Author Topic: Touring weight (Read 20107 times)

knolltop · « **on:** February 25, 2011, 06:14:57 pm »

Wellllll, finally got around to weighing my gear list. Ughhhh!

According to the Wii ..............
Bike, including racks & empty water bottles 33.5
Gear, not including water & daily food 46.9
Total 80.4

I was hoping to be at 40 or less on the gear.

Not sure where to go from here, but it's good to vent!

John Nelson · « **Reply #1 on:** February 25, 2011, 09:45:59 pm »

That's perhaps a bit above the median, but not really very far. You should be okay. Don't stress it if you can't prune farther. Having said that, I'm sure you can prune farther if you want. Without even knowing what your list is, I'm guessing you could eliminate some clothes.

knolltop · « **Reply #2 on:** February 26, 2011, 05:37:04 pm »

John,

OK, ya'll are welcometo have a go at my clothes list .............

My tour begins 06/01. Basic route is TA from Eugene to Yellowstone, get up to NT & take it to Manitowoc, WI, NL across MI & Ontario, back on NT around Niagara Falls continuing on it to Conway NH, and down Atlantic to Boston.

Street clothing ..........
   1 short sleeve polypro t
   1 long sleeve poly pullover t
   1 zip-off pants
   1 underwear

Warm weather riding clothing .........
   1 short sleeve jersey (also wearing 1)
   1 cycling shorts (also wearing 1)
   2 smart wool cycling socks (also wearing 1)

Rain weather wear ..........
   1 set rain jacket/pants
   helmet cover
   sealskinz socks
   full finger gloves

Cool/cold weather wear ..........
   windbreaker jacket
   arm/leg wamers
   merino wool sock cap
   merino wool sweater

staehpj1 · « **Reply #3 on:** February 26, 2011, 06:07:24 pm »

Quote from: knolltop on February 26, 2011, 05:37:04 pm

John,

OK, ya'll are welcometo have a go at my clothes list .............

I won't nit pick your list in detail. It doesn't look that bad. I will say this though...

The items you choose can vary pretty widely in weight so some weight can be in the specific items you choose. Some zip off pants can be extremely heavy and some pretty light. All of the ones I find at REI and places like that are both too heavy and too expensive to suit me. I use some really lightweight and inexpensive nylon ones (http://www.basspro.com/World-Wide-Sportsman-Hybrid-Angler-Pants-for-Men/product/10210017/-1756810) that have a built in brief so no underwear is needed.

The rain gear can be heavy or you can use some light coated nylon stuff, the kind that stuff in a little bag and weigh a few ounces. I think mine are Sierra Designs. The rain jacket and windbreaker are redundant so the rain jacket is my windbreaker. Depending on when and where I am going I may leave the pants home.

I only take one long sleeved shirt and it is a pile sweater. It is used on and off bike.

I don't use the sealskins or arm warmers and don't care for wool, but that is just personal preference.

I take some light nylon running shorts. I take two pairs if I think I will swim at all on the trip. They are used to sleep in, to wear around camp, and to swim in.

John Nelson · « **Reply #4 on:** February 26, 2011, 06:59:19 pm »

I think you've done an excellent job pruning your list. I agree with Pete that the rain jacket and windbreaker are redundant. I have a very light pair of nylon zip-off pants (from REI). They are so light, in fact, that I never feel the need to zip them off, even on hot days and the extra length keeps the bugs off my legs.

Rather than take a separate pair of full-finger gloves, I just take some polypro liners that go under my short-finger gloves.

Check out polyester underwear. It sounds yucky at first, but it's surprisingly comfortable and it dries much faster than cotton when you wash them in a sink.

staehpj1 · « **Reply #5 on:** February 27, 2011, 10:56:45 am »

Quote from: John Nelson on February 26, 2011, 06:59:19 pm

Check out polyester underwear. It sounds yucky at first, but it's surprisingly comfortable and it dries much faster than cotton when you wash them in a sink.

+1 Cotton anything on tour is a bad idea IMO and the poly underwear are great if you need to take underwear. Since my zip off pants and running shorts both have a mesh brief I generally don't take any underwear, but if I did it would be my synthetic under armor briefs.

DaveB · « **Reply #6 on:** February 27, 2011, 01:10:15 pm »

I expect your clothes don't make up the majority, or even a large fraction, of your total gear weight. Look at youur choice of tent, sleeping gear and cooking/eating gear for significant weight saving opportunities.

knolltop · « **Reply #7 on:** February 27, 2011, 02:02:48 pm »

True, clothes don't constitute majority of weight, but are significant portion.

Tent is Kelty Gunnison 2 and non-negotiable. For good or ill, family CFO has decreed no more tent purchases.

Sleep gear is thermarest 3/4-length & mummy style down bag.

Cooking/eating gear ...........
plastic spoon/fork
cork screw
plastic bowl
alum pot/lid
sockcap as cozy
salt/pepper
mini penny alcohol stove
pot support
collapsible cup
small measuring cup for measuring fuel
4 oz fuel bottle
wire mesh pot support
alum windscreen
emergency food bag
5 oz. beef jerky in plastic bag
sandwich bag of single-serve condiments & coffee/tea bags
ramen noodle packet
sandwich bag of trail mix
2 instant oatmeal packets
6 coffee filters (straining water)
2 energy bars
few water purification tablets

staehpj1 · « **Reply #8 on:** February 27, 2011, 04:36:37 pm »

It really sounds like you ought to be at 40 pounds or less of gear with that list. Are there a lot of little things that sneaked in without making the list? Are some of the items particularly heavy? What panniers do you have and are they heavy?

knolltop · « **Reply #9 on:** February 27, 2011, 04:54:24 pm »

Gonna reweigh this week. If results are similar to last go at it then I'll post the whole bloody gear list for you blokes to comment on.
Can ya tell am watching British-made films today?

I sincerely appreciate all the feedback received so far. Thanks to all for taking the time to review/comment.

John Nelson · « **Reply #10 on:** February 27, 2011, 05:05:34 pm »

I agree that it seems like you have a very lean list, so I'm surprised that it weighs 46 pounds. Are you counting the stuff attached to the bike (computer, pump, etc.) in the bike weight or the gear weight? Do you just have four panniers and a handlebar bag, or you you also have some kind of trunk or rack bag?

Tools and spare parts can weigh a lot. Be sure to list what you have there. Maybe you have too many.

knolltop · « **Reply #11 on:** February 28, 2011, 12:46:11 pm »

Here's the list ............. please comment away!

Left front pannier 7.3
Main compartment
   eee pc in sleeve & orange drybag 2.2
   street clothing in plastic bag            1.8
   short sleeve polypro t
   long sleeve poly pullover t
   zip-off pants
   underwear
Side compartment
   Documents holder, in ziplock bag         0.9
     extra maps
     passport/birthcertificate
     emergency contacts
     tickets
     calculator

Left rear pannier 7.8
Main compartment
   utensils/misc bag     0.4
     platypus water container
     misc in pill container
      ighter
      push pin
      can opener
     water purification tablets
     sugar
     spoon/fork
     soap
     silver jon-don multi tool
   plastic container bowl               0.4
     heat barrier
     pot/lid
     sock cap cozy
     salt/pepper
     stoves w/support rings
      collapsible cup
   opsak emergency food bag            0.9
     5 oz. beef jerky in plastic bag
     bag of condiments & coffee/tea bags
     ramen noodle packet
     sandwich bag of trail mix
     2 instant oatmeal packets
     6 coffee filters (straining water)
     2 energy bars
     water purification tablets
   pringles container w/ cook equip         0.2
     smal measuring cup
     4 oz fuel bottle
     pot support
     windscreen
Side compartment
   Toiletries                     1.3
   toothbrush/paste
   hair brush
   vitamins/cholesterolmeds/arthritismeds
   soap/shampoo
   deodorant
   desitin zinc/oxide
   razor & shaving cream
   sink stopper
   towel
   toenail clippers
Top compartment
Rear compartment                  0.5
   spare plastic bags
   hammer
   tent stakes
Sandal attached to pannier               0.5

Handlebar bag 4.9
Main compartment
   ipod & earphones                  0.2
   cell phone in case                  0.2
   radio                       0.2
   wallet                      0.2
     $$$ & change for showers
     creditcards/healthcards/carinsurance
     drivers license
   camera in pack                  0.4
   business cards                  0.1
   small notebook                  0.2
   pen/highlighter/marker               0.2
   this packing list
   voice recorder                  0.2
   extra cassettes                  0.1
   eyeglass case w/ spare glasses/sunglasses   0.3
   bandana in ziplock bag               0.1
   insect repellant                  0.1
   big blue knife                  0.3
   pain pills                     0.1
   spring clips                    0.1
   chapstick                     0.1
   sunblock lotion                  0.1
Front compartment                  0.3
   energy food in OPSAK zip bag
   spoon
   big pc chalk
   scissors
   headlamp
   toilet paper & hand sanitizer
   small camera tripod
   rain cover for bike computer
   leg band
   water purification tablets
Map compartment                     0.4
   maps
   itty bitty plastic compass/thermometer

Right front pannier 7.3
Main compartment
   Tool/spares bag                  2.0
     kevlar spoke
     hex wrench for pedals
     small scissors
     spare tube
     latex gloves
     chain lube, Finish Line teflon
     to lube all else, Triflow
     tire boot
     needle-nose pliers, small
     nuts/bolts/links/nipples
     itty bitty mending kit
     spare cleat bolts
     crescent wrench, small
     stein cassette removal tool
      mattress repair kit
     zip ties various sizes
   Warm weather riding clothing            1.3
     short sleeve jersey
     cycling shorts
     cycling socks
   electronics bag                  1.3
     charger cords ... ipod/eee
     camera charger
     110v to usb plug
     multi outlet plug
     phone charger
     memory stick
Side compartment                  1.8
   bear bag
     50' cord
     carabiner
     door locks
     clothes line w/ attached plastic clothes pins
   bag of spare thingys
     spare rubber bands
     spare bungies
     batteries
     spare velcro strips
     spare rearview mirror
     spare voice recorder cassettes
     spare opsak bag
   White bath nylon bag
   empty green dry bag
First aid

Right rear pannier     8.2
Main compartment
   tent in purple nylon bag               2.4
   rainfly in green nylon bag            2.2
Side compartment
Top compartment
Rear compartment
   alcohol fuel, yellow Heet bottle         0.5
Sandal attached to pannier               0.5

Top of rack
black dry bag 6.4
   rain covers for bags
   rain jacket/pants
   helmet cover
   sealskinz socks
   full finger gloves
   arm/leg wamers
   merino wool sock cap
   merino wool sweater
Tilley hat carabined to black bag
blue dry bag 4.9
   thermarest pad
   sleeping bag & liner
   sleep stuff in pillowcase
   sleep accessories in lil black bag
      ear plugs
      eye cover
   blowup pillow bladder (put in hat)
ground cloth (strapped to blue dry bag)
tent poles (strapped to blue dry bag)
caution tranglular flag

John Nelson · « **Reply #12 on:** February 28, 2011, 01:22:54 pm »

What do you intend to use the crescent wrench for?
Don't take spare batteries. Buy them when you need them (unless they are uncommon sizes).
I don't know what a "silver jon-don multi tool" is, but I hope it is lightweight.
Hammer? What the matter with a rock?

staehpj1 · « **Reply #13 on:** February 28, 2011, 02:14:32 pm »

I'll mark a few places where I differ inline in red. Obviously your preference will be different, but there is a good bit of stuff in the list that is certainly optional

It seems like it would be decidedly inconvenient to have stuff needed to pitch the tent scattered in multiple locations.

I would also note that you can get by with one kind of soap for washing body, hair, clothes, and dishes.

Quote from: knolltop on February 28, 2011, 12:46:11 pm

Here's the list ............. please comment away!

Left front pannier 7.3
Main compartment
   eee pc in sleeve & orange drybag 2.2 Your call, but I'd pass on this one.
   street clothing in plastic bag            1.8
   short sleeve polypro t
   long sleeve poly pullover t
   zip-off pants
   underwear                     Skip
Side compartment
   Documents holder, in ziplock bag         0.9
    extra maps
    passport/birthcertificate
    emergency contacts
    tickets
    calculator Really? That is one I have never heard of anyone carrying, other than maybe if their phone had one

Left rear pannier 7.8
Main compartment
   utensils/misc bag    0.4 Is that pounds? if so it sounds like a lot.
    platypus water container
    misc in pill container
      ighter
      push pin
      can opener                  One of the tiny p38 military ones right?
    water purification tablets
    sugar
    spoon/fork
    soap
    silver jon-don multi tool            Huh?
   plastic container bowl               0.4
    heat barrier                  Huh?
    pot/lid
    sock cap cozy
    salt/pepper
    stoves w/support rings
      collapsible cup
   opsak emergency food bag            0.9   Probably not necessary
    5 oz. beef jerky in plastic bag
    bag of condiments & coffee/tea bags   Easy to add too much weight here. I know we usually wound up pitching most of the condiments.
    ramen noodle packet            Buy as you go.
    sandwich bag of trail mix            Buy as you go.
    2 instant oatmeal packets
    6 coffee filters (straining water)
    2 energy bars
    water purification tablets
   pringles container w/ cook equip         0.2
    smal measuring cup               Not really necessary.
    4 oz fuel bottle               Buy Yellow Bottle Heet as you go and use original container.
    pot support
    windscreen
Side compartment
   Toiletries                     1.3
   toothbrush/paste
   hair brush                     On long tours I buzz my hair off before the tour and am good for at least a couple months without a brush
   vitamins/cholesterolmeds/arthritismeds
   soap/shampoo         One kind of soap for everything including bath, dish, and shampoo.
   deodorant
   desitin zinc/oxide         Buy when/if needed?
   razor & shaving cream      I just skip shaving on tour, but shaving with soap or even just water works fine for me.
   sink stopper         I never bother with one.
   towel
   toenail clippers         I have carried one but since decided to not bother. Worst case the scissors and file on my small swiss army knife will suffice
Top compartment
Rear compartment                  0.5
   spare plastic bags
   hammer            Big waste of weight IMO.
   tent stakes            Use something light like MSR needle stakes and carry in bag with tent
Sandal attached to pannier               0.5

Handlebar bag 4.9
Main compartment
   ipod & earphones                  0.2I either skip this or use it to read audio books. In the latter case I use a tiny iPod shuffle.
   cell phone in case                  0.2Skip the case. Loose in the handlebar bag or in a ziploc is fine.
   radio                      0.2 I'd skip this one.
   wallet                      0.2 Use a ziploc and leave most of what is in your wallet at home.
    $$$ & change for showers
    creditcards/healthcards/carinsurance
    drivers license
   camera in pack                  0.4a small one with no pack in handlebar bag might suffice.
   business cards                  0.1
   small notebook                  0.2Redundant if you have a voice recorder, netbook, cell phone, and camera.
   pen/highlighter/marker               0.2
   this packing list                  Why?
   voice recorder                  0.2I'd skip this especially if carrying a net book.
   extra cassettes                  0.1Not needed, see above.
   eyeglass case w/ spare glasses/sunglasses   0.3
   bandana in ziplock bag               0.1
   insect repellant                  0.1
   big blue knife                  0.3A small knife is fine.
   pain pills                     0.1Buy as you go unless you routinely are on some prescription med.
   spring clips                   0.1Skip. Buy if needed.
   chapstick                     0.1
   sunblock lotion                  0.1
Front compartment                  0.3
   energy food in OPSAK zip bag      Buy daily and carry in jersey pocket.
   spoon
   big pc chalk               Why?
   scissors               None or tiny one in smallish swiss army knife.
   headlamp
   toilet paper & hand sanitizer      Personally I'd skip this one.
   small camera tripod         Make that tiny one like 4 ounce Pedco Ultrapod 2
   rain cover for bike computer      I never felt the need for one
   leg band               Not needed with bike shorts. The rare times i ride in my zip offs I just roll up the right leg.
   water purification tablets
Map compartment                     0.4
   maps
   itty bitty plastic compass/thermometer

Right front pannier 7.3
Main compartment
   Tool/spares bag                  2.0
    kevlar spoke                  If you are carrying a cassette cracker I'd take real spokes.
    hex wrench for pedals            If you have to assemble bikes at the airport use it and mail it home.
    small scissors                  Not a real necessity, but if part of small swiss army knife then OK.
    spare tube                  One is not enough!
    latex gloves                  I don't bother.
    chain lube, Finish Line teflon
    to lube all else, Triflow            One lube only.
    tire boot
    needle-nose pliers, small            Probably can skip.
    nuts/bolts/links/nipples
    itty bitty mending kit
    spare cleat bolts
    crescent wrench, small            Never needed one
    stein cassette removal tool         Either take the kevlar spoke and leave this home or take this and a few spokes.
     mattress repair kit
    zip ties various sizes   Don't go crazy on these or maybe skip altogether. I have rarely even needed them and when I did I have generally found wire by the road when I needed to cobble something back together.
   Warm weather riding clothing            1.3
    short sleeve jersey
    cycling shorts
    cycling socks
   electronics bag                  1.3
    charger cords ... ipod/eee
    camera charger
    110v to usb plug
    multi outlet plug
    phone charger
    memory stick
Side compartment                  1.8
   bear bag         Do you mean a bear proof bag or one to hang. It seems like you have a host of bags, either use one of them or reuse a plastic grocery bag. I have either used a single multipurpose very light weight bag for this and other functions or just used a plastic bag.
    50' cord
    carabiner
    door locks            I don't get it, door locks?
    clothes line w/ attached plastic clothes pins    in addition to 50' of cord?
   bag of spare thingys   I carry none of the stuff in this bag except maybe some AA or AAA batteries, but only a few.
    spare rubber bands
    spare bungies
    batteries
    spare velcro strips
    spare rearview mirror
    spare voice recorder cassettes
    spare opsak bag   The first one is iffy a spare seems like gross overkill.
   White bath nylon bag   bag why?
   empty green dry bag   dry bag why?
   First aid

Right rear pannier    8.2
Main compartment
   tent in purple nylon bag               2.4   Tent on top of rack in original bag.
   rainfly in green nylon bag            2.2   In bag with tent.
Side compartment
Top compartment
Rear compartment
   alcohol fuel, yellow Heet bottle         0.5
Sandal attached to pannier               0.5

Top of rack
black dry bag 6.4
   rain covers for bags
   rain jacket/pants
   helmet cover
   sealskinz socks
   full finger gloves
   arm/leg wamers
   merino wool sock cap
   merino wool sweater
Tilley hat carabined to black bag
blue dry bag 4.9
   thermarest pad
   sleeping bag & liner
   sleep stuff in pillowcase
   sleep accessories in lil black bag
      ear plugs
      eye cover
   blowup pillow bladder (put in hat)
   ground cloth (strapped to blue dry bag) I skip ground cloth
   tent poles (strapped to blue dry bag)In bag with tent.
caution tranglular flag      I don't bother.

Edit:
Forgot to mention that most people probably carry as little food as they can get by with and do not count the weight in their gear list. I know that I typically weigh it all when packing for the plane and have no food other than maybe a few power bars and no stove fuel at that point.

johnsondasw · « **Reply #14 on:** February 28, 2011, 03:51:30 pm »

This is just way too much stuff--I think some of the responders have done a great job of culling things out. I met a guy on the Pacific Coast route who carried 12-13 pounds--total. And he was camping out. He did however, have to eat in restaurants and fast food places because he carried no stove, utensils or other food stuff--just a few bars. He had no panniers, and carried a light tarp/tent type deal and a modern light sleeping bag. All this was strapped onto a rear rack in a bundle that looked like about like a large sleeping bag cover. that;s a little lighter than I am comfortable with, but it illustrates what's possible. It is a lot more fun to ride along with a very light load, though--almost feels like taking a day ride, day after day. I have found from mountaineering, that you need a lot less than you are tempted to take. The mountain guys I know can go for a week long trip with just 35 pounds or so, and this includes all the food and emergency storm gear, tent etc. They've got it down to a science. On a bike tour, the idea is to carry almost no food, because it can be bought along the way. And, in the event of particularly gnarly weather conditions, you can always get a motel. Fast and light--that's the way I will try to go from now on.

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Author Topic: Touring weight (Read 20107 times)

knolltop

Touring weight

John Nelson

Re: Touring weight

knolltop

Re: Touring weight

staehpj1

Re: Touring weight

John Nelson

Re: Touring weight

staehpj1

Re: Touring weight

DaveB

Re: Touring weight

knolltop

Re: Touring weight

staehpj1

Re: Touring weight

knolltop

Re: Touring weight

John Nelson

Re: Touring weight

knolltop

Re: Touring weight

John Nelson

Re: Touring weight

staehpj1

Re: Touring weight

johnsondasw

Re: Touring weight