Pacific Northwest - One day STP on-bike "packing"

I was curious how most packed for the one day venture (my first STP by the way). I have a post mounted rack and pack that I'm considering using. I bought it when I got ambitious and thought I was going to be able to do more riding with the randonneuring club. Anyhow, in order to carry my on bike nutrition, room to stash a little foul weather gear, etc., I thought it would be prudent.
I like to use Cytomax, Clif Shot Bloks, and nuun electrolyte tabs as my primary on-bike nutrition, with plans to graze a little on solid foods at the less busier food stops or at convenience stores. I guess weather will dictate consumption and usage as well as use of rain gear. Is it reasonable for a first timer to take a little more than might be needed, or just stuff a Hefty bag in a jersey pocket in case of rain, and grab-and-go from the food stops/stores in an effort to travel lighter?
I have a feeling if I put the rackpack on that I will take advantage of its ample storage and overdo it. I'm thinking of training with the pack on the bike in order to get used to the extra weight and if I decide not to use it, that would be a nice bonus of traveling lighter. Input/thoughts greatly appreciated,

tim

my one dayer last year was light. two bottles of food (perpetuem), two bottles of water (refilled at stations) in a seat post bottle holder, electrolytes in a plastic vitamin bottle (jersey pocket), arm warmers/leg warmers (stashed in jersey when it warmed up), bike computer ... the weather was great so we didn't need rain gear, but that hefty bag idea is pretty cool.

there were plenty of folks with racks, however and they did fine. i guess it depends upon your comfort level and how much you're willing to leave behind (or take with you).

bigsky,

Thanks for the response. I'm assuming spare tubes, tools, etc. go into a small underseat pack. On a ride of this distance I will probably carry two tubes and some pre-glued patches. Also, did you concentrate your Perpetuem to get you through the distance? Thanks again,

tim

oh yeah. two spare tubes, (2) co2 cartriges w. a little teeny brass inflator, 4 and 5mm allen wrench, tire levers, id, cell phone, cash in a plastic zip bag in the jersey pocket. it was a little bulky, but i'm used to it. looks like i had a vest too. forgot about that.

the perpetuem was thicker than most times, but still runny enough to squeeze out the bottle (i can't remember how many scoops of powder, but it was a lot). i put two or three fingers of choco hammergel to make it taste a little better. it got boring to eat it but it had all the calories and nutrients for a ride that long + solid food doesn't do well with on rides, so i "had" to go the powder and gel route. it's amazing how many calories you can stuff in a water bottle!

Here's Gonehs9's report
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=211401

Hope that stokes your fire for a very cool ride.

http://www.cyclingrocks.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/07/0005_sm.jpg

the one day patch was cool to get.

http://www.cyclingrocks.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/07/oneday1.jpg

Very helpful - thanks. I won't quite be in the same pace group as you all as I typically live in the 15 to 17 mph range when riding by myself. You looked like you had a pretty solid pace group there; what an asset to have a group gel together like that over that distance.
I've tried Perpetuem before for long distance trail running and eventually abandoned use of it due to taste and fatigue of use issues after 7 or 8 hours. I may revisit and touch it up with gel for flavor, as you mentioned. In training I may try a couple of on-bike gel flasks as an alternative, but the Perpetuem, or a similar product, makes better nutritional sense over 200+ miles. Thanks again,

tim

I rode the STP with a camelbak type system. Simple repair kit, rain jacket, 3 liters of Recharge (my favorite drink), a couple of Clif bars. It worked just fine. There are plenty of stops with food and drink available.

^ I wonder if that would put too much pressure on the lower back...? I have a camelback too but a post rack would allow more mobility.

I haven't done STP one day yet (this year wil be a first) but have done lots of solo century and long multi-day stage rides. By all accounts STP is very well supported with lots of food and water stops. Carrying lots of water and food seems overkill. I'd rather keep the total weight down (camelbak is what... 4+ lbs with H2O? and is a load on back). So for me - jersey pockets have rain type gear (based on conditions - arm and knee warmers and rain vest), 2 large water bottles (concession to hot weather potential) and a bento box (I use Lakona biofeed) at top tube for in between stops food and electrolyte tabs. This is my basic set-up for any long ride I do so really no change for STP.

I used to do STP without carrying any food, just water. There are enough stops along the way for food that you don't need to carry your own. This was over twenty years ago though, so I don't know what provisions are made these days. My guess is you still won't need to carry much. Twenty years ago we didn't obsess over each calorie, electrolyte levels, etc... so maybe if you do watch these things you need to carry your own.

Also, if you don't want to stop you of course need to take your own carry on. I did 100 miles without stopping on STP once and all I had were a couple of bananas with me. Made it in 4:15 too, so I was doing something right. I'd be happy to do a 6 hour century these days.

The post-style rackpack is overkill for a supported ride, go for a larger seatpack. Pack your powdered food and drink (single serving packs work well), pocket a few clif shots and go for it.

Of course you still need your tools and tubes and stuff, but knowing there's a mechanic a few miles up is reassuring. Snag some food early in the ride and save your perpeteum for later, when your stomach needs it. Your stops will be quick, get water and mix and keep going!

I pack rain gear because wet and freezing really, really sucks. And trash-bag people look real, real goofy

Clamp on the rack. The route is so flat you won't be suffering. The Tyvek windjacket you get in your packet is really great. Be ready for flats. It is easy to stop too often! You pretty much have to do it once and form your own opinion, but there is so much support you have great mechanical and nutrition backup. Dale

KISS theory works here very nicely.
V