The list has been pretty quiet. Have we said all there is to say?

I really enjoyed Kent Peterson's post about his overnighter last week. That is
the kind of trip I'm trying myself to do more this year. Of course, Kent is
using them to build up to his big event this summer. Speaking of Kent, look in
the most recent issue of Dirt Rag magazine for more of his prose. Kudos!

So what is the goal of going ultralight as opposed to loaded? I'm not sure that
to me it isn't more about simplicity than the actual weight itself. All of my
tours of more than three days have so far been "fully loaded," so now I'm
working to reduce that load, but have some contingency for problems that may
arise (mainly weather and mechanical issues) AND stay within my means. It also
means taking what I want to take, although it might not be a practical (Ok, it
was a banjo). Over on the iBoB list, Kent pointed to Jeff Potter of
OutYourBackdoor, who writes about this on his website at:
http://www.glpbooks.com/oyb/article.php?id=328

Do we need a contingency for every issue that might arise, or can we reduce and
do without a significant amount of "what if" equipment? Can ingenuity be an
adaquate substitute for the correct tool? In the event of a mishap, can we
find what we need on the road/trail without being a freeloader? While reducing
may increase the risk of discomfort in a given situation, can it do so without
too severly impacting actual safety. (ie. cold and wet vs hypothermic)

Matt Chester discusses his ideas of simplicity on his blog:
http://www.mattchester.com/blog/ he even has some photos illustrating his
inspiration for the types of bikes he builds at the bottom of the Feb. 10th
entry. I appreciate his aesthetic. That is simplicity, maybe too much for me.

Here are some other folks with whom I feel some kinship, although they aren't
camping, they aren't bringing a ton of stuff either:
http://www5e.biglobe.ne.jp/~akuta/doai.html These folk do alot of the kinds of
rides I most enjoy.

So what are your thought on all this stuff?

Cheers,
John Gorham
Union Bridge, MD
http://jfgorham.home.att.net/fixing_frederick.htm