cpblue

I recently completed a short tour through Texas and came up with these conclusions. My old camping gear weighs too much. Don't rely only on yahoo maps. Ride with a GPS. My loaded BOB trailer did not shake or shimmy going down hill even at speeds over 25 mph. I love dogs, but I don't know why they want to chase me. Traveling/camping alone for short periods of time is great. If the guy behind the counter doesn't know the major roads in his town, don't eat there. Most people wave to bike riders pulling a trailer.

Gotte

I learned not to rely on Microsoft autoroute maps (can we see a theme here?), and just go with the flow.
Oh, and not to forget the chapstick.

cyclezealot

Camping gear , ie tents should be under three pounds. I prefer riding with a group. Out in the wilderness group support might be helpful. Even if just a distraction for the racoons. My Yakima trailer did not shimmy on downhills, but it did sort of sway. Out in the country you find fewer motorists harassing cyclists; unless you are in an outback Nevada bar, then they think you a freak. They should talk.

BigBlueToe

Take your time to make a decent pillow. A stuff sack with t-shirts, jerseys, and shorts stuffed in makes for a lumpy, uncomfortable sleep. Carefully folding your towel, shirt, and fleece vest works better.

A folding water carrier (like a platypus) weighs next to nothing and makes for fewer trips to the faucet.

If you stop at a fast food place, grab a few packets of salt and pepper. This is also true for mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, wet naps, Splenda, sugar, etc.

Tabagas_Ru

All I can add is that you should always carry a good map with a compass, and know how to use them. I have never used a GPS, but if I had one I think that I would still want to carry a map, just in case.

sam21fire

Smile at absolutely everyone you encounter..ya never know when the person you scoweled at for their poor driving skills has the option of keeping their small grocery store open a few minutes later than normal when you're out of food.

jbpence

carry a spare folding tire, enough tire pacthes (especially in the southwest, goathead thorns go thru almost anything). Next time i'm trying tire liners. Flats come in clusters, sometimes two at once. Beware the dreaded pinch flat. I like motels before long hauls and big climbs, I sleep better. Never camp in Cassoday KS, there is a train every 30 minutes, and each one blows the horn 10 times over a 4 minute period. and the katy trail is pretty cool, but rolling on pavement is easier expecially after 225 miles of crushed limestone.

velo2000

Some Canadians gave me the plastic bladder from a box of wine. It made for a great pillow when put inside my sleeping bag stuff sack.