fietsbob

Less stuff, more washing at night.

have someone to mail your extra stuff to.. if you over stock "necessities"..

TheDazed

I just went over to walmart and bought some all polyester socks, boxers and a shirt for cycling in.. I was rolling with all cotton, but everyone here said stay away from it.

worldtraveller

Hello there. Let me know when you are passing through Thunder Bay, Ontario, cheers

sstorkel

20+18 = 38lbs total - 23.5lbs of clothes = 14.5lbs of spare parts, tools, camping gear, and food? I think I took more stuff than that on my last credit card tour!

TheDazed

Not including the food. But yeah, my camping kit is pretty ultralight.

Machka 

And when are you planning to reach the Rockies?

TheDazed

mid-september

Machka 

You might be all right as far as snow goes, but it is not unusual for it to have started snowing by then. When you reach Calgary, check the weather ahead, and at that point you might want to buy some heavier clothes.

staehpj1

I have a hard time imagining someone who would take 23.5 pounds of clothes having that little total gear load. If you do I have to say that I am very surprised. What are you counting and what are you not counting? Personally I typically count panniers and handlebar bag, their contents, and any gear that is strapped on the rack.

Just about any panniers I have seen weigh at least 6 pounds for 4 panniers and some are twice that or more. Assuming you have a handlebar bag, that adds up to 30 pounds or more for just bags and clothes. Does your tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, cook set, tools, camera, wallet, phone, book, tools, and spare parts weigh in at 8.5 pounds?

If possible, it is nice to have someone at home that can mail you stuff or accept stuff you want to mail home. The postal service and general delivery is a big help in adjusting the load up or down.

In any case have a great trip.

TheDazed

The weight of the bags themselves is included in the weights I'm giving.
I didn't count my seat post bag which is a few pounds of tools and stuff. and the 23 pounds on the front wasn't just clothes actually, it includes the 4 pannier covers, my first aid stuff, 2 spare disc brake rotors and a flashlight and some food, and I've got it down to 15.6 lbs after removing some things. My handlebar bag isn't more than 3-4 lbs right now. That's my phone, a few knives, wallet, lip balm, bear mace, TP, glasses, sunglasses and sunscreen. So say 20 on the front fork right now. I took it out for a ride and it doesn't feel very good steering with more weight than that.

My back bags weigh in at 22.2 lb now. That's the hammock, sleeping bag, bike cover, maps, coffee maker, coffee, metal cup, wash cloth, towel, kryptonite lock, soap and deodorant, tooth brush and paste, solar panel, most of the food I plan on carrying, an extra full water bottle, bike pump, KFS, my "warm layer" clothes and various other odds and ends. One of the rear panniers is a little less than half full, and the water filter will be going in there, which is a lifesaver bottle which is rather large but very light. I'll probably toss a good size bag of rice in there too, and that'll be my total load.

My friend is carrying the jetboil which we'll use for cooking. As for plates and stuff we'll take a stack of paper ones from the dollar store.

Also I'm pretty sure I mentioned that my original clothes list looked pretty much like what everybody else quoted me here. I only added more stuff when my friend who has done more long distance touring than me said I should have more clothes and fill the front bags with them. I told him I received some great mocking here for that and he said we're just stronger than you guys.

Also we stealth camp every night and your clothes get pretty dirty and stained and burned, and there's stretches of northern ontario where we'll only see a tiny town every 2-3 days.

Machka 

**********

Have you done some "stealth camping" in preparation for this trip?

I have done a bit of "stealth camping", and my clothing didn't get pretty dirty and stained and burned. Why would they?


Your list didn't have much in the way of outer wear and you haven't mentioned it in subsequent posts ... what are you carrying in the way of helmet cover, booties, gloves, jackets, rain pants, etc.?

njkayaker

Ship the extra clothing there.

TheDazed

So I've been living in Victoria for a month now and I just remembered this thread and thought I'd conclude it here. The tour was great, best experience of my life, and I didn't have any problems with gear really. We were all a little heavier than the posters in this thread suggested, but it was okay because you get stronger as you go, and once we were out of Ontario it was all downhill anyway. There sure were some good climbs north of superior though.
My raleigh sojourn performed admirably, didn't even get a flat until Vancouver.
Thanks for the advice everybody.

dwmckee

I carry about that TOTAL weight including camping equipment, water, fuel and tools. Here is what I'd do based on your list:

-7 tshirts - I carry total of 3 synthetic t shirts (Columbia Titanium) that can be used for riding and off bike around town and even a cool weather base layer.
-3 sleeveless shirts - I skip these because I want the sun protection and just use the shirts above
-8 pairs of socks - I carry 4 pairs total because they are light but 3 is really adequate
-6 pairs of boxer shorts = I carry 3 pairs briefs
-1 pair jeans - Forget it. Too heavy and bulky and not warm. Use the nylon pants if cold. I sometimes carry a pair of thin Hot Chillys long underwear that are like spandex tights. They are emergency pants and can be layered under nylom pants if cold or worn alone while biking in AM cool air. Rolled up they are smaller than a fist.
-1 pair athletic shorts - Okay if you cannot stand wearing bike shorts after riding.
-1 light hooded sweater - bring a mid=weight fleece pullover that I can layer with other stuff
-1 pair quickdry pants with zip-off legs - YES
-3 long sleeve warmish shirts - I just use the fleece pullover and layer other stuff above. Maybe bring just one if expecting cool weather.
-2 pairs cargo shorts - Maybe bring 1 if you do not bring athletic shorts.
-2 pairs cycling shorts - I bring 3 usually
-1 toque - Not sure what that is.
-a very light thin long sleeved shirt and pants for a base layer - You already have these above so why bring more?

I also bring a very thin nylon windbreaker to layer with (wear it almost every morning when I start out), and a Gortex rainshell, but many would probably not carry both...
I basically plan to do laundry about every 3 days and can get by an extra day or handwash something in a pinch if I have to and throw it on top of a pannier to dry while riding.

dwmckee

I carry about that TOTAL weight including camping equipment, water, fuel and tools. Here is what I'd do based on your list:

-7 tshirts - I carry total of 3 synthetic t shirts (Columbia Titanium) that can be used for riding and off bike around town and even a cool weather base layer.
-3 sleeveless shirts - I skip these because I want the sun protection and just use the shirts above
-8 pairs of socks - I carry 4 pairs total because they are light but 3 is really adequate
-6 pairs of boxer shorts = I carry 3 pairs briefs
-1 pair jeans - Forget it. Too heavy and bulky and not warm. Use the nylon pants if cold. I sometimes carry a pair of thin Hot Chillys long underwear that are like spandex tights. They are emergency pants and can be layered under nylom pants if cold or worn alone while biking in AM cool air. Rolled up they are smaller than a fist.
-1 pair athletic shorts - Okay if you cannot stand wearing bike shorts after riding.
-1 light hooded sweater - bring a mid=weight fleece pullover that I can layer with other stuff
-1 pair quickdry pants with zip-off legs - YES
-3 long sleeve warmish shirts - I just use the fleece pullover and layer other stuff above. Maybe bring just one if expecting cool weather.
-2 pairs cargo shorts - Maybe bring 1 if you do not bring athletic shorts.
-2 pairs cycling shorts - I bring 3 usually
-1 toque - Not sure what that is.
-a very light thin long sleeved shirt and pants for a base layer - You already have these above so why bring more?

I also bring a very thin nylon windbreaker to layer with (wear it almost every morning when I start out), and a Gortex rainshell, but many would probably not carry both...
I basically plan to do laundry about every 3 days and can get by an extra day or handwash something in a pinch if I have to and throw it on top of a pannier to dry while riding.

staehpj1

Glad you had a good trip!

imi

One T-shirt, shorts, underwear and socks to ride in.

One T-shirt, long pants, underwear and socks for camp.

Thin windproof jacket and running tights, rain jacket and pants, waterproof gloves and socks for riding in and/or camp

I'll take another windproof jacket to double up if it gets cold. Gets any colder I'll buy a fleece jersey along the way.
Basically no bike specific clothing.
My t-shirts, underwear and socks are all COTTON! Yeah! Rock on cotton! Damn industry trying to sell t-shirts for $100!

TheDazed

Thanks dude, it was great.

tombomb

how much did this weigh, please? i couldn't find it in the article.

mev

I've heard the optimal is to carry three socks. Two of them you wear on your feet and the third soaks in your water bottle. Each day rotate the clean sock from water bottle to left foot, the left sock to right foot and the right sock to the water bottle.

mhoyle

Glad you had a good trip, man. I'm sure that was a great one.

Tourist in MSN

Is this your only water bottle?

BigBlueToe

Everyone's packing list is different. We all struggle with comfort vs. weight. I've learned that I can put up with a little funkiness to save weight, but I don't like to be cold. I also vary my list depending on where I go. If I'm touring in the Rockies in summer I prepare for real cold - it can be over 100 degrees, but it can also snow.

I carry several lightweight things and layer them if it gets cold.

For riding I carry three jerseys, three pairs of bike shorts, a high-vis windbreaker, and a pair of tights. I could get by with two kits, but they're light, and with three (which I wear at least twice before considering washing) I can go longer before laundry day.

I carry two poly-pro, longsleeve shirts - one light weight and one medium. I can wear either or both, depending on conditions. I can wear either or both while riding on a cold morning. I bring a fleece vest. It helps keep my trunk warm. I find the two polypro shirts are good enough for my arms. I save weight by bringing a fleece vest, as opposed to a jacket.

For my lower half, I bring two pairs of shorts - one really lightweight pair of running shorts, and one almost-as-light pair of "water shorts" - cargo style, fast drying. Occasionally I find a place where I can go for a swim. It's nice to have a dry pair of shorts to sleep in. Both pairs of shorts have mesh shorts sewn in, so I don't bring underwear. I also bring a pair of warm, fleece sweatpants. I know they're not what most people would bring, but I like them. They're comfy and warm. I went on one tour without them, substituting some lightweight, camping-style pants with zip-off legs, but I missed my sweats. When I wear them under my rain pants, I'm pretty darn warm!

I also bring rain pants and a rain jacket (with a zip-off hood). When it gets cold, I wear them as an outer layer. They really hold the warmth in!

I have a small, fleece stocking cap I wear at night. It keeps my head warm when it's cold (I sleep with it on) and it doesn't weigh much.

When I'm going to higher elevations I bring some long-sleeve, waterproof, winter, riding gloves. On a cold, wet ride they're invaluable!

I bring a couple pairs of shorty socks, and one pair of regular-length socks.