We own an independent hostel and I was having a discussion recently about how the number of proper touring cyclists has fallen off dramatically over the last few years. Yet, ironically, there's never been a better time for the unsupported tourist with modern bikes and lightweight gear. But most folk these days have a support vehicle of some sort or just bring their own car and do day rides.
Given the lengths that train companies go to to prevent us from taking bikes on trains (*cough* Eurostar *cough*), it's hardly surprising many stick the bike on the back of the car to get their bike to somewhere.
I belonged to a touring club for many years and there was a constant competitive element - who could get away with the smallest/lightest saddlebag etc. And it was just a single saddlebag, no-one used panniers they were regarded as a bit cissy, the Carradice Overlander was very popular I seem to recall I think I still have mine somewhere. The point I'm making is with a bit of thought you can get away with minimal luggage, certainly if you're in the uk where you're never that far from civilization.
Yes and no. You can be just 5 miles from civilisation, but if you're sat by a road that gets 3 cars a week with a broken bike in the rain, and can't walk, you may as well be on the moon...
If doing a Youth hostel to youth hostel trip I could probably get away with my 13l backpack with a change of shorts and a couple of inner tubes... But then when touring I have a 30L dry bag on the back with everything in it.
If you are camping turn to the hard core backpackers for advice on weight saving, I met this guy a couple of years ago who has it down to a fine art http://ultralightbackpacker.com/
As an Ultralight backpacker I now have a dry weight of my backpack of under 5kg. And much the same on the bike. It's been quite an interesting adventure getting it down from about 15kg two years ago.
If I was cycle camping these days I would certainly consider just a tarp rather than a full blown tent you can save a lot of weight/space. I know guys who use tarps successfully in the depths of winter
Last year I spent 15 nights wild camping with Bivvi/tarp. It's a brilliant way to camp and one I really like. *BUT* if I'm on campsites I prefer a tent where I can close it up, this is largely for privacy reasons. On the side of a hill, noone is going to walk past when I'm putting my bra on, on a campsite that is rather more likely. But an ultralight tent these days can be had for 1kg, or if you go for something like the tramplite shelter, 700g.
It's very important to be able to make a brew quickly and easily. I meet a lot of backpackers and stove wise the Pocket Rocket is almost universal these days but there are many who choose to use liquid fuel simply because gas canisters are not always easy to obtain but you can generally find meths or surgical spirit.
The main disadvantage of the MSR Pocket rocket is it doesn't fold very compact, the microrocket is a better design that folds smaller and takes up less space in your pot. But you are at the mercy of being able to find an EN417 canister. My personal rule of thumb is that a stove should be able to make a mug of tea in about 20 seconds longer than it takes you to put your tent up. This is a problem when you can put your tent up in just over a minute...
One golden rule is you can't have too many "dry bags". Also those little canisters you get 35mm film in are very useful for small items provided you remember to label them...
35mm film cans are not that easy to find, but my preference these days is actually the pots that Diabetic test strips come in, if you know anyone who's diabetic and uses a BGM to test their blood, the test strips come in a little black pot. They seal better than film canisters for about the same size.
I would say don't over think it though. I met a couple of guys from London last year who had simply bought two bikes got on a train to Inverness and set off cycling back home. They didn't have a clue but were learning fast - and having a whale of a time.
Agreed, F8 and be there.
J
