Ok fasten your seat belt. Here I go.. really I assure you that I only speak for myself and my own desires and moments. I also am tired .. OH OH so TIRED of people telling me I or others that they carry to much weight on a touring trip.
You weight weeny tour bikers can kiss my (insert here what you think I think) Ok I'm not that passionate about it.. however I don't get the weight weeny obsession for so many people when touring. Are you in that big of a hurry? Great and I'm all for you being minimalist. Have fun.. just don't tell me I'm doing it wrong because you do it differently. I like having my 25 foot extension cord, my laptop, charging accessories and smart phone. I like having the ability to sit in my tent during a long storm and watching tv on the internet. I don't mind pedaling with 80 lbs of gear on the bike. I'm only traveling 50 to 60 miles a day anyway... look to average about 10 mph and just toodle along.. and you will tell me I carry to much... Humm.. hurricane goes through and then you are looking at 20 degree temp drop .. and continuous down pours for two days.. having good cooking equipment.. cans of soup.. laptop.. rain gear warmer clothes was all great... Oh wait no showers and really sweaty and dirty.. sure was nice having a solar shower to clean up with including the soap.... the traveling partners didn't mind borrowing the shower... Getting dark.. 80 miles in .. calling it a day.. setup the laptop .. log into home tv with sling box and watch tv.. while waiting on a pizza to be delivered... traveling companions gathered round to watch.. and wonder if this was really roughing it... Oh wait nice water ahead.. sweet.. I have a swimming suit.. towel and water shoes just for this.. (gotta love crocs at times) Sorry traveling companion not sharing this. Yes my repair bag is 15 lbs... with extra rear derailur .. chain whip, wire cutters, cables, chain links, cassette, front derailur and other assorted junk I hope not to need.. Well no it's not roughing it.. not supposed to be rough.. I'm on vacation.. enjoying travel by bicycle... not setting some record, or challenging some super duper worm waggle .. snail jump worlds competition anyway. Especially here where you ride bikes in a style that is heavier and slower than the racing counter parts I would think you would see that weight is not that big a deal. (hold it before you start.. passing kit clad wannabe's isn't passing a racer going after it) When trying to ride in the moderate speed ranges weight of very little concern. Or insert moderate execration levels non racing lets enjoy the bike stuff. This sentence is a deep dark rat hole I should delete but won't.. so ignore it or get it but don't argue it with me on this thread please... see I even used the word please. I've traveled with 4 full panniers and a trailer hauling a plastic bike and the average speed didn't change much from just going without the trailer and bike. Same arguments made for bigger tires... comfort.. I want comfort on the road.. extra shoes in case one pair gets wet. larger tent for getting all my gear inside or repacking or long days of torrential storms. I want clothing that covers the 90 degree day I had today and the rainy cold 40 degree (feeling like 20) day I'm going to end up with tomorrow. I carry more weight on a century ride than some of you do for cross country. I don't care how little you carry or what you might be able to do without.. it's not a challenge .. just pack what you think you want. If you don't want to carry it a day or two in stop at UPS and send some home. My only point is that you don't have to worry about weight so much.. it's not that big of a deal in most situations. Ya I know for every rule ... there is the exception.. exemptions to the rule does not make the rule invalid. So make fun of the heavy haulers all you want... I'm a proud one and want you potential bike tourers to know it's ok and not a bad thing to go prepared and comfy. (insert heavy and comfy instead of prepared and avoid conflict) So here are some touring photos http://www.flickr.com/photos/tksleeper/sets/72157627604208847/ different bikes and different times.. progression.. whatever.. figure photos are the reward for reading my rant. It's fun and weight is so NOT a thing to worry about. Kelly -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msg/rbw-owners-bunch/-/47FUwga3OJ0J. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en.
