I'm glad the photos came out, though wish I had had a more smiley face on . . . but it is reassuring to know that I can post photos as well as comments while away.
The last major tour I did was in 1967! Round the coast of Scotland, camping, b&b, whatever I could find. On a Witcombe road bike I bought for £5 in a junk shop and learnt how to rebuild. I wish I had kept up my touring / distance cycling, but career, working abroad for a spell, children etc . . . .
So this is a real adventure for me, and after a period of apprehension, I am now looking fwd to it. I have remembered some things from my old touring days ( . . secure panniers properly . . ), forgotten others (. . and close panniers properly . . )
To clarify the photos . . . the 'bar bag' is a Carradice bag, the smallest of the range. Long straps make it fit easily, and I much prefer these sort of bags to the standard bar bag things. Yes, it takes longer to get in/ out, and to remove, but only a matter of seconds. The bag weighs 1.5kg loaded, and contains spare tubes, tools, chain oil, pump, etc etc.
The Altura panniers (I've had them for years) have been reproofed, one side contains the tent and is the bag for stuff that will not hurt too much if it gets wet. The tent will fit front==> back on the rack top, but the narrow Tubus Vega rack is not ideal for that. If the tent gets soaked, I could put it there. The other pannier bag contains clothes and is the 'dry' bag and bag to go into b&bs, hostels etc.
The Topeak underseat bag contains items that might be needed quickly - e.g. Hx key to turn bars if need be on train / ferry, strap to secure bike, sun cream, etc. The contents of that will change as the ride progresses and needs change. If I change plans and settle somewhere for day rides, it will revert to being the toolkit bag. Tools - I've worked out exactly what I might need, and taken 'proper' tools of the right sizes. I find multi-tools difficult as eyesight problems make it hard to see the details sometimes, especially if specs wet.
On top of the rack is a supposedly waterproof bag (purchased by my wife in the back streets of Kathmandu - good name but origin unknown! - with camera, sunhat, etc. That is secured by an elastic strap, Avenir or something I think, hooked onto bolts I have fitted at the rack base.
In ready to ride mode, the Sherpa weighs 12.4 kg. Including rack, pedals, bottle carriers, guards etc. That's less than most of the manufacturers weights on mainstream tourers. The combined weight of the load at the back end comes to 13 kg, inc tent, lock,etc. I always tend to 'overpack' clothes, but I think I have got it about right. The Sherpa just doesn't notice that load, and still steers and handles as sweetly as ever.
So here we go. Thanks for the good wishes, Dan and everyone.
Lewis
