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mstuartev
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Posted: Fri Jun 22nd, 2007 09:34 pm |
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one trick we picked up from a rider the first year was this:
purchase large, gallon (?) size ziploc bags. Fill each one with a days worth of riding clothes (shorts, shirt, socks, etc) will fit nicely in each. I have about 4-5 days worth of shorts and jerseys. They stuff nicely into the duffle and are easy to extract in the morning. LAter in the week, we rinse out a couple sets and hang them on a fence or on a line we bring and string up.
the large duffels usually hold two sleeping bags and our tent, plus some other misc stuff like folding chairs!
the second duffel holds our clothes. I think each person is alloted 2 bags. My wife and I manage with 3 between us,and we have room for foam sleeping mats and a couple folding chairs for the evening. I can't recall where we got the bags... REI?
The bikes just stay out and I cover my Brooks saddle with plastic
Can't wait! We'll be Site coordinators on the second to last night (Mellen) Mark and Mindy (hold the jokes!)
See y'all then!
Mark
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Lancetta
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| Joined: | Sun Mar 11th, 2007 |
| Location: | Dale, Wisconsin USA |
| Posts: | 19 |
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Posted: Tue Jun 12th, 2007 01:21 pm |
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Thanks everyone for your information on this subject. I was able to develop a better packing list and have checked out various models/sizes of bags. I will be much better prepared for this tour with the information you have provided!
Lanette
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Doug Huffman
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Posted: Fri May 18th, 2007 11:47 pm |
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Lancetta wrote: What kind of bags are you using?? They sound like they are fairly large to accomodate everything (tent, sleeping bags, camp chairs) in two bags. And are the bags themselves waterproof or are you lining them with garbage bags? And it sounds like you are packing the sleeping bags individually in plastic bags to help keep them dry?
We use our Samsonite Bike Friday DoubleDay suitcases. They're regular Samsonite hardsided cases provided with our BF tandem for air travel and they convert to trailers for unsupported touring. And I'm big enough to throw them weighing 40lbs to the top of the trailer, though usually the driver/packer's happy to have them at the bottom as foundation.
They are fairly waterproof - the lid seal is too long to be perfect and the (trailer chassis mounting) holes have been duct taped over and sometimes the duct tape comes loose but they're good enough.
If we anticipated a wet trip then I'd pack the sleeping bags in garbage bags in addition to their (used to be) 'waterproof' stuff sacks. The clothes and such are normally sorted into ziplock quart and gallon bags.
The sleepingbags get most of their moisture from the tent - the fly and footprint are usually soaked and dripping from the night's dew. The tent is packed in the AM wet and the bags get damp enough (humidity saturated in the case) that we hang them in the PM on the bikes or trees to air out while I set up the tent (MSR Hubba-hubba). The tent usually dries while being set up.
Note that we are not tenting on BNT. We're motelling for the first time on a tour.
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mmartens
HAM
| Joined: | Tue Mar 27th, 2007 |
| Location: | Wausau, WI |
| Posts: | 8 |
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Posted: Fri May 18th, 2007 02:25 pm |
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Two things to remember about packing: You need to be able to carry the bags, and you will need less things than you think.
I use a large (6000 cubic inch) duffel bag to carry everything. The bag is lined with garbage bags and all my clothes are packed in large ziploc bags. Even with a waterproof bag I'd still use garbage bags. What will happen is it could rain after they unload the luggage truck so everything could get wet. I'd select a bag that you can comfortably handle, so instead of one large bag, two smaller bags might be best for you. Use one for clothes and the other for tent, sleeping bag, chair and pad. You are responsible for loading your bag onto the truck, but in the afternoon the early arriving riders usually help unload the truck.
When you pack in the morning, your tent will be wet with dew, so you will want to wrap it in its own separate plastic bag to keep it from getting the other stuff wet.
Michael
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Lancetta
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Posted: Fri May 18th, 2007 01:20 pm |
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Doug,
Thanks for the info. What kind of bags are you using?? They sound like they are fairly large to accomodate everything (tent, sleeping bags, camp chairs) in two bags. And are the bags themselves waterproof or are you lining them with garbage bags? And it sounds like you are packing the sleeping bags individually in plastic bags to help keep them dry?
This kind of information is so helpful! Since this is my first tour, I'd like to be as properly prepared as possible. So if you have any other information for this newbie, I'll be grateful.
Lanette
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Doug Huffman
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Posted: Fri May 18th, 2007 12:19 pm |
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Lancetta wrote: I have a question regarding the limit of one luggage bag and one tent bag. I'm assuming then that a sleeping bag doesn't count as a bag (which would make three)??
Lancetta
My practice has been to pack the sleeping bags in waterproof bags in the 'tent bag'.
That is to say, we use two identical bags, one with soft stuff (clothing, towels) that will not function wet and another bag full of tent stuff, shoes, camp chair, bike stuff that will function wet plus the waterproofed sleeping bags (due to space necessity).
Your most important baggage item is your sleeping bag. Nothing will ruin tomorrow more than a wet sleeping bag today. Your tent can blow away - and you can sleep in the gym.
We rode Cycle North Carolina in Tropical Storm Kyle - only the sleeping bags were particularly dry. Everything else was at least damp from five days of unrelenting rain. It is my practice to wash my riding outfit in the shower with me and change into a dry set (for tomorrow's ride). On CNC T.S. Kyle I put on the clean wet clothes and stepped out into the rain - thankfully warm. The bottom of a good tent is waterproof and we woke surrounded by standing water - but dry. See my note on 'mattress' pads and tents.
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Lancetta
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Posted: Fri May 18th, 2007 02:41 am |
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I have a question regarding the limit of one luggage bag and one tent bag. I'm assuming then that a sleeping bag doesn't count as a bag (which would make three)??
Lancetta
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