Greetings

[mugs]

Hello everyone.
I am a touring newb but not a bike newb. I have been on the local racing circuit (Spokane Rocket Velo) for a few years and been an avid cyclist for 30 years now. I have been trying/wanting to a northern tier ride across America for about 22 years now (since I was 15 and read about it in one of my bike magizines)
I go by "mugs" because that is my trail name from backpacking and so I just use it on all my other backpacking and car forums. I am one of those crazy Ultralighter backpackers. My base weight (everything except food, fuel and water) is slightly less then 5 lbs. Yes you have read correctly And yes I am more then comfortable and stay nice and warm so don't flame me and trell me I am going to die and that it can't be done.
I plan on applying the same philosophy to my touring, expcept I will obviously augment some things out for more heavier items. Like my 4 ounce tarp for my 23 ounce fully enclosed tent, etc.
The one thing I have noticed is that the weights are heavy staring out...racks and panniers can weigh up to 8-10 ten pound empty so I will be working on getting that one figured out a bit more.
I have my next installment of vacation in the middle of march and would like to make that my first virgin run of touring. So if anybody nows of a decent 2-3 day ride from the Spokane area heading south (snow will still be north) please let me know.
In the mean time I am glad to have joined and will be lurking and absorbing all the info I can that way I don't post so many annoying newb questions..I know they get old on the forums I am on so I will try to be curtious to you all here as well.
Looking forward to "meeting" you all out there in touring land.

[JHamelman]

Hi mugs,

Welcome to bicycle touring! Have you seen this article on our site specifically about ultra light bicycle touring?

http://www.adventurecycling.org/features/ultralight.cfm

There is also a link in the upper right corner for a review of ultra light gear. Check it out, too.

For planning your Idaho adventure, you might want to check the Idaho Department of Transportation website. They have some resources there including a map that shows shoulder widths that you can use as a guide.

http://www.itd.idaho.gov/bike_ped/

Good luck and have fun!

.Jennifer.

[johnsondasw]

I have ridden south of Spokane in mid-March and had a great time.  We went from Dusty to Pullman then took the steep, windy road  from Pullman down to the Snake River.  From there, we followed the river to Lewiston, west over Alpowa Summit to Pomeroy, then back up to Dusty.  It was a combination of warm and cold experiences, lots of hills, and lots of fun.  It was about a 2.5 day trip.

Welcome to the PNW forum.

[mugs]

Hey thanks for the info, and the welcome. I might have to check out that trip you did. Sounds about like it would be ideal for me. Perhaps go from Spokane to Dusty and then on around and back. Or maybe Spokane hwy 27 down to Pullman and then to Lewiston. I love the road from Lewiston to Troy ore or to Joseph those are the "best-est" 

[johnsondasw]

Southeast Washington is one of our choices for early season bike trips due to its "banana belt" climate, for Washington  state, anyway.  I live on the east slopes of the Cascades where it's often still winter in March/April.  In the NW, we have to choose rides for part of the year based on both climactic averages and specific weather conditions.