RYP wrote:Do they call you Lizard neck after that trip? :)) I never put more on my bike that I could carry on my back. It surprising how far you can go with just a patch kit, bedroll, jar of peanut butter, water, tarp and spare tire.
I went a little heavier than that. Well, a lot heavier. Somewhere in the range of 50lbs of gear including the bags, 30lb bike, plus two gallons of water. Got as far as Salt Lake City from San Jose (900 miles) before my wife guilt tripped me onto an airplane. I had a couple of other things at home that were requesting my attention anyway. The saddle sores were healing up and I was getting to the point where 100 miles a day over mountains and through 30+mph winds became ordinary. The plan for next time is for her to go to China while I ride. We just have to find a temporary home for our cat.
All of the people who were predicting my demise in Nevada had to eat crow. It wasn't all that tough. Getting over the Sierras was good prep for that.
At the end, I like the Novara Safari I rode. The top tube deflects with full rear saddle bags (including water) but that just requires a lighter touch with the bike. It took forty miles of riding after I got home to get used to riding an unloaded bicycle again.
The tread on the tires I used were starting to separate. I won't be using that brand again.
In the future it's quite possible that I'd go with whatever I could fit into my Camelbak and a sleeping bag.
Be nice to me. I'm a rug muncher.