Touring with a delta compared to touring with tadpole.

[dragnfly]

Don't want to sound like a robot. I need input. I'm was wondering what I had too either cut back on or down size to tour with my Terra Trike Tour gee
it's not April and already I'm celebrating like I have it. Jon you saw my ten was wondering is there a bag big enough to put it in. I have it in an air mattress bag now. Is there anything I can put my clothes and stuff in. Or do I have tto break now and find a good bike trailer.
cheers
Shawn

[Rocketmantn]

Hey Shawn,

Yes I saw your tent. If that is the tent you are planning to take, I would recommend getting a Burley trailer. Dave uses one and it works great for him. To me, if you have a lot of stuff, the trailer is the best route. You can pile it up and it puts very little weight on the trike. (Of course you have to PULL that trailer so the more it weights, the harder it will be to pull!!!!)

Four years ago I toured the KATY trail with Dave, Buddy and Don on this board. This is different in that we CC camped. (That means Credit Card camped as in staying in hotels and B & Bs.) When you don't need sleeping and cooking stuff, it really makes what you are taking very light weight because all you need are clothes, toiletries and some miscellaneous stuff.

I rode the KATY on a tadpole with a rear rack and panniers and a truck pack. It worked great for me. Since the trike has short spokes, the extra weight over the back tires worked fine. In addition, when we went inside, I could grab both panniers and the rack truck and take them with me leaving nothing on the trike. The system worked great. Took less than a minute to take everything off and about 2 minutes to put everything back on.

I have some suggestions if you are planning to go any long distance or stay out for 3 or more days.

First, buy a backpacking book. The same principle in backpacking apply to bicycle touring. Just add a bicycle multi tool, air pump a couple of inner tubes and patch kit and a new tire and you are good to go.

There are some good websites as well.

http://www.backpacking.net/beginner.html

http://www.thebackpacker.com/beginners/

http://www.ultralightbackpacker.com/

There are many more sites but you will get a good head start reading these.

The keys to successful backpacking apply to successful bicycle touring.

1. Only takes essentials.
2. Small is better.
3. Lighter is better.
4. If you "think" you need it you probably don't!
5. Safety IS important. (i.e. cell phone, first aid kit, bike light & reflectors, rear view mirror, highly visible biking clothes, etc!)
6. Most of this stuff is expensive, but going cheap many times will cause you trouble in the long run!

Finally, start small and work your way up. First just ride 20 - 30 miles will all your stuff on your trike to see:

• How heavy it is.
• How does the trike handle?
• Are you in shape to carry this for 100s of miles?

Next go on a short overnight ride. This will give you a chance to see:

• Did you bring everything you need?
• Did everything work?
• Did you know how to set up everything to make it work?
• And most importantly, WHAT DIDN'T YOU USE. The last item will highlight stuff you need to leave at home.
• Is there anything you needed and didn't bring???

After that, you should be able to go for extended rides and have fun because you've got your systems down.

Let us know how you do. I am itching on going on another bicycle tour something.

Here is a list I used for the KATY trail. I didn't take everything, but this gave me a good start.

One final note, pack EVERYTHING in plastic bags inside the panniers. You would like to think panniers are waterproof, but sometimes they are not and you DON'T want wet stuff during a ride!!!

Clothing
• Cap - on head
• Bandana - water bottle holder on front right bag
• Three short-sleeved Coolmax shirts - left rear pannier
• One long-sleeved wool shirt - left rear pannier
• Three pairs of cycling shorts - left rear pannier
• One pair of long pants - left rear pannier
• Six pairs of synthetic underpants - left rear pannier
• Six pairs of socks - left rear pannier
• GoreTex rain jacket- right rear outside pocket
• GoreTex pants - right rear outside pocket
• Polypropylene gloves - inside jacket pocket

Sleeping Gear
• Sleeping bag (in nylon bag) - left front pannier
• Thermorest mattress - vertical pocket, left rear pannier
• Tent (in nylon bag) - right front pannier
• Poles (in nylon bag) - right front pannier
• Stakes - vertical pocket, right rear pannier

Cooking Gear
• Three-quart pot - bottom of right rear pannier
• Pot lid - on pot, on side away from bike
• Knife-fork-spoon set - handlebar bag
• Sharp knife - handlebar bag
• Matches - handlebar bag
• Can opener - handlebar bag
• Gas stove (in nylon bag) - vertical pocket, right rear pannier
• Fuel bottle - vertical pocket, right rear pannier
• Water filter (in nylon bag) - vertical pocket, right rear pannier
• Spare food - inside three quart pot
• Daily food - stashed wherever there is room.

Spare Parts
• Folding tire - left rear outside pocket
• Tube - left rear outside pocket
• Lube - left rear outside pocket
• Extra spokes - vertical pocket, right rear pannier
• Spare brake and derrailleur cables - left rear pannier
• Rear axle - in tool bag or handlebar bag

Tools (bag in the right rear pannier)
• Small screwdrivers, two sizes flat, two sizes Phillips
• Cone wrenches
• 7, 8, 9, 10 mm wrenches
• Adjustable wrench
• Allen wrench set
• Pliers
• Chain tool
• Spoke tool
• Crank extractor
• Suntour and Shimano freewheel removers
• 16 penny nail (to knock open bottom bracket)
• Tire "irons"
• Tire patch kit
• Spare nuts, bolts, brake pieces

Personal Supplies
• Scissors - handlebar bag
• Hand mirror - handlebar bag
• Comb - handlebar bag
• Toothbrush - handlebar bag
• Chap stick - handlebar bag
• Suntan lotion - left rear outside pocket
• Liquid soap - left rear outside pocket
• A small packet of tissues -- left rear outside pocket

Odds & Ends
• Air pump - bike frame
• Three water bottles - bike frame and pockets of both front bags
• Bike lock - varies according to the amount of use, often in left rear

Vertical Pocket
• Needles and thread - handlebar bag
• Pens - handlebar bag
• Notepad - handlebar bag
• Traveler's Checks - handlebar bag
• Compass - handlebar bag
• Leg bands - handlebar bag
• Flashlight - handlebar bag
• Wallet with ID, credit cards - left pocket on shorts
• Keys (bike lock and pannier) - right pocket on shorts
• Road maps - watertight pouch in right rear pocket
• Current map - left front water bottle pocket

Photography Equipment
• Olympus Stylus zoom (35 - 70 mm lens) - handlebar bag
• Remote - handlebar bag
• Tripod - right or left front bag depending on the size of the sleeping bag
• Extra film - handlebar bag

Computer and Supplies
• Laptop (3 lbs.) - right rear pannier
• Charger - right or left front bag, sometimes right rear pannier
• Extra batteries (3) - handlebar bag Note: the computer and charger are in waterproof nylon bags and then are each tied in two throwaway plastic bags.
________________________________________
Note: On my Y2K trip, I carried more computer gear, batteries, and a solar panel, which totaled 7 pounds, but my total weight was still about 50 pounds. I also left behind the long pants and wool shirt, but purchased leg warmers along the way. While the leg warmers were a good substitution, the wool shirt was sorely missed on many cold days

[Mtwnrocket]

Originally Posted by dragnfly

I need input. I'm was wondering what I had too either cut back on or down size Is there anything I can put my clothes and stuff in. Or do I have tto break now and find a good bike trailer.
cheers
Shawn

Finding a used Burley trailer can be difficult and a new one costs upwards of $350. But it is very convenient and rated to carry up to 100 pounds. The empty trailer weighs 14 pounds so any trip requires training. My loaded trailer on the KATY trip weighed 43 pounds. For several weeks prior to the trip I would take the rig out on the road loaded with logs, totalling around 50 pounds, for 30-40 miles. As a long-tongued 2-wheel trailer only 10% is transferred to the bike, but simply pulling that mass meant a few lower gears and some very good leg workouts.

I also have panniers (that I haven't yet used) for a shorter trip. Of course loaded panniers are almost 100% supported by the bike's rear wheel. At least they help cancel a trike's tendency to nose-down on a panic stop. But ask Buddy what happens with too much rear wheel luggage.

My best advice:
1. Make a prioritized list. Coordinate with others in your group if possible.
2. Get lightweight, compact versions of the most important stuff.
3. Lay out all the stuff on the floor.
4. Then viciously and with extreme prejudice put half of it back in the closet.
5. Don't skimp on good quality waterproof wraps for all that's left. You must assume that somewhere along the way you will encounter a monsoon.
6. Seek the advice and counsel of an experienced traveler.

Dave "The Breeze"

[dragnfly]

What I use now is a kids trailer. It's not the best but
it'll work in a pinch. Jon saw my flat bed that my cousin Jeremy and I mad.
Well he made it I just painted and supplied the bike and part of the wood.
Cheers
Shawn

[cappie]

Hey guys

I suggest doing some research on the Crazyguyonabike site.

http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/

There is a lot of content to be learned from that site. I have a close friend who is traveling by Frog "tadpole" trike currently in Cambodia. She started off with a trailer/front fairing a couple of years ago then eventually illiminated both of them. Heavy touring is all about minimizing. Here is her link

http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/?..._id=2126&v=3eC

I have read so many times on the crazyguy blog "why" riders send home many pounds of gear that they thought they would need - - - but didn't
Sometimes it just makes sense to ship items home no longer needed.

I feel fortunate to be one of the Six Warriors that Trans American toured across America in 2005. I will always be gratefull to have traveled with these fine gentlemen. Most of our group sent home stuff all across America for two reasons. #1 was convenience of sheading gear not needed for the next leg of the jouney. #2 was unused surplus items. Two of us didn't send anything home for any reason? Personally I have found that 45 lbs of gear is plenty of weight for a comfortable TransAmerican tour. I can even shave more weight off by using lighter gear on the market today. Note: - I'm a pack rat by nature - so - I have already made the mistake of too much weight. I found this out on past self-supported week end tours Everyone should do two or three week enders (min. 65 mile days with a few long 6% hills) before the big tour. This sorts out your equipment selection of tires/gearing and illiminates the extra stuff you "thought" you couldn't live with out. More can be learned by Googling the Six Warriors - or go to this link - - http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/?...&conte xt=all

Suggestion; I find that if a rider stays within a catagory IE Recumbent, Trike or upright bike tourist - the enjoyment of tour is better. The performance window of each catagory keeps the touring group closer together.

I outfit recembent tours occasionally - I keep my tours pure of catagory for reasons mentioned. There may be an exclusive trike tour coming in the future - wheather it will be self-supported or sagged - that will yet be decided.

Hope this helps out with the decisions

[calboy147]

Shawn, you can pick up a used but like new (2 kids) trailer for $20.00 and up actually i ended up with 3 two were given to me for free when the ladies found out what i was going to use it for.
Early on i used the Burley, and although it was a well made trailer, it wasn't as good for extended multi day touring as the child trailer.
To get out my camping gear i had to either look for a shelter (not often available) or get all my gear wet when trying to set up in a storm type senario. With the child trailer i could open the front or the back independantly, and the gear still remained covered till i removed it completely from the trailer.
So if your going out for a day or two and you are sure of the weather take a Burley; can't beat the quality.
But if you want to begone awhile and see some farther away sights take the child trailer. The double child trailer is also rated at 100#

[calboy147]

I am now working on a trailer long enough for me to sleep on and use my kayak, or canoe as a top, so i can eliminate my tent and keep some of the critters out of my gear.
It also utilizes the same tire and wheel combo as my trike so i can eliminate a few spare parts.
After my encounter with ground hogs at top speed i started carrying 3 wheelsets with the tires and tubes mounted instead of the tubes only since finding the wheels was the hard part.
I am trying to come up with a way (light way) to make it float so i can tow it behind the canoe.
When myself and a couple guys in the bay area crossed a bay north of Frisco i was able to take the trike but not the trailer....
Any of you smart guys have any suggestions, i am all ears......
I will have someone smarter than me post some pics as soon as we get a mock up so all can critique.....

[calboy147]

Cappie, i have spent countless hours reading the wonderful stories on C.G.O.A.B.. Kinda got put off with it when the so called officianados would start ganging up on and defaming newbies that wanted to do something different and were not familiar with the prescribed correct or norm....
i don't do weekend tours as such or even cross country bike rides. I like to head out with no particular route planned and no destination time schedule.
So I tend to carry the things i need or use in my everyday normal life..
Just my seminary study books and materials weigh over 35lbs..
And since i attend church every Wednsday and twice on Sunday i carry some extra clothing.
I love to hunt and am trying to learn to fish so i have that as well.
I do not really have anyone that i would want to place the burden of storing transporting and shipping the extras to me as needed so i carry what i need for 4 season any altitude travell and camping.. And since most of the prescribed bicycle tour routes do not give me enough flexability to see the things i want and visit the people i want, i some times find i have to carry conciderable more food and certainly more water than most cyclotourists.
I also am required to carry some out of the ordinary medical equipment and don't mention the meds.
There were a couple items i dispensed with but i replaced them with items that perform more functions and have had to add a couple that i did not think i would need. But whenn i landed it Podunk Mexico and ended up staying a couple weeks i wished i had them.....
That is the reason behind the new trailer. I had to borrow canoes and /or kayaks to cross some waterways or ride 300 miles total out and back. So i am hoping to develop a rig i can carry all my gear and still utilize waterways for travel and scenic pleasure when given the notion. Without having to back track to get my bike.....
See ya in the funny papers! er I mean on the road....lol

[dragnfly]

OK folks is there a way to get paid to ride my trike if there's one please let me know. That would be a job but it'd be a fun career.
Cheers
Shawn

[Gerry Wright]

I'm sure the burley trailer is a good trailer for touring.Have you thought about the BOB trailer.I have used one for many years behind a recumbent.They track well and keep everything dry with the water proof bag.Your sleeping bag stays dry inside the water proof bag with everything else.Your tent is strapped on the outside in a water proof bag,put your tent up,throw your bag inside the tent and your good to go .Gerry Wright