BikePacking

When you're transporting yourself and gear you need to travel light. Consider each item you pack carefully you're going hauling it a long way. Martin's checklist is a great place to start planning but don't feel that you have to bring everything. Do a couple of practice trips and see what you need.

• Don't pack excessive clothing (look for a future article to address minimalist clothing)
• The great thing about touring is you don't have to carry all your food with you, you can purchase it along the way.
• Make use of Zip-Lock and the plastic bags you get from the supermarket when you pack. They're a lifesaver if you find out that your water-proof bag isn't or some messy food items spills.

Picking a spot to camp

It should go without saying if you don't wait untill it's dark it's much easier.

• Pick a spot that won't be a lake if it rains. 
• Look for someplace that's off the road enough that people can't see your tent, it helps prevent trouble. People aren't going to bother you if they don't see you, whether it's the owner of the vacant field, vandals, or the police. For the same reason pick a tent that isn't a bright color.
• Be respectful of whoever's land you're staying on. Practice zero impact camping, if you brought it with you take it with you.
• Something to lock your bike to is a plus.

Cooking Equipment I Carry

• Single cook pot with lid and pot lifter. The lid is important, Keep it on the pot whenever your cooking, less heat is lost saving you fuel.
• 3-cup resealable Rubbermaid container. The Rubbermaid container is very versatile; you can drink out of it, if you've got two people one can eat out of it while the other eats out of the pot, and you can store leftovers in it for the next meal.
• Lexan spoon. I don't bother with a fork because a spoon can eat anything a fork can (sometimes it takes just a little more effort).
• 2 32oz. Lexan Nalgene Bottle (the one with the wide mouth). I like the wide mouth because as you stop to fill up water sometimes people will ask if you want some ice. Good luck fitting it into a regular bottle. It's also nice if you want to soak beans, or even just mix a drink mix in to overpower the taste of some gross water. A great way to sanitize these is to use the microwave at a 7-11, just make sure you keep an eye on it.
• 2 Liter Soda Bottle. This is great for water storage, not only is it lightweight but it's cheap and easy to replace. You don't have to worry about cleaning it, just get a new one every couple of weeks.

Cooking/Cleaning

Your not at home so you don't cook or clean like you're at home.

• Use a minimum of dishes, it's less stuff to clean
• Once you've eaten use a piece of bread to wipe off all the extra food (the bachelor's sponge). Wipe it off good then put it way, next time you cook wait till the water's boiling and dip your spoon and cup/bowl to sterilize them.

Hygiene type stuff

Since a good portion of your trip will be going through civilization you really need to keep yourself clean. It's amazing what you can do with a washcloth and a bar of Lever 2000 soap in a restroom, of course be respectful of the proprietors and other customers. When in the middle of nowhere you can use your pot to haul water away from the creek/river/lake (sunscreen, bug spray and soap are all more polluting than you'd guess). Wet your washcloth and then rub on a little soap, lather up and then rise. Feel free to practice in you're bath tub ;)

When answering nature's call:

• Conserve toilet paper just use enough to keep your hands clean when you're cleaning-up.
• Be responsible, dig a six inch cat hole to crap in, and you take your used TP with you and put it into your trash bag. The crap will be gone long before the TP starts to break down.
• Make sure you wash your hands with anti-bacterial soap when you're done. It only helps keep you from getting sick
  One semi-related note, if you're smart you'll flatten your roll of toilet paper and keep it in a Ziploc bag, it's definitely one thing you don't want getting wet.

Breaking down camp

It's all about getting an early start The mornings are the best time to ride, generally you've got till 10 or 11am before the wind starts blowing and it's much more pleasant to ride before the day really heats up. One way to speed up your departure is to pack up at night, stow everything you don't need to sleep. When you wake up roll up your sleeping bag, take down the tent pack them both up and hit the road. Don't eat till you've got 15 miles behind you and you can make the most of the mornings.

Miscellaneous Stuff

• Bring a notepad, you'll have all kinds of stuff to write down, people you meet's addresses, things you'd like to have next time, directions, etc.
• Think about taking a bike lock. If it's the keyed kind make sure you have at least 3 keys. The 1st on your person, the 2nd as a back-up in your bag, and the 3rd left with your support person back at home (that way if you loose the other two they can FedEx it to you).