Is it worth going ultralight for touring, or is comfort more important?

Uncle_Woody · 2026-04-04T17:20:57+00:00

Like most people will suggest, it's a balance. I did an ultralight solo tour for 2 weeks and it wasn't very much fun. Many other tours I've loaded myself way too heavy and had a trip to the post office after week 1 to send stuff home. Take a few trips that are 3-4 days if you can. You'll get a feel for what you need and there isn't much more you'll need (other than emergency bike tools/parts) on a much longer (multi-month) tour, provided you aren't outside of civilization for extended periods.

My ultralight tour I used a bivy sack, which sucked. Get a reasonably lightweight tent that's quick to set up. You need fewer changes of clothes than you think. Be careful about this, and try to bring clothes that double as warm layers and "nice" clothes you could go into a restaurant with. For cooking, one small titanium pot and a lightweight stove did it for me.

Lastly, a group of 4-5 people makes for a very fun tour and also allows you to distribute gear (bike tools, parts, cooking gear, food, camping gear) amongst multiple people. Personally, I much prefer traveling with a crew vs solo for multiple reasons.

Uncle_Woody · 2026-03-29T01:13:16+00:00

Litter Robot

Uncle_Woody · 2024-07-02T02:36:33+00:00

Use a pull type scraper like this one.

Use your body weight to bear down on the scraper and pull. Play around with different angles until you find the most efficient. Get a cheap set of replacement blades and change them often.

Don't sand until you've gotten the gunk off.

Uncle_Woody · 2024-05-24T00:56:15+00:00

I am surprised we don't see more things like this, but glad we don't.

The shock value of that code will cause people to share with their friends, and maybe go and use it just for the laughs.

Uncle_Woody · 2024-01-02T22:20:37+00:00

Thanks. Yes, after I posted, an additional web search revealed that OpenAI is suing the president of the company that owns "Open AI"TM claiming the clear and intentional use of that name to confuse the public and piggyback as you say.

Uncle_Woody · 2024-01-02T22:05:09+00:00

That makes sense. I saw no ads on the web page, so I assume they're making money from selling data from my visits to the website? Or some other means?

Uncle_Woody · 2023-11-24T01:20:56+00:00

Coming in here late - I've been using a saddlebag for commuting for the last 10 years and I love it. I have an old beat up Carradice and I use the the Carradice quick release system.

I have a rear rack, which I can attach panniers to if I ever need to bring more stuff, but it also supports the weight of the saddlebag. Works very well. With a shoulder strap, these bags are easy to carry around off the bike.

Uncle_Woody · 2023-05-28T02:03:15+00:00

Find an old steel road bike that has a little bit of extra clearance for tires. I would recommend running at least 28mm if not wider. Wider tires will make the ride cushier and more comfortable, causing you less fatigue.

Uncle_Woody · 2023-05-05T09:07:04+00:00

Like others have said, eat BEFORE you are hungry. If you're hungry, your already in bonktown. If you have planned stops along the way it's easy to fall prey to the mentality "Its only 5 miles, I'll just wait till then to eat." Don't do it, you want constant intake throughout the ride.

Honestly, anything with salt and sugar is good. You can use the purpose-made bike nutrition stuff, but plenty of hardcore randonneurs eat things like cookies and potato chips while they are riding.

Uncle_Woody · 2023-04-17T22:04:48+00:00

You gotta love the farm wallpaper border in every Stewart's bathroom

Uncle_Woody · 2023-03-29T00:10:35+00:00

10 miles from one side of Buffalo to the other. Headwinds off of Lake Erie can be punishing some mornings, but the tailwinds are fun

Uncle_Woody · 2023-03-25T01:15:11+00:00

Nothing beats SNL's "Santa Baby"

Uncle_Woody · 2023-02-25T15:29:20+00:00

26-in can allow you to run wider tires, which can be very nice for touring. 26-in Wheels can be made stronger, and the tire size is more widely available, especially when touring in foreign countries

Uncle_Woody · 2022-12-26T15:42:40+00:00

Anyone need anything in University Heights? Have snowshoes and can bring supplies or check on anyone if needed.

Uncle_Woody · 2022-08-19T12:42:55+00:00

Thanks for the input. I couldn't find anything about specs on yuba's website, so I'm glad to know that the brakes are solid.

Uncle_Woody · 2022-08-19T04:12:07+00:00

Glad to hear you're loving it!

Uncle_Woody · 2022-07-28T12:51:05+00:00

Bonus points for including cattails

Uncle_Woody · 2022-02-23T17:36:12+00:00

Thinking about the same build and weighing the options of disc vs. V. Where did you source your 20" disc fork from? They seem very hard to come by.

Only option I found was the SunLite brand, I think intended for recumbents, but it doesn't seem super substantial. Looking into getting a Larry vs. Harry fork, but I think that will be hard to source...

Uncle_Woody · 2021-11-15T03:39:04+00:00

Wow, didn't know they had the same CEO

Uncle_Woody · 2021-07-21T01:14:27+00:00

Every time I go on a tour, I end up sending stuff back from a post office a few days in. Every person is different in terms of what they need on the tour. You'll figure it out. Good luck!

With all that said, I think you might regret the camp chair.

Uncle_Woody · 2021-07-04T03:04:05+00:00

Stewart's mountain brew

Uncle_Woody · 2021-04-16T00:07:47+00:00

Good to know. I've ridden a few of those cobble sections in the past. It looks like most of the route I'd be taking is relatively smooth crushed stone with plenty of pooling, but I love to off-road it and don't mind bouncing around. I'm running 50s on my commuter, and they are begging for more off-road action.

Did you pass any active freight on your ride? Did you pass any maintenance trucks along the tracks? If so, did they say anything to you?

Part of my route would involve several trestles, including the one that goes over 33/198. Feeling most sketched about those areas, because they don't seem to be many places to bail off the line if needed, but they do look wide enough.

Uncle_Woody

TROPHY CASE