Paul, here is an idea about bringing extra spokes with you just in case. If you don't have any room to pack them anymore, I picked up this tip from someone: Stuff some stiff Styrofoam down your seat tube and insert the spokes in the Styrofoam so they don't go anywhere or rattle around. You can put another piece of Styrofoam on the top of the spokes. Of course it all depends how far or how long your seat post is, but it works for most people.
Another option on the spokes is to duct tape them on the underside of the down tube. There when you need it. Also I like to wrap duct tape on my spare water bottle for emergency use. Man’s best friend to emergency fix almost anything and great for blisters.
Paul, I am willing to bet you are an educator. Your descriptions and explanations or excellent. I was born in 63 and my goal is to ride across the country by my 70th year. I appreciate the realism that you bring, most videos I watch gloss over or don't mention the difficulties. Thanks for the effort and information.
Thanks for watching. I really appreciate it. I just retired this year after teaching high school Biology for 34 years. I enjoyed it (mostly) but am glad to move on. I also want to be able to ride my bike across the country at 70. Hope to see you down the road. Stay safe and ride on!
Paul, thank you for documenting your trips so beautifully. You inspired me to pack up my Brompton folding bike and fly it to Miami to ride the Overseas Highway down to Key West, and then fly home. I realize how much more work producing each of your videos must have been: planning, filming (camera placement and retrieval when necessary), and editing. I hope to do more touring - but I shall leave the documentation to professionals like you!
Thanks for watching! I'm actually a professional school teacher. I hope to retire soon and become a professional bike tourist/traveler. See you down the road. Ride on!
Brompton! I own one, too. Great to travel with even though they were designed with cities in mind. I mostly do rail trails with mine, but they are surprisingly robust for folding bikes.
Sorry about the late response. Thanks, I really appreciate it. I'm not built like a french bike racer and I don't want to dress like one either. Comfort is the key. Hope to see you down the trail. Stay safe and ride on!!😎
I love you short dry comedy. "Cause ya never now." I love the fact that your stuff has the miles on it, road tested, no frills, just what works for you. Stay warm! It will be spring before you know it. 👊
Thanks for watching. I really appreciate it. I was a HS teacher for 34 years. Calm and assertive. Hope to see you down the trail. Stay safe and ride on!!
@@paulsuchecki3985 i wish but I had to win the lottery to do so to come to America. I heard that Poles don't need the Visa to come to America because we helped America a lot in Afghanistan 😊. Maybe some day
Zip ties- I haven't personally needed them yet, but I have had occasion to lend one or two to others. I appreciate that you pack what works for you as opposed to merely following trends. I do like a Merino wool buff. Those things are so simple, yet handy. Before I discovered you teach, I thought "he reminds me of everyone's favorite high school teacher that turns out to have an interest life". You know how students think their instructors are robots that only serve to educate them. I will never forget when my high school history teacher rolled away in a classic 70s Corvette. Mind boggling. 🤣 Happy Easter and keep on being a light.
Great list, and well packed. I think when I go on my first multi day outing, about the only other thing I'd add is some kind of water treatment. A life straw or a squeeze through filter bag/bottle, and some antimicrobial tablets. Nothing worse than getting sick 'cause you ran out of potable water but still need to drink.
Hi Catalina. Regarding water. I did my riding on paved highways and if I got low on water, especially in the desert, I'd hold up my water bottles as RVs passed by and they would pullover and top off my water. Maybe you do off road touring and then for sure water treatment would be necessary.
@@dennisprice8798 yeah, I'm looking at doing some old rail trails when I'm in good enough condition to do so. But I definitely like the idea of getting RVers to help. I'd definitely contribute from mine if I had good water on board. 💜
Recently found your channel and love it. Your just ‘normal’ like us. Your not the biker that looks like he was in the Tour de France and took a wrong turn and ended up in the Midwest, dressed to the hilt in all the latest biker fashions. Thanks for the inspiration to know i can be me and have fun at it. 😊
Practical Paul! Thanks for sharing!! Been enjoying your educational bio videos lately too. Definitely an inspiration. The kids are lucky to have had you as a teacher…bet they are some inspired creatures 😊
Lots of sound advice with few bells and whistles, My water resistant panniers are water resistant, not water proof. I believe the tuff fabric is Cardura. I line them with a10 mil plastic bag. grocery bags are one mil. They are designed for asbestos removal and. They are tuff and last for ever. I'm at a point in my life were the only camera I now carry is on my phone. I bring back memories and just a few photos. My newest handle bar bag is a padded camera bag I converted for us as a handle bar bag. I designed a fast mount for and with the removable shoulder strap I can carry it. My other handle bar bag I have been using since 1972. We are both Old School and keep it simple. For a tour with one or two people, my choice of stove is a old school, Svea 123 and has a built in pressurized tank and runs on white gas.
I've watched so many videos like this over the past week and this was the most informative one and gave advice I've not heard on any others. Thank you Paul!
Thanks for these video's Paul. Just back from a 14 day bike tour. Did most of my lunch breaks in nature standing up. I missed the sit-upon. It's a good idea and I'll add it to my gear.
I use a sit-upon pad that doubles as a "weeding/kneeling" pad in the garden. It's a little thicker than Pauls. I bungee it over my sleeping bag on the back rack, and put the bungees through a pair of flipflops before attaching. The flipflops don't get my other items dirty, especially when it's muddy, and the sit-upon helps to keep the rain off my sleeping bag (it's also wrapped in plastic).
Just getting ready to go on my first bike touring adventure this summer, and your video's just have me chopping at the bit to get at it. I like the way you roll brother
It's very helpful to see bikers or backpackers pull everything out to reveal what they pack. You answered my question about camera from an earlier video I watched.
I love your videos. So simplified without being overwhelmed with all the new gear available now. It just goes to show, you don’t need fancy expensive equipment to go bike touring. I am British, and your accent and sense of humour is such fun! Nice to see you carry a Bible too. I carry or wear a St Christopher.
Thanks for watching. I like to keep things simple. I don't understand most of those fancy gadgets anyways. Accent? I don't have an accent... and you spelled humor wrong. LOL!!! 😁 Thanks again. God Bless!
I'm tool & tire repair heavy,, i carry 2 mini pumps (2 is 1 & 1is none) Never hadda pump fail on me (yet) I'm lite on clothes,, 1 change,, nylon polyester 4 quik dry
Thank You for that detailed explanation of your setup. I have only used cheap jury rigged or repurposed packs and bags .I am considering a whole to rig now .
I am 73 and I still love to cycle. Love the way my lungs feel. One time My wife and I biked into a movie set in Ala..You ever do something weird like that? JACK LEMMON WALTER Mathau.
Thanks for watching! I really appreciate it. Once I unexpectedly rode into a triathalon along the Pearl river in Jackson, Miss. Hope to see you down the road. Stay safe and ride on!!
Love your stuff. One tip to try… instead of putting the vinyl sack into a plastic bag, line the vinyl sack with the plastic bag and fill it up. No holes guaranteed and you know what’s in the bag. I also carry a few zip ties and wrap some duct tape around itself kind of like your tp roll. Lastly I use my rear blinking light even during the day. Again, love your stuff!
I now carry a Helinox Chair Zero with me. It weighs about a pound, and does take up a little space, but it's great to always have a comfortable place to sit for a break. Maybe if my hamstrings could get loosened up more I'd sit on the ground like you do.
I have always wished I could carry a chair with me. Never seemed practical. I need to check into the Helinox Zero. Sitting on the ground isn't so bad. It's getting up that hurts. Thanks for the tip. Ride on!
You definitely have what you need nothing looks overboard. I like to have some duct tape. I wrap about 2 feet of it on a water bottle and peel some off when needed. Thanks for sharing the details of your gear.
Love this! I'm converting my older 90s Nashbar hybrid into a touring bike. It's an Tange Infinity chomoly frame. Love seeing your packing list. Those panniers seem bottomless. Lol. Very inspiring!
Very cool! Sorry about the late response. Sounds like a great plan. I probably carry wat too much stuff, but I like some comforts. Thanks for watching. I really appreciate it. Hope to see you down the trail. Stay safe and ride on!!
This is very helpful since we will be bike touring soon. We have done a few miles here and there but long distance bike touring is one of our bucket list that we look forward to do. Thank you for your videos!
Great video! Got some good tips. Can’t believe you can carry everything but you do! Saw the bug spray. What do you do for tick control? Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for watching. I really appreciate it. Ticks can be a problem here in southern Illinois. Bug spray helps with mosquitoes and ticks also. Stay out of the tall grass in summer, that's where they hitch a ride. You can usually see them (or feel them) crawling on you and pick them off before they burrow into your skin. If they are too small and you can't grab them, use sticky tape to get them off. If they are already burrowed into your skin, make sure you pick off the whole tick. Don't leave the head behind. If in doubt, smear some antibiotic ointment on the tick bite to kill bacteria. It's best to get them off in the first 24 hrs. I hope that helps. Stay safe and ride on!
This is a very informative video regarding what equipment you find useful for bicycle touring. Your choices are well thought out for your needs and preferences. They are clearly based on your very extensive touring experience. I had to chuckle when you told us what some of your gear from earlier years like your tent weighed - I can relate to that. I am certain that many of your viewers will find this video very helpful in deciding what they would consider carrying when they take up your challenge to just get out and ride (tour on) your bike!
Bud, thanks again. On one hand, my gear has really changed over the years, but on the other hand I like to stick with the tried and true. I'm still stuck in the 20th century, but I'm trying to keep up. My next video is about the bike itself. Talk about a dinosaur. The frame is from 1987. But just about everything attached to the frame is new.
Sounds great! I usually stay at hotels. Especially at my age. LOL! Thanks for watching. I really appreciate it. Hope to see you down the road. Stay safe and ride on!!
You probably have these in there someplace. Zip ties, a small assortment of screws and bolts that fit your bike all jammed into a pill bottle , with some strike anywhere matches , an extra lighter ,a mini head lamp and the list goes on depending on the rider., .
Thank you ... Thank you ... Thank you! I thoroughly enjoyed this video. I've been wondering ever since I started watching your videos, what's in those bags. I like the way you think. Being new to the touring and bikepacking world, there are going to be things I will carry just to get me past the newbie phase. I did the Ohio to Erie in 2021 and learned some good lessons. Will be doing the C&O Canal Towpath/GAP this summer. Hope to learn more. Thanks again. Looking forward to your next video. Stay safe! ... Rode my fatty today!!
Thanks for watching! Glad you like it. For a self-proclaimed newbie, sounds like you're doing pretty well. If you liked the OTET, I think you're really going to like the GAP and C&O. Stay safe. Hope to see you down the road!
@@paulsuchecki3985 After deciding I wanted to start doing longer rides and checking off bucket list items, I went crazy on testing out bike accessories. REI and Amazon make it very easy to process returns for those things I didn't like. I turned 65 last year, so like yourself, there are things I just want to carry and I accept carrying the extra weight (not all that much extra). I think my trail name would be "Pack Mule" if bike packers/tourers got trail names like the hikers. LOL! Do you prefer riding solo? I'm looking to ride across the U.S. next year if you're interested. I know you kind of already have a plan for that. Stay well! Stay safe!
Glad I read “Steve J’s” comment before I posted mine…it’s exactly what I would have said! > Paul, you got the gift because I felt almost as refreshed n free watching your videos as I do when actually riding. Looking forward to my first tour here soon I hope!
Instead of using multiple garbage bags I line my saddlebags with a heavy duty contractor bag that I cut to size and just fold and tuck it for waterproofing. I also keep the tent poles with the sleeping pad and the sleeping bag gets bungeed on top of the back rack. Only difference is I have the sleeping bag in a waterproof I guess you could call “school” backpack. I use the pockets on the backpack for storing some odds and ends and roll the empty space at the top down and bungee it down right on top of the rack with the pad. Thanks for the great video.
Ahhh! It's the rarely seen Sucheckisaurus. My loadout looks like I'm half bush crafter. I'm more riding to a place to camp than camping someplace along a ride.
I've just discovered your channel and we are thoroughly enjoying watching your videos. I'm new to cycling and bike touring and find it interesting to see what other people pack for their tours. But you're right - at the end of the day it's up to the individual to lug around what makes them comfortable.
Loved this video and most importantly your message that underlies personal preference to carry what works for each person. Thank you for sharing! One thing I take that is different from your setup is a kitchen sink, a sack that I use for carrying water. Love that thing and I use it all the time. It's from the Sea to Summit brand.
When I first read that you brought the kitchen sink, I thought you were kidding! 😁 That sounds like a good idea. I need to check into that. Thanks again!
@@paulsuchecki3985 Yeah, I can see how that'd happen, I mean who carries a kitchen sink with them? :) Interestingly, it's a hot ticket item, as my first one was stolen.
I tested out some merino wool shirts and they work really well and don't smell much. I'll try a few merino wool shirts next time and alternate between them daily.
Thanks for watching. I really appreciate it. I've heard good things about merino wool jerseys. I may have to invest in a couple of them. Thanks again. Hope to see you down the trail. Stay safe and ride on!!
I know. Most of it falls under the category of "just in case". If something bad happens in the niddle of nowhere, you have to be ready. Thanks for watching. Stay safe and ride on!!
Nice Video, wait for your next. I am astonished at the hole equipment you carry around. What’s the hole weight without the driver? I always try to reduce the weight in expectation of climbs. Have a good time and drive always safely!
Thanks for watching. I've never weigh my gear, I'm afraid to. I guess it's about 50 lbs, not including bike or rider. I should carry less, but it's hard to leave stuff at home. Stay safe out there and ride on!!
Caleb! What's up , Man. I'm doing well, I hope you're doing well too. Thanks for watching my video. Did you see my other videos? Start binge watching, now! 😎
@@paulsuchecki3985 doing great man! I definitely have watched most of them. Your content has came along way over the years and I enjoy seeing you do what you love! Got a fiancé now, just finished building a house in Vienna. So I’m not too far from you!
@@Htzcw Glad to hear it. Congrats on the fiance and the house. I'm in Vienna almost every weekend, when the weather doesn't suck, riding the Tunnel Hill trail. After this year, I've got one more and then i can retire. I plan on doing lots of riding and making videos. Great to hear from you. God Bless!
Packing cubes for clothes, collapsible bucket for; 1) laundry 2) dishes 3) bathing. Electronic organizer, klymit sleeping pad ( compact & lightweight), 2p lightweight tent, compact sleeping bag, fleece liner, compact down camp blanket. Packable down jacket, bike tools (in pouch) & spare parts, camera, small journal, tablet (for reading), radio, tent light, rain jacket & pants, first aid kit, toiletries, cooking gear; lightweight & compact, rear trunk bag, clothes line & clothes pins, water shoes, food, collapsible, compact lightweight chair, my dog & her gear, ...I will begin touring next month. I've been wanting to do this since 2016.
I like the fleece liner. Down is great in cold weather, don't let it get wet. Traveling with your dog? That presents some unique challenges that I have never dealt with. I've seen people touring with their dog's. I love dogs too. It looks like fun for the person. I just hope the dog is having fun too. Take good care of that pooch.🐱🏍 Starting next month, you're probably gonna need that down coat. Love it! Thanks for watching. Keep on ridin'. Hope to see you down the road!
@@paulsuchecki3985 A dog bicycle seat called, Buddyrider; it attaches to your seatpost, has a metal alloy bar that extends parallel to the toptube and at then end of bar there is a special designed dog seat (option: padding for back and bottom for an addt'l cost) that has a safety harness strap to attach to your dog. This seat can hold up to 30lbs of dog weight. The weight is center gravity so riding performance is not hindered. Also, I have a weekend lunch bag organizer which I put her food, water, and a couple of toys for her. I am thinking of getting another dog and this dog will be placed in front ontop of front pannier rack (holds up to 45lbs) with britch rack adapter and Dog Cocoon (up to 24lbs of dog weight) and plate attachment to steadily and stablely hold Dog Cocoon on bike. Dutch doggy ride makes products for those who travel with their pets besides buddyrider and other options like dog trailers. (weight is a factor).
@@paulsuchecki3985 I have a set of axiom Seymour pannier bags (55+, 35+) and these bags have a light clip along with 3 nice sized pockets for more storage, on the side of panniers. Therefore, also having 4 bright blinking tail lights, they will be placed on these light clips so when riding on the road, I can be seen even the more.
@@StarEssences That sounds really cool. I have seen bike tourists traveling with dogs before. They usually have a trailer or the dog runs along side. I'm a dog lover and always wanted to travel with a dog. Our dogs were always too big to carry. I thought about getting a small dog and rigging up some kind of basket on the handlebars. But what you are describing sounds way better. I may have to look into that. Cool!
@Tracey McNeel ... Check out Omni Terra's channel. John travels with his dog Mira. They are amazing. Talk about a well oiled machine. Every time I watch one of their videos I am amazed. John has started his around the world adventure.
Thanks for making and sharing another excellent video Paul. I shared your channel with my wife , and I thought she would watch for all of about 30 seconds...she has now watched several of your videos all the way through with me, and considers you quite an "inspiration" she wants me to dust off her bike so we can go riding together soon. Also thank for sharing a small part of your faith. One question,; what software do you use to edit your videos.?
Thanks for watching. Man, that's awesome, I can't even get my own wife to go biking. When the Word goes out it never comes back void. I edit with Adobe Premiere Pro. It's pretty slick. Thanks again!
I'm brand new to touring, but am a long-distance hiker with a kit somewhere between ultralight and lightweight. I get the need for keeping everything in plastic. Pack covers are worthless. I have found that trash compactor bags make a great pack liner. I haven't yet determined my solution for biking. Even though I bought Ortliebs, I will still have a secondary system.
I like Paul's videos but I did my long distance rides with way less gear. As teacher I had summers off and completed eighteen 500-1000 mile trips. I started with way too much gear and over time limited myself to 20-25 pounds of gear including a light weight tent and sleeping bag. I rode an average of 75-80 miles a day and a few 100s when necessary to get to a town or campground. I planned my day to make to a town for food and a campground because I didn't carry cooking gear. You don't have to be in great shape to bike tour as you will get stronger each day you ride, but you definitely need time and money.
Sorry about the slow response. Thanks for watching. I really appreciate it. I do carry too much stuff. Every trip I go through it all and try to eliminate some stuff. It's not easy. A lot of it is "just in case" stuff. But if I don't mind carrying it, then it's ok. I once saw a guy carrying his guitar strapped to his bike. It made him happy, I thought he was nuts. Stay safe and ride on!!
At Staples you can get 100 labels with string attached for next to nothing. I put one on each stuff sack listing the contents, that way you're not opening bag after bag to find that pair of gloves e.g.
Saw you om previous vid. with a 4ft. broom stick traversing the handle bars. For dogs? You carry a lot esp. tools which are heavy. The bible was a surprise
This is excellent, Paul! I noticed you carry a lot of end wrenches. I’ve found that one 6” crescent wrench and a small channel lock covers all those needs. Again, thanks for another fun and informative video.
Thanks for watching! The tool kit is always evolving. Sometimes, especially a shorter tour, I don't carry all of those wrenches. The 14 mm open end wrench has 1 purpose, to get the pedals off. If you get to a train or bus station and have to box your bike, the pedals have to come off and a crescent wrench will break. After making that video, I've come to one conclusion. I'm carrying way too much stuff! LOL. Thanks again.
I’ve wanted to ask about a bike helmet and you didn’t mention it. Still, towards the end when you had your gear laid out, I thought I saw a hardhat- not a traditional bike helmet, but it would serve the purpose. Second, Amazon sells two sizes of dehydrated, highly compressed “toilet cloths”, which you should investigate.
Thanks for watching. I really appreciate it. I own a Nutcase Helmet. I usually don't wear it. But after a crash this summer I think I will be wearing it when on roads. Thnaks for the tip . Stay safe and ride on!!
I’m thinking about touring so it’s interesting to see what you pack. I’m definitely of the minimalist mindset but I’m sure the list of things you need is sure to grow with the miles. Thanks for the videos, stay safe!
There's still way more stuff in the rear panniers. Fewer items in front, so it actually helps balance the load. Thanks for watching. I really appreciate it. Stay safe and ride on!
hi Paul, I had similar bike than yours when i put all the bags it was just to heavy i ended up selling it was a specialize Sirus. now i Ve got a trek 1120 i been wanted to do a road trip. I try one time i got a flat right away. somebody felt sorry for me walking it on desert road and drove me home in the back of pick truck lucky it was traveled state road but some desert roads here there's Harly any traffic i know all be screwed not to mention desert people bad hombres because is near Mexican border. now i Carrie repair kits but because of the flats and the weigh I don't do it i live in so AZ lots of hills and dirt roads high desert. I am 60 yrs. old but fairly healthy but may be that's the problem to old? i forgot mention that specialize Sirus had quick release wheels like yours, but I worried the wheels would come of in heavy riding i had the rear and front racks that's the one I sold. even had 4 similar touring bags like yours now I am sorry I sold it just too heavy. and now the trek 1120 that got the racks are hollow i fear they may break on a tour, but I am Gona do trip if breaks or flats I Ll dragged home even if takes me a week walking.
On my first trip, I carried way too much stuff. I probably still carry way too much stuff, but it's better stuff. At 60, if you're still in pretty good shape, you're not too old. Unless you think you are in which case, yeah you're probably way too old (reverse psychology). Have you ever tried tubeless tires? The inside of the tire is coated with sticky goo, so if you run over a thorn, the puncture self-seals and the tire doesn't go flat. I don't use them, but mountain bikers love 'em because they run over a lot of thorns. Keep on riding. Thanks for watching!
I used to host for warmshowers, 60 is not old in long distance touring. I'd say 1/3 of my 50 or so guests a season were in their mid 60's,( couples, retirees or professors on summer trips) I think the oldest person I hosted going cross country was 74. (alone, but only doing probably less than 50 miles per day). Everyone of these older cyclists were camping most nights, and using warmshowers or hotels as rest days for the most part every once and again. (just get used to hearing yourself moan and groan a bit as you age into your adventures).
Glad it was helpful! Thanks for watching. My way of doing things is only one way. I'm sure I left a lot out. It's good to get many different perspectives. Thanks again!
I started using only Merino Wool jerseys.. Merino wool has anti-microbial properties. they never stink because they destroy the bad smelling bacteria.. And they keep you warm on cold days, and keep you cool on hot days.. The sheep they get this from live in extreme hot and cold, it insulates them from hot and cold the way it does us. I can wear a Merino wool shirt for 5+ days and it won't smell bad.. And i just rinse it out with a drop of woolite and it dries quickly on the road.. They also make socks and underwear from Merino that provide the same comfort.
you should come to texas to do the northeast texas trail aka the net from farmersville tx to new boston tx for the reccord im autistic so i may have misspelled a few thngs
Thanks for watching. I really appreciate it! Sorry about the slow response. The Texas Hill Country near Austin is on my list. Hope to see you down the road. Stay safe and ride on!!
Going to do the Katy next month. (May 2022) Good video....I have been cycle touring for many years in Europe...now back in the US I am starting to work off my list. Done the Mickelson, and 360 miles on the Natchez Trace...Katy next...Cowboy, Paul Bunyon next yr.. I have a new Trek 520...I am going inn to in on the next trip....maybe camp on the Cowboy...then I will probably use my trailer.
Thanks for watching! To fly a drone under 0.55 lbs recreationally, it does not need to be registered. If the drone weighs more than 0.55 lbs, it must be registered with the FAA. If I make money (even one dime) off of my drone footage, I am considered a commercial drone pilot and that requires a Part 107 certificate. Just gotta pass a test. That way the FAA can't get ya. 😎
Great to see the Bible too, great job, true inspiration!
It's not the whole sword. Just my dagger. Thanks for watching!
Agreed. That made me smile :-)
Truth! 🔥
It's great to bring with you on your daily travels.
Paul, I appreciate your no BS approach to your videos. Thank you for this useful information!
Thanks for watching. I really appreciate it. Hope to see you down the road!!
Full size tools instead of a bike multi-tool. I am in awe. Buddy, you rock.
Only what I need to get down the road. Thanks!
Paul, here is an idea about bringing extra spokes with you just in case. If you don't have any room to pack them anymore, I picked up this tip from someone: Stuff some stiff Styrofoam down your seat tube and insert the spokes in the Styrofoam so they don't go anywhere or rattle around. You can put another piece of Styrofoam on the top of the spokes. Of course it all depends how far or how long your seat post is, but it works for most people.
Good idea. I never thought of that. I usually tape them to my fork. Thanks. Keep on pedaling!!
Another option on the spokes is to duct tape them on the underside of the down tube. There when you need it. Also I like to wrap duct tape on my spare water bottle for emergency use. Man’s best friend to emergency fix almost anything and great for blisters.
Paul,
I am willing to bet you are an educator. Your descriptions and explanations or excellent. I was born in 63 and my goal is to ride across the country by my 70th year.
I appreciate the realism that you bring, most videos I watch gloss over or don't mention the difficulties. Thanks for the effort and information.
Thanks for watching. I really appreciate it. I just retired this year after teaching high school Biology for 34 years. I enjoyed it (mostly) but am glad to move on. I also want to be able to ride my bike across the country at 70. Hope to see you down the road. Stay safe and ride on!
Paul, thank you for documenting your trips so beautifully. You inspired me to pack up my Brompton folding bike and fly it to Miami to ride the Overseas Highway down to Key West, and then fly home. I realize how much more work producing each of your videos must have been: planning, filming (camera placement and retrieval when necessary), and editing. I hope to do more touring - but I shall leave the documentation to professionals like you!
Thanks for watching! I'm actually a professional school teacher. I hope to retire soon and become a professional bike tourist/traveler. See you down the road. Ride on!
Brompton! I own one, too. Great to travel with even though they were designed with cities in mind. I mostly do rail trails with mine, but they are surprisingly robust for folding bikes.
@@paulsuchecki3985 I'm a retired truck driver,, now a full time bicycle bum 🙂
I fully expected you to pull out the kitchen sink before you were finished! 🤪 Thanks again!
Thanks for watching. I really appreciate it. Stay safe and ride on!!
I really enjoy seeing your no nonsense approach to cycling. I like that you don't "look like a typical cyclist". It's encouraging for the rest of us.
Sorry about the late response. Thanks, I really appreciate it. I'm not built like a french bike racer and I don't want to dress like one either. Comfort is the key. Hope to see you down the trail. Stay safe and ride on!!😎
I love you short dry comedy. "Cause ya never now." I love the fact that your stuff has the miles on it, road tested, no frills, just what works for you. Stay warm! It will be spring before you know it. 👊
Thanks for watching. I think reliable gear is better than fancy gear. Especially when your 800 miles from home on your bike. C'mon springtime!! 😎
@@paulsuchecki3985 Great refresher, thank you, Paul. Why wait for spring when there is always Florida?
I love how you explain everything Paul in such a calm and slow pace 😊
Thanks for watching. I really appreciate it. I was a HS teacher for 34 years. Calm and assertive. Hope to see you down the trail. Stay safe and ride on!!
@@paulsuchecki3985 i wish but I had to win the lottery to do so to come to America. I heard that Poles don't need the Visa to come to America because we helped America a lot in Afghanistan 😊. Maybe some day
Zip ties- I haven't personally needed them yet, but I have had occasion to lend one or two to others. I appreciate that you pack what works for you as opposed to merely following trends. I do like a Merino wool buff. Those things are so simple, yet handy. Before I discovered you teach, I thought "he reminds me of everyone's favorite high school teacher that turns out to have an interest life". You know how students think their instructors are robots that only serve to educate them. I will never forget when my high school history teacher rolled away in a classic 70s Corvette. Mind boggling. 🤣 Happy Easter and keep on being a light.
Thanks for watching. I appreciate it. Happy Easter to you too. 😊
Great list, and well packed. I think when I go on my first multi day outing, about the only other thing I'd add is some kind of water treatment. A life straw or a squeeze through filter bag/bottle, and some antimicrobial tablets. Nothing worse than getting sick 'cause you ran out of potable water but still need to drink.
I always carry extra water. I learned the hard way. I hope I never have to drink surface water. Would be useful in the back country. Thanks. Ride on!
Hi Catalina. Regarding water. I did my riding on paved highways and if I got low on water, especially in the desert, I'd hold up my water bottles as RVs passed by and they would pullover and top off my water. Maybe you do off road touring and then for sure water treatment would be necessary.
@@dennisprice8798 yeah, I'm looking at doing some old rail trails when I'm in good enough condition to do so. But I definitely like the idea of getting RVers to help. I'd definitely contribute from mine if I had good water on board. 💜
Recently found your channel and love it. Your just ‘normal’ like us. Your not the biker that looks like he was in the Tour de France and took a wrong turn and ended up in the Midwest, dressed to the hilt in all the latest biker fashions. Thanks for the inspiration to know i can be me and have fun at it. 😊
Thanks for watching! Keep it real. Comfort is the key. Stay safe and ride on!!😎
Practical Paul! Thanks for sharing!! Been enjoying your educational bio videos lately too. Definitely an inspiration. The kids are lucky to have had you as a teacher…bet they are some inspired creatures 😊
They were a pretty good bunch of kids. Thanks for watching. I really appreciate it. Stay safe and ride on! 😎
Really great video Paul - I am going to watch this a few more times, just to makes sure I did not miss anything.
Lots of sound advice with few bells and whistles, My water resistant panniers are water resistant, not water proof. I believe the tuff fabric is Cardura. I line them with a10 mil plastic bag. grocery bags are one mil. They are designed for asbestos removal and. They are tuff and last for ever. I'm at a point in my life were the only camera I now carry is on my phone. I bring back memories and just a few photos. My newest handle bar bag is a padded camera bag I converted for us as a handle bar bag. I designed a fast mount for and with the removable shoulder strap I can carry it. My other handle bar bag I have been using since 1972. We are both Old School and keep it simple. For a tour with one or two people, my choice of stove is a old school, Svea 123 and has a built in pressurized tank and runs on white gas.
Thanks for watching. Hope to see you down the road. Stay safe and ride on!!
I've watched so many videos like this over the past week and this was the most informative one and gave advice I've not heard on any others. Thank you Paul!
Thanks for watching. I really appreciate it. 🙂
I have a extra set of brake pads in my repair parts bag .
You are a great asset to anyone wanting to tour.
Great tip. Thanks! I really appreciate it. Hope to see you down the road. Stay safe and ride on!
Thanks for these video's Paul. Just back from a 14 day bike tour. Did most of my lunch breaks in nature standing up. I missed the sit-upon. It's a good idea and I'll add it to my gear.
Thanks for watching. I really appreciate it. Stay safe out there and ride on!!
I use a sit-upon pad that doubles as a "weeding/kneeling" pad in the garden. It's a little thicker than Pauls. I bungee it over my sleeping bag on the back rack, and put the bungees through a pair of flipflops before attaching. The flipflops don't get my other items dirty, especially when it's muddy, and the sit-upon helps to keep the rain off my sleeping bag (it's also wrapped in plastic).
LOL, some people like to were synthetic lycra and "yeah thats all good".. awesome brother :+)
Some people shouldn't wear lycra out in public. Like me for instance. LOL! 😁
Just getting ready to go on my first bike touring adventure this summer, and your video's just have me chopping at the bit to get at it. I like the way you roll brother
Have fun! Thanks! Stay safe out there.
GAP tour with cousin,tore my pannier. He carried needle and thread, duct tape till camp.
Needle and thread. Small roll of duct tape. Good idea.
It's very helpful to see bikers or backpackers pull everything out to reveal what they pack. You answered my question about camera from an earlier video I watched.
Thanks for watching. I really appreciate it.
Very entertaining and to the point. Keep trucking Paul.
Thanks for watching. I really appreciate it. Hope to see you down the trail. Stay safe and ride on!
I love your videos. So simplified without being overwhelmed with all the new gear available now. It just goes to show, you don’t need fancy expensive equipment to go bike touring. I am British, and your accent and sense of humour is such fun! Nice to see you carry a Bible too. I carry or wear a St Christopher.
Thanks for watching. I like to keep things simple. I don't understand most of those fancy gadgets anyways. Accent? I don't have an accent... and you spelled humor wrong. LOL!!! 😁 Thanks again. God Bless!
Thank you very much for the good job doing this video. Congratulations.
Thanks for watching. I really appreciate it. Stay safe and ride on!
Thank you Paul. Always nice to see what other people pack. 😎👍
Thanks for watching. I really appreciate it. Hope to see you down the road. Stay safe and ride on!!😎
I'm tool & tire repair heavy,, i carry 2 mini pumps
(2 is 1 & 1is none)
Never hadda pump fail on me (yet)
I'm lite on clothes,, 1 change,, nylon polyester 4 quik dry
Thanks for watching. Whatever gets you down the road, you're the one that has to carry it. Hope to see you down the road. Stay safe and ride on!!
Another great video...but for newbies to touring....take a blister kit!
Love the videos, subscribed after the first one I watched !
Thanks for the support. I really appreciate it. Ride on!
Thanks for the video. Although I don’t see myself bike touring, I would love to tour on my motorcycle in the future!
Probably easier. Almost as much fun. Less exercise. Still a great adventure!! Go for it.
EXCELLENT presentation. Very thorough and entertaining too! Thank you. 😊
Thanks for watching. I really appreciate it. Stay safe and ride on! 😎
Thank You for that detailed explanation of your setup. I have only used cheap jury rigged or repurposed packs and bags .I am considering a whole to rig now .
Thanks for watching. There are so many ways to bike tour, on anyone's budget. Ride on!!
I am 73 and I still love to cycle. Love the way my lungs feel. One time My wife and I biked into a movie set in Ala..You ever do something weird like that? JACK LEMMON WALTER Mathau.
Thanks for watching! I really appreciate it. Once I unexpectedly rode into a triathalon along the Pearl river in Jackson, Miss. Hope to see you down the road. Stay safe and ride on!!
EXCELLENT INFO THANK YOU, THIS WILL BE MY FIRST BIKE TOUR, YOUR VIDEO WAS VERY INTERESTING. ...SHALOM
THANKS! Have a great ride. Peace to you.
Love your stuff. One tip to try… instead of putting the vinyl sack into a plastic bag, line the vinyl sack with the plastic bag and fill it up. No holes guaranteed and you know what’s in the bag. I also carry a few zip ties and wrap some duct tape around itself kind of like your tp roll. Lastly I use my rear blinking light even during the day. Again, love your stuff!
Great tip. Thanks for sharing and thanks for watching. I really appreciate it. Hope to see you down the road. Stay safe and ride on!!
That's a good idea about lining the vinyl sack with the plastic bag. Thanks!
practical and helpful. thank you paul!
Thanks for watching. I really appreciate it. Ride on!
How could anyone not like your videos, always good.
No idea. Thanks!
Thank you for taking the time and effort to share this.
Thanks for watching! I really appreciate it.
I now carry a Helinox Chair Zero with me. It weighs about a pound, and does take up a little space, but it's great to always have a comfortable place to sit for a break. Maybe if my hamstrings could get loosened up more I'd sit on the ground like you do.
I have always wished I could carry a chair with me. Never seemed practical. I need to check into the Helinox Zero. Sitting on the ground isn't so bad. It's getting up that hurts. Thanks for the tip. Ride on!
You definitely have what you need nothing looks overboard. I like to have some duct tape. I wrap about 2 feet of it on a water bottle and peel some off when needed. Thanks for sharing the details of your gear.
Good idea. Duct tape would come in handy, but who wants to carry a whole roll? Thanks!
Love this! I'm converting my older 90s Nashbar hybrid into a touring bike. It's an Tange Infinity chomoly frame. Love seeing your packing list. Those panniers seem bottomless. Lol. Very inspiring!
Very cool! Sorry about the late response. Sounds like a great plan. I probably carry wat too much stuff, but I like some comforts. Thanks for watching. I really appreciate it. Hope to see you down the trail. Stay safe and ride on!!
Thanks for the video , very useful information !
Glad it was helpful! Thanks for watching. Stay safe out there!
The "sit upon" stuck out to me as a useful item I wouldn't have thought of. I can see it coming in handy in a lot of scenarios, at least for me.
I use it all the time. Especially when my butt is sore. Thanks for watching. Stay safe and ride on!!
I love watching your videos. You keep your explanations so simple. Beautiful work. Thanks.
Thank you very much! I really appreciate it. Stay safe and ride on!
This is very helpful since we will be bike touring soon. We have done a few miles here and there but long distance bike touring is one of our bucket list that we look forward to do. Thank you for your videos!
Glad it was helpful! Thanks for watching. Stay safe out there and ride on!!
Great video! Got some good tips. Can’t believe you can carry everything but you do! Saw the bug spray. What do you do for tick control? Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for watching. I really appreciate it. Ticks can be a problem here in southern Illinois. Bug spray helps with mosquitoes and ticks also. Stay out of the tall grass in summer, that's where they hitch a ride. You can usually see them (or feel them) crawling on you and pick them off before they burrow into your skin. If they are too small and you can't grab them, use sticky tape to get them off. If they are already burrowed into your skin, make sure you pick off the whole tick. Don't leave the head behind. If in doubt, smear some antibiotic ointment on the tick bite to kill bacteria. It's best to get them off in the first 24 hrs. I hope that helps. Stay safe and ride on!
This is a very informative video regarding what equipment you find useful for bicycle touring. Your choices are well thought out for your needs and preferences. They are clearly based on your very extensive touring experience. I had to chuckle when you told us what some of your gear from earlier years like your tent weighed - I can relate to that. I am certain that many of your viewers will find this video very helpful in deciding what they would consider carrying when they take up your challenge to just get out and ride (tour on) your bike!
Bud, thanks again. On one hand, my gear has really changed over the years, but on the other hand I like to stick with the tried and true. I'm still stuck in the 20th century, but I'm trying to keep up. My next video is about the bike itself. Talk about a dinosaur. The frame is from 1987. But just about everything attached to the frame is new.
@@paulsuchecki3985 i have been hoping to see you talk about your bike
Thanks, Paul. I will try the bikepacking ride this spring. I will be staying at the hotel, though. Great video.
Sounds great! I usually stay at hotels. Especially at my age. LOL! Thanks for watching. I really appreciate it. Hope to see you down the road. Stay safe and ride on!!
going on my first bike tour may 6th 2700 miles with a friend .I love your videos keep up the good work
Have a great trip!! Thanks for watching. I really appreciate it. Hope to see you down the trail. Stay safe and ride on!
You probably have these in there someplace. Zip ties, a small assortment of screws and bolts that fit your bike all jammed into a pill bottle , with some strike anywhere matches , an extra lighter ,a mini head lamp and the list goes on depending on the rider., .
All the little stuff... I do carry some of those items that you mention, but not all of them. Thanks. Ride on!
Thank you so much, Sir. I’m learning a lot. And I haven’t done any cycling tour or bike packing. More power!👌🏼
Thanks for watching. I really appreciate it.
So useful - thank you
Glad it was helpful! Thanks for watching.
Thank you ... Thank you ... Thank you! I thoroughly enjoyed this video. I've been wondering ever since I started watching your videos, what's in those bags. I like the way you think. Being new to the touring and bikepacking world, there are going to be things I will carry just to get me past the newbie phase. I did the Ohio to Erie in 2021 and learned some good lessons. Will be doing the C&O Canal Towpath/GAP this summer. Hope to learn more. Thanks again. Looking forward to your next video. Stay safe! ... Rode my fatty today!!
Thanks for watching! Glad you like it. For a self-proclaimed newbie, sounds like you're doing pretty well. If you liked the OTET, I think you're really going to like the GAP and C&O. Stay safe. Hope to see you down the road!
@@paulsuchecki3985 After deciding I wanted to start doing longer rides and checking off bucket list items, I went crazy on testing out bike accessories. REI and Amazon make it very easy to process returns for those things I didn't like. I turned 65 last year, so like yourself, there are things I just want to carry and I accept carrying the extra weight (not all that much extra). I think my trail name would be "Pack Mule" if bike packers/tourers got trail names like the hikers. LOL! Do you prefer riding solo? I'm looking to ride across the U.S. next year if you're interested. I know you kind of already have a plan for that. Stay well! Stay safe!
Glad I read “Steve J’s” comment before I posted mine…it’s exactly what I would have said! > Paul, you got the gift because I felt almost as refreshed n free watching your videos as I do when actually riding. Looking forward to my first tour here soon I hope!
I love your videos they're really informative and funny 😃
Glad you like them! Thanks for watching. Ride on!! 😎
Instead of using multiple garbage bags I line my saddlebags with a heavy duty contractor bag that I cut to size and just fold and tuck it for waterproofing.
I also keep the tent poles with the sleeping pad and the sleeping bag gets bungeed on top of the back rack. Only difference is I have the sleeping bag in a waterproof I guess you could call “school” backpack. I use the pockets on the backpack for storing some odds and ends and roll the empty space at the top down and bungee it down right on top of the rack with the pad.
Thanks for the great video.
Thanks for watching! I like the "school" backpack idea. Can use it on an off day for day hiking. Thanks again and Ride on!
I also carry a few tie wraps for emergency repairs- take almost no space and no weight
Good idea.
Man i love your videos its very informative
Thanks for watching. I really appreciate it. Stay safe and ride on!
Your videos are very inspirational and informational. Thank you for sharing your experience and knowledge
So nice of you. Thanks, I really appreciate it. Hope to see you on the trail. Stay safe and ride on!!
Love your videos Paul! I always look forward to your uploads!
Glad you like them! Thanks for watching.😎
Bible. Good man. As usual, great video, Paul.
Thanks! 😄
Ahhh! It's the rarely seen Sucheckisaurus. My loadout looks like I'm half bush crafter. I'm more riding to a place to camp than camping someplace along a ride.
Thanks for watching. I really appreciate it. Sounds like a great way to travel. Hope to see you down the trail. Stay safe and ride on! 😎
I've just discovered your channel and we are thoroughly enjoying watching your videos. I'm new to cycling and bike touring and find it interesting to see what other people pack for their tours. But you're right - at the end of the day it's up to the individual to lug around what makes them comfortable.
Thanks for watching! I love it mostly for the freedom. Ride on!
Loved this video and most importantly your message that underlies personal preference to carry what works for each person. Thank you for sharing!
One thing I take that is different from your setup is a kitchen sink, a sack that I use for carrying water. Love that thing and I use it all the time. It's from the Sea to Summit brand.
When I first read that you brought the kitchen sink, I thought you were kidding! 😁 That sounds like a good idea. I need to check into that. Thanks again!
@@paulsuchecki3985 Yeah, I can see how that'd happen, I mean who carries a kitchen sink with them? :) Interestingly, it's a hot ticket item, as my first one was stolen.
I LOVE that you carry a Bible with you.
Thanks for watching. I really appreciate it. Gotta bring the sword! Stay safe and ride on!!😎
Never new one could fit so many things in a bicycle panniers.
Only what I need. LOL!! Thanks for watching. Stay safe out there!
What chain lube do you use? Great vid!
Thanks for watching. I just use anything my local shop carries. I think it's called "Finish line". Works pretty well.
I tested out some merino wool shirts and they work really well and don't smell much. I'll try a few merino wool shirts next time and alternate between them daily.
Thanks for watching. I really appreciate it. I've heard good things about merino wool jerseys. I may have to invest in a couple of them. Thanks again. Hope to see you down the trail. Stay safe and ride on!!
U remind me of Ken kifer,, plain and simple 👍👍
Thanks! Trying to keep it real. Ride on!! 😎
wow this is very very great full video sir
Thanks for watching. I really appreciate it. Stay safe and ride on! 😎
Thank you Brother Paul it's great to know you are a believer...
Thanks Friar. I hope to see you down the road!
you bring a lot of stuff.
I know. Most of it falls under the category of "just in case". If something bad happens in the niddle of nowhere, you have to be ready. Thanks for watching. Stay safe and ride on!!
Nice Video, wait for your next. I am astonished at the hole equipment you carry around. What’s the hole weight without the driver? I always try to reduce the weight in expectation of climbs. Have a good time and drive always safely!
Thanks for watching. I've never weigh my gear, I'm afraid to. I guess it's about 50 lbs, not including bike or rider. I should carry less, but it's hard to leave stuff at home. Stay safe out there and ride on!!
Zip ties and twist ties come in handy. Also have my Garmin.
Zip ties. Good idea. I need to look into a Garmin, but I'm not sure what I'd do with it. What does your Garmin do?
Great, thank you
Whak kind of bike shoes do you use.
Thanks for watching. I've been using a pair of Specialized shoes that I bought in Cedar City, Utah while out touring. Stay safe out there!
Good vid suchecki . Caleb Holtzclaw here, hope you’re doing well!!
Caleb! What's up , Man. I'm doing well, I hope you're doing well too. Thanks for watching my video. Did you see my other videos? Start binge watching, now! 😎
@@paulsuchecki3985 doing great man! I definitely have watched most of them. Your content has came along way over the years and I enjoy seeing you do what you love! Got a fiancé now, just finished building a house in Vienna. So I’m not too far from you!
@@Htzcw Glad to hear it. Congrats on the fiance and the house. I'm in Vienna almost every weekend, when the weather doesn't suck, riding the Tunnel Hill trail. After this year, I've got one more and then i can retire. I plan on doing lots of riding and making videos. Great to hear from you. God Bless!
Outstanding video! Shine on!
Thanks for watching. I really appreciate it. Stay safe and ride on!
Hey Paul I’m glad you make these videos so I won’t have to. I’m too lazy to carry all that camera gear. Oh, I do like to watch them too.
Glad you like them! Thanks for watching.
Thank you very much for sharing
Thanks for watching. 😎
Packing cubes for clothes, collapsible bucket for; 1) laundry 2) dishes 3) bathing. Electronic organizer, klymit sleeping pad ( compact & lightweight), 2p lightweight tent, compact sleeping bag, fleece liner, compact down camp blanket. Packable down jacket, bike tools (in pouch) & spare parts, camera, small journal, tablet (for reading), radio, tent light, rain jacket & pants, first aid kit, toiletries, cooking gear; lightweight & compact, rear trunk bag, clothes line & clothes pins, water shoes, food, collapsible, compact lightweight chair, my dog & her gear, ...I will begin touring next month. I've been wanting to do this since 2016.
I like the fleece liner. Down is great in cold weather, don't let it get wet. Traveling with your dog? That presents some unique challenges that I have never dealt with. I've seen people touring with their dog's. I love dogs too. It looks like fun for the person. I just hope the dog is having fun too. Take good care of that pooch.🐱🏍 Starting next month, you're probably gonna need that down coat. Love it! Thanks for watching. Keep on ridin'. Hope to see you down the road!
@@paulsuchecki3985 A dog bicycle seat called, Buddyrider; it attaches to your seatpost, has a metal alloy bar that extends parallel to the toptube and at then end of bar there is a special designed dog seat (option: padding for back and bottom for an addt'l cost) that has a safety harness strap to attach to your dog. This seat can hold up to 30lbs of dog weight. The weight is center gravity so riding performance is not hindered. Also, I have a weekend lunch bag organizer which I put her food, water, and a couple of toys for her. I am thinking of getting another dog and this dog will be placed in front ontop of front pannier rack (holds up to 45lbs) with britch rack adapter and Dog Cocoon (up to 24lbs of dog weight) and plate attachment to steadily and stablely hold Dog Cocoon on bike. Dutch doggy ride makes products for those who travel with their pets besides buddyrider and other options like dog trailers. (weight is a factor).
@@paulsuchecki3985 I have a set of axiom Seymour pannier bags (55+, 35+) and these bags have a light clip along with 3 nice sized pockets for more storage, on the side of panniers. Therefore, also having 4 bright blinking tail lights, they will be placed on these light clips so when riding on the road, I can be seen even the more.
@@StarEssences That sounds really cool. I have seen bike tourists traveling with dogs before. They usually have a trailer or the dog runs along side. I'm a dog lover and always wanted to travel with a dog. Our dogs were always too big to carry. I thought about getting a small dog and rigging up some kind of basket on the handlebars. But what you are describing sounds way better. I may have to look into that. Cool!
@Tracey McNeel ... Check out Omni Terra's channel. John travels with his dog Mira. They are amazing. Talk about a well oiled machine. Every time I watch one of their videos I am amazed. John has started his around the world adventure.
Thanks for making and sharing another excellent video Paul. I shared your channel with my wife , and I thought she would watch for all of about 30 seconds...she has now watched several of your videos all the way through with me, and considers you quite an "inspiration" she wants me to dust off her bike so we can go riding together soon. Also thank for sharing a small part of your faith. One question,; what software do you use to edit your videos.?
Thanks for watching. Man, that's awesome, I can't even get my own wife to go biking. When the Word goes out it never comes back void. I edit with Adobe Premiere Pro. It's pretty slick. Thanks again!
we love talkin bout gear
Good quality gear can make a trip go smoother. Crappy, unreliable gear should be left at home. Ride on!!
I'm brand new to touring, but am a long-distance hiker with a kit somewhere between ultralight and lightweight. I get the need for keeping everything in plastic. Pack covers are worthless. I have found that trash compactor bags make a great pack liner. I haven't yet determined my solution for biking. Even though I bought Ortliebs, I will still have a secondary system.
Thanks again, Bill. You got this. Stay safe out there.
Thank you so much for your video.Your videos are very inspairing
Thanks for watching. I really appreciate it. Stay safe and ride on!!😎
I like Paul's videos but I did my long distance rides with way less gear. As teacher I had summers off and completed eighteen 500-1000 mile trips. I started with way too much gear and over time limited myself to 20-25 pounds of gear including a light weight tent and sleeping bag. I rode an average of 75-80 miles a day and a few 100s when necessary to get to a town or campground. I planned my day to make to a town for food and a campground because I didn't carry cooking gear. You don't have to be in great shape to bike tour as you will get stronger each day you ride, but you definitely need time and money.
Sorry about the slow response. Thanks for watching. I really appreciate it. I do carry too much stuff. Every trip I go through it all and try to eliminate some stuff. It's not easy. A lot of it is "just in case" stuff. But if I don't mind carrying it, then it's ok. I once saw a guy carrying his guitar strapped to his bike. It made him happy, I thought he was nuts. Stay safe and ride on!!
At Staples you can get 100 labels with string attached for next to nothing. I put one on each stuff sack listing the contents, that way you're not opening bag after bag to find that pair of gloves e.g.
That's staying organized... always agood thing. Thanks!
Big like! Love from Romania!
Thanks for watching. Greetings from the USA!
Saw you om previous vid. with a 4ft. broom stick traversing the handle bars. For dogs? You carry a lot esp. tools which are heavy. The bible was a surprise
Actually that was to mount my GoPro camera. My rig is constantly evolving. Thanks for watching.
This is excellent, Paul! I noticed you carry a lot of end wrenches. I’ve found that one 6” crescent wrench and a small channel lock covers all those needs. Again, thanks for another fun and informative video.
Thanks for watching! The tool kit is always evolving. Sometimes, especially a shorter tour, I don't carry all of those wrenches. The 14 mm open end wrench has 1 purpose, to get the pedals off. If you get to a train or bus station and have to box your bike, the pedals have to come off and a crescent wrench will break. After making that video, I've come to one conclusion. I'm carrying way too much stuff! LOL. Thanks again.
"one 6” crescent wrench and a small channel lock covers all those needs. "
blasphemy
@@shoechew crescents are wider than wrenches and than the room available in pedals to put them back tight. But for other bolts a crescent can work.
I’ve wanted to ask about a bike helmet and you didn’t mention it. Still, towards the end when you had your gear laid out, I thought I saw a hardhat- not a traditional bike helmet, but it would serve the purpose. Second, Amazon sells two sizes of dehydrated, highly compressed “toilet cloths”, which you should investigate.
Thanks for watching. I really appreciate it. I own a Nutcase Helmet. I usually don't wear it. But after a crash this summer I think I will be wearing it when on roads. Thnaks for the tip . Stay safe and ride on!!
I’m thinking about touring so it’s interesting to see what you pack. I’m definitely of the minimalist mindset but I’m sure the list of things you need is sure to grow with the miles. Thanks for the videos, stay safe!
Thanks for watching. I really appreciate it. Travel light! Stay safe and ride on!!
Well done video. I’ve used that same REI tent on several bike packing trips. Excellent gear list.
It's a very lightweight tent, I like it. Thanks for watching. I really appreciate it. Stay safe and ride on!!
Surprised you carry your heavy gear in the front panniers. I would think it would affect your steering. Thanks for sharing great info!
There's still way more stuff in the rear panniers. Fewer items in front, so it actually helps balance the load. Thanks for watching. I really appreciate it. Stay safe and ride on!
hi Paul, I had similar bike than yours when i put all the bags it was just to heavy i ended up selling it was a specialize Sirus. now i Ve got a trek 1120 i been wanted to do a road trip. I try one time i got a flat right away. somebody felt sorry for me walking it on desert road and drove me home in the back of pick truck lucky it was traveled state road but some desert roads here there's Harly any traffic i know all be screwed not to mention desert people bad hombres because is near Mexican border. now i Carrie repair kits but because of the flats and the weigh I don't do it i live in so AZ lots of hills and dirt roads high desert. I am 60 yrs. old but fairly healthy but may be that's the problem to old? i forgot mention that specialize Sirus had quick release wheels like yours, but I worried the wheels would come of in heavy riding i had the rear and front racks that's the one I sold. even had 4 similar touring bags like yours now I am sorry I sold it just too heavy. and now the trek 1120 that got the racks are hollow i fear they may break on a tour, but I am Gona do trip if breaks or flats I Ll dragged home even if takes me a week walking.
On my first trip, I carried way too much stuff. I probably still carry way too much stuff, but it's better stuff. At 60, if you're still in pretty good shape, you're not too old. Unless you think you are in which case, yeah you're probably way too old (reverse psychology). Have you ever tried tubeless tires? The inside of the tire is coated with sticky goo, so if you run over a thorn, the puncture self-seals and the tire doesn't go flat. I don't use them, but mountain bikers love 'em because they run over a lot of thorns. Keep on riding. Thanks for watching!
I used to host for warmshowers, 60 is not old in long distance touring. I'd say 1/3 of my 50 or so guests a season were in their mid 60's,( couples, retirees or professors on summer trips) I think the oldest person I hosted going cross country was 74. (alone, but only doing probably less than 50 miles per day). Everyone of these older cyclists were camping most nights, and using warmshowers or hotels as rest days for the most part every once and again. (just get used to hearing yourself moan and groan a bit as you age into your adventures).
Super helpful! I now have a better of understanding of what to pack. Thank you!
Check out Darren Alff; he'll be able to guide you on many pertinent areas of bike touring too.
Glad it was helpful! Thanks for watching. My way of doing things is only one way. I'm sure I left a lot out. It's good to get many different perspectives. Thanks again!
I started using only Merino Wool jerseys.. Merino wool has anti-microbial properties. they never stink because they destroy the bad smelling bacteria.. And they keep you warm on cold days, and keep you cool on hot days.. The sheep they get this from live in extreme hot and cold, it insulates them from hot and cold the way it does us. I can wear a Merino wool shirt for 5+ days and it won't smell bad.. And i just rinse it out with a drop of woolite and it dries quickly on the road.. They also make socks and underwear from Merino that provide the same comfort.
I need to check out a Merino wool jersey. I've heard good things. Thanks for adding that! Thanks for watching.
@@paulsuchecki3985 Paul.. there is a really good fitting brand: Minus33 it is 100% Merino Wool. good price..high quality
I bought the Arkel front pannier rack now I just saved up to get the rear panniers...284 for the pair...little steep but they look solid
I hope they last you many, many miles. Ride on!
Very helpful for mee as a newbie
Glad it was helpful. Thanks for watching!
you should come to texas to do the northeast texas trail aka the net from farmersville tx to new boston tx for the reccord im autistic so i may have misspelled a few thngs
Thanks for watching. I really appreciate it! Sorry about the slow response. The Texas Hill Country near Austin is on my list. Hope to see you down the road. Stay safe and ride on!!
Going to do the Katy next month. (May 2022) Good video....I have been cycle touring for many years in Europe...now back in the US I am starting to work off my list. Done the Mickelson, and 360 miles on the Natchez Trace...Katy next...Cowboy, Paul Bunyon next yr.. I have a new Trek 520...I am going inn to in on the next trip....maybe camp on the Cowboy...then I will probably use my trailer.
Sounds like a plan. One of these days I would like to bike tour in Europe. There are still places in the US that I want to see. Keep on pedaling!
Wow! Lots of great tips. Thanks. 19:05 I didn't know you needed a drone license to fly a drone. 🤔
Thanks for watching! To fly a drone under 0.55 lbs recreationally, it does not need to be registered. If the drone weighs more than 0.55 lbs, it must be registered with the FAA. If I make money (even one dime) off of my drone footage, I am considered a commercial drone pilot and that requires a Part 107 certificate. Just gotta pass a test. That way the FAA can't get ya. 😎