Originally Posted by Big Lew

It's all fine and dandy to explore the best equipment, clothing, and food stuffs to take while touring, that's the
advantage of today's internet people didn't have in years gone by. It doesn't make or break having a successful
tour though. My first multi day tour was done on an old man's single speed CCM when my buddy and I were 14
(1960) while carrying everything in canvas packs on our backs. We wore jeans, carried canned goods, an old
lumpy sleeping bag, and had a sheet of plastic for a tent. We didn't have a clue, didn't even carry much water,
had to put a small rock in our mouth to encourage saliva when riding through a small desert, but we had a blast.
We quickly learned not to wear jeans, to carry plenty of water, and to carry our gear on the bike, but otherwise
we would eagerly do it again. Many years later another buddy and I met and rode with a fellow for a few days while
traveling along the Alaskan Hwy. He also basically jumped on his bike and started riding. He wore normal street
clothes, wore work boots, and carried far too much heavy gear, yet he had started in Juneau and was heading home
to New York. He was a retired policeman, had unbridled enthusiasm, and even though was enduring discomfort, was
having the time of his life. This is why I say, learn what you can from sites like this, but most importantly, get on the
bike and go do it....things will work out.