Sunday, April 21, 2013

Bike Overnights


So, we're gonna be training by doing a few bike overnights. We're teaming up with the local bike shop, Shenandoah Bicycle Company to make this happen. We've got all our saddle bags/panniers and bike trailers. So, we'll load it up with everything we think we need (spare bike parts, first-aid kit, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, tent, cooking stuff and food, and we'll ride! It'll be our first overnight before our trip. It'll be s struggle carrying all that weight, but it'll be helpful figuring out what we need versus what we want. Got any tips? 
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4 comments:

  1. UnknownApril 22, 2013 at 6:42 PM

    That's a great way to prepare for a longer trip. After a couple days of carrying all that weight, you really start to cut the things you don't use. Our recent 5-day shakedown tour taught us that we didn't want the DSLR camera that badly, and that we needed to make sure not to run out of water! We had to camp one night with not enough water to cook dinner, wash dishes, AND hydrate. Since then we've purchased a couple extra water canteens and a dromedary bag to supplement the two water bottles we each have on our bikes. Water is heavy, but the canteens/bag when they're empty are pretty compact and lightweight so we don't always have to be fully loaded. Also, you find that on a bike, weight isn't so much an issue as volume (getting all your stuff to fit in the panniers).

    Cheers, and I'll be following your trip as well! We're doing cross-country east to west starting at the end of May.

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  2. JeannéMay 5, 2013 at 9:20 AM

    Yea, I'm starting to think about all the things I want versus the things I/we will really need. Water definitely is a concern for me; I guzzle water like it's my job! I have 3 water bottle cages on my bike. I'm thinking we ought to bring a bladder or dromedary bag too. We'll see. We're leaving in a month, and I feel unprepared. It'll all work out; it always does. But maaaaan, we're biking across the United States; whoa! So, I've already purchased 2 front panniers and 2 rear panniers that seem to hold a lot; however, I'm not sure yet what all to bring. That's where the wants vs. needs come into play. Thanks for your advice; I appreciate it!

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  3. AnonymousMay 7, 2013 at 9:51 AM

    I've never used more than 2 cages and I've been x-c 3x. It's great you have 3 though. The main thing is to never pass up an opp to fill up, even if it's just to top up half a bottle. You can "holler" to people in their yards and they'll let you use their faucet. Check at fire stations, parks, schools, abandoned houses, houses under construction...sometimes you can access a water valve. And worst case, you can stop roadside and wave your bottle...RVers are great about stopping and they usually have ice. For a bladder, I use the Platypus...it folds up flat and weighs nothing. Don't take a heavy dromedary...just weight that doesn't get used much, if at all. I've only needed the platy for rare areas with nothing...70 miles in TX from Guadalupe NP to Van Horn. Nothing. Not a house...at least not anywhere near the road. I counted 17 cars in 70 miles. But most of the U.S. has at least some service/water in any 50-80 mile stretch. The main use for a bladder is if you do a lot of stealth camping...then you fill it up in town and head for the free/hidden/dry spot for the night. Sometimes a bladder is nice if the water at the campground is a long way away...you can use it to carry water back to camp for dinner & dishes. Hope that helps...drink lots (: www.twowheeltravelers.wordpress.com

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  4. UnknownDecember 31, 2013 at 2:57 AM

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