How much food do you pack?
12-04-16 | 05:17 PM
#26
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I see that you are in Canada. I suspect that there are probably more places there that are a long way between restock points than in the US where I have toured.
Just me, but if I had to carry 7 days of water on any given route, I'd tour somewhere else. I don't mind knocking out big miles to get across big gaps in services, but I am a wimp about hauling a heavy load. So knocking out a 100 mile or longer day is okay now and then, but hauling much more than two days water is a show stopper for me. I generally find that, unless going off road, the places with long distances between restock points are the ones where I am likely to knock out long days, so 515 km would probably be 3 days if the roads were paved. I have done as much as 145 mile day to avoid carrying two days of water.
Also I generally find that I am typically never anywhere that there aren't at least a few cars every day, so in an emergency I'd resort to bumming a ride. I have never needed to do that for a lack of supplies, but I have been with folks who needed to because of a mechanical problem or injury and they never had a problem getting a ride. The more remote the area the more likely that most folks will stop.
Just me, but if I had to carry 7 days of water on any given route, I'd tour somewhere else. I don't mind knocking out big miles to get across big gaps in services, but I am a wimp about hauling a heavy load. So knocking out a 100 mile or longer day is okay now and then, but hauling much more than two days water is a show stopper for me. I generally find that, unless going off road, the places with long distances between restock points are the ones where I am likely to knock out long days, so 515 km would probably be 3 days if the roads were paved. I have done as much as 145 mile day to avoid carrying two days of water.
Also I generally find that I am typically never anywhere that there aren't at least a few cars every day, so in an emergency I'd resort to bumming a ride. I have never needed to do that for a lack of supplies, but I have been with folks who needed to because of a mechanical problem or injury and they never had a problem getting a ride. The more remote the area the more likely that most folks will stop.
Couldn't have said it much better myself.
12-04-16 | 05:23 PM
#27
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Thank you for all the wonderful reply's. I was worried that people would read this and say its too general and skip it. I kinda figured out that I packed too much food and keeping a one day "emergency" meal was the way to go. I come from a backpacking background (AT 2002 NOBO) so my tendency was to pack for the trip, but quickly discovered the fault in this. I recently did a bikepacking trip off the mt bike and am now considering just how small I can go with.
Thanks,
Scott
Thanks,
Scott
When I first started entertaining ideas of cycletouring in the late 1980s or so, some cycletourists were still doing it that way, and I thought that's how I would do it too. And in some cases, it would be appropriate if you're heading into areas where you'll spend several days with no or very limited services.
However, many places that we tour have towns and shops and all sorts of stuff that we would encounter at least once a day if not more frequently.
Even when it comes to clothing ... I've set off on tours with very limited clothing and have picked up stuff along the way. Rowan and I also started a tour with no tent ... just staying in hostels ... and then bought a tent a few days into the tour. We planned to do it that way. And a friend of mine, cycling ultralight across Canada, discovered that even in August nights could get quite cool so he stopped in at a Walmart and picked up a small, cheap sleeping bag which I think he ditched later when he didn't need it anymore.
12-04-16 | 05:36 PM
#28
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Slightly off topic but food related...
If you're in a bigger town that has a Soup Kitchen and you have time to volunteer, do it! In exchange for 2 hours of helping the homeless/low income they'll feed you.
Yes, 2 hours can be a lot of time but just an option that I found appeasing to myself while on tour. I was homeless once so maybe it's more personal to me.
If you're in a bigger town that has a Soup Kitchen and you have time to volunteer, do it! In exchange for 2 hours of helping the homeless/low income they'll feed you.
Yes, 2 hours can be a lot of time but just an option that I found appeasing to myself while on tour. I was homeless once so maybe it's more personal to me.
12-04-16 | 06:57 PM
#30
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Bikes: Marin Muirwoods Racked out for this years Tour, Norco Indi 4 racked out from last years tour, Giant Defi II for week-end ripps.
Slightly off topic but food related...
If you're in a bigger town that has a Soup Kitchen and you have time to volunteer, do it! In exchange for 2 hours of helping the homeless/low income they'll feed you.
Yes, 2 hours can be a lot of time but just an option that I found appeasing to myself while on tour. I was homeless once so maybe it's more personal to me.
If you're in a bigger town that has a Soup Kitchen and you have time to volunteer, do it! In exchange for 2 hours of helping the homeless/low income they'll feed you.
Yes, 2 hours can be a lot of time but just an option that I found appeasing to myself while on tour. I was homeless once so maybe it's more personal to me.
I will incorporate that once a week when on tour from now on. As I too was once on the receiving end of Community generosity.
To add to the thread:
Water is much more important to me. I have exhausted my supply a few times in my training treks, building up to my solo month long tour. I now carry 6 one liter bottles. Filling 2, 4, or all 6 in the morning dependant on the day ahead (ability to refill). I can struggle through being hungry for a day. I now carry a half dozen breakfast bars, and two cans of sardine's in the bottom of my front pannier.
-Snuts-
12-04-16 | 11:22 PM
#31
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Thank-you for the tip.
I will incorporate that once a week when on tour from now on. As I too was once on the receiving end of Community generosity.
To add to the thread:
Water is much more important to me. I have exhausted my supply a few times in my training treks, building up to my solo month long tour. I now carry 6 one liter bottles. Filling 2, 4, or all 6 in the morning dependant on the day ahead (ability to refill). I can struggle through being hungry for a day. I now carry a half dozen breakfast bars, and two cans of sardine's in the bottom of my front pannier.
-Snuts-
I will incorporate that once a week when on tour from now on. As I too was once on the receiving end of Community generosity.
To add to the thread:
Water is much more important to me. I have exhausted my supply a few times in my training treks, building up to my solo month long tour. I now carry 6 one liter bottles. Filling 2, 4, or all 6 in the morning dependant on the day ahead (ability to refill). I can struggle through being hungry for a day. I now carry a half dozen breakfast bars, and two cans of sardine's in the bottom of my front pannier.
-Snuts-
12-05-16 | 01:37 AM
#32
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Slightly off topic but food related...
If you're in a bigger town that has a Soup Kitchen and you have time to volunteer, do it! In exchange for 2 hours of helping the homeless/low income they'll feed you.
Yes, 2 hours can be a lot of time but just an option that I found appeasing to myself while on tour. I was homeless once so maybe it's more personal to me.
If you're in a bigger town that has a Soup Kitchen and you have time to volunteer, do it! In exchange for 2 hours of helping the homeless/low income they'll feed you.
Yes, 2 hours can be a lot of time but just an option that I found appeasing to myself while on tour. I was homeless once so maybe it's more personal to me.
12-05-16 | 06:17 AM
#33
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Water is much more important to me. I have exhausted my supply a few times in my training treks, building up to my solo month long tour. I now carry 6 one liter bottles. Filling 2, 4, or all 6 in the morning dependant on the day ahead (ability to refill). I can struggle through being hungry for a day.
Depending on where you are, a filter can be handy, especially these days since there are filters that weigh a couple ounces. I really liked having one on the Sierra Cascades route because there were ice cold mountain streams and the water in my bottles was hot in the 100+ heat. On the ST there was almost no surface water in the places where you would need it, so one wouldn't have been much use there. On the Trans America I took a filter and mailed it home because it wasn't needed.
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Pete in Tallahassee
Check out my profile, articles, and trip journals at:
https:/www.crazyguyonabike.com/staehpj1
12-05-16 | 06:58 AM
#34
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12-05-16 | 01:48 PM
#36
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Yep, you don't go far without water and water is heavy. Still, I take only two regular water bottles and maybe a small water bladder. I add capacity or remove it as needed by using empty sport drink or bottled water bottles. That way I only carry them when I actually need them. If there is a 100+ mile dry stretch I might have bottles in my bags and may also have my jersey pockets loaded with bottles
Depending on where you are, a filter can be handy, especially these days since there are filters that weigh a couple ounces. I really liked having one on the Sierra Cascades route because there were ice cold mountain streams and the water in my bottles was hot in the 100+ heat. On the ST there was almost no surface water in the places where you would need it, so one wouldn't have been much use there. On the Trans America I took a filter and mailed it home because it wasn't needed.
Depending on where you are, a filter can be handy, especially these days since there are filters that weigh a couple ounces. I really liked having one on the Sierra Cascades route because there were ice cold mountain streams and the water in my bottles was hot in the 100+ heat. On the ST there was almost no surface water in the places where you would need it, so one wouldn't have been much use there. On the Trans America I took a filter and mailed it home because it wasn't needed.
I have 3 cages on my bike and carry 2 water bottles. I like to leave the 3rd open for a sweet tea or Gatorade. Which can then be used to refill with water as you noted.
12-05-16 | 02:41 PM
#37
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From: Portland, OR
Usually 3 days worth, lightweight dinner/bfast options that pack small. I enjoy the process of setting up camp and cooking, taking my time and enjoying the 'camping'. It's not a means to an end, but a integral part of why I enjoy touring.
12-06-16 | 11:36 PM
#38
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From: Jasper Alberta
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Depends.
Most of the time I carry about a day worth of energy at any given moment as backup in fairly built up areas. Usually a couple of Snickers bars, salami, bananas etc
Have had to carry about a week worth a food a few times; not because food wasn't around but it becomes a pain in the butt to acquire . Small African villages tend to have nothing for sale but biscuits, baked beans and cola most of the time. Learned that the hard way; I would rather buy some nice food and carry it for a few days than eat nothing but baked beans again for 4 days straight.
I always enjoy reading about the tourist that go around in the desert sections in Australia; sometimes 30 days with no food supplies!
Most of the time I carry about a day worth of energy at any given moment as backup in fairly built up areas. Usually a couple of Snickers bars, salami, bananas etc
Have had to carry about a week worth a food a few times; not because food wasn't around but it becomes a pain in the butt to acquire . Small African villages tend to have nothing for sale but biscuits, baked beans and cola most of the time. Learned that the hard way; I would rather buy some nice food and carry it for a few days than eat nothing but baked beans again for 4 days straight.
I always enjoy reading about the tourist that go around in the desert sections in Australia; sometimes 30 days with no food supplies!
12-07-16 | 12:23 AM
#39
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A bag of rolled oats, a bag of nuts, a bag of raisins, a stack of tortillas, a block of cheese is about all I ever carry. The size of the bags depends on how long to the next resupply and what kind of bulk quantity I can buy. Often I carry little more than two meals worth.
12-07-16 | 07:45 AM
#40
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12-07-16 | 09:00 AM
#41
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From: New England
Bikes: Brompton M6R, Specialized Tricross Comp, Ellsworth Isis, Dahon Speed P8
With a BP background you can get really light - I'm running a single quick-release/backpackable pannier at ~20lbs/25L, incl ~6lbs of food and water.
12-07-16 | 03:08 PM
#42
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+1 - Outside of Wisconsin at least for me. The cheese and maple syrup in Vermont were great. Not to mention how beautiful Vermont was. Loved the covered bridges.
