Where will you be touring? I lived up there for 13 years and I am envious.
One item I didn't see was a mosquito headnet. Do not forget it. I've seen otherwise sane people lose their minds due to the bugs. I'd also make sure that some of your clothing is bug proof (rain pants and jackets work). New "Buzz Off" pants, shirts and bandanas, won't keep you completely safe but they do help. I'd even consider Buzz Off socks. The little bastards seem to love ankle blood. Obviously you need a headlamp but two might be overkill. I don't know if I ever used one in July. Also, if you are on the road system virtually every spot on the map with a gas station has a laundromat. Many Alaskans still live off the grid and need a place to wash clothes. I seem to remember a place in Soldotna where you could rent a hot tub and soak while you did your laundry. Bears are an issue. Unless you know you will be staying at campgrounds with food lockers you need a bear-proof food container. I'd also consider bear spray. Lastly, I know its a heresy but I'm a fan of Starbucks Via coffee for backcountry trips. Virtually weightless and surpassingly palatable. Also, Alaskans love coffee--If you get the shakes there are a number of espresso shacks, even in fairly remote places. I can't wait to hear about your plans and I'm a resource if you have questions. D.G. On Jan 12, 2:15 pm, Kelly Sleeper <tkslee...@gmail.com> wrote: > First off this is not about what I consider best for you. Only how I do it. > I can assure you I'm in no way attempting to be light. I like to take what I > want / need to be comfortable. I have taken into consideration hills and my > abilities. The weight is in a range of what I've used in the past and passes > the test of my capabilities. So hopefully you understand it's not an > argument or even a considered better than other ways of doing it just a way > to do it. Ok enough disclaimer .. just realized I could write another page > on trying not to offend.. but then what fun would that be. > > Ok so in July I'm doing a 2 week (14 days) self contained tour in Alaska. At > this point there are some unknowns. Such as if there will be a place to do > laundry. To that end I'm test packing as though there will be no laundry > available. > This list avails me the ability to travel for two weeks without need of > washing clothes. It also covers temperatures from the high 40's to mid 70's. > > Packing List > > Clothing > 5 Pair of Riding Pants (Convertible) (3 Days each) > 7 Pair of Wool Underwear (2 Days each) > 7 Shirts Long Sleeve (2 Days each) > 1 Pair Wool Underwear Long Johns - > 2 Base Layer Tops > 7 Pair of Wool Socks (2 Days each) > 1 Rain Gear > 1 Sweater > 2 Camp Towels > 1 Swim suit > 1 Balaclava > 1 Ear cover > 1 Pair Gloves > extra pair of shoes > > Electronics > Nikon D90 with 2 lenses > Iphone > iPad with camera card adapter > extension cord > 2 LED head lamps for campsite. > Charging devices > > Cooking > French Press > 2 lbs of coffee > Boiling Stove > Origami Dishes > Thermos > 10 packs of instant oat meal > 10 packs of instant things like mashed potatoes > Knife Spoon Fork > 1 Gallon folding Water Container > > Campsite > Sleeping Bag > Sleeping Pad > Extra piece of foam > Solar Shower > Tent > extra stakes > Hammer > > Bike Tools and Parts > Brake Cables > Shifter Cables > Black Tape > Chain links > Master Link > Spokes > Spoke Tool > Chain Whip > Air Pressure Gauge > 3 Tubes > Patch Kit > Boot Kit > Folding Tire > Chain Lube > Brooks Multitool Pouch > > After packing the following weights came about. > > Left Rear - Clothing - 15.00 > Lbs > Right Rear - Sleeping bag & pad- cold weather gear 16 .00 Lbs > Seat Bag Large Saddlesack tools tubes camera 18.00 lbs > Left front - Stove food dishes etc 10.00 lbs > Right Front - Electronics / rain gear 11.00 lbs > Front Rack / Basket Tent thermos 12.00 lbs > Total > 82 lb. > > I had to leave 1/2 of one of the front panniers open for shared food and have > added 5 lbs to that pannier ... > If we have a laundry day then clothes could be cut in 1/2 > Some big weight items... > Camera - with zoom lens comes in at 5.5 lbs > Thermos- Stanley Steel - comes in at 3.0 lbs > > I was going to migrate another 6 lbs of stuff to the front panniers .. may > just carry my camera lens up there and move soft goods to saddle bag as well > as tools. The weight limit on the front low rider rack is 33 lbs so I don't > plan on pushing that number. > > Anyway I thought it was interesting how fast weight adds up.. yes if I wanted > to safe weight I could save a lb by using plastic water bottles instead of > insulated steel. Save another 4.5 lbs by taking a point and shoot camera, > and another by leaving the thermos at home.. might do that anyway... between > the french press and a good boiler stover I take advantage of just stopping > to make more coffee... not to mention I could save almost 1.5 lbs on a > lighter stove. Depending on how remote / I have 3 lbs of tools and supplies > that I wouldn't normally carry but that make me self sufficient for all but > the worst of cases. I was proud of myself for leaving the spare derailleur > at home. > > In the most likely case the only thing I'll leave behind is the thermos. > Even loaded as above I can ride freehanded long enough to zip a coat and it > feel solid at 40 mph on a downhill. > > So Bike 40 + gear 80 + me 225 = 345 lbs .. yelpers know why I loves my > Bombadil. > > When it's all said and done this is about normal with 75% of it being packed > the same way it's been packed for every tour over the last 10 years... I > don't miss the days of trying to figure out where I put things. I like > having things in the order needed, easy to reach when needed and used for > multiple purposes. For me on this trip a minimalist weight will end up at 60 > lbs and I'll end up taking around 70. > > Kelly -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en.
