Long Distance Competition/Ultracycling, Randonneuring and Endurance Cycling - Extra wheelset for long tour?

I asked a similar question on the touring forum initially, but after posting it, I realized that this forum might be the more appropriate given the nature of my ride.

I was interested in getting feedback on the whether or not I should take an extra wheelset for my upcoming California-South Carolina tour?

Let me explain...I am going on a cross-country tour this summer with my three boys. We'll be supported by my wife driving a support vehicle. The schedule is quite inflexible (24 riding, 4 rest days), as I'll be speaking in various cities along the way. Therefore, I am trying to plan ahead to make sure we take spare equipment that we'll need in emergencies and keep us on schedule, but I obviously want to keep the investment as small as possible.

We'll obviously have spare tires, tubes, spokes, etc. But I was wondering on whether it would be a wise thing to also have an extra wheelset on hand for four riders? Said differently, is an extra wheelset a "nice-to-have" or a "must-have"?

Thanks!
Rich
Tour web site: whythebike.com

Probably a "nice to have". I can't really imagine any situation where a few spokes and a little know-how wouldn't do the trick.

Probably a "nice to have". I can't really imagine any situation where a few spokes and a little know-how wouldn't do the trick.

I would definitely take extra wheels, given you have a support vehicle to haul them in. A few spokes and a little knowhow are not going to fix a cracked rim or a broken hub.
Are your three boys riding their own bikes, or are they riding in the van?
If they all have 700c wheels and you all have either Shimano or Campy, why not carry insurance?
Buy your wheels now online. It'll be a lot cheaper than having to buy one at a bike shop when you need it. And of course, there's no guarantee there'll be a bike shop within a hundred miles of where you break down.
Here's a thought: You might want to do a little research and map out all the bike shops along your route.

Thanks for all the feedback!

After reading the various perspectives and riding with my boys on some pothole-laden roads this weekend, I am opting for purchasing a wheelset and bringing it along in the support vehicle. It is insurance against a major problem on the road, even if that is not likely. And, if something goes wrong, I'd probably spend a fortune having it shipped overnight. The other advantage I realized is being able to swap out wheels in case of flat. Then I can just change it later during a break. Fortunately, all four of us have compatible wheels, so they will be freely interchangeable.

Thanks again!

If you have a roof rack, get some wheel forks and store them on top. Also, keep them from spinning when they're up there. Definately if you have a support vehicle, bring spare parts. :)