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Reply to Panniers vs trailer
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Ned from West Chester on 2/22/2014 12:25:46 PM:
Taking the trip in June with my 15 y.o. son and need a lot of equipment. I have enough for me, but this will be his first, (maybe last, depending), and I don't want to get more than I may never use again, plus the cost involved. I have two sets of rear panniers but no front ones. The two trailers I've seen look interesting. Any Thoughts?
 
anonymous on 2/22/2014 3:43:35 PM:
Minimize. Aim for 20-25 pounds, tops. Alternately, if more weight is a "must" cut way back on mileage per day...depending on pre-trip conditioning: or that discouragement you want to avoid might set in quicker than you think.
 
Dr Skeep from Tucson, AZ on 3/14/2014 12:11:31 PM:
I agree with the 20 - 25-lb limit if one is doing a lot of climbing. My son and I did the Durango to Moab hut2hut ride in 2010 -- 26,000 ft of climbing in 7 days, 1st hut at 11,400 ft -- and limited our daily onboard, incl. almost 9 lbs of liquid, to c. 25 lbs. But on the flat, wt. doesn't make much difference, except for acceleration which isn't at issue here. And, of course, the more wt. the better on descents, assuming you have good brakes. Having said that, I always try to take just a bit less than I think I might need and I still end up taking too much. (I'm opposed to trailers, for aesthetic and other reasons. They seem to contradict the basic point of a bike.)
 
JJB from Fairmont, WV on 3/16/2014 12:57:07 PM:
My wife and I have done DC to Pitt twice now and have only used rear paniers on each bike. We also have a bag that sits on the rear rack. From our own personal experience I can say that you can do without more than you think. We have watched people struggle with trailers. We met one family who had two trailers. We kind of leap-frogged with them on the trail. By the third day they told us that they had started to unload, (read - leave), items at campsites. They had simply brought to much stuff because they had the room for it.
 
Paul from Pittsburgh on 3/16/2014 1:50:26 PM:
Like Ned said, you need less than you think. I did my first full ride last Oct and had 2 rear panniers, a trunk bag and handlebar bag. I had a whole large plastic bag full of clothes in one pannier that I never even opened. My friend loaded down his bike with 2 rear panniers, trunk bag and 2 front panniers and he certainly felt it. Popped 2 spokes too. It was just too much stuff.

The GAP/C&O is mostly flat, so I didn't think you have to limit yourself to 20-25lbs of gear, that really isn't much. I had 45lbs of stuff on my bike and I really never noticed it, and we averaged about 70 miles a day. Well, except for when I had to LIFT the whole bike up the spiral staircase to Harpers Ferry. Now THAT sucked.... lol
 
Paul A on 3/16/2014 9:32:01 PM:
Are you planning to camp along the way or will you make other plans? If you're not camping, you really don't need much. If you will be camping you may be able to rent what you need. If there's an REI near you check about renting equipment.
 
rick from grafton, va on 3/21/2014 12:32:52 PM:
I understand that you want your son to the enjoy the ride and have a comfortable trip. I typically carry 20 lbs or less on multi day rides where I'm camping. If staying indoors my load consists of extra set of bike clothing and one st of "town clothing" snacks, toiletries, andthat's about it. You and he might have a better time not being burdened by a lot of extra gear. Some ways to cut weight is to use an alcohol stove and FBC cooking. Freezer Bag Cooking. That way you only need one pot to heat water and eat out of the bag. Use trail bars for light weight quick energy. Bring a Kindle to read or play a game. Or just talk years from now the trip will be a great memory. If you choose to pack heavy the Passage won't really be a factor the trail is well graded, smooth, and not too steep. The C&O is a bike more of a challenge with extra gear. You can resupply almost daily if need out want and it's fun to meet various people interested the trail towns.
 
anon from Ohio on 3/23/2014 3:34:21 PM:
In true respect to Dr Skeep I read that he's in top shape and probably has been for some time. For the commoner, weight does matter: F=MA is true regardless of flat trail or climbing mountains. Over a long trip Mass will add to much more force required: fatigue, heat, mud, rain, puddles, roots, mosquitos etc.etc.etc can make anyone miserable in short order. 25lbs on a bike adds up quick...aim for less!
 
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