I ALMOST feel guilty when I view photographs of heavily-laden bicycles! OK, it's not guilt that I feel, but relief! Personally, I don't carry camping equipment on my tours. I don't enjoy camping, so mostly I stay in cheap hotels and B+Bs.
I manage to squeeze all of my gear into:
- a pair of ancient (circa 1989) Cannondale panniers.
- a regular daypack (containing bulky, lightweight items) bungy-corded to the top of the rear rack.
- a small pack under the seat where I stow my tools.
- a fanny pack, with my camera case slung on the belt strap.
Note that I don't have front panniers or a handlebar bag. I found a mapcase that fits perfectly within the aerobars (which are intended for triathletes, but are great for tourists, too.)
I do not have a lot of space, but I find room for lightweight hiking shoes, sandals, a couple of paperback books, two water bottles, a massive Stocks Lock U-lock (which is Velcroed to the top of the rear rack), and food for the road (fruit, bread, chocolate, nuts, etc.)
The photo shows me in July 2004 after climbing Gotthard Pass in Switzerland (altitude = 6916 feet or 2108 metres).
Alan