Originally Posted by
staehpj1
I am sure that is relevant for you, but doubt that it scales real well. I guess maybe it does if you look at it as one measure that is only used to be an absolute maximum that you never exceed. Someone who weighs twice as much may have a bit heavier clothes, but they certainly don't need twice as much stuff.
I agree that the "half body weight" rule breaks down as the rider gets heavier. If I was to apply Machka's rule my bike and gear would be closer to 100lbs rather than 45lbs. The problem is that there is a wide range of body weights and gear weight should not be linked to it. It should be determined by what you need to carry. I've done a lot to reduce my gear weight, now my next goal is to reduce my weight further by, well let's be frank, loosing weight, getting rid of the belly, there's easily 10lbs there
IMO travelling lighter is always better, but ...
I figure the heavier people are likely stronger than me and able to carry more
if they wanted to.
For me, when the load gets over half my body weight, it's really difficult to move the load and I find myself walking up hills rather than riding, and slowing way down when I ride, and really struggling to manage it all in airports and train stations. So, knowing that, when I pack I aim for something below 1/2 my body weight ... which in my case is not easy to do.
But sleizure's question "What sort of weight should I be aiming for?" is a difficult one to answer because there is no one right answer. sleizure has got to load up his bicycle and go out for rides in all different terrains and figure out what works for him. However, the 1/2 the body weight may be a good guideline for a maximum load.