gpsblake

@10 wheels, that red bag you had didn't rub against your legs while peddling? Love that double headlight setup by the way.

Newspaperguy

My first tours in the late 1980s and early 1990s used almost exactly the setup the OP has shown, except my sleeping bag was bulkier. I had a rather Spartan setup at that time, but it worked for me. These were short tours of a week or less and often just a weekend, but it is possible to tour this way. Such a tour can serve as an introduction to bike touring.

Much more recently, I have done overnight and weekend excursions without panniers, carrying just a tent, sleeping bag and mattress pad and a change of clothing. The load, on top of the rack, is light enough not to cause problems.

To do a trip without panniers, keep the load as light as possible. Otherwise handling will be affected. Bungee cords will work to secure the load, but make sure they are tight. For the next trip, panniers will probably be in order.

bcolli08

Seems like the general consensus is that while panniers would make my life easier, if I artfully mess around with straps/bungees I should be alright. One advantage of the backpack is I can hop off the bike and take it with me. If I end up making touring a more common activity (and I hope it ends up that way) ill for sure look into some panniers. For now ill make sure no one can accuse me of overpacking. As far as gels go I'm generally a fan of the quick burst of energy. I've had success (maybe more mental?) using them on long runs and in races and don't attribute them to any energy crashes. I'm also partial to the ones with caffeine if that makes a difference. Appreciate all the thoughts exactly what I was looking for.

ksisler

OP; looks marginal, fwiw. If you are dead set against getting a set of panniers; At least turn the really wide items 90 degrees so they are out of the wind. Also try moving the backpack forward... goal is to avoid lying/sliding on your back with the bike on top of you every time you go up a hill or hit a serious curb/bump with the front wheel. A front rack might work to hold the backpack...$20 or so would do unless you are hauling cast iron cookware (remember the early post on same[.

staehpj1

Sounds like a plan. Just don't rule out the possibility that you might not want to go to panniers. At about 22 pounds of gear weight I used two smallish front panniers with just a tent on the rear rack. Since then, I have found that I like travelling lighter and lighter until I eventually abandoned the panniers as overkill. I used stuff sacks on my rack for the ST from San Diego to Pensacola and for a tour in the Colorado Rockies and was quite happy to leave the panniers home. I still managed to camp and cook quite comfortably and much enjoyed riding a sportier bike that was very lightly loaded.

My point isn't that you should necessarily do the same as I do, but that it might be worth being open to less conventional methods.

berner

Rather than ordinary trash bags for a water prove covering, use trash compactor bags which are much sturdier and will last a lot longer.

LeeG

Touring isn't about quick bursts of energy, a box of raisins and packets of sunflower seeds will be a lot cheaper.
Getting your sleeping bag in a compression sack and well secured under the handle bars can help distribute the load as can frame bags.

Newspaperguy

One of the biggest advantages of the OP's proposed setup is it forces a cyclist to go light. There is not enough room to take a lot of extras. The lessons learned on this trip will be useful later.

LeeG

Yep, when I went on impromptu trips with friends in my 20's all they had was
a 10spd and Pletscher rack. Stuff goes on rack and handlebars.

gpsblake

I would also recommend those black rubber straps with the hooks in them. You can stretch them some but will hold a load firm and securely once tightly in place.

spinnaker

In a driving rain, trash bags can be next to worthless. Go to your local sports store and buy a real waterproof bag. One for your bag should run you $20-$30. You can still use trash bags on the inside as extra protection.

Newspaperguy

Check these bags. They keep your gear well protected and dry in a downpour.

https://www.mec.ca/AST/ShopMEC/Hiking...e-dry-sack.jsp

CB HI

For $41, OP could have a usable set of panniers to go with the bike rack already on the bike. Probably less expensive than all the extra straps and dry bags suggested.
https://www.amazon.com/Axiom-Seymour-...=axiom+pannier

And if the OP does not want to tour again, they should be an easy sell for $30 on craigs list.

If OP really likes touring, then he can upgrade the the expensive panniers whenever the money is available and he feels like it.

stevepusser

If money is really tight, a couple of plastic wastebaskets can be attached to the side of the rack as panniers, and can be found for a few bucks at liquidation or dollar stores.

I've also had good luck using insulated nylon lunchboxes as handlebar bags. They are much cheaper than bags from bike shops, the insulation makes them very rain-resistant, and they can also be used to keep perishables cool on a hot day with some ice.

KirkBeiser

I think there's a good chance you end up wearing that backpack unless you buy some really nice bungies or cables. The bike rack isn't that big and that is an awkward load to tie down. I tried to bungy a tent and a backpack to my motorcycle and it didn't work and I ended up wearing the backpack the whole trip. I like CB HI's cheap pannier idea. Or start checking out craigslist. I picked up a set of workable Giant panniers for $30 from a friend and they have worked well enough for the small trips that I've done.