This image was taken many years ago during a trip through the Northern Rocky Mountains. We had three straight days of rain and temperatures in the 40s, colder at night, but the proper gear kept me warm and mostly dry. I’ll be using the same bike and panniers on this trip. However, the rain gear which includes booties, gloves, jacket and pants have all been replaced over the past several years. The weather was so foul during those three days of rain that the drivers of random cars would stop and ask us if wanted a ride, which we would refuse. I will not not be so far north during my upcoming trans-america tour, but decided to bring along the equivalent amount of foul weather gear, which I can always mail home, if I decide it is not necessary.

The funny thing about current model touring/adventure bikes, is that they weight the same or more than my old Trek 520 and are more complicated and finicky. I think the weight factor is partly because of the move to gravel riding, which requires a more robust bike and heavier racks. My upcoming tour will be primarily on pavement. The finicky part is due to the more advanced disc brakes and indexed shifters which require more precise adjustment for proper operation. When properly adjusted, the newer stuff definitely works far better than the older style components, but the new stuff is also more delicate and complicated.