Reply to backpacks vs. bike cart/trailor

Plan to back light but wondering about what to buy to use to transport the basics. This will be my first "bike" travel trip. I've done a fair amount of caneo/backpacking on the other side of boundry waters, but I'm concerned about too much weight on my back & a bike. Suggestions from all you experienced bicyclists is welcomed. Thanks!

I started out by buying a cheap rear rack for my bike and putting everything in a medium sized duffle bag, strapped to the rack with bungees. Eddie Bauer has a nice selection of lightweight, cheap, but capable nylon duffles. If you want protection from rain, pack your stuff in a trash bag that has been placed in the duffle.

To that, buy a $2 length of parachute cord to tie your tent, pad, etc, to the rack, and you'll be good to go. Now I have panniers, but the duffle worked fine.

On the rack, I think it is best to buy a rear rack that sits high in the back so you avoid heel strike of your stuff when pedaling: Bring your bike and duffle to the bike store with you to check for heel clearance, and buy a rack with as much clearance as you can get--there can be a big difference between how high they sit back there.

I have never tried a backpack, but I'm not so crazy about a CamelBak, so I wouldn't like a pack. Never tried a cart/trailer, but 1) Why? (as in, "How much stuff you carrying?"), 2) They seem like they would be one step above an anchor to me.

Weight on a bike is best kept low to keep the center of gravity low. Much like standing up in a boat, too much weight too high will cause you to be more off balance than need be.

When we started trail riding, we bought Topeak rear racks and a couple of pairs of panniers. Topeak trunk bags slide into a groove on their racks to secure them....makes a nice set up with the rear panniers. We can each carry two rear panniers each when we ride the half bikes or we can haul all four on the tandem with its front rack.

I too am not fond of carrying the Camelbak on my back. Did it one time and that was enough so I don't think I'd encourage anyone to ride with a backpack full of gear....too hot and rubbing as you ride makes it pretty uncomfortable.

I have a Burley cargo trailer that I pull when we are going to camp along the way. Starting out I can tell its there, but while in motion I hardly notice it. No, you probably can't break any land speed records with it, but that has never been our motive anyway.

Read a few journals on crazyguyonabike dot com and see how the bike touring crowd hauls their gear. There is Forum topic there about loaded touring bikes with some good pics of bikes while on tour. Credit card touring will allow you to travel quite a bit lighter than when you haul camping gear.

The loaded bikes are under "Articles" on crazyguy as Loaded Bicycles by Kelly Iniguez. You can view by bike manufacturer and type.

Use Ziplock bags--qt and gallon size--to roll your items up and store them. That should keep the rain out. Put sleeping bags in big store plastic shopping bags. No sense being miserable when wet.

I ditto the suggestions to use a rear rack and panniers. Backpacks will throw off your balance -- probably okay while you are just riding along with no issues, but if you have to swerve to avoid a snake or a kid, the weight of a backpack will pull you over and down in no time. Get a good rear rack (go to your bike store and have them help you pick one out for your bike -- don't buy it at a big box store) and panniers can be expensive or not -- or like some have suggested here, just use bungee cords and a duffle bag with ziplocs inside.

Thanks so much everyone. Very helpful tips and info!