Originally Posted by
Newspaperguy
This got me wondering. When you're on a bike tour, is your load normally smaller or larger than other cyclists you encounter?
I'm not as extreme as the multiple panniers plus trailer folks mentioned above. However, I'd probably be slightly above average on what I carry. Mostly because I carry a little extra on contingencies. For example, I might plan a mostly credit card tour - but don't set my hotel reservations - so in places where accommodations are a little further apart, my credit card list might also include a bivy sack and light sleeping bag in case I get stuck. That isn't an issue if accommodations are closer than every 45miles apart.
I've learned to pack with a checklist and that keeps some extraneous stuff and too much extra clothes down, but I'd expect to be just slightly above the median amount of stuff.