Sleeping bag

[Zen]

You really, really, really have to keep weight down.
Trust me on this, I learned the hard way.
If you're short you could probably get away with a childs size. I'm 5'2" and that works for me.

HOW NOT TO PACK

[Cataboo]

For the wool weenies - my summer sleeping bag is a slumberjack meridan. Basically a merino wool lined sleeping bag.

[Tuckervill]

I'm with Zen. Weight will be important. Not at first, but later.

And, I would try to borrow a nice down sleeping bag before I bought one. Surely you know someone who would lend you one? I'd lend you mine but I'm in Arkansas. I borrowed a one-man tent for my tour with Tri-Girl. I was happy I did that.

Karen

[Aint Doody]

I agree with Tri Girl. If it's not too chilly, go for the Coleman fleece. They're great.

[Melalvai]

Thanks for the tips. I probably could have gotten by with spending less money, but I got a nice sleeping bag from REI, which seems very lightweight to me.

The trip is almost here, 6 days away! I'm alternating anxious and excited. This post is mostly about my anxiety, because I'm hoping you all will calm my fears. But I have plenty of excitement about the trip too.

I've worked and worked over maps and google, and advice from people who are more familiar with other parts of the state. My route is a little more strenuous than I'd hoped. That's one of the things I'm worried about.
Day 1: 78 miles
Day 2: 79 miles
Day 3: 60 miles
Day 4: 82 miles
Day 5: ~65-70 miles.

I'd hoped to keep it closer to 70-75 miles a day. I know from my training rides that I can do 70 miles, even with tent etc, even with wind. (My training rides prove I can do it once anyway. I wish I'd had a chance to try two in a row!) The location of campgrounds dictates my route.

The other thing I'm worried about is the heat. I know, drink lots of water and gatorade and electrolytes. I also know that the first heat of summer hits me like a brick, and it simply takes time to adjust, no matter how much V-8 and water and so on.

I'll browse the archives when I get a chance, but I'll go ahead and ask anyway: what do you suggest I carry to eat? I'll stop at any grocery store and restaurant when I get a chance, but this is rural Missouri & rural Iowa, not necessarily a lot of places to stop. I'm already tired of gas station food just from my training rides.

[ZenSojourner]

Dates. Raisins. Peanut butter crackers, Ritz makes some good ones.

Personally I have to dilute Gatorade A LOT (about 1:4), I prefer Propel

Bananas, can't go touring without bananas!

Maybe some freeze dried camping food.

[PamNY]

Are you taking gear to cook? With or without a stove, I like whey protein powder which will mix with milk or juice.

If you eat fish, tuna in packets is good. You can also find salmon and chicken packaged that way.

Lots of travel-size stuff is available from Minimus. It's pricey and not very green because of the packaging, but handy nonetheless.

Pam