I haven't put my pack list to test yet, but I'm pretty close to that with a few exceptions. One is for some extra clothing for colder than expected weather and the other is for 2 sets of off bike clothing - wash one set every afternoon and wear the other.

I almost always tour alone. I always worry - about flats, broken spokes, bears, not being able to find a campsite, not being able to buy groceries, not being able to find water, etc. The thing I've learned, and it becomes more clear with each trip, is that I can handle things; none of my worries ever amount to much. Now I just go and feel confident I'll be all right. Of course, I use a mirror, keep a sharp eye out, wear a Road ID, etc. But I worry much less.

Take all the advice you can, make all the plans, take every precaution, and then just go. I'll bet you have the time of your life.

unless you get eaten by a bear

Take the road less traveled, even if it is less paved. I would rather have a few extra thousands of feet of climbing than one too-close pass by a motorist. The direct route is for the car-bound. Carry some off-road tires, a water filter and leave the pavement behind.

Pack quick energy snack foods!

:lol: ^djb

If you stop at a farm stand and buy fresh fruit, eat it right away. Don't try to save it for later. Especially peaches.

live with less.

(thankyou yokev and blue toe for bearing with my bad sense of humour)

Always carry zip ties and a bottle of cheap red wine.

No matter where you go .. There You Are . :beer:

Just something to consider... I thought the same thing, but did not find it to be the case in practice.

Clothes are an area where weight can add up pretty quickly. My experience is that the off bike clothes, really don't need to be washed often at all since I mostly wear them lounging around in camp, so I find one set plenty. A pair of running shorts with a built in brief weigh only a few ounces and will serve to wear while washing clothes, as sleepwear, as swim wear, and even as underwear if you feel the need for underwear.

For colder weather clothing... Remember three things:
1. You can layer all of your on and off bike clothes at once in a pinch.
2. You can typically buy a sweater, long underwear, thick socks, or what ever just about anywhere you go if the weather is not what you expected.
3. A windproof outer layer goes a long way toward keeping you warm. Some really lightweight coated nylon rain pants and jacket serve very well in this function.

A thin cap that cap and a pair of long fingered gloves are a must if cold is likely, but if it gets cold and you don't have any then plastic bags do surprisingly well as substitutes until you can acquire a real hat and gloves.

One difference here is that I'll be staying in hotels and will want to look 'normal' when off the bike while sightseeing and dining after we cleaned up for the day. As such, I want clean and presentable clothes. That being said, it only means an extra tshirt and pair of lightweight boxers. I have a lightweight shell that will work for extra cool nights off the bike goofing around in town and can be used if it gets too cold on the bike one day. This is a summertime European trip, so I don't expect anything super cold, and if something bizarre happens with the weather, I'll go shopping. Really trying to avoid packing for "what if" situations and instead am focusing on what I really expect to need.

Learn how to read a map, and take a decent orienteering or hiking compass, such as a Silva. You will be surprised how lost you can get in a flat, featureless town or city, or come to a fork or junction in the road that makes you uncertain which one to take.

Rely less on battery-hungry devices and more on your ingenuity, knowledge, skills and common sense.

Be prepared to package up and send home stuff in the first week that will become very obvious you don't need.

And I, too, advocate practising with overnight and weekend tours (even day ones) to find out how you handle your load and how to do things like erect a tent and cook a meal (if that is what you wish to do). Trips like that help you sort out your daily routines -- getting up, packing up, setting up.

Drink your coffee black and you can always get it the way you want it.

spare batteries and bulbs

Okay, I always wonder about that! I have two sets of tires. A pare of slick Armadillo's and some cross tires. I like the slicks for most paved riding, even slightly rough terrain but I wondered if it would be worthwhile to take the cross tires for some off the beaten path rough riding. So I assume you carry spare tires? What do you do? Just strap them down with some bungee cords?

Maybe it is too obvious, but my best tip would be to make sure your bike fits you, and is comfortable for long rides. +1 to the mirror too.

^That.

And open up on the 'ol comfort zone. Be ready and willing to meet new folks and experiences. It's the best part of bike touring.

Unless you are a loner or know you prefer to tour alone, you might consider a good compatable tour partner. Share the experiences, the pleasures, the pain, and the expenses of a long tour.

what's the best way to find a touring partner? i've pitched the idea to all my friends and i've yet to find a taker

Y'know... I'd say forget it. Riding with strangers has a pretty good chance of not working out, in my experience, so if you're friends aren't lining up and asking if they can join you, just go by yourself. A partner that isn't working out sucks the joy out of the experience. If you ride one of the common "routes" like the ACA TransAm or Pacific Coast, you may find people to ride with for a day or a week, or you may not. I never thought this would be true, but touring by yourself can be *more* social, because everyone wants to talk to you, and you are motivated to meet new people, whereas if you are with a partner, you can easily end up interacting with just your partner, and missing out on exploring the human landscape you are riding through.

You could try posting here:http://www.adventurecycling.org/mag/companions.cfm or over at crazyguyonabike.com

Good question, and with no good answer...Like Valygrl stated, it's a crap shoot with strangers. My last ride I ran into a group of five, where only two had ever ridden together before. They had basically come together through the ACA companions list. At Berea they bounced one of the members and by west Missouri they had split into two and two. I rode with them for a few days, they were great people, but clearly their group had some issues.

The ride can most certainly be done solo, and if you're riding on an established route such as the TransAM, you will meet and ride with dozens of others. You just might end up riding with a few for most of a trip and have a great time. If things aren't going well in those times of opportunity, you have no obligation to stay with them.

My observation was that folks I met on the TA who started with partners other than family or close friends had mostly split on less than amicable terms. Some of the ones who started with a close friend split with hard feelings. I'd just start out alone unless you have an obvious option for a partner.

On the TA it was pretty easy to meet folks to hang out with in camp or have lunch with or whatever and we made some good friends who we bumped into repeatedly on the trip. We didn't ride with any of them though, but probably could have.