patrickgm60

Added a rear rack to my Felt Z6 road bike and went to 700x25 Gatorskin Hardshell tires as an introduction to bike camping. Strapped the sleeping bag, tent, and sleeping mat to the rack, and strapped a portable cooler/bag to my aero bars as a makeshift HB bag, and carried the leftovers in a 6# backpack. Here's a photo (maybe):



Only a 2-day/1-night trip; approx. 60 miles each way, but a nice introduction to short bike touring. (Merely a test ride for you touring buffs.) Averaged 15-16 mph, with minimal stops. Total "added" weight: 24.2#. Next time, I'll lighten or even lose the backpack, as it became very uncomfortable after a couple of hours.

Enjoyable; plan to do again, soon.

bradtx

patrickgm60, As you now know, it doesn't take a purpose built bike nor purpose made gear to enjoy a short tour. Aerobars do make a great all purpose rack, IME.

My first short tour was on my mountain bike, lots of fun and I eventually bought and rebuilt a used touring bike. It has seen a lot of use in the time I've had it.

Brad

chasm54

Definitely lose the backpack. Riding with a backpack is a pain. The bike, not the rider, should be carrying the weight.

Doug64

Someone should have warned you that bike touring is addictive. However, there is probably a twelve step program that you can get into before it gets too bad.

bradtx

Is that the twelve step program when 250 lbs. of rider, bike and gear just fail to crest a hill?

Brad