if half ones body weight includes that day's water ration, and the weight of the bike, i could see how some heavy packers could breach the half ones weight. And I thought my Long Haul Trucker dressed out with racks and fender flaps is like 42 pounds, not even close to mentor 58's weight. I do have two front racks on my LHT though....
I doubt i've broached the half-weight mark, even out winter bike camping. MAYBE hauling my ski gear i hit half my weight- 85 pounds- or so including telemark ski gear, the bike and a gallon+ of water with 4 days of food.
that is a lot of crap to be hauling around though, id think a general lightening up would be in order? or are you suggesting, machka, that more than half is a common weight ratio for tourers?
for all our sakes I'd hope not. that is tough sledding, a bike at half your body weight must feel like a two man bobsled if it starts to shimmy.
Last edited by Bekologist; 11-01-06 at 11:48 PM.