[QUOTE=acantor;11139967]
But I have faced nasty climbs, and thanked my lucky stars that I had a granny gear in Charlevoix (Quebec) and the Swiss Alps.

I changed my granny from a 28 to a 24 for a trip through the Pyrenees, glad I did although the switchback grades weren't toooo bad, but I was still glad I did. Was handy in San Fransisco a few times too.

I have done the Gaspe side, but not the Charlevoix--have in a car and boy o boy, there is some serious climbing there, hats off to you. Some real long buggers too arent there? A real challenge that route.

and on that note--the "too much stuff" was my error on my first big tour (forementioned Gaspe Penninsula, with some bugger climbs) so I learned to pare it down big time for the next trip.

STRONGLY suggest to anyone trying touring, to load up bike BEFORE trip and see how it is, you most likely will find that after that experience, you will find things to remove....