laundry... hell maybe I could find a dentist to make the day even more miserable.

My outlook also is more on self .. I'm not comfortable sitting on the side of the road waiting for another rider / group leader whatever to save me. (not implying that anyone else does or would) It's nice to have backup if I forget something, but I'm just used to taking care of myself. Food, tools, parts, and many things that although carried in many tours have never been used. Weird I know.

Kelly

[Ryan Ray]

Plus Aero Press can taste even better. I second the Aero!

[Mike]

Via por vida! Love that stuff for camping/touring. My 3 day load is
the same as my 1 week load which i doubt would be much different than
my 1 month load. I tend to travel light on and off the bike.

--mike

[Kelly Sleeper]

What do you use for water purification. Generally I just filter with t shirt and boil. I have been looking at some purification systems.. that is an area I'm completely clueless.
Thankfully I haven't been isolated badly enough to have to do that often... though it did happen twice last year.

[Lee Chae]

On Fri, Jan 13, 2012 at 10:17 AM, Kelly Sleeper <tksl...@gmail.com> wrote:
> What do you use for water purification.  Generally I just filter with t shirt and boil.   I have been looking at some purification systems.. that is an area I'm completely clueless.

Just to tag onto Kelly's post (sorry, Kelly), does anyone have
experience with how well those sterilizing pens work? Pros and cons?

Thanks,
Lee
SF, CA

[Ryan Ray]

Three great coffee camping/touring options from my local shop. If you can't find any of these let me know and I'll ship you one.

One is the aero press. Widely available online.

The one that looks like a a filter is a Clever press. These make the best coffee I've ever had.

The other one is a portable grinder. I would probably splurge on this :)

- Ryan

[Darin G.]

I've been using Sawyer drip purifiers for two years. Fill the top
bag, let gravity do the work.

[Mike]

Steri-pen. It seems to work well enough. Obviously if i were doing
something like the Dempster Hey i'd carry more gear but not much more.
I'd certainly pack plenty of grub.

[TSW]

That's great you can buy them now. My friend built one using a
Platypus bladder, some tubing, and First Need Filter. We first used
it in Tehipite Canyon in King's Canyon, so we called it the Tehipite
Water System. And on that trip we were much better hydrated b/c water
was so "cheap". Just fill, hang, go do something else and you have
overflowing potable water.

The problem with boiling is that you need a bit of fuel- as if your'e
converting it into water. Filtration I think is much better.

As for the rest of the packing list, seems like the hammer isn't very
multi-use and heavy. If you're sleeping on tundra, it's like natural
Therapedic. Miles of it. The best natural mattress I've ever slept
on. Didn't unpack the Thermarest. And, of course, very easy to stake
into.

I agree about the coffee press, which to be sure, is a complete sign
of civilization. But isn't a trip to AK about putting some distance
between you and civilization? Which is why I would lose the iPad
too. :-) stay off the grid for a couple weeks. Bring a journal and a
couple good paperbacks (John McPhee's Coming into Country comes to
mind, Michener's Alaska, or even Travels to Siberia by Ian Frazier,
which in its own way is similar to these lands).

Be sure to bring bug juice. In Denali, we had to walk around while
eating our food; you could swipe your hand in the air and catch a
zillion skeeters. Gross at first, but you get used to it. We used
Sawyer's Gold, with up to 20% DEET. Beyond that apparently doesn't
add any benefit. The mosquitos came within 2 in. of your face, and
stayed away.

Oh, a bandanna is also a great blind fold to keep that midnight sun
out (4pm sunshine at 8pm; midnight hikes in full light. Surreal.).

Great trip!
Tse-Sung
Berkeley

[ascpgh]

From my TransAm experience, one can kill a chain on paved roads in a
week if its rainy. I was fendered, my cohorts not and as the
designated mechanic I spent a lot of proactive time cleaning
drivetrains (theirs much more than mine) and re-lubing to forestall
wear and the impending need for replacement to preserve the
drivetrain.

I recommend a toothbrush or two to help remove the fine slurry from
wet roads, trails or paths. A spare chain if you really will be
outside of contingent supply.

ANDY
Pittsburgh

On Jan 12, 4:15 pm, Kelly Sleeper <tkslee...@gmail.com> wrote:

> Ok so in July I'm doing a 2 week (14 days) self contained tour in Alaska.  At this point there are some unknowns. Such as if there will be a place to do laundry.   To that end I'm test packing as though there will be no laundry available.

[Marc Irwin]

I guess I'm a little different, I carry less on my bike than I do
backpacking. What I have is here:
http://simplecycle-marc.blogspot.com/2011/04/bike-packing-101.html?m=1

for a weekend or week it ends up the same, and weighs between 60-65
lbs including the bike.

Marc

On Jan 13, 12:16 am, Anne Paulson <anne.paul...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Best of luck. Sounds like a fantastic trip.
>
> They have water on Alaska. I suggest bringing some laundry soap,maybe a
> collapsible sink, and a clothesline, in place of all those clothes. Wash
> every day or two, bring clothes for three days, and you're golden. I can
> assure you your riding partners will be washing clothes by hand.
>
> You shouldn't need to provide your own breakfast and dinner food. Your
> group will be cooking breakfast and dinner together, taking turns. I
> imagine your group will buy food along the way. Your leader will know where
> the stores are.
>
> Part of the shared equipment is stoves, so I think you can dispense with
> your own. the shared equipment includes fuel and pots, too, plus cooking
> gear. They might parcel out the group tools as well. Half a pannier might
> not be enough.
>
> -- Anne Paulson
>

[Daniel M]

I will share my perspective here. Background: I backpack and bike
tour multiple times per year, and have accepted that I will never be a
lightweight camper. However I am always seeking ways to bring a
little bit less. I am particularly dismayed when I do overnight trips
and find myself carrying almost the same load as I would for a 3-4 day
trip. That said, this is what I would personally eliminate from your
packing list. Note that I did not say personally RECOMMEND; the most
important thing is to go and do it your own way. That said:

For a backpacking/bike touring itinerary with no days in town, I tend
to pack 3-4 pairs of socks and 2-3 pairs of underwear, t-shirts, etc.
(All wool/synthetic.) Beyond that, one pair of nylon zip--off pants,
one set of wool long underwear tops/bottoms, one shell/rainpant combo,
one wool jacket, one pair of neoprene socks - that's about it. From
my perspective, you have WAY too much clothes.

The french press and thermos sound more appropriate for car camping to
me. I use a small plastic cone and bring a stack of paper filters and
brew directly into my insulated mug. I will not even suggest any type
of instant coffee. I have heard good things about the Aeropress as
well.

I would try to get by with just the iPhone and leave the IPad at home.

I don't carry a chain whip. When I have needed to remove my cassette
I pull the skewer and place the splined cassette tool on, and put the
wheel back on the bike as close to the dropouts as possible, and use
the chain on the bike as my chain whip. One foot on the pedal,
adjustable wrench on the cassette tool, seatpost over the wrench for
leverage and the cassette threads right off.

Leave the hammer at home. You can almost always find a rock.

I do carry a Katadyn (formerly PUR) hiker water filter. It's bulky
but rather light. It's a backpacking necessity but nice to have on a
bike tour as well. I never bother using it for cooking water - if it
has come to a boil it's good enough for me. I use a Sweetwater
prefilter to make the filter element last nearly indefinitely.
Replacing $3 prefilters is preferable to replacing $50 filter
elements!

Even if you were to make all of these changes you will still have a
rather extensive load and in no way reduce the justification for
owning a Bombadil. My touring bike is also a heavyweight - Thorn
Raven with Rohloff hub, so lightweight is pretty much out the window
even before the bike is loaded!

Enjoy the tour and may your tires stay inflated and your spokes
unbroken.

Daniel

[Rex Kerr]

On Thu, Jan 12, 2012 at 2:47 PM, Kevin M <kpmu...@gmail.com> wrote:

I'm a fan of the french press, but if you're you're grinding two weeks of coffee before you embark it probably won't taste any better than Starbuck's Via instant coffee after day 2. Via actually is pretty damn good for camp coffee.

Most of my bicycle touring has been in areas with at least once per day access to a store or restaurant where I could buy coffee, but my hiking trips have taken me to places where it would be a multi day hike to get fresh coffee... not only is Via a good camp coffee, even instant mashed potatoes start to taste like heaven when you're too tired to cook anything more substantial!  When you're exhausted after 70 miles of loaded riding or 12 or so miles of loaded hiking your priorities change a bit, otherwise I'd be carrying my hand grinder and moka pot!  My loads are already far too heavy without that luxury.

[Rex Kerr]

> Just to tag onto Kelly's post (sorry, Kelly), does anyone have experience with how well those sterilizing pens work? Pros and cons?

I carry one (SteriPen Classic Bundle w/ Nalgene) and have never gotten sick, though I've only used it in areas where I probably could have safely imbibed without sterilizing the water.  I carry tablets as a backup in case the pen breaks or the batteries give up unexpectedly.

[Mike]

I toured in 2011 and 2009 in the PNW and me and my buddy used his
Steri-pen a bunch with no issues. I keep meaning to get one for myself
but most of the time when I go bike camping I make sure to have water
and generally know where I can refill. I'll probably buy one this year
with my REI dividend.

--mike

[PATRICK MOORE]

Speaking of touring loads, do any of y'all favor a rear large rear saddlebag/front lowriders setup? Pro's versus con's compared to the more conventional big panniers in the back, small ones in front? I am thinking of something like two Ortlieb Packers on a Tubus Tara (the Tara clears 29+" Big Apples) in front and a Camper or Hoss in the rear -- the saddlebag supported, of course.

(I weighed today's grocery-and-mail load in the Camper and it came to 29 lb including three bottles of plonk.)

Patrick Moore, who really, really does plan to do some paved-cum-dirt-road camping with his brother this year.

--
Patrick Moore
Albuquerque, NM
For professional resumes, contact
Patrick Moore, ACRW
http://resumespecialties.com/index.html

[René Sterental]

Patrick,

While my answer may be irrelevant to your question and my experience very limited, after doing my S24O on Mt. Diablo last September with the rear large SaddleSack and front SlickerSack, one of the issues I had with the rear large bag was fixing a rear flat where I was forced to unload its contents before I could remove the wheel as it made the bike too difficult to handle otherwise. I had it zip tied to the rear rack and didn't have a cutter or extra zip ties. After that, I adapted some spare leather straps so it would be easier to remove the bag. I use it now for commuting.

One of the greatest practical advantages of panniers vs rear large bags is the ease of removing them and installing them on the bike. This was important when I did my S24O at Angel Island in 2010 and had to remove the four panniers in order to be able to get the bike on the train. There was no way I could lift the bike with the bags.

I cannot yet comment on handling differences or packing advantages of one vs the other. I haven't done it enough yet.

Still, from a concept point of view I've considered this setup as well as I have a set of green canvas/leather Japanese smallish panniers that would look great with my large rear SaddleSack on my Hunqapillar where I'm now trying a Pass & Stow front rack.

René

René

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[Kelly Sleeper]

Patrick

For me it comes down to space. For S240's I'm comfortable with a large saddlesack on rear and couple of front panniers. If I'm gone a week I want all four panniers. Then the saddlesack is still there. I use the saddlesack for my camera, extra lens, jacket, thermos and general junk. All other camping travel stuff goes in the panniers.
I've done it both ways though, front load and rear with little noticeable difference to me. Anyway long story short, it's more about what fits and what is most comfortable for you.

Then again though I carry a large saddlesack all the time.

Kelly

[jimD]

Kent Petersen discusses his use of a SteriPen on his blog.
http://kentsbike.blogspot.com/
He used one when he rode the Tour Divide.
-JimD

On Jan 18, 2012, at 9:37 AM, Rex Kerr wrote:

> > Just to tag onto Kelly's post (sorry, Kelly), does anyone have experience with how well those sterilizing pens work? Pros and cons?
>
> I carry one (SteriPen Classic Bundle w/ Nalgene) and have never gotten sick, though I've only used it in areas where I probably could have safely imbibed without sterilizing the water. I carry tablets as a backup in case the pen breaks or the batteries give up unexpectedly.
>
>

[PATRICK MOORE]

Thanks, Kelly; so it looks like a custom rack is required; or a stock rear rack added for use with smaller tires. 

My brother is planning some rack builds; perhaps I can persuade him ...

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[Lee Chae]

Mike, Rex, JimD: Thanks for the SteriPen input.

Lee
SF, CA

[Kelly Sleeper]

Patrick

I'm confused as usual or I missed something. I don't understand the custom rack and smaller tires or combination.