On Feb 26, 2006, at 6:42 PM, jeffoyb wrote:

> My basic ultralight list/packing plan is:
>
> *Rear pans: tent/pad in one main rear pan compartment; sleepbag and
> poles in
> the other; outer pockets hold: clothes, twig-stove, mug, pipe/
> tobacky, plastic
> airline bottle of tequila, portion of a paperback, coffee &
> filters, repair kit/tools.
>
> *Front barbag: snacks, camera, shades, first aid/sunscreen/
> bugjuice, toiletry,
> notepad, maps, wallet.

Jeff, thanks for the write up. This brings up something. I think we
need to differentiate between lightweight and ultralight. I propose
the following. Lightweight: sub 25lb. Ultralight: sub 12lb. This
should include everything except food, water and bike tools/spares
To be realistic we need to include the pack weight, the weight of how
you haul your stuff. Jeff, if you weigh your rack, panniers and bar
bag I'm guessing it's going to be 7-8 lbs. There is no way you can
get to ultralight status with it. As soon as we add panniers we've
pretty much given up on ultralight. They weigh 4-7 lbs. all by them
selves. Handlebar bags aren't light either. The same goes for all
the Carradice and Baggins bags. Weigh those things. Add the weight
to any rack you use, Bagman, SQR, etc. I don't think you can be
ultralight hauling those things around either. I'd like to see some
weights from you guys on just your carrying system. Photos are
always great to.

A rear rack with light weight stuff bag, or bags and a hydration pack
will be around 2 lbs I think. I'll try to weigh mine tonight. I
also have a lot of racks, front and rear, I'll try too weigh them
too. My goal is to have a 2 lb. carrying system. With this it's
easy to stay under 12 lbs in most any weather conditions we'd want to
ride in. To make this work you have to already have the rest of your
kit lightened up. No room for a tent here, unless it's a Tarptent.

There is nothing wrong with light weight either. Especially if you
want to combine other activities with your cycling, hiking,
photography, fishing, birding, etc. I can see myself moving this way
as I get older.

Gary