A Cross-Country Adventure

[onimity]

Wow, that sounds like a great adventure and a great reward!

I'm wondering, though, about the weight? I am planning a 5 week ride and am amazed at all of the things that are necessary to bring to be reasonably safe. I am wondering how you are going to keep it all under 40 lbs minus dog...especially when you not only have to carry all of your gear yourself but also food & water for your dog? Granted, I am planning on camping most of the way on my trip & won't have regular access to bike shops, don't know if that is your plan...

I just ask because I am trying to get my gear down to < 50lbs, trailer included and that means going ultralight & very minimal. If your trailer weighs, say, 13lbs, that means that all of your gear weighs 27 lbs.

The daily water requirements for you and your dog on a normal day amount to ~8 lbs. And that doesn't account for the exercise...

Also, what kind of bike are you taking? 15lbs seems very light for that kind of load...is it capable of handling that? Not to be a buzzkill, but you might want to make sure the logistics are really practical before you get too excited/sure that taking your dog is a good idea without someone to carry a good portion of your gear. I would hate to see you and your dog get into danger on such a cool trip.

Regarding weather, keep in mind that you'll get much lower temps at high altitudes, I've had miserably cold camping experiences in August in both Colorado and Wyoming, so you'll want to make sure that you have good cold-weather gear for crossing mountains, even if it is only just-in-case. We're a lot further south and still can get snow in any of those months at altitude...

I'd love to ride part way with you but don't live near your route. Have fun planning!

Anne