mdilthey

I'm now ready to go on my tour, thanks mostly to help from this forum and several ultralight guides, including iik's and staehpj1's. This is my first, and I'm with two other guys. We're shooting for 3,000 miles around the Northeast including Massachusetts, Vermont, Maine, New Hampshire, New York, and New Jersey. This picture was taken in Massachusetts, it's the last dry run. The bags are now full of food and supplies, I'm going over checklists like a madman. Here's my gear list for those interested (Google Doc). Items in red, I want to leave behind, but were worth mentioning.


Final Test for 3,000 mile August tour in Northeastern U.S. (Trip in 3 days) by Max Roman, on Flickr

mdilthey

If anyone needs close-up shots of how I attached things to the frame, just ask.

LeeG

That looks great. Instead of a camelback you might consider a Topeak bottle cage holder that can carry a 1.5 liter bottle and move your existing seat tube bottle cage tp under the down tube (w strap securing it) for carrying another bottle or misc. gear. That is a very tight and solid set up.

staehpj1

Looks like a nice set up. Let us know how your upcoming tour goes.

antokelly

well done look's fantastic, what have you in the frame bag

yeah close up photos would be great.
btw you certainly know how to take a photo stunning.

mdilthey

Well, this forum taught me how to carry my DSLR Camera while touring. I'll take close-ups at work tomorrow.

The frame bag is a Jandd bag, and it's split down the middle.

Left: First Aid Kit, Gold Bond powder, lip balm, sunscreen, extra plastic bags, extra zip ties.

Right: 4 servings of Fruit/Nut granola, two CLIF Mojo bars and two CLIF Builder's Bars.

LeeG

You're set up is just like what I did with most of my fast touring. I understand the attraction wanting a lighter road frame but there's something to be said for having a bike you aren't afraid to toss into a pickup, over a fence or crash through the shrubbery. I like the Jandd bag.

mdilthey

Thanks, I'm extremely happy with the Jandd bag. I wish I had one more bag somewhere, but I don't have time. If I find something on the road I'll buy it.

tombc

Did you attach your tubes to your fork blades with 3 zap straps a piece? How do you plan on getting those off?

mdilthey

When I need them, I'll cut the ties.

shipwreck

I guess that your tour will go on into cooler weather. Have you any experience with cold camping in a hammock? Even with the pad, they can get cold. You might think about having your bag ready to mail to you from home if it starts to get to chilly.
For what its worth, I am a hammock camper, and use a pad with a silk bag liner and one of those emergency medical kits bivy sacks in the fall and spring. In the winter I find that I really need an actual bag for comfort.

And your list says that the off bike shoes are only good with ortliebs, so are you not taking them?

trafficcasauras

hammock and sleeping pad? oh, and use a tarp or tent footprint instead of sleeping pad.
i would only carry enough clothes for the season, and buy the rest as the weather changes.
have good layers to put over clothes that you may buy.
i wouldnt have the camera
use long sleeves instead of sunscreen, like upf30 long sleeve nylon shirt i just got today!
long sleeves could fix the bug repellent.
a u-lock bicycle lock is nicer than a cable lock, put in in your belt.
regular pants have more pockets and a belt to put u-lock on.
looks like you need a down sleeping bag.

oscillation

Very sleek. I'm inspired. Thanks.

MKIV987

I like your spare tube placement! If you wanted to go even lighter in the future I imagine you could ditch the rear rack and make a seat-hanging holster for that compression sack like this guy did on Bikepacking.net: https://www.bikepacking.net/forum/ind...ic,2611.0.html or go with a seat bag from Relevate: https://www.revelatedesigns.com/inde...=4&ProductID=1