AdamDZ

It's Canon 40D with one 28-55mm lens and three batteries. I wish I could take a macro lens and a tripod too, but then like positron said I should start look at an RV

LOL, yeah, I'm 190lbs myself and this is my lowest weight in 10+ years! So me, my bike and my gear is more like 300 lbs Good thing I built those strong wheels! Actually, that's exactly why I built those wheels

a1rabbit

Heh, whats a macro lens and a mini tripod when you already have all that other stuff! I'll go against the grain and just say take em! haha.

Why three batteries though? Do the Cannons eat through a lot of power? My Nikon battery when I used to shoot a lot would last me a month. Does the 40D have real time LCD screen or something?

I'm also around 190lbs and hoping to do my first weekend tour as soon as I can afford my bike. Considering I just loaned over a grand to family I might have to wait longer than expected now. I just want to keep the bike load as low as I can.

AdamDZ

Obsessive Compulsive Shooter here I am capable of shooting several hundred shots in a single afternoon. One battery lasts around 500 shots. They're tiny, so the weight isn't a big deal.

AdamDZ

And few more





Cockpit



Camelbak mod:



My new saddle, B17 went bye, bye... no more torture. This is perfect, it has leather top and I wasn't thinking about my butt much for almost 150 miles:

lucille

As much as I'm in a "cut down on weight" crowd, I will take my dslr with me every time. With the three spare batteries, they're small and I don't have to worry about charging them. And at least one lens and usually gorilla tripod. Sometimes I will take a point and shoot too, as a back up... Can't help it.

AdamDZ

Yup. Riding a bike and shooting photos are my favorite pastimes, so combining them gives me great pleasure. Being on a day-long or multi-day ride without my DSLR would not be entirely a fulfilling and fun experience. I would see shot opportunities and regret that I don't have it with me.

a1rabbit

How do you like the horn? I'm looking at getting the same one, or similar.

I have those same rubber black rubber bands with the wooden dowels on them. Came with a photography kit. I have some bigger ones I like too with a round ball on the end. I forget what their called off the top of my head. Great items.

lucille

I agree 100%.

AdamDZ

The horn is good, really loud, good for cars or distracted pedestrians in the city, I also have one for commuting. Should be effective to scare dogs or other animals away as well. Although only about 5-6 long blows are really loud, then it gets softer as the pressure drops. And it has a Shrader valve, a bit annoying. I have to flip my RoadMorph head to pump it up.

Yeah, those bands (also forgot what they're called) are from a photo store, but they're so handy for many other things. Used here as "hand brakes"

noglider 

Having now seen the pictures of your bike, I can say you have too much stuff. I had a lot less than that when I toured for three months all by myself. I had a handlebar bag and panniers. I occasionally lashed things to my only rack (in the rear), but not always.

Maybe rather than subtracting things, you can add things. Start with nearly nothing and do a one- or two-night overnight. See what you're desperately missing, and add that on the next trip.

My three-month trip was in 1981, and here is what I remember carrying in my tool kit:

6" adjustable wrench
5mm alley key
6mm allen key
spoke wrench
bottle of oil
freewheel extractor
chain tool
three spare spokes, taped to frame
patch kit and spare tubular tires
screwdriver
pliers
cone wrenches

AdamDZ

I actually have less tools than that already

noglider 

OK, good. Anyway, you have lots of bags. Other than your photography gear, I don't think you'll need more than I had. I didn't bring any photography gear.

z90

Seems like you could lose the rope hanging from your front pannier and replace it with much thinner cord. What do you use it for? If you're hanging your food or using it for a clothesline it could be way thinner.

EDIT: Note to self: Read thread before posting...

AdamDZ

The biggest thing is the bear container. Everyone I know who camped in the Adirondacks says I should have one. In northern parts it's actually required. Hanging food is too much of a pain in the neck and often not quite effective. It's quite large and heavy, probably 10lbs when stuffed with food. I could rent one but then I'd have to bring it back to the same location which is unrealistic for a cyclists who keeps moving forward.

Yeah, the camera and the lens is another 10lbs, so it quickly adds up. I wasn't carrying food and camera I could cut over 20lbs easily.

I have front and rear panniers, handlebar bag and a tent besides that. The bags are not full, I have room to spare. On the pictures above I was on my last stretch to the campsite so I bought some extra water. The small bag on the top bar is handy for lip balm, change, etc.

I'm thinking that perhaps I can take just sandals and various socks. I may not have the need for sneakers at all.

AdamDZ

That's not rope, it's a steel cable/lock to lock the bike, sorry, not clear from the pictures. It's attached with a Velcro strap for quick access. I don't carry any rope since I have the bear container and I just have a few feet of thin rope (like the one use for guy lines) to serve as clothesline.

Neil_B

Get a pair of Crocs. So much lighter.

BTW, nice saddle. My B-17 is pain-inducing in the same way yours was, so you've given me an idea. Thanks.

AdamDZ

I have a pair of Columbia sandals that are already worn-in. With only two weeks to go it's too late for any new footwear.

This is WTB Laser V SLT saddle. The shape of their Laser saddles suits me well, they're my favorite saddles. Oh, actually I rode back wearing unpadded tights all day, no problems, no discomfort and no issues the next day.

njkayaker

That's an impressive amount of stuff. (I'm not sure if I mean that in a good way!!)

It is encouraging that you didn't fill the panniers. It's not clear why you couldn't stuff the bladder in a pannier pocket.

AdamDZ

The panniers are not full at all, plenty of space for food and extra bottles of water.

ballistic

There's a smiley face on your raspberry fan wrapper.

AdamDZ

LOL! Now I see it too! Ha ha ha!

pardonme

What route did you use to get to the campground in Harriman?

AdamDZ

I took Route 9W from GWB to Stony Point then West on Gate Hill Road. Last few miles is a constant climb though.

Here are my thoughts on taking the NYS Bicycle Route #9 versus riding straight up the Route 9W. Here is the link to the whole journal from that ride:

https://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/AdamsTrainingRide01

Adam