Weight of bike and kit?

[Max68]

Hi, planning 14 day lejog during last 2 weeks of May. Will be staying in b&b's and travelling as light as I can - seeking guidance on total weight for bike and kit from those who've done similar trips, cheers

[pjclinch]

Hi, planning 14 day lejog during last 2 weeks of May. Will be staying in b&b's and travelling as light as I can - seeking guidance on total weight for bike and kit from those who've done similar trips, cheers

Don't take anything you don't need, and that's as light as you can...

Rather than worry about guide weights, think of usage. Throw things out because you can do without them, keep them in because you can't. Remember you can pick stuff up on the way, and remember to calibrate the value of "need" to whatever will bring most enjoyment: you won't die without a change of clothes in a fortnight, but you might have a nicer time with a less spartan strategy.

Going by guide weights has you looking at one of several means to an end rather than the end itself (which is typically having a Good Time). There will be people who are very happy to do the distance on a racing bike, and there will be others who won't, so it's not a great idea for the latter group to look at a 7 Kg bike as ideal though it's fine for the first.

Pete.

[PH]

I rode with one set of lightweight off the bike clothing, one pair spare shorts, no extra footwear, lightweight wash kit and travel towel.
My companion had a couple of shirts, jeans, trainers, big bath towel, couple of full sets of cycle gear.
We were both carrying what we needed.
He wouldn't have wanted to do daily laundry, I wouldn't have wanted to carry his weight. The only way to know what you need is to try a few trips. But if in doubt I'd go against the flow and say take more, I doubt anyone has their ride spoilt by carrying a few extra kilos, being without something you feel you need can make it unpleasant.

[rareposter]

"total weight" is a bit of a weird thing to go by - you have kit you need, kit you want, kit you don't (or shouldn't!) need and kit/things you can probably do without for a week or so.

Within that kit you need, you could go the ultra mountaineering route; buy titanium everything, ultralight waterproof, superlightweight/minimalist panniers, summer weight shorts, etc but that might be really crap when you're slogging into a rainy headwind.
Or you could do the "normal" kit route where it's slightly heavier duty but weighs a few grams more or doesn't pack down as small but might be warmer or more versatlie. And it will be a lot cheaper!

Depends on the bike as well, is it a lightweight adventure bike or a full on steel touring rig with all the mounts & racks?

[Norman H]

What bike are you taking?
How are you carrying your Kit?
How light do you want to go?


We really are spoilt for choice these days when it comes to practical clothing for the outdoors. Even non specialist gear, from M&S or the like, is light, warm, low volume, and quick drying. I would advise two sets of cycling gear, just in case you cannot get it dry by the morning. Mid and outer layers can be dual purpose, for use both on and off the bike, if needed and I personally like to change my footwear in the evening. If you're B&Bing it all the way you wont need a towel and many provide shower gel etc these days. Bring your own toothbrush but sawing the handle off is optional.

[PH]

Mid and outer layers can be dual purpose, for use both on and off the bike,

This is probably where the greatest weight savings can be made. I expect to ride in shorts, but my evening trousers are also OK to ride in, I take two baselayers which also double as T shirts in the evening. I've never failed to get something to dry enough to wear, when staying overnight in a B&B or hostel, google the method to wring stuff out in a towel if you don't know it.
Don't forget to factor in the weight of the luggage itself, if you can get it in a saddlebag the weight of the rack and panniers isn't insignificant (If you're counting)

[Max68]

Thanks for all the comments - I'll be doing the ride on a Giant Revolt and have been adding weight to the bike's luggage (on rear rack) on rides since christmas to help body tune in. Christmas excess calories helped too for training! Looks like I'll be carrying spare cycle shorts and top with single lightweight clothing for night time. Open minded about evening footwear but erring on side of carrying light canvas trainers.

[geocycle]

Thanks for all the comments - I'll be doing the ride on a Giant Revolt and have been adding weight to the bike's luggage (on rear rack) on rides since christmas to help body tune in. Christmas excess calories helped too for training! Looks like I'll be carrying spare cycle shorts and top with single lightweight clothing for night time. Open minded about evening footwear but erring on side of carrying light canvas trainers.

It all comes down to personal comfort levels as others have said. I always have a pair of off the bike shoes now after getting deluged in Scotland and having nothing dry to wear when hunting dinner.

[heatonrider]

i used a pair of Sketchers for footware in the evening ... v light and compact. You can hire towels so would not bother with that. A long sleeved cycling top in the day is a cardigan in the evening if you unzip it!

[Steveindenmark]

I have done a few long distance trips and my view on this is travel as light as possible but do not remove every scrap of comfort in the cause.

I carry a thermos cup which mus weigh about 400g. Shock, horror, an extra 400g.

But when it is lashing down with rain. It is comforting to get in some shelter from the wind and rain and drink boiling hot ginger tea. Rather than cold water from a bidon.

[Tinnishill]

Have a read of this:-

http://ultralightcycling.blogspot.co.uk/