Getting stuff packed and stuff

Mel and I stepped on a scale with our fully-loaded bikes yesterday and things got real. We are going to be carrying about 110 pounds of stuff between us plus the bikes themselves are each about 30 pounds. It really gets you thinking about which belongings are important when you have to carry it all yourself. It's pretty easy math actually. Live out of a tent with all your belongings and you will carry as little as possible. Drive a huge car and live in a huge house and your belongings will collect to fill the space. Our space includes four bags each hanging from racks on the bike plus one bag each on our handlebars. And that space is filled.

Stuff and stuff

Tent - check

Sleeping bags - check

Pillows - check

Sleeping pads - check

Camping stove - check

Some rice and snacks to get us started - check

Rain jacket and pants - check

A few changes of clothing each - check

Laptop - check

Kindles and iPhones - check

Bike lock and cable - check

Tools, pump, patch kit, and spare tubes - check

Spare spokes - check

Ibuprofen - check

Water bottles - check

Guitalele - check

Now we are seeing what we can do to scale things down a bit. Do we really each need four pairs of socks? Three layers or four for warmth? How much shampoo and soap?