Touring - How much clothes do you take on a long trip?

All right. I am talking about trips of two weeks and longer.
How many shirts etc is enough for you?

How often do you do the loundry?
Does total gear weight limit you from taking more clothes?
What's the optimal solutions for you on this issue?

http://www.angelfire.com/al2/misha18male4/photosight/80000km.jpg

Hey, looks like this guy is taking a year long trip.

He would be better off with a BOB trailer or something. Heck I would rahter pull my baby chariot than have all those dangling bags and junk.

(sorry off topic kinda) But man, that guy is intense! carrying all thet stuff and using sandles! :o im sure the bike does not handle to well.

Originally posted by Inoplanetyanin
All right. I am talking about trips of two weeks and longer.
How many shirts etc is enough for you?

How often do you do the loundry?
Does total gear weight limit you from taking more clothes?
What's the optimal solutions for you on this issue?

http://www.angelfire.com/al2/misha18male4/photosight/80000km.jpg
Hey Mr. Ino...... I live in L.A. but I do not recognize the landscape in that photo......looks too tropical. Where was that photo taken?

Originally posted by Chuvak
Hey, looks like this guy is taking a year long trip.

80000 êì íà âåëîñèïåäå ïðîåõàë ýòîò ÿïîíåö çà 6 ëåò. Íà÷èíàë ñâîè ïóòåøåñòâèÿ èç Ëîíäîíà. Ïðîåõàë Àôðèêó ñ ñåâåðà íà þã, Ñåâåðíóþ è Þæíóþ Àìåðèêó, Àâñòðàëèþ, ñåé÷àñ ïóòåøåñòâóåò ïî Åâðàçèè. Âñå ñâîè ïóòåøåñòâèÿ ñîâåðøàë â îäèíî÷êó.
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80000km rode this Japanese on his bicycle in 6 years. He started his journeys in London. Crossed Africa from North to South, North and South America, Australia, currently he is traveling in EurAsia.. All his travelling he does alone.

http://images.animfactory.com/animations/animals/rodents/rat_with_briefcase_md_wht.gifhttp://images.animfactory.com/animations/people_m_z/miscellaneous/bean_laughing_md_wht.gif

Originally posted by Mad Dog JR
(sorry off topic kinda) But man, that guy is intense! carrying all thet stuff and using sandles! :o im sure the bike does not handle to well.

It's normal in the rest of the world. It's only in America some guys are thinking that some shimano bike shoes are essential. ;)

NOt to offend anyone. :)


Originally posted by GeorgeHey Mr. Ino...... I live in L.A. but I do not recognize the landscape in that photo......looks too tropical. Where was that photo taken?


I don't know where the picture is taken, and it sure is not a picture of me. COnsidering that his has a "dog stick" ready, it's probably some rural areas of Eurasia...

That sure is a lot of stuff to be carrying. Maybe the thong/tan-sack guy has the right idea afterall. :D

I kept wondering, what is in all those bags... Maybe he is moving? :))
Also, why keep the tube inflated? Not only the sun damages the rubber, but he would have to deflate it before using anyway... :)
http://images.animfactory.com/animations/sports/bicycling/bmx_bike_pedaling_md_wht.gif

Originally posted by Inoplanetyanin
I kept wondering, what is in all those bags... Maybe he is moving? :))
Also, why keep the tube inflated? Not only the sun damages the rubber, but he would have to deflate it before using anyway... :)

I think he's a domestique for a team riding in the Tour of Mongolia. :D

I have heard of riding "big" to gain the attention of other road users. This takes the cake, though!

Dude...

You've got plenty of gear! go for it!!!!

JP :D

Originally posted by Inoplanetyanin
[B]It's normal in the rest of the world. It's only in America some guys are thinking that some shimano bike shoes are essential.

It's only in America that we know easier, more efficient ways to travel. Excess is excess, even in that minimalist culture.

OK. Do not take much clothing with you. But take the right clothing.

Take bike clothing from synthetic material (they dry faster), special shorts with pads to avoid skin chaffing. Take light plastic sandals to visit public showers.

But most important - take light (!) sleeping bag and mat. Also take the light tent. I attach photo of my sleeping bag, mat, and tent. All fits in one pannier.

Use panniers in the tour, but not backpack. It is most important. I warned you.

Take small medical kit. Check it before taking off.

Take lycra bicycle sleeves to protect hands from the sun. Or at least a t-shirt with long sleeves. Sun will be your worst enemy.

Do not listen to the man, who said that he invented other means of travelling. Bike tour is OK. Have fun! Ñ÷àñòëèâîãî ïóòè!

Hey Max, what brand of sleeping bag is that? I'm looking for a new one for touring purposes.

The one on the photo is McKinley. It weighs 900 gramms.

There is another brand, which I like. It is Campingaz, French produced.

The point is to estimate the night temperatures and select the right sleeping bag.

Certainly for late autumn or early spring one would need warmer sleeping bag. I would say - 1.5 kg. But in summer there is no need to carry such heavy and voluminous sleeping bag.

The tent on the photo is Wenzel. It is for 2 persons. I have also smaller tent, also Wenzel, but for one person. It is even smaller.

With such equipment one does not look like that Japaneese man.

Besides if it is not visible that you are on the long tour it is also safer, because local tugs will never know that you are from afar. With the right equpment one looks even after 1000 km, as if he just left home for shopping or something.

I learned it from other cyclists, especially Germans and Austrians. Bike touring is very wide spread in these countries. They generated a lot of exerience in this field. But their reading materials are mainly in German.

I would err on the side of just taking a few basic items and not many extras.This way if you find you have to have something or more of something else you can always just get it at that time.Much better that buying and carrying a bunch of stuff weighting you down that you find you don't even need.