Convenience-wise, I was more thinking of something like not having to rig a shelter to save weight. I have a tent. I pitch it. End of story. It weighs more than a tarp and some twine, but I don't have to futz around. And at 2.75 lbs., it's pretty light. Personally, I get to satisfaction out of having to MacGyver things. Reminds me of the time at the Bike Camp in Twin Bridges, MT, where a cyclist came in very late at night. He had a hammock. The only place to hang it was from the wooden fence surrounding the cooking/eating area in a way that made the picnic table useless. When I got up very early the next morning, I had to relocate my stuff to a different part of the park to make my coffee and breakfast. I had 3/4 of a mind to fire up my Dragonfly stove on the ground out of spite. If you've ever heard a Dragonfly at full blast, you know what I mean.

My gear decisions are mostly driven by potential weather conditions. If I am headed to the mountains of Montana for two weeks during shoulder season, I am going to be prepared for freezing temps and snow at higher elevations. Two weeks across PA in September? Probably not. But even then the gear list doesn't change all that much.

When I think back to my first trip back in '99, which was nearly four months long, my clothing choice was not much different from what I carry today for a one or two-week trip. For example, I am still going to take one pair of convertible pants, two pair of undies, and two sets of riding clothes today like I did back in '99. It's only when I am out for an overnighter or a a long weekend that things change noticeably. Definitely a smaller fuel bottle. If the weather is going to be warm, there is no need for cold weather on and off-bike clothing. A dry forecast eliminates the need for rain gear.