Originally Posted by
Ridefreemc
That's the term - the "baggage rack." I plan on putting the bikes there. In fact we decided against camping so we could avoid carrying too much and dealing with my trailer or panniers. I'd like to get off the train and be riding within minutes. I have had a lot of experience going with very little and I enjoy it more.
Part of the challenge is to live out of a small backpack for two weeks. When I posed this trip (and baggage limitation) to my daughter for her 13th birthday her eyes lit up and she said "YES!" She is low maintenance (for now) and doing this will allow us to go more places - like NYC (I have a post in "touring" forum on that subject). I wouldn't want to take too much there. Her older sister rode with me for 3,000 miles (on my Ducati) to Newfoundland - with two sets of camping gear and all the other necessary stuff.
Right now we are deciding between 22 and 24 liter packs that we can either wear while riding or strap to the rack.
Can't remember if I put the trip together in one post so here goes - sorry if it is a repeat. Local bus to express bus to Tampa, FL. Bike ride to Amtrak station. Amtrak to Washington DC for some sightseeing by bike. Train up to Cumberland, MD, then on the GAP trail for 3 days to Pittsburgh. Amtrak to Syracuse - ride out to Onieda Lake for a few days. On to NYC for a day or so of "touring" then on back to DC for another visit before back to Tampa - and on home. Maybe a few other stops along the way. 2+ weeks.
Wow that's great and good for you to treat your daughter to a trip like this! Looks like an awesome trip and great destinations. We'll be visiting NYC and the east cost this Sept, so looking forward to that!
As far as backpack is concerned, I like to pack light too. I'm sure you are a sound of wisdom in terms of going with very little. When I experimented with the pack, I tried carrying it but gave it up. Just not comfortable. Then I tried strapping it to the rack and that worked better until I started climbing out of the saddle on hills. Laura Crawford and Russ Roca of Path less pedalled tour with a backpack strapped behind their Bromptons. I saw their contraptions in person in Portland when I met them at the PDX bike show -- very interesting, but you need a Brooks saddle.
You can actually pack less just knowing what you need. I usually carry 2 pairs of everything and just do laundry more often, plus I've been slowly buying functional quick drying and light clothing as seconds in the past years. I like Icebreaker stuff and the new Mountain Hardware down jacket that can pack into the size of a fist have been extremely handy for those cold nights that you need to keep warm. For internet, I use the phone and the Playbook for notes and journals and keep the iPad at home.