Riding Southern tier with load

[bicyclerider]

I'm looking for some guidance here.
I've ridden the souther tier solo but want to ride with the group next year (2007)
I pulled a bob trailer and was reading a liitle about preparing for the trip and saw this quote
"On self-contained tours, you'll carry between 30 and 45 pounds, including food and cooking equipment"
Is this the combined weight of what I carry for my own personal needs plus this 30  to 45 pounds?
I carried at least 2 gallons of water (16 lbs) plus the rest of my personal items.
the bob weighs about ? empty.
I know it all adds up and I want to be in a lite riding position. Any ideas or previous trips taken with a weighed out packing list of items?

[TheDaltonBoys]

bicyclerider - the BoB YaK (no suspension) weighs 12 lbs/6 kgs empty, and the IbeX (suspension) weighs 17 lbs/8.5 kgs empty. These are "factory" weights with their stock tire. Regards.....Mark of the Dalton Boys

[driftlessregion]

You can only carry so much so I think they mean the total you will carry, period. Your stuff, shared group stuff etc. That's a wide range: 30-45#. I've seen people at on the same tour at both ends of the range and they each were happy. The lightweight was happy because he was light, the guy with [more than] 45# was happy because he had his laptop, huge camera, and more variety in his wardrobe. It's all very personal- unless you can't haul it up over the mountains.

[bicyclerider]

my thoughts exactly. I was pulling around 28 lbs with just the weight of the trailer and 2 gallons of water.
So as the gear loads in this next time , a tent with a weight of 5 lbs that adds up to 33 lbs.
Of course I will have to decide what is comfort and what isn't for clothing.  Everyone has diffrent ideas.
previously I decided that 3 changes is enough encluding one additional pair of riding shoes. 1 tire and 4 tubes. pump and mule waterbag. it all weighed in around 50 lbs.
Has anyone come across a list a rider has posted to compare and discuss??

Jean Andre Vallery
www.bicyclejournals.net
Sarasota Florida