Originally Posted by
staehpj1
I could see that being an issue with some packing strategies, but have found it easy to manage.
I too have a much bigger than necessary dry bag rolled down to much less than it's capacity. Between that and my little 18 liter backpack I have more extra space than I am ever likely to need. Also depending on whether I am on the road or mountain bike there is also space in either the handlebar bag or handlebar roll.
That is more than adequate unless I was planning something way out of the norm, like being away from all services for a lengthy period (more than a few days). As you mentioned, in that case I'd make allowances up front, but I really do not have a great desire to carry much more than 24 hours worth of water anyway and try hard to plan routes where I can get water at least one a day or in the very worst case on the second day.
The way I tour I usually have multiple resupply options each day and I eat in restaurants or buy from markets along the way. Iceland was the most remote area I've ridden, but even there it was possible to get food an fluids at the beginning and end of the day as I stuck to RT 1. Its also ok to flag down buses if required. I would ot ride with my set up in the interior. In Iceland's weather I found 2L of water good for the day, but I did carry an extra big bottle of bright orange soda on one day when I was unsure of the road ahead. Of course with the amount of rain I experienced I could refill my bottles just by taking the top off, putting them on the ground, and waiting a few mins.