Cut That Kit!

[andym]

Tyre boot - I've always managed to find something to use. A crisp packet on one occasion, and it held up for at least 50 miles.

You'd save maybe 5 grams by not carrying one.

 

[Paul Walters]

Hello, this is the kit list for my lejog this summer, with my friend. Does anyone have any suggestions? Especially on how to reduce weight. Anything asterisked is 'x2'

Thanks

Kit for Tour

REVISED 2011

All stuff must be packed in waterproof bags.
Quantity must be marked

Camping 5625g

* Tent, Tent poles 975g repair 50g pegs 400g
* Trangia 900g+meths burner and fuel gas cookers are more efficient and lighter than Trangia kit. I have a Vaude Markill Piezo 91grammes
* Swiss army knive 300g
* Bowls* (only take plates OR bowls, or better still, shallow bowls) Take one bowl, one cup and one spoon
* Sporks x2 not much
* mugs x2 100g
* Sleeping bags x2 m825g j1200g
* Roll mats x2 j275g m150g I took a karrimat cut down to length between my hip and shoulder. Slept like a baby every night.
* Head torches x2 150g take 1

Clothes

* Shorts x4 take 2 - 1 on, 1 in wash
* t-shirt x2 only need this for the evening - take 1
* Cycling top (base layer or jersey) x2 1 on 1 in wash
* Fleece*
* Waterproof*
* Flip flops/crocks
* Shoes*Cycling shoes only - wear your crocs in the night.
* Socks*
* Underwear*
* Sunglasses*
* Helmets*
* Gloves*


Food water etc

* Food-mostly bought along the way buy food late in the afternoon only
* Water bottles 3 bidons
* steritabs not needed in UK - I could always find water on route


Bike kit

* Tool kit essentials pliers, 525g spanner 275g multi 150g cables 25g tubes 2 each 450g, ?g chain tool and spare links, spare spokes and nipples, lube,
* Pump x2 Take 1 and make sure that both bikes use the same innertubes.
* Lights x2 if touring during the summer months, you can expect daylight up til about 10pm in the UK so you won't need these. I used mine once.
* Locks* 550g they weigh more than this take 1 and lock bikes together


Electronics 1200g

* iPod
* Phone x2
* Battery power supply we need a smaller, lighter, power supply I sent all this home after 5 days as it was far too heavy to carry for 16 days
* Camera
* Speakers - 120g if I remember correctly why ? you'll be too tired to listen to it

I used a phone with a mp3 player and camera on it and a mains charger.


Washing etc 750g

* Toothbrush x2 take 1 and share it
* Toothpaste
* Wet wipes
* Toilet paper and a ziplock to keep it in nick it as you need it.
* Sun cream defo needed plus moisturiser
* Shower Gel in ziplock
* Blister kit where are you likely to get blisters ?
* Shaver
* First aid+pain killers etc
* Vaseline CHAMOIS CREAM IS ESSENTIAL
* Travel towel
* Dishcloth/sponge
also take a exped bag to keep your clothes dry when hanging on the door of the shower


General

* Maps and case each map is about 150g
* Small drawstring bag 50g* one each used for pillow when stuffed with spare clothes
* Pack of cards 100g
* Money

Please note the reason this is not in the lejog forum is because it is not specific to that tour.

 

[andym]

Hmm when you start talking about sharing toothbrushes maybe you'retaking weight weeniness a bit far (OK maybe this doesn't apply to couples).

I'd also consider lights essential - both for emergencies and for trips to the pub etc. I am thinking about wind-up lights to save on carrying AAA batteries as well as AA.

 

[snorri]

Rather than shower gel, I would take a bar of soap which will do for washing, showering and shaving. You haven't included a shaving brush.
I have seen a guy with a head torch on campsites, scraping about in his tent when he could have been asleep, leave the headtorch at home.

 

[andym]

You haven't included a shaving brush.

I have seen a guy with a head torch on campsites, scraping about in his tent when he could have been asleep, leave the headtorch at home.

Maybe he was looking for his shaving brush?

 

[jay clock]

I am astonished at the aggressiveness of the "you must do it my way" approach. I haven't done many long tours, max 3 weeks, but several of a week or so, and I am now comfortable that what I take works for me. You may be different.

I agree that the major items are a key saving area. Shoes in particular. If you expect UK summer weather, then a pair of regular trainers weighs in about 800g, so leaving these out has saved a lot.

I find one set of non cycling clothes fine. They are usually worn an hour or two in the evening on a freshly showered body

My tip would be weigh everything. You will surprised how much some things weigh.

It is rare to have people come back and say they took too little!

 

[HelenD123]

leave the headtorch at home.

How do you read a book then? Even in late August it gets dark reasonably early. My headtorch has had loads of use. it makes a great impromptu front light wrapped round a bar bag. You may not plan to cycle in the dark but you never know when the weather will take a turn for the worst and you need lights.

 

[psmiffy]

I have seen a guy with a head torch on campsites, scraping about in his tent when he could have been asleep, leave the headtorch at home.

That was probably me

How do you read a book then? Even in late August it gets dark reasonably early. My headtorch has had loads of use. it makes a great impromptu front light wrapped round a bar bag. You may not plan to cycle in the dark but you never know when the weather will take a turn for the worst and you need lights.

In late August I am probably using the head torch to put the tent up - not to mention cooking dinner and maybe a bit of admin - How people find the time to read books I don't know

I am astonished at the aggressiveness of the "you must do it my way" approach. I haven't done many long tours, max 3 weeks, but several of a week or so, and I am now comfortable that what I take works for me. You may be different.

jay clock - the OP asked for critique - and as such is effectively trolling :troll: for weight weenies - when weight comes into the discussion I very rarely bother to comment - but I agree with your sentiment - having done a reasonable number of longish tours I just take what is comfortable for me - if it moves it goes

 

[snorri]

That was probably me

Pitlochry, late July 2009? I remember it, there was no movement in his tent until darkness came down, it seemed as if he had bought a head torch and couldn't wait for darkness to justify the purchase.

When touring in areas which do not enjoy the extended summer daylight, I always find myself ready to sleep when darkness comes down. I have seldom pitched the tent in darkness, but have done it often enough in daylight to do it in the dark when necessary. I usually write up a tour diary in the evening but have never felt the need to read in the dark.
Hey, but that's just me, we are all different!

 

[HelenD123]

When touring in areas which do not enjoy the extended summer daylight, I always find myself ready to sleep when darkness comes down. I have seldom pitched the tent in darkness, but have done it often enough in daylight to do it in the dark when necessary. I usually write up a tour diary in the evening but have never felt the need to read in the dark.

Normally that's me too, but at the end of my tour last year it was getting dark before 6pm. I didn't need that much sleep! I'd try to get to camp an hour before darkness to get the tent up and get started on the cooking.

 

[snorri]

Normally that's me too, but at the end of my tour last year it was getting dark before 6pm.

The OP was seeking advice on kit for a summer LEJOG.

 

[tbtb]

What is this two person tent that apparently weighs 975g but is paired up with 400g of pegs? Surely you haven't got a £450 Terra Nova Solar photon 2? Nothing odd about owning such a tent, but owning it and taking it on tour with half a kilogram of pliers? That's an unusual choice to make.