What to wear, what to wear.

Since I live in Indiana, winter here comes soon and it comes relatively cold. With temperatures hitting freezing during late November, figuring out what to wear and bring is important. The primary considerations would be compressibility (I don't have panniers yet, as you can see in my pictures I use a 30L stuff sack w/ a cargo net so space is at a premium), warmth vs compressibility ratio, and the ability to be worn without looking like I'm headed to the mountains.
I have gone on backpacking trips before so I am aware of layering. The theory behind layering is pretty simple, and explained well here:

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CFPage?mode=article&objectID=29900&storeId=10151&catalogId=10001&langId=-1

as well as here (a more hands-on description):

http://www.bicycletouring101.com/LayeringYourClothing.htm

So without further ado:

Baselayer Top: Icebreaker Bodyfit200 Oasis (Midweight Wool)
Baselayer Bottom: Icebreaker Bodyfit150 Leggings
Bottom: Paramount Explorer Pant
Insulation1 (for breaks on days that are cold but not freezing): TKA100 Glacier 1/4 Zip Fleece
Insulation2 (for the freezing days): Arc'teryx Delta AR
Windshell: Northface Nimble Jacket

Hardshell (Rain Gear): Light Gore-tex rain jacket bought long ago

I find that in temperatures of 70F the baselayer alone provides enough warmth (I do the wear pants ;-) And in anything less the windshell has sufficed while moving. During breaks "insulation1" has been fine (when worn under the windshell and over the baselayer) down to temperatures of 45F (we had a pre-season cold week here).

Hopefully when temperatures drop further throwing everything on will suffice, it does all fit at the same time, and it doesn't look too terrible even with everything stuffed on because for the most part the clothing is form fitting (the shells are somewhat big to compensate for stuffing all that fleece in there.)

*Take note that when moving I've never had to put on more than a windshell over the baselayer, even the light fleece is too much for aerobic exercise in cold weather (although we'll see about that in freezing weather)

Recap of my first trip

Unfortunately, I started this blog about 2 weeks AFTER I started cycle touring, because of that I have a lot to say, so this is going to be my 3rd post of the day.

I had all my gear together, and had some freetime during the day on monday when class ended at 1.30 so I decided that I was going to take my first trip here and now, stay over in a forest somewhere (its Indiana) then come back for class on Tuesday starting at 12.30 (the wonders of college life.)

The way there was awesome, I left at 4.30, and I don't know for sure but I think there was a 8mph tail-wind coming up behind me and I was easily averaging 20mph heading north. Around 6pm I thought it was a good time to look for somewhere to sleep, it took me 20 more minutes of cycling but I found a suitable place and made myself some dinner. My cycle computer showed me 36mi traveled for the day. I would guess the temperature was around 50F at at night/early morning, but my pad/bag/wear everything I own combination kept me warm for this night.

Of course the problem with the great tail-wind being that the next morning... the wind was still blowing, and I had to go home in time for class. To put what felt like a long time and story short, it took me around 3 and 1/2 hrs to get back, averaging ~12mph for 40 miles (yes I got lost a little, but I guess that's what you get for deciding to go "north".)

Lessons learned:

- Food comes in containers, the containers don't disappear after you eat the food in them.
- Cooking stuff doesn't clean itself either
- Headwind now means tailwind later
- Taking a rest near somebody's lawn means that a dog will very likely come chasing after you.

Although the whole headwind thing was a huge pain, I had great fun and would definitely do it again, going to sleep at 8pm to the sound of rustling autumn leaves, and then getting up to see the sunrise while eating hot food (even canned macaroni) is something that's worth facing 8 hours of headwind for.

The Gear List

And here it is a, a list of gear I've recently acquired (and used) to go out on weekend trips, and hopefully longer ones in the near future.

Shelter: Hennessy Hammock Ultralite Backpacker A-sym
Sleeping Bag: Mont-bell Super Stretch Burrow Bag #5
Sleeping Pad: Army Surplus Pad
Stove: MSR Pocket Rocket

and of course,

Bike: Trek 850, a beautiful metallic matte purple machine featured here and in the picture of my first blog post. Picked up used for $209 at my LBS (local bike store).

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The hammock: Awesome piece of gear, I have gone backpacking before and know what its like to set up a tent when you're tired, cold, wet, and hungry. Although its not quite snapping your fingers to set it up it comes close. Initially I was scared of buying it since it seemed like it was difficult to learn how to set up without help but I actually managed to learn in 15 minutes, it really is easy. I was inspired by Allan E Stokell's excellent guide to stealth camping:

http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/?o=3Tzut&doc_id=1385&v=Lt

My decision to stealth camp over motels and B&B's is largely a budget/convenience one. It is much easier to do weekenders to places if there is no worry about finding suitable accommodations. You also get extra-coolness points for staying in the wilderness.

The bag: 40F rated synthetic sleeping bag, living in Indiana the temperature fluctuates heavily, since I want to tour, all-season (yes during the winter too) the middle 40F seemed like a good idea. I plan to survive winter using a combination of a sleeping bag liner and a survival blanket.

The stove: Budget-desicion, would have gotten a liquid fuel stove, because the canisters are not known for their ability to work in cold weather, but it was cheap with solid/rave reviews. Also has the snap on, snap off, thing going for it.

The bike: I walk into the LBS, I tell them that I'm getting into bicycle touring and want a nice bike for touring... for around $200 (I know, but I'm a student) The guy walks to the used bike section, points out this beauty, and its an automatic buy it decision. Cro-Moly Steel Frame (durable/bomb-proof), relaxed geometry of a no-suspension old MTB. If you're strapped for cash and want to go touring, look for old mountain bikes. In addition this one came with hybrid wheels (basically a fat slick tire with thread-ish things on the side). I could not have gotten luckier.

All of these were budget-minded decisions but in the two trips I've used the gear, I find that I have a personal attachment to every piece I own. (BUT, since these were all bought at backcountry.com they can be returned easily... did I make any wrong desicions?)

First Post - An Introduction

I am a college student at Purdue University, who recently read about Bicycle Touring and felt it was something that I really wanted to do. I've gone out on a couple one-day trips and feel like I could do this forever. This blog is here so I can remember how it started and hopefully get feedback from people who are more advanced than me in this, and also provide another resource for others who want to start bicycle touring.

I'll be updating with posts about the gear I'm getting for trips, my on-going efforts at learning about the various aspects of bicycle maintenance, trips I've gone on (only 2 at the moment), and general information about how my journey into bicycle touring is going. Please leave feedback, comments, or a hello, and feel free to e-mail me about anything you see.