Panza

Honestly, while traveling, a combination cable lock because I'm afraid I'll lose my keys.
When in Boston, ... I use a steel commuter bike and a Bulldog Beast U-Lock. I use the same chain on my motorcycle.

Thanks for the recommendation on a battery pack. I was contemplating between Solar and Dynamo hubs but you're right. I don't need that fancy gimmicky stuff just to keep my front and rear blinky, garmin, and phone charged. Ordered a simple portable charger off Amazon.

I've got a sleeping pad and tent ordered and I'm looking at sleeping bags and quilts now. I didn't expect ultralight down sleeping bags to cost nearly $300 ... There are cheaper heavier synthetic bags out there...

Panza

I've never gone camping with a sleeping pad and bag before. I sleep on tarp and grass with fleece blankets sometimes but usually do hammock and tarp with mosquito nets. I assume I won't always be able to find trees on a bike packing trip.

Panza

I'd love to do the Bos to Mon ride. Circle the perimeter of Montreal and Laval.
Last year I took a trip to Montreal (via car but I brought my bike) and climbed up the Camillien Houde / Mt. Royale. Truly an amazing sight of the city from the top at night.

markf

For the sleeping bag, try to figure out the lowest overnight temperature you can expect, then get a bag that is designed to be comfortable at that temperature. If you get a bag that is designed for a lower temperature than your expected low, you'll spend more money and carry more weight and bulk than you need to. A super lightweight down bag is nice, but good down is expensive, and cheap down doesn't last. Depending on temperatures, something like the REI Helio Sack or the Marmot Nano Wave would be good for summer temperatures without breaking the bank. If you want to make the investment in down, the Marmot Atom, the Sea to Summit Traveler or the Sea to Summit Spark are good super light down bags.

For the sleeping mat, get the Therma Rest Z-Lite Sol closed cell foam pad. The short version is plenty for summer camping. It's bulky, but it's cheap, light, and it will never spring a leak on you in the middle of the night like the inflatable pads.

If you're comfortable sleeping under a tarp, then a tarp and a ground sheet can save a little space and weight. Staying dry when it's raining and windy won't be easy, though, and the really lightweight tarps are surprisingly expensive. The REI Passage 1 is a cheap, sturdy, one man tent, but by modern standards it's a little heavy. The REI Quarter Dome 1 is a pound lighter, just as sturdy, but costs twice as much (notice a pattern here?).

jonc123

If you drink craft beer, I'll bet you'll pass a few great breweries...might map some out if it's your thing!

saddlesores

maybe consider credit carding it this time? that's heap big mileage ... assuming 9 full centuries with one break day.

you'll be riding late in the afternoon/evening in areas with limited camping availability. gotta find a campground or a safe/suitable stealth camping site, set up the tent, make dinner/breakfast, take down the tent....

stay in motels this time....no need to carry tent or sleeping bag or cooking gear..........go faster in the hills.

DropBarFan

One could ride the '74 Montreal Worlds course that went over Mt Royale. I've been to Montreal several times, always fun & the locals are surprisingly friendly.

J.Higgins 

I don't/won't skimp on anything I take, and I do not take a single thing I don't need. That said, I find comfort in cleanliness and clean water. As long as I got some food in my belly, I'm typically a happy bloke.

Panza

Bike Weight Unloaded: 22.5lbs
Loaded Weight: 50lbs with cargo.

Fully loaded, it weighs a bunch, but still much less than the 60-70lb touring rigs my friends use.
It feels odd to stand up and pedal because the weight of the bike makes it want to pull to the side when I lean the bike.
Hills aren't definitely not as fun anymore.

8lbs Electronics (Handlebar Bag)

• Garmin Edge
• iPhone
• Camera
• Oxbow light front + spare battery
• Rear Blinky
• Bontrager Flare R x2
• Wires (3USB 2.0 to Micro, 1 Lightning)
• 20,000mAH battery pack
• Wall Outlet to USB

6lbs Tools; Saddlepack

• Tire
• Tubes x2
• Patch Kit
• Levers
• Pump
• Multi-Tool
• Lube
• Chain Breaker + Quick Links
• Chain Pliers
• Electrical Tape
• Rag

7lbs Clothes (Pannier Right)

• Polyester Rain Shell
• Rain Gillette
• Arm Warmers, Knee Warmers
• Spare Kit (Jersey, Bib)
• T Shirt
• Shorts
• Underwear
• Wool Socks x3
• Flip Flops
• Mini Body Towel

2lbs Personal Care (Pannier Left)

• Lotion / Sunscreen
• Deoderant
• First Aid Kit

5lbs Sleeping Gear (Pannier Left)

• Tent
• Pad
• Bag

djb

so this is the Team Sky Goes Touring setup
Hope those spokes are going to be ok, I very much recommend doing a bunch of riding before hand to make sure it works alright. What are the widest tires you can wedge in there, can t recall if this came up last time, but using caution hitting potholes and whatnot is probably going to be a big priority, and judging the increased braking time and whatnot to avoid stuff (and yes, no bunny hopping over stuff like usual)

linus

22.5lbs? Why is your bike so heavy? Are you including the garmin and water bottles and stuff too?

alan s 

djb

nope, he is rather dogmatic about his views on cable actuated derailleurs and their superior tactile feel.

Panza

Oh God. Good thing I remembered, I should really bring some toiletry goods.

The bike is between 16.5lbs bare. Panniers + pannier racks, tail bag, and handlebar bag magically make it 22.5lbs.




I can't afford Di2 ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Panza

Planning on heading out Labor Day weekend. Wish me luck!

DropBarFan

Impressive UL setup. It takes some time to adjust to a different pedaling style. My new bike felt twitchy on the front but after some miles it's not a problem anymore.

Panza

The bike is between 16 to 17lbs on its own. (the set up is always changing so the weight fluctuates. Seat, wheels, cages, etc) The extra add ons, Garmin, Water bottles, Saddlepack, Handlebar pack, and Panniers make it 22 1/2.

I'm just broke. Also if my shifters or derailleur brakes, I wouldn't know how to fix it. : )

I put a hundred miles on the bike set up this week. I've gotten used to the weight but I can confidently say... climbs don't feel as fun anymore. A car accident with my bike on the back of my car has also left my rear wheel smashed so I'll be using a Zipp 404 wheel instead.

djb

22.5lbs, what a lardass!
re bike maintenance, if you have any interest in learning stuff, its a big advantage in like knowing you can do things yourself. Like anything, we learn one thing at a time , but its handy and practical if you remain a serious cyclist, not to mention saves tons of money doing it on your own.

re a schmush of the rear wheel, you might want to make extra certain the dropouts or chainstays didnt have any damage. I have no experience with df frames, but its commonly accepted that one must be extra vigilant when an impact or whatever has happened. I imagine if there is a store that you trust , that an experienced mechanic can go over it quickly to make sure. The "tap tap" method and detailed visual and touching inspection come to mind.

Panza

I like em hefty. What can I say? ; )

I meant, if I owned an electronic system and my E shifter or E derailleur broke in the middle of a 1000+ mile journey, I wouldn't be able to fix it in a timely manner. I assemble bikes for fun and do all my own routine maintenance. : )

DropBarFan

Yeah, when climbing off-saddle on unloaded light bike the bike can sway back & forth with ease. On a Japanese TV channel there's a series about a guy touring around Japan, only luggage is a small saddle bag, nice work if you can get it, heh.

djb

About doing your own maintenance, this is something I've always found in touring to have the advantage of knowing your bike before a trip, and having a certain amount of confidence to be able to deal with possible issues that could come up.
certainly a win win in a touring situation.

irwin7638

Here's a link to a couple of blogposts about the gear I have learned to carry over the past 40 years. It's what I carry for a week end or week long trip.
Simply Cycle: Bike packing 101

Marc

veganbikes

The best thing not to skimp on is riding your bike loaded and doing some short trips and testing things out. Worst thing is to go out and try new gear and have it fail. Whether it is the PinaColda Dogma or the new tent or even a new set of pads or those cool new camping undies you bought, testing and making sure you can put it all together and it will be of use and all of that good stuff is important. Plus also getting used to riding with gear is handy.

3speed

djb

of course, but I was responding with 1- the view that this is a road bike with not a truckfull of spokes, and 2-ridden by someone who hasnt ridden with extra weight on the bike before.
A friendly reminder twas all.