seems like an contradiction I know.
My other hobby is hiking. In particular multi day *ultralight* hiking. There is a cult-like group of hikers that have devoted many otherwise usefull thought processes to making/modifying/useing lighter equipment. There is an entire philosophy behind it and even a bible. I won't go into the finer details but if anyone wants more info on how to keep the weight of their camping equipment to a min. I'd be glad to steer them in the right direction.
So what I'm wondering is if there's any tips as to how to keep the weight of the other equipment down. I'm talking about the cycling specific stuff.. paniers/bags, clothes, but most importantly tools and spare-parts. What's essential and what can be done away with. What would be considered a light weight load for a multi-day camping tour?
Also there are tonnes of resourses re: lightweight hiking... why are there so few (none?) devoted to lightweight cyclo-touring?

seems like an contradiction I know.
My other hobby is hiking. In particular multi day *ultralight* hiking. There is a cult-like group of hikers that have devoted many otherwise usefull thought processes to making/modifying/useing lighter equipment. There is an entire philosophy behind it and even a bible. I won't go into the finer details but if anyone wants more info on how to keep the weight of their camping equipment to a min. I'd be glad to steer them in the right direction.
So what I'm wondering is if there's any tips as to how to keep the weight of the other equipment down. I'm talking about the cycling specific stuff.. paniers/bags, clothes, but most importantly tools and spare-parts. What's essential and what can be done away with. What would be considered a light weight load for a multi-day camping tour?
Also there are tonnes of resourses re: lightweight hiking... why are there so few (none?) devoted to lightweight cyclo-touring?

Since I am planning my first solo tour for late this spring, I'd really appreciate any special tips or advice on how to keep the camping and cooking gear to a lightweight minimum. Post any links you may know of. Since my solo tour will be through Illinios and Wisconsin, one of the more informative sites I've found is a Madison, Wisconsin based bicycling site:
http://danenet.wicip.org/bcp/tour.html

M~

...there are some extremely lightweight solo tents, but if rain won't be an issue, a bivy sack could replace both tent and sleeping bag. ...or just take the sleeping bag and a plastic tarp. Another way to cut down on the load is to not carry food--buy it as you need it (if this is practical). I'm guessing I've reduced my load by 5 or 6 pounds by picking up stuff in stores when I stop at day's end, and I've been able to stay away from freeze-dried foods, too. I have a small aluminum cookset with a pot, a frying pan that doubles as a lid for the pot, and a small kettle; it all nests together, and the stove (an elderly MSR Whisperlite) fits inside. If I really try, I can get my load down to about 15 pounds, but that's pushing it.

So what I'm wondering is if there's any tips as to how to keep the weight of the other equipment down. I'm talking about the cycling specific stuff.. paniers/bags, clothes, but most importantly tools and spare-parts. What's essential and what can be done away with. What would be considered a light weight load for a multi-day camping tour?


I do motels not camping, but hopefully some of this may help.
One thing I do to save weight and space is to bring only one set of off-bike clothes, but make sure they're nylon or other man-made fabric - that way I can wash them when I go to bed and they're dry by morning. The pants are nylon hiking pants with zip-off legs, so they convert into shorts. They also compress really well so they don't take up much space. I also take only one set of cycling clothes and wash them each evening.

The tips about packing fewer clothes and such are great, but going back to the original poster's question - how can you keep down the weight of the other essential equipment (i.e. tools and spare parts)? As a former Boy Scout, I can't ever seem to get past the notion of "Be Prepared", which means I pack for the worst case scenario.

Any ideas about the best way to be a minamalist, yet not get stranded by a break-down?
Thanx
M~

The tips about packing fewer clothes and such are great, but going back to the original poster's question - how can you keep down the weight of the other essential equipment (i.e. tools and spare parts)? As a former Boy Scout, I can't ever seem to get past the notion of "Be Prepared", which means I pack for the worst case scenario.

Any ideas about the best way to be a minamalist, yet not get stranded by a break-down?
Thanx
M~

I pack what seems reasonable and isn't too heavy, realizing that there's no way I can handle all repairs without taking an unreasonable amount of weight:

2 tubes, patch kit
1 tire boot (no spare tire)
multitool with chain break
spare spokes (though no chain whip, etc., so I couldn't replace a broken rear-driveside spoke)
extra pedal cleat
chain link
chain lube

Then I pack a cell phone. I also ride with a friend, so in the worst case one of us can ride to the nearest town if needed.

Since I am planning my first solo tour for late this spring, I'd really appreciate any special tips or advice on how to keep the camping and cooking gear to a lightweight minimum. Post any links you may know of. Since my solo tour will be through Illinios and Wisconsin, one of the more informative sites I've found is a Madison, Wisconsin based bicycling site:
http://danenet.wicip.org/bcp/tour.html

M~

There's lots of ways to do it and alot of them are cheaper then more widely available commercial options or can be made at home.
As a shelter I use a Henessey hammock (google it). It's far more comfortable than sleeping on the ground, it keeps you sheltered from the elements and all you need is two trees. Some people use just a tarp and a ground cover. Or a hybrid tarp-tent like the henry shires tarptent (google it)
I use a homemade alcohol stove. Much lighter than any other kind of camping stove. Uses less fuel but takes slightly longer to boil water. (I only eat meals made from boiling water). Best of all if it broke I could just make a new one an empty can of juice. Alcohol fuel is available at walmarts and the like as well as some gas stations and all automotive stores. It's sold as gas line anti-freeze.
A down sleeping bag is lighter and more compressable then an equally rated synthetic bag. The catch here is you have to be carefull to keep it dry because it down looses it's insulative properties when wet.
One important thing is to make sure your gear serves double duty as much as possible and that your not carrying anything "just to be prepared"

check out the BackpackingLight on yahoo groups... It's where alot of us weight weenies hang out and exchange ideas.
also this guy has a really imformative site and I agree with his approach:
http://hikinghq.net/