Erick L
That's strange, I use water bottles for drinking.
Since you put the "big three" and more on the rack, I can't help wondering what's in the four panniers?
Left front is insulated used for cold drinks food and misc. Seldom very heavy
Right front has folding spare tire, extra tube (s), platypus 2 litre folding water bottle.small tool kit, lexon bowls, cups, and eating utinsels, stove and fuel, small container of dish soap, and 1 titanium pot (stuffed with small microfiber dish cloth/towel, stove, lighter, 2-25' pieces of parachute cord). Seldom very heavy, but might shift things to balance load on front.
Left rear has off-the-bike clothes/items: uderwear, swim suit, cell, camera, netbook chargers, insulated vest, pants w/zip-off legs, lightweight fleece top, long johns, 1 good t-shirt or polo shirt, emergency freeze dried dinner (if caught out or don't go by store)Toilet kit, and microfiber towel. I also carry a paper back book, maps and my harmonica. Lots of room left.
Right rear has on-the-bike clothes: pair of long tights, arm warmers, 2-synthetic or cotton t-shirts (cotton is cooler in really hot weather), extra pair of riding shorts, 3 pairs of lightweight wool socks, helmet rain cover, pair of glove liners, lightweight stocking cap, 1 long-sleeved jersey, 1 short-sleeve jersey, 1 synthetic long sleeve t-shirt, rain pants, rain jacket, cable and lock, first aid kit. Lots of room left.
Handlebar bag: camera, cell phone, wallet, passport (if needed), maps ferry schedules etc., and anything else I don't want to leave on the bike while in a store or cafe.
Seat bag: pair of rubber gloves, patchkit, set of 3 tire levers, multi tool, 1-2 extra tubes.
There is quite a bit of room left over. The room in the front usually accomidates an extra bottle or two of Power Aid, and the day's groceries. This set-up, including panniers, weighs between 30-40 lbs.
I'm probably missing something , but that is the general organization. We do use a packing list -listing each item's weight. Some things are adjusted depending on the season and length of trip. This would be typical for anything from a couple of weeks to a couple months.
Not minimalist, but not extravagent either. My wife carries the netbook
