Oh, Everyone, I ordered my saddle bags (Oxford 46x) from GP Bikes at the March Bike Show, received them last week. Here's a quick snap from my phone.
Milton - Vancouver on R6 - July 2012
- Thread starter gjones4487
- Start date
Wheelieboy
Well-known member
I rode with a laptop in a backpack all day on my trip and it was torture. It was a backpack meant for laptops too...although it was a bit stuffed so it formed an awkward shape.
Try riding with a full bag on a day trip before your big trip. Test the waters and see if you can handle it.
After my first day I just put my laptop in my luggage bag. I had to leave it on the bike while I was gone eating sometimes but if you're in a small town, you dont even have to worry about it. If you have easy access to your luggage you can even take it out while you go for a bite.
Try riding with a full bag on a day trip before your big trip. Test the waters and see if you can handle it.
After my first day I just put my laptop in my luggage bag. I had to leave it on the bike while I was gone eating sometimes but if you're in a small town, you dont even have to worry about it. If you have easy access to your luggage you can even take it out while you go for a bite.
Yeah, I'm going to try to avoid using a backpack at all costs, have ridden with a full back pack for 2-3 hrs... Not so much fun. Plus it makes my back HOT in the sun.
At the very least OP pack a knapsack that's confortable just in case you need it. Getting closer now - never know it from the weather tonight and I got all of a 6 km ride in today in the good weather 
Is that 46 ltr total on those bags ? Ouch - you gonna have to pack real careful. What else are you using for storage - some sort of sausage bag? ( might have missed it - been travelling )
Is that 46 ltr total on those bags ? Ouch - you gonna have to pack real careful. What else are you using for storage - some sort of sausage bag? ( might have missed it - been travelling )
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Yeah, 70days to go! Its coming up soo fast, this year is just flying by. Now to make time, to go for a couple full day/weekend trips to test the gear and myself.
What I have planned so far for my storage, i have the Oxford X30 Tank Bag (3x expandable) the X48 Panniers. I am going to Strap my tent and sleeping bag across the Panniers (saddle bags) and on top strap a duffel bag inside a Dry sac with a Bunggie Net around everything just for safe measure. I am also going to figure out a way to attach a small fuel bottle/jerry can to the back end just in case (Murphy's law: "if you don't have it you will need it")
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And for cold weather I have ridden in -4*C weather and have been fine (that was with jeans and I have Riding pants now so it is even warmer)
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I also am not bringing a laptop. I bought a 10" Tablet that I will carry in my tank bag.
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And for cold weather I have ridden in -4*C weather and have been fine (that was with jeans and I have Riding pants now so it is even warmer)
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I also am not bringing a laptop. I bought a 10" Tablet that I will carry in my tank bag.
+1 to ROK straps. Acts like a bungee and you can tighten it. I also like the fact it has no hooks (it has loops).
Camelbak or other hydration system is a must, keeping hydrated really helps with long days. You don't have to wear it either. Strap it to the top or between you and the luggage, buy an extra long hose and the bike carries the weight.
I would also suggest talc/anti monkey butt powder for comfort (along with technical garments).
I have a tendency to over pack. I find if I pack and repack a couple of times I get a chance to go over what I have a find stuff I can do without. Esp if I can just buy it later. After a trip you always find something you want to do differently for the next one. It's an evolving process you can only perfect over time/trips.
I became a believer on all this on my trans-labrador run last year.
Camelbak or other hydration system is a must, keeping hydrated really helps with long days. You don't have to wear it either. Strap it to the top or between you and the luggage, buy an extra long hose and the bike carries the weight.
I would also suggest talc/anti monkey butt powder for comfort (along with technical garments).
I have a tendency to over pack. I find if I pack and repack a couple of times I get a chance to go over what I have a find stuff I can do without. Esp if I can just buy it later. After a trip you always find something you want to do differently for the next one. It's an evolving process you can only perfect over time/trips.
I became a believer on all this on my trans-labrador run last year.
All good tips especially hydration - made a great trip an unsafe nightmare for me getting home riding into the sun in holiday traffic.
You better waterproof the tent and sleeping bag or you may be hitting motels. A wet sleeping bag is very hard to get dry and weighs a ton.
When you actually get that back end loaded up with stuff ( even for a test run and make sure it's heavy as in reality ) you want to go out to the roughest pavement you can find and ride for a good while hammer your teeth and the luggage and see also how different the handling is.
Ride the worst bumps for 10 minutes then check - ride a 1/2 hour and check again.
This works
this doesn't
good article here
snip
lots more good tips
http://www.soundrider.com/archive/tips/rally_ready_2.htm
You better waterproof the tent and sleeping bag or you may be hitting motels. A wet sleeping bag is very hard to get dry and weighs a ton.
When you actually get that back end loaded up with stuff ( even for a test run and make sure it's heavy as in reality ) you want to go out to the roughest pavement you can find and ride for a good while hammer your teeth and the luggage and see also how different the handling is.
Ride the worst bumps for 10 minutes then check - ride a 1/2 hour and check again.
This works
this doesn't
good article here
snip
lots more good tips
http://www.soundrider.com/archive/tips/rally_ready_2.htm
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Absolutely, I was thinkin of doin the tobemory loop and campin in the manitulin Island(can't spell) and takin the ferry across in the morning and ride back or do a tour around. Ill pm ya. To set up a date
autodocjr
Well-known member
I'm in if u want a tag along. I know the Bruce pretty well.
Sounds good
Wicked, ill pm yah
OpenGambit
Banned
is the plan still there through the states then back through Canada?
Sure is
wandering_bandit
Well-known member
don't worry about packing too many clothes ... save the space and weight. If you're on the road everyday - you'll probably be wearing the same thing everyday anyways ... the adrenaline will just keep you going.
Remember ... you can re-wear underwear 4 ways ....
Remember ... you can re-wear underwear 4 ways ....
