LOL Rifraf
Ron's bike is beautiful, no doubt. And from my perspective, it is pretty much an ideal configuration (though I would've gone disc brakes, but that's neither here nor there, what's important is that Ron's happy). I've been thinking about a custom build, based around an LHT frame with a Rohloff hub and all the various bits and pieces. Ron and I spoke about the Vivente Randonneur, a bike that ticks most of the boxes off the shelf. I'd been looking at one for my mum. Now that I've seen Ron's beautiful bike - and I know this will sound odd - I've pretty much changed my mind and decided I might go with a Randonneur myself.
What's that, you say, I saw a beautiful bike and decided I
didn't want one just like it? Yes. I know. I didn't expect that either. But hear me out. I'm just getting into this touring thing. So new to it that I haven't even toured. Not even an overnighter. It's all just a concept right now, one that I'm learning lots about. I have grand plans, sure, but I don't know how it will pan out. I might do it and hate it. And then I'll have a beautiful custom bike that cost a fortune sitting around doing nothing. No. That's not cool. So I think I'll do some smaller tours (1-3 nights, or a week here and there if I can get leave) on my commuter (road bike with rack and panniers) and see how it goes. If I enjoy it, I'll get the Randonneur for Tasmania. Once I've done Tassie, I'll know if I want to keep doing it seriously, and I'll also know if the Randonneur meets my needs or if I really do need something nicer/swankier/better/whatever.
In terms of carrying capacity, I think I will be happy with panniers. I already have Ortleib back roller classics, and I think they'll be plenty for 2-3 day rides, even week-long rides. I can't think of any circumstance under which I'd consider a trailer. It's too much weight for my puny legs to carry, and the reality is that if I have so much crap that I need panniers front and back plus a trailer.. honestly, there's something wrong. That, or I'm riding a ridiculously long distance between resupply points. And I don't see that happening either.
RE wet-weather gear, I have a Ground Effect
Flash Gordon jacket, GE
Helter Skelter 3/4 pants and Sugoi
Resistor booties. The booties are excellent, the jacket is very good, and the 3/4 pants are so-so. I've heard good things about Showers Pass rain pants, so I might check those out. Or, I might just live with getting wet. It's only water, right? Plus, I wear wool socks, so even when it's pissing rain, my feet tend to stay dry. That said, I remember one rainy ride early this year where I was really wishing I'd worn rain gear. It was 50Km of non-stop, pounding rain. I didn't realise it at the time, but the moisture made my skin so soft that my chamois actually abraded a 2-inch gash in my... "chamois region".
This is something I never want to have happen again.
Max
. They are the most comfortable thing around on two wheels. I am quite happy riding the bike for long distances without the mitts using these grips. No discomfort, vibration or numbness.[/quote]
. however I absolutley can not wait for the ergon sm3 saddles to arrive on the shelves (albeit overseas) coz the stock saddle on my bike is a bit small and too hard, it's going to be a painful 4 months if I can't find a suitable substitute between now and then 
