Why is ultralight touring so unpopular?
12-12-15, 06:59 PM
#901
Senior Member
When I switched from 38 to 28 mm tires, felt like I was ultralite.
The only time weight is much of a negative is when climbing. Actually an advantage when bombing downhill, and pretty much a wash on flats.
The responsiveness of a 15 lb load is fun. And since every pedal stroke is an acceleration, every ounce does count. Lighter the load, the faster and farther you're likely to go/day.
The only time weight is much of a negative is when climbing. Actually an advantage when bombing downhill, and pretty much a wash on flats.
The responsiveness of a 15 lb load is fun. And since every pedal stroke is an acceleration, every ounce does count. Lighter the load, the faster and farther you're likely to go/day.
I didn't read all the way through this thread but I can tell you this . I have spent 30 years in the construction/maintenance industry going faster and covering more ground with less is my every day life . When I do get more than a couple of hours to ride a bike Faster and farther is the last thing I am interested in . 40-60 miles and time to catch a fish or two enjoy being out is far more important than covering as much ground as possible I also want enough gear to fry the fish and make a good cup of tea and sleep comfortable . I have more than once had an extra CO2 cartridge or wet wipe to clean grease off their hands for the fast as you can go ultra light guys. ( that is not a complaint I am glad I could help)
Not all of us have the same goal when we get on a bike fried bluegill , hash browns, with baked beans washed down with Russian caravan tea makes me happy I am willing to pack the extra stuff , for it . If you are a light weight type I probably have an extra cup of tea if we end up camping at the same place
Roy
12-12-15, 08:15 PM
#902
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Roy,
You need to go back and read through the whole thread. Pretty well every post actually. There is some very important information that you probably missed that is, as I say, very important.
I could tell you but don't want to ruin the surprise.
Also, make another post real quick. Your post count is freaking me out!!!
You need to go back and read through the whole thread. Pretty well every post actually. There is some very important information that you probably missed that is, as I say, very important.
I could tell you but don't want to ruin the surprise.
Also, make another post real quick. Your post count is freaking me out!!!
12-12-15, 08:19 PM
#903
Senior Member
12-13-15, 05:42 AM
#905
Senior Member
I didn't read all the way through this thread but I can tell you this . I have spent 30 years in the construction/maintenance industry going faster and covering more ground with less is my every day life . When I do get more than a couple of hours to ride a bike Faster and farther is the last thing I am interested in . 40-60 miles and time to catch a fish or two enjoy being out is far more important than covering as much ground as possible I also want enough gear to fry the fish and make a good cup of tea and sleep comfortable . I have more than once had an extra CO2 cartridge or wet wipe to clean grease off their hands for the fast as you can go ultra light guys. ( that is not a complaint I am glad I could help)
Not all of us have the same goal when we get on a bike fried bluegill , hash browns, with baked beans washed down with Russian caravan tea makes me happy I am willing to pack the extra stuff , for it . If you are a light weight type I probably have an extra cup of tea if we end up camping at the same place
Roy
Not all of us have the same goal when we get on a bike fried bluegill , hash browns, with baked beans washed down with Russian caravan tea makes me happy I am willing to pack the extra stuff , for it . If you are a light weight type I probably have an extra cup of tea if we end up camping at the same place
Roy
Also the packing style doesn't dictate how far or fast one rides. There are folks packing light and taking it easy and folks packing heavy and pushing hard.
Nothing wrong with either style, but I think that folks tend to assume that the ULers are less prepared and less comfortable, when that isn't typically the case.
12-13-15, 12:27 PM
#906
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I don't necessarily think people believe UL packers are less prepared; I think some believe that, to some degree, they have to give up what some might call comfort in able to be so.
If you enjoy UL then that is the "comfort" one seeks, so no loss is noted, but most have other comforts like cooking or reading or dressing nicely that they seek and don't want to forgo in order to become UL. I think some think "why would I give up the things I enjoy in order to save a few pounds, when enjoyment is the reason I am touring?
The only counter argument is that going UL will make the touring more enjoyable, from a reduced effort perspective, which may or may not appeal, depending on how hard the rider currently feels their touring to be, and whether riding light would match or beat the enjoyment they get from the stuff they carry that adds weight ie. enjoying riding light vs enjoying what they do with their stuff.
Once the thrill of riding UL wears off (if it does) one is left with a pretty austere camp.
I see it both ways. Some times I tour simply for pleasure and making miles is of little importance, what I do along the way is so I bring stuff. Other times I have a definite goal in mind and enjoy making distance so go lighter.
If you enjoy UL then that is the "comfort" one seeks, so no loss is noted, but most have other comforts like cooking or reading or dressing nicely that they seek and don't want to forgo in order to become UL. I think some think "why would I give up the things I enjoy in order to save a few pounds, when enjoyment is the reason I am touring?
The only counter argument is that going UL will make the touring more enjoyable, from a reduced effort perspective, which may or may not appeal, depending on how hard the rider currently feels their touring to be, and whether riding light would match or beat the enjoyment they get from the stuff they carry that adds weight ie. enjoying riding light vs enjoying what they do with their stuff.
Once the thrill of riding UL wears off (if it does) one is left with a pretty austere camp.
I see it both ways. Some times I tour simply for pleasure and making miles is of little importance, what I do along the way is so I bring stuff. Other times I have a definite goal in mind and enjoy making distance so go lighter.
12-13-15, 12:44 PM
#907
Senior Member
I don't necessarily think people believe UL packers are less prepared; I think some believe that, to some degree, they have to give up what some might call comfort in able to be so.
If you enjoy UL then that is the "comfort" one seeks, so no loss is noted, but most have other comforts like cooking or reading or dressing nicely that they seek and don't want to forgo in order to become UL. I think some think "why would I give up the things I enjoy in order to save a few pounds, when enjoyment is the reason I am touring?
The only counter argument is that going UL will make the touring more enjoyable, from a reduced effort perspective, which may or may not appeal, depending on how hard the rider currently feels their touring to be, and whether riding light would match or beat the enjoyment they get from the stuff they carry that adds weight ie. enjoying riding light vs enjoying what they do with their stuff.
Once the thrill of riding UL wears off (if it does) one is left with a pretty austere camp.
I see it both ways. Some times I tour simply for pleasure and making miles is of little importance, what I do along the way is so I bring stuff. Other times I have a definite goal in mind and enjoy making distance so go lighter.
If you enjoy UL then that is the "comfort" one seeks, so no loss is noted, but most have other comforts like cooking or reading or dressing nicely that they seek and don't want to forgo in order to become UL. I think some think "why would I give up the things I enjoy in order to save a few pounds, when enjoyment is the reason I am touring?
The only counter argument is that going UL will make the touring more enjoyable, from a reduced effort perspective, which may or may not appeal, depending on how hard the rider currently feels their touring to be, and whether riding light would match or beat the enjoyment they get from the stuff they carry that adds weight ie. enjoying riding light vs enjoying what they do with their stuff.
Once the thrill of riding UL wears off (if it does) one is left with a pretty austere camp.
I see it both ways. Some times I tour simply for pleasure and making miles is of little importance, what I do along the way is so I bring stuff. Other times I have a definite goal in mind and enjoy making distance so go lighter.
12-13-15, 01:45 PM
#909
Senior Member
I don't necessarily think people believe UL packers are less prepared; I think some believe that, to some degree, they have to give up what some might call comfort in able to be so. If you enjoy UL then that is the "comfort" one seeks, so no loss is noted, but most have other comforts like cooking or reading or dressing nicely that they seek and don't want to forgo in order to become UL. I think some think "why would I give up the things I enjoy in order to save a few pounds, when enjoyment is the reason I am touring?The only counter argument is that going UL will make the touring more enjoyable, from a reduced effort perspective, which may or may not appeal, depending on how hard the rider currently feels their touring to be, and whether riding light would match or beat the enjoyment they get from the stuff they carry that adds weight ie. enjoying riding light vs enjoying what they do with their stuff.Once the thrill of riding UL wears off (if it does) one is left with a pretty austere camp.I see it both ways. Some times I tour simply for pleasure and making miles is of little importance, what I do along the way is so I bring stuff. Other times I have a definite goal in mind and enjoy making distance so go lighter.
You stated it the best that I have seen so far and I am probably a full 180 degrees opposite of UL touring and agree with everything you said. 
12-13-15, 02:33 PM
#911
aka Timi
Why is ultralight touring so unpopular?
Good grief!
Last edited by imi; 12-13-15 at 05:15 PM.
12-13-15, 03:01 PM
#913
Senior Member
There is a misconception that the UL guys are less prepared. In actual fact, they may be more likely to be prepared, since they have really considered their packing list in detail over and over. To be fair so have some of the heavy packers. The thing is that I found that while usually the lightest packer in a given hiker biker site, I am most often the one loaning out stuff to folks who are carrying more but lack some key item.
Also the packing style doesn't dictate how far or fast one rides. There are folks packing light and taking it easy and folks packing heavy and pushing hard.
Nothing wrong with either style, but I think that folks tend to assume that the ULers are less prepared and less comfortable, when that isn't typically the case.
Also the packing style doesn't dictate how far or fast one rides. There are folks packing light and taking it easy and folks packing heavy and pushing hard.
Nothing wrong with either style, but I think that folks tend to assume that the ULers are less prepared and less comfortable, when that isn't typically the case.
the only people I have a problem with are the
"This is the way I do it and if you don't do it that way you are wrong group"
I don't get to over night often but even on day rides having extra co2 cartridges and tools, that have kept some one else from walking . Or extra kids bandages and wet wipe for a kid with a skinned knee are well worth the extra weight.
Roy
12-13-15, 03:50 PM
#914
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There is nothing austere about my camp set-up. I carry what I need/want. At a kilo I cook well. I sleep well at 5 lbs. Thinking about a 1 1/2 lb chair. I don't need more than 2 pair of shorts or 1 jersey, 3-4 pr is plenty of socks. I'm considering a kindle. So what are you carrying at 2-3 times my wt. that I don't have??
I don't think anyone would consider me UL but the heavy packers really should take some time to look at what they can comfortably do without, or get something lighter that does the same thing. so their daytime riding is more comfortable and safer.
I don't think anyone would consider me UL but the heavy packers really should take some time to look at what they can comfortably do without, or get something lighter that does the same thing. so their daytime riding is more comfortable and safer.
12-13-15, 03:58 PM
#915
12-13-15, 06:44 PM
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There is nothing austere about my camp set-up. I carry what I need/want. At a kilo I cook well. I sleep well at 5 lbs. Thinking about a 1 1/2 lb chair. I don't need more than 2 pair of shorts or 1 jersey, 3-4 pr is plenty of socks. I'm considering a kindle. So what are you carrying at 2-3 times my wt. that I don't have??
I don't think anyone would consider me UL but the heavy packers really should take some time to look at what they can comfortably do without, or get something lighter that does the same thing. so their daytime riding is more comfortable and safer.
I don't think anyone would consider me UL but the heavy packers really should take some time to look at what they can comfortably do without, or get something lighter that does the same thing. so their daytime riding is more comfortable and safer.
Why are so concerned with what other folks are carrying? Does it affect your enjoyment?
Last edited by Doug64; 12-13-15 at 06:54 PM.
12-13-15, 07:32 PM
#918
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I tend to agree with that. However, I've been touring for awhile, and have never seen anyone carrying 100 lb. of any kind of gear, much less 100 lb. of useless stuff.
12-13-15, 09:22 PM
#919
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well, if for no other reason than what will appear to be contrary, perverse, and mildly annoying... 
i've seen a couple of guys carrying a 100 pounds of "spare tire" around their waists, maybe more. 
i've seen a couple of guys carrying a 100 pounds of "spare tire" around their waists, maybe more.
Last edited by hueyhoolihan; 12-13-15 at 09:27 PM.
12-13-15, 09:29 PM
#920
Senior Member
i carry what i need/want.
he/she/skler carries what he/she/skler needs/want.
please keep your religious posturings in the temple.
12-14-15, 05:29 AM
#923
Senior Member
There is nothing austere about my camp set-up. I carry what I need/want. At a kilo I cook well. I sleep well at 5 lbs. Thinking about a 1 1/2 lb chair. I don't need more than 2 pair of shorts or 1 jersey, 3-4 pr is plenty of socks. I'm considering a kindle. So what are you carrying at 2-3 times my wt. that I don't have??
I don't think anyone would consider me UL but the heavy packers really should take some time to look at what they can comfortably do without, or get something lighter that does the same thing. so their daytime riding is more comfortable and safer.
I don't think anyone would consider me UL but the heavy packers really should take some time to look at what they can comfortably do without, or get something lighter that does the same thing. so their daytime riding is more comfortable and safer.
stuff I carry that you probably don't ... tenkara fly rod , Cuban yo-yo reel + tackle better stove something to cook with not just boil water , more than one pan real book .
12-14-15, 05:48 AM
#924
Senior Member
Most of them were new to touring and just threw in everything they thought they might possibly need, but a couple that were around 100 pound base actually had their gear well dialed in to their wants and personal style. The overloaded newbies seemed pretty miserable, the more experienced heavy packers seemed quite happy with their choices and their trips.
12-14-15, 05:59 AM
#925
Senior Member
FWIW, I have taken what amounts to essentially most of that on a backpacking trip and still was under 14 pounds base even though I had to carry a bear canister (a requirement there). I did have a regular 4 wt fly rod with a reel instead of the tenkara and Cuban yo-yo. I don't typically read much on tour or when backpacking and when I do it is usually either an audio book or an ebook.