Marijana and I are often touring on the Supremo from our weekend base on the northern Adriatic. Our 'tours' range from spur of the moment overnights or weekends, to longer trips of a week or two. At our ages, we avoid being uncomfortable - so we travel by credit card and remain flexible in our route to jump at any time on a train to where the sun is most likely to shine and continue from there. In Europe, all one needs to do to get on ANY train, including the TGV, is to put the tandem in a 'housse', which means any kind of sack or bag, and presto - it is no longer a bike but just baggage. We had a very light nylon zippered bag made to fit the tandem dimensions from stem to rack and rear derailler with the wheels tied safely to the frame. Rain...train...maybe Spain - we made that up last year while we were touring southern France.
For our gear we put in a light rear rack and a very light set of panniers, and up front a handlebar bag. It had proven more than enough, but we also the option of a pack on top of the rear rack if needed. All we need are our toiletries, street clothes and sandals, and an extra cycling outfit. We attach a Garmin GPS to the handlebar with a short strap, so that it is always handy. I think we carry no more than 4 kilos extra in total...and that allows us to ride along with the many racers we encounter who are out for serious training rides. They are absolutely amazed at the speed of the tandem, even more that we don't get too far behind on hills. We are very used to short and steep climbs - it is 18 percent just to get up to our own village!
Co-Mo is currently making us a new tandem. We want to do more trips through the Dolomites and Alps, which are so temptingly visible from our terrace, and we think it will be less of a grind and more enjoyable with around 5 kilos less...and no, in case anyone is wondering, we don't have the option of eating fewer doughnuts and losing it off our arses since we are already trim.
