thanks all. Takara: if you my earlier questions alarmed you, wait till you read this REALLY LONG post.
i realize i am a newby at touring, and appreciate the great help everyone has offered. I AM concerned about overpacking, so i imagine this thread will be quite active as I discover what I DO NOT need to take. I have searched this forum, have seen others packing lists, but i am sure I will still ask here as i prepare, if only to be sure I am making good decisions. so here are some more questions
this is a rambling post, reflects the flurry in my mind.
about the bike:
1. will change the front rings. using replacement 11-34 on the back. Using a 22 on the front gives about 18 gear inches using a (replacement 11-34) 34 on the back and a top end of 108. . the 520 comes with 50-39-30 shimano r453 crank - can i just change the rings, or i need another crank? if so what crank?
2. is 22/32/44 a good combination with close enough shifting under loads uphill? I dont give a rip about top end, I typically spin OK, like a cadence 70-90. what will I get with 108 gear inches at 80 cadence?
3. i use a 172.5 crank on my other bikes. go with same? does it matter since geometry is so different than racing bike?
4. Shop thinks i need a 19"in the trek 520 (am i 5'10", short 30" pant leg inseam, longish torso ride a felt f1 racing bike in a 54cm). nobody has touring bikes in stock around here. LBS guy says 'relax' he's done this a lot of times, talks the talk but i am just testing.
other questions and remarks:
A. I ALWAYS use assos chamois cream. never tried a long ride without it so I dont know how I'd feel without it. seems worth the space and weight to me.
B. definately starting in st. jo. MO. much relieved about the risk factor and duration.
C. double checked the sleeping bag, its 1lb 1oz of goose down. I agree its potentially not enough for this tour. . I have a small down blanket (a 'throw'), have used it summer camping plenty. probably 1 pound fill, using a thermorest prolite 3 pad. is the down blanket and bag enough? if not, i'll get an addition 40 degree rated down bag.
D. here's another dumb one. anyone know how to wash a sleeping bag? mine is like OLD, never been used much since I camped when it was usually always warm enough not to need it. I mean I know you can wash down pillows so long as you tumble dry thoroughly. same for down bag? temp during wash cycle? use a fabric softener sheet in the dryer or not? seems like probably not, i bet those sheets leave an unwelcome residue. i dont use them on my shorts.
E. i'm using a dragonfly stove, how much fuel do you think i should carry on the bike. I have the tank that comes with the stove, also have an additional 11 oz fuel bottle. is it overkill to carry both bottles? i think the fact that i am asking this question means the answer is yes, but checking anyway. is white gas sold in less than a gallon? i know you can get small bottles of kerosene. of course there is unleaded gas but it seems a hassle to fill a teensie bottle with a huge nozzle.
F. A minimalist approach would suggest bringing one spare tire and one tube, maybe two patch kits. The guy in my LBS (a seasoned tour guy) says "oh no, I bring THREE tubes. flats come in clusters, spend time patching tubes at the camp, not on the road.
G. my LBS guy says in his early touring he discovered he prepared for too many unlikely scenarios, and managed to always not have enough food. How much is enough? what food. how much? i am a believer in steel cut oats for breakfast so will carry enough for a few days breakfasts.
H I am aware of nutritional need while riding to sustain output. I use hammer gell (in bottles), sharkies, cliff shotes when doing cennturies. I'd imagine NOT stocking much of that stuff and refueling on the road unless no towns coming? or DO you carry a few days of gel packs and whatnot? what about electrolyte powder? (I like hammer HEED?), or drink gateraid when available?
I. what about recovery drinks? I am a believer in Hammer recoverite. rather than carry enough to make a difference, how does one eat after a days ride to help the legs? high carbs (pasta stuff) and protein - what travels well?
J. bike has room for three water bottles. carry extra water?
K. carrying a topeak roadmorph pump - it seems like also carrying CO2 violates the minimalist rule? Ok, i get it. of course it does.
L. ok, and i scratched the ipod. i dont use it when i ride anyway. I'll read a book. a light book.write a journal. a light journal.
M. seems like the headlight would suffice for a flashlight too. I think a blinkie on the back makes sense. is this correct? on helmet or on bike?
N. I carry a mintyboost to power the garmin 305 for more than 7 hours. I am starting to get it, take the recharger for the batteries in the mintyboost off the list. use non rechargeable AA cells. mintyboost is emergency power for cell phone too. its built in the small altoids tin, so rides in bento bag with the cell and road food.
O. spare cables?
P. does anyone have comments about this rain gear
http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_d...=1189158742580
http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_d...=1189158799225
http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_d...=1189158843545
and
http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_d...=1189158881279
wow that is a LOT of questions. i guess we should be alarmed at my level of experience here. is everyone so dumb about the first tour?
thanks again. i would not attempt this trip were it not for the assistance of the members of this forum. If anyone ever needs a place to stay in TAOS, NM, PLEASE contact me. great skiing, road and mountain biking, rafting. RE skiing: no snowboarders allowed though. no lift lines either. seriously STEEP. decent powder. see skitaos.org.