Planning the Summer 2014 Tour

One way to get through the long winter is to dream about summer. Pathetic, really. Still, it helps a guy get up in the morning.

Last summer's ride (Maine to NY) was OK, but I ended it early (six days instead of eight days), and I stayed mostly in motels. I wish I had gone the full duration, and I wish I had camped more. And the travel to Maine was torture because of the heavy, awkward way I packed my gear.

So what are my thoughts for Summer 2014? Perhaps a trip from Erie, PA, to NYC. Perhaps a circle tour in Colorado. Those are the two leaders. If I did the eastern trip, all travel would be by train, so I wouldn't need to put the Bike Friday in its suitcase. If I did the western trip, I might need to fly, which would leave me with a suitcase to either tow as a trailer, or stash somewhere.

If I am suitcase-less, I am exploring lightening my load so that schlepping everything around the train station and onto the train is not so miserable. I may tray to get rid of the panniers and just strap gear straight to the rack, perhaps using a "bike packing" arrangement under my handlebars, as well.

Here is what the BF looked like last summer:

Standard rear rack and panniers, front handlebar bag. But the panniers weighed several pounds and were hugely bulky to pack. If I could use a seat-post rack and the duffel in which I carried my gear, I could lighten up and slim down my travel gear.