So, following on from this [url= http://www.singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/show-me-your-fully-laden-or-not-tourers-please ]thread.[/url]
On Monday the 6th I hop on a train to St David's in Wales then spend the next 5 days biking across to Lowestoft. Some people may know it as the W2E. The route I am taking will mean 5 days of 100 miles per day. I'm going to be staying in prebooked B&B's or bunkhouses each night and hope to travel light on my cross bike.
I would like to have built a tourer (with panniers) up but time has worked against me so as I said it's most likely I will be on my cross bike with a lightwieght Alpkit rucksack (drybag).
My question is, what do I need to take with me for this type of tour?
BB
Firstly, not a rucksack. Check with cynic-al if you're allowed to buy a Caradice or not. If he says it's ok, I'd get one of those as they're pretty useful, despite being "on trend".
If you're in bunkhouses and B&B's you don't need a tent. Infact you don't even need a spare cycling kit as you can wash it every night. I don't know what the weather's like in the UK now, but I'd take one set of kit for on the bike, a good waterproof for on and off the bike, a pair of shorts and flipflops for off the bike and a T - shirt for off the bike. A cap to keep the sun off and the rain out and a wooly hat to keep your head warm. Hitting longer distances, it's better to travel light. Anything you need you can buy on route.
As above, but I'd say will the bike take a rack?
Riding 100 mile days with a bag on will be rough.
an SQR tour and a bar bag should do you nicely. 16 litres + bar bag (+5L)
rigid fixings (no flopping about) - youll get used to the raised centre of gravity very quickly. Easy access for bits you need in a hurry. tool pouch on SQR tour, not on the SQR slim.
Will fit to any bike so long as you have enough seat post showing.
Bit of an investment, but it will last for DECADES and make s a good commuter bag too.
I'll just echo what they have said - not on your back get the weight on the bike somehow and take as little kit as you can. A rack can be fitted to any bike - use P clips or tubus amongst others have a load of bits to make it fit if you have no rack mounts.
So what do you need -
Multitool and tyre levers if you need them
Chain links
Cable ties
Pump. tube, patches
maybe a spare nut and bolt M6 and M5
kit to change into of an evening, waterproofs.
100 miles is hard enough even when the weight is off your back.
Def get a bag and rack/SQR or similar. P-clips work well but are not strong enough to take the weight at the bottom of the rack - you need something better.
Check ahead to see if you need to take a sleeping bag. Some bunkhouses do not supply.
Bike:
A couple of tubes and a puncture repair kit, tyre levers, some duct tape, zip ties, chain links, multi-tool and a few odd bolts should get you through most things.
You:
A complete change of bike clothing. Wash your kit out every evening, but if you can't get it dried in time overnight, at least you have an extra day.
Something light to change into in the evening.
Spare trainers/shoes/sandals.
A fleece or jumper.
Waterproof jacket.
Toiletries/(lightweight sports)towel(unless supplied)
Chamois cream, sun cream
Food:
Try to stop en route each to eat - it saves carrying everything. A couple of energy bars/gels to tide you over.
Camera, Map, Phone (& charger if you think you'll need it)
Thanks everyone, I'll try to get a bar and saddle bag fitted. Seems like that will be best.