swmbo she say yes

[willem]

My very personal advice would be to try and get the weight down to 12-15 kg. You will not need front panniers for that. Thus, you save an additional 2-2.5 kg on the empty front panniers and front rack. You save money because you do not need the lowrider and the panniers. Use that money to save volume in your kit, e.g by using a modern smaller and lighter sleeping bag and/or one of the new insulated air mattresses like the Thermarest Neoair Allseason, or the Exped Synmat Basic (depending on budget). I nowadays do not need front panniers anymore, not even in the colder season and to somewhat harsher environments. I reckon you only need them on demanding expeditions.
Enjoy,
Willem

 

[oldfatfool]

The low rider panniers are already fitted so no cash to be saved.

Rear panniers are about 1kg each. Have a vango banshee tent, venom 400 bag with a silk liner and an ultralite air mat, maybe 3.5 kg all in.

Other rear pannier will carry Trangier, fuel, wash kit, first aid, mug and waterproof kit(jacket, trousers, overshoes, gillet, arm and leg warmers), any food.

Rack bag for tools/spares/lock/battery and solar panel/ matches etc

Front panniers 0.8kg each, to be packed with clothing for 3 weeks, planning on

2 armless compression tops, 1 long sleeved. 2 pair padded trunks, 1 pair padded cycling shorts,1 pair swimming trunks, 1 thermal tights. 2 pair normal long shorts. 1 pair briefs. 3 'normal' short sleeve breathable shirts, 1 long, 1 short sleeve cycling top. 3 pair socks. (3.5 kg?)

Bar bag for phone/camera/wallet/ passport etc


I know I am probably overpacking but in the past have experienced snow in the alps in July.Thoughts?

 

[willem]

I did not need front panniers on my recent Norway tour. I had everything for cold and wet weather, a spacious tent, and a Trangia stove.
Willem

 

[doog]

I reckon total extra weight will be around 16 - 18 kg, with a bit of luck and a fair wind I am hoping to have lost that in body weight by then (already lost 8kg since I started in June time )

you will lose a few kg on that trip as well

. I lost nearly a stone on my last tour, had 4 panniers weighing in at 20kg with the camping kit.

 

[oldfatfool]

Coach is booked and paid for, so no going back now

 

[rich p]

I did not need front panniers on my recent Norway tour. I had everything for cold and wet weather, a spacious tent, and a Trangia stove.
Willem

Do you cut and paste this Willem?

 

[psmiffy]

I did not need front panniers on my recent Norway tour. I had everything for cold and wet weather, a spacious tent, and a Trangia stove.
Willem

Thats very admirable

However - I toured down the west coast of Norway from Bodo to Stavanger a few years back - It froze in the North and deluged in the South - I had a very spacious tent, 4 large panniers plus dry bags for waterproofs and the hardware that I could not get in the panniers - I was very grateful that I had packed sufficient warm clothing for a change at the end of day , full waterproofs to keep me comfortable on the bike together with thermal clothing both for on the bike and the evening, efficient cooking equipment of adequate capacity to cook filling, satisfying meals and very adequate sleeping kit which could cope with the temperture diving to the level that water bottle had ice in them and still have space in the panniers to spare for a surfit of food.

The result = warm, dry, comfortable and most importently happy psmiffy at the end of each day regardless of what the elements were chucking at me.