As some of you may know I'm preparing for my first tour in May. I think I have all I need. I've gone through the "Tips and Tricks" and "Pictures of your loaded rigs" as well as tons of other posts here and Journals on CGOAB, so I think I'm pretty well prepared.

Except for one thing. How do I load up my bike properly? I saw all the pictures I could find but there is um... huge variety

Any general tips then?

It's a Kona Sutra 58 cm frame with a rear rack, front low riders and a small front Axiom platform above the front rack is coming. My panniers are, unfortunately, one big pocket (Axiom Typhoon and Monsoon), I'll have a large handlebar bag too and I've got Sea To Summit medium compression sacks. 5lbs REI tent, that's quite compact, no problem here. I can't afford better panniers right now so I'll have to do with these.

Few things I gathered so far:

- Distribute the weight between front and rear like 30%-70%,

- Balance sides, well kind of obvious,

- Keep food and toiletries in the same pannier(s), so only those will smell of food etc. and they can be hang from a tree,

- Cargo nets are better than single bungee cords, although still can be combined

- Keep heavy things low and close to the center of the bike/bottom bracket.

Any more tips?

For instance, the sleeping pad is large but light, so how do you pack it to prevent it from being a problem in windy situations?

Does anyone carry water in one Camelback bladder or dromedary bag or just water bootles scattered across the bags? Is it worth trying to mount a Camelback bladder (insulated Unbottle) on the rack of a regular 700cc bike? I know that on a recumbents or BigDummy it's often a preferred solution.

I will, of course, go on at least two short testing rides before embarking on the tour that may take 2-3 weeks.

Oh, almost forgot I've started a journal too!

Thanks!

Allow this to be your guide. Nothing better than experience. You've already pretty much answered your own questions.

I keep all of my kitchen gear and food in the smaller front panniers.Tent in one rear pannier sleeping bag in the other and dissperse my clothes between the two rear panniers.Sleeping pad gets lashed to the top of the rack.

Try a few ways to pack at home before you head out on your practise trips and keep notes how things work for you.Make changes as needed everybody packs a little different but you will figure out what works best for you before long.

I'll definitely will but if anything crosses your mind, do post

Adam

I'm more of a 50/50 loader...

Tent,pad,stove,sleeping bag and cooking stuff... all up front. Everything else in back. Small items I use while riding go in my bar bag. The reason I answered the way I did is... you will find what works best for you. The only real good answer is to keep you load low like you already mentioned. Have fun adjust as you go. All my stuff goes in the same way every single tour. This way I'm not searching for stuff I need.

kyakdiver

I know that we're all different individuals but it's good to read about others' experiences. I may not do things the way you do, but sometime along the route I may remember something you've said that is suddenly useful, it may solve a new problem that I haven't dealt with before.

For instance, I at least scan most posts in the Bike Mechanics forum, even if they don't directly apply to my situation. Some tips can pop out of my subconsciousness later when needed.

I'm sure the same applies to camping, loading your bike, packing your stuff. I've learned so much here during only few months that it amazes me. If I post a thread asking for info or help I read all responses and I do take all advice to heart. I learned that a long ago that something may not seem relevant at the time but it's good to have it logged somewhere in the back of your mind, never know when you need it

So, something new came up here: two posters already said that they keep food and kitchen stuff in the front panniers. And that reminded me that indeed I've read that somewhere before. So here I have another tip to add to my list!

Thanks!

For instance, the sleeping pad is large but light, so how do you pack it to prevent it from being a problem in windy situations?

I put mine inbetween the bars.

Yay, mine is larger

I bought the small one to fit there.

Looks like I may try to mount it vertically behind one of the rear panniers. It's the longest thing I have.

I should have build a Big Dummy

A.

Don't know what else has to fit on top of your rear rack, but the sleeping pad and tent could both go on there with the long dimension lined up with the bike so they'd be in your wind shadow.

For water I usually just carry two or three bottles in holders on the frame and also have a lightweight 'Water Bag' that's a double-layer plastic bag inside nylon fabric. The Water Bag is normally carried empty and folded inside a pannier, but can hold over a gallon of water when needed. Handy for use in campgrounds where the water spigot is some distance from my tent site or for crossing areas without many water sources.

Seated on the bike,

Front right = kitchen
Front left - food
Rear right - clothes
Rear left - tent
Rack - Pad and sleeping bag in 10 x 20 compression sack
Small top tube bag, no bar bag
Balance is about 60/40, rear/front, 30-35 lbs sans water.

In the summer, there is plenty of room in the panniers, Axiom, for extra food and water. Of course, there are lots of misc items not listed.

I haven't seen this posted yet and haven't tried it myself, but plan to - Using ziplock compression sacks for clothes and individual items within panniers. Here is a video of a world traveler (walking not biking) of packing all his bits - https://tynan.net/how-to-pack-everyth...n-in-a-28l-bag

In general, I'd say you already know most things and as others have said, you'll find the right way for yourself with a little experience.

We do have some tips on packing panniers for touring and I would say our weight is more 40% in front and 60% in back.

I'm a big fan of categorization on a long trip - so kitchen stuff in one bag, clothes in another, tools in another. On a short trip, I don't take enough bags to break things down by pannier but I do try to have an order and stick to it so I know that something can always be found in the same place.

What avatar said...

You'll start out trying one way, then, after a few days / weeks you'll find that everything is suddenly in it's logical position (logical for YOU, that is).
We ended up having most things categorized (like avatar), and probably a 40/60 front/back distribution, although we never measured it.
one thing you MUST try: keep left/right pretty close to 50/50... that makes a HUGE difference in ride quality.

Hi,

I'm 40-60% loader.
Balancing the sides is important - specially full loaded

In the front panniers I have: tools, kitchen, food.
Toiletries (expect of toilet paper) I transport in the back panniers. In back panniers I transport only things which I need at the end of a day (tent, cloths, books,...)

the thing with the tree doesn't work for me: 1. I don't find a suitable tree, 2. Throwing the rope over a branch failed all time. [I stored my panniers 100m beside my tent if I camp stealth]

I use bungee cords. They are easier to mont. Nets are more flexible.

Regarding the camel bag: On countries with expect more 40°C I use the camel bag backpack. It's isolated and the water remains fresh the whole day - bottles heat up in 1-2 hours.

Some things you get very quick. Eg: Warm cloths, Toilet paper, ready to eat food, rain gear, Guide book, camera (otherwise you won't use them, or you start using them if it's too late)

My sleeping pad is packed - so it don't get wet. Never had problems with packed luggage and wind. Only if I have to search my rain gear in a thunderstorm if it moves down in my back panniers cause I had weeks of good wheather before.

Thomas

Thomas

I like to have lots of small lengths of tent guy line. Very useful for all sorts of stuff.

I like both bungees and cargo nets, but with bungees I prefer multi-hook units like this: https://www.jackstoolshed.com/index/p...2+Hook-to-Hook

If your tent or backpack or pillow or anything else that you're putting on the back rack has a drawstring-type loop, run your bungee cord through the loop so that if the tent (etc) weasels its way out on the ride it will be connected to the bike and you'll know. Nothing worse than having to back-track for a tent that decided to quietly squirm out on you.

I don't like Camelbacks. The last thing I need is an object hanging on my back, creating a sweat point.

Otherwise, like others have said, you seem to have done your homework and are a heck of a lot better prepared than I was on my first tour. Bon voyage!

I don't worry exactly what the front/rear balance is, but do put more dense items in the front and/or low. Balance side to side, I kind of keep in mind but don't take great pains to balance. It isn't a big deal as long as you are in the ballpark.

I keep things grouped by when I need them. For example, I can pitch the tent and have my sleeping gear ready by opening one pannier. Clothes are all together except ones left out for quick access (those are usually under a pannier flap). I split clothes in zip-locks separated as clean, worn but can be worn again, and filthy must be washed before use.

I personally like panniers with only one big compartment rather than a lot of pockets. I then organize stuff within them using large zip-locks.

You preferences will probably be different and trial and error will find what works best for you.

https://www.cycletourer.co.uk/cycleto.../packing.shtml

...rather than make a new thread, i'll post here since it's in the same vein. i've been researching what panniers to buy, and i seem to have decided to go with some from axiom, but i don't know how much space i actually need. i was thinking Axiom Champlain (65L, 3667 cubic inches) for the rear, and Axiom Kootenays (30L, 1830 cubic inches) in the front for extended touring. is that enough room? way too much? how big are the panniers you folk are using to pack the things mentioned in these prior posts? not trying to hijack the thread, it just seemed like a proper place for the question...

Thanks all. Thanks for the links. I won't quote individual responses, it'll make for a long post, but there are some great ideas here:

- compress soft stuff in ziplock bags
- sleeping pad will go along the rack (along the bike length)
- front panniers: food and kitchen stuff
- organizing stuff by category/usage
- take a small bowl!
- having separate bags for clothes that are worn but usable and for the toxic stuff

I don't want to carry anything on my back. I mentioned a Camelbak Unbottle which is is bladder inside an insulated bag with attach hooks to either install it inside any other backpack or strap on top of something else. It looks like I may be able to modify it a bit to strap it to the downtube with the tube coming up and attached to my handlebar, that'd be awesome. This way I'll also have room for a medium size triangle bag.

I have the older version that looks like this:



I'm thinking about sewing two or three wide compressions straps to the outer shell, it's removable. Three would prevent bouncing. The strap at the top would go around the head tube to prevent it from sliding. I'll experiment with this and post my results. My only concern is that it may be too wide. Other option would be to hang it from the top tube so it'll stretch itself narrow, but then I'd lose space for the triangle bag. The top tube is slanted enough to allow proper water flow: the tube is attached at the bottom, the opposite side from the mouth.

I'll put the sleeping pad, tent, blankets, pillow, etc. inside the Sea To Summit dryscaks. I want to be waterproof as much as possible. I know from my hiking trips that getting your stuff wet can ruin your trip or at least make it miserable.

Thanks

That's all right. I already had the Axiom Monsoon and Typhoon panniers. I bought them for commuting and utility/shopping errands. My main reasons to get those: they are really waterproof and inexpensive for what you get. I commuted by bike all Winter, in rain, snow, sludge, being splashed by trucks and buses none of my stuff ever got wet. I don't want to stop and worry about finding my rain covers when it suddenly starts pouring.

If I had extra money I'd got for the top of the line Arkel stuff. I really like them.

I tried a bike-mounted Camelbak for about five minutes before scrapping it. Every time you get on and off the bike, you have have to fuss with the tube, and if you forget about it, you get clotheslined. Bottles and cages work a lot better. Unless it's extraordinarily hot or desolate, two large bottles is fine. If I need extra water, I either lash a Platypus (takes up almost zero space when empty) to my rack, or buy a couple 20 oz Gatorade bottles and distribute them in the front panniers. Some people use the cage under the downtube. I've never bothered, but if you do the trick is to either use a bottle with a covered spout, or unscrew and pour from the mouth of the bottle into a clean one. It gets pretty gross down there.

Looking at your equipment list, it looks way, way too much. Figure out now what you're going to send home after the first week, and leave it behind at the start.

For example ...

Everything should serve multiple purposes. You don't need both tights and long underwear. If you need long underwear, use the tights.

Don't take both sneakers and sandles. Pick one.

Forget the gorilla glue. You most likely won't need to fix your panniers. If you do, use the duct tape or buy the gorilla glue somewhere along the way. Remeber that you're not in the jungle. There will be stores along the way.

Forget the cone wrenches. Adjust your hubs before you start. Even if you do need the cone wrenches, do you really need four sizes?

Forget the cable cutters. The leatherman has some wire cutters which can do a crude job. Stop at the next bike shop for a cleaner cut.

Forget spare AA batteries. You can buy these anywhere.

Two knives plus the Leatherman? Isn't that way overkill?

You're packing too much food. Buy as you go.

A Thermos?

Be ruthless now with your list to save trouble later.

Yeah, I'm skipping the thermos since I can boil water at any time. LOL, yeah the knives, he he he I have small knife and small LED light fetish But I agree, the list is preliminary and it'll get shorter. I heard from some people that in the Adirondack park, where I'm going bike shops are rare and I may go a day without finding a grocery store. But I agree that cone wrenches are probably not needed. The hubs are brand new XT, shouldn't have any problems.

However, I just received detailed maps of the park and I will save locations of towns that have bike shops as well as grocery shopping. So I agree with your points.

Great advice, thanks a lot!

BTW, re: knives, the Leatherman is useful for all it's little tools but as a knife it's no very comfortable, so I'll most likely still carry the Swiss Army Knife for peeling fruit, etc. It's the light, simple model with only two blades and can/bottle openers without the usual gazillion gadgets associated with Swiss Army Knives