Blue.......it is hard decision to make....to go or not to go....because of the
investment you have made....i am in the same boat as you are.....i live up north
around the great lakes....where there are one to many people....but what can you
do.....take a good lock with you.....and pepper spray for the dogs and those
certain individuals that like to test your strength or weakness`s..... 
i understand about the investment in packs, sleeping shelter, sleeping bag, all
of the equipment that is strapped to your bike.....and sticky fingers that
wander by looking at what is easy to take off with......
is there a way to take a vehicle ride of the route you plan to take to get an
idea of what is safe and where......
years ago when i use to work for u.c.berkeley ......my crew found out that the
campus police were the biggest thieves on the campus....
i wish you luck.......i am curious of your security choices you make....since i
have no idea what it is like to bike down south.....

--- On Wed, 3/4/09, blue yin <blue_yin@...> wrote:

From: blue yin <blue_yin@...>
Subject: [ultralightbiking] Urban Touring with a carbon fiber road bike?
To: ultralightbiking@yahoogroups.com
Date: Wednesday, March 4, 2009, 9:42 PM

Hello all,

In two months I am leaving for a 7-9 day cycling trip around south florida.
I will probably do the 100mile+ keys route there and back, then putter about the
coast line. I anticipate about 7 days of road cycle touring avg 50-80+ miles per
day. I own a Specialized Tarmac Elite $1800+, full carbon fiber bike. I want to
tent camp in national/state parks most of the time. I will probably bring an
ultra light weight stove and a couple backpaking meals but mostly will buy cheap
food on the road (pizza).

My questions are:

1) Is my bike too expensive to cycletour with? As in will it get stolen even if
i lock it up with a GOOD lock, while i shop for groceries/eat food, walk around,
or sleep. I plan on putting a tyvek cover over it and have it partially in my
vestibule while i sleep.

2) Am I insane to think i can get all my ultra lightweight gear on it w/o
panniers? Here is what im thinking:

a) 3 pound 2 person tent, body in some sort of handlebar bag, or just
strapped to the handlebars. Packed it is less then 1 foot by 5 inches. VERY
small.
b) tent rods against the frame, with padding to keep the frame scratch
free.
c) 40 degree, 1 lbs. 10 oz sleeping bag which I will strap to the
back/bottom of my seat measures 1foot 1 inch by 5 inches. I may get a
compression bag to make it smaller.
d) light Dueter or Camelbak bike specific hydration system/backpack that
has space for a little bit of clothing. 1 spare pair of cycling clothes, rain
jacket, rain pants, 2 pairs of socks, etc etc. Clothes only.
e) bike tools, electronics, everything else in the frame bag or possibly
in the handle bar bag.


I havnt weighed the gear or decided exactly what I'm bringing but I have
really light weight gear. I think I can get it all on the bike with just a
couple bike specific bags. The question am I crazy to try and do it? And do you
all think its too nice of a bike to have to leave occasionally when I have to go
to the bathroom or grocery shopping.

All help/suggestions/comments welcome!

blue