handlebar bag or what?

[Flybye]

I have a Giant OCR 2 as well and it is an aluminum frame with a carbon forks. I am do not think that the OCR 2 is a carbon framed bike.
Just checking.

Here is the link for the OCR 2
http://www.giant-bicycle.com/en-US/bikes/road/3/11473/

[rij73]

I have a Giant OCR 2 as well and it is an aluminum frame with a carbon forks. I am do not think that the OCR 2 is a carbon framed bike.
Just checking.

Here is the link for the OCR 2
http://www.giant-bicycle.com/en-US/bikes/road/3/11473/

Maybe she means the OCR C2?
http://www.giant-bicycle.com/en-US/bikes/road/2/11468/

[Flybye]

That would make sense. I didn't want to be a party pooper. I had forgot that they had the OCR C line. Whew Yeah for her. Thanks for that suggestion.

[Zen]

A big seat wedge and a small handlebar bag should be sufficient.
If you must carry more, there's always the option of a lightweight rack and small trunk bag

[Kathi]

Easterbird,

Not to scare you but I did that ride in 04. We called it the "Tour de Fog". Temps. were moderate but we started every day with a very heavy fog that took several hours to burn off. The last day was an all day fog. One day we had all day rain so we took the shortest route to our destination town and got lodging. I hope your weather experience is better than ours was.

Even without the rain, conditions were always damp so if you're camping pack everything in plastic bags. I like Eagle Creek compression saks, available from REI.

Be sure you have a tailight on your bike or backpack. It helps motorists see you in the fog.

I use a Jandd seat bag that unzips and creates more space. I carry my tire levers, 2 tubes and arm and leg warmers in it, food, whatever I need to stuff in it.

In addition to my seat bag I use the Novara (REI) Bliss hydration bag. It's women's specific, is large enough for a small pump, cell phone, camera, clothing, etc. It has a bungy on the outside for a jacket. I find that I drink more fluids when I have a hydration pack.

Do not wrap your jacket around your waist or seatpost. It is a very dangerous thing to do, if a sleeve gets loose and ends up in your spokes or drivetrain you could have a nasty crash.

I just got a Marmot Precip jacket for riding in the rain. I can't tell you how dry it keeps you because it hasn't rained since I got it! I also have a pair of Patagonia rain pants that the only time I used them was on that trip. They kept my bottom and legs nice and dry. If you take rain pants and they are wide at the bottom be sure to have a velcro strap to secure the pants leg on the drivetrain side.

If you are doing this tour by yourself be sure you can change your own tubes and carry the things you need with you. Even though there are sag wagons on the route it may take some time for them to get to you. I carry my bicycle pump by my water bottle holder although small pumps can also fit in hydration packs like the REI one.

Take any food like energy bars, Accelerade, etc. that you are used to eating on long rides. If you haven't done many long rides do some and experiment with what works before you go on the tour. The hardest thing on a week long tour is consuming enough calories.

Pack everything in small bottles and this time, for Ride the Rockies, I packed my soaps, contact solutions etc in baggies. That way everything was together for getting ready in the morning or showering in the evening.

Pack towels are good to have, they are towels that dry out quickly. It was so damp on our tour that regular towels did not dry well.

The terrain is not flat as one would expect but not mountainous like the Moosa tour in Maine.

I got a stiff neck from sleeping on the ground in the cold. My camp pillow is not very supportive. I used a product called Biofreeze and it really relieved the stiffness.

Have fun and hopefully you'll have wonderful weather.

[easterbird]

Yes, I meant an OCR C2. Thanks Flybye and rij73. Kathi, you scared me ...not really but I will take heed re 'wetness' factor and also like idea of using velcro for rain pants legs! still work on how to carry my gear. All your info was appreciated about the ride. i am going with some other local club folks so will oick their brains too.
LBS says they could mount a very small handelbar bag or a rear rac. In either case, I get the impression I will have to do scout's honor pledge and promise not to overload it.