This should have been at the beginning...Ocean Beach Bike Path, the starting point

For Dak and E-bunny and anyone else interested re: Ride and Kit - I am riding a 2011 Surly Crosscheck

I have since streamlined with one handlebar bag, and the sleeping pad and bag fit with everything else into two panniers; one of them is this awesome backpack pannier thingy from Ortlieb.  I love it!

I have with me:

Map, notebook, phone/camera, lights, U and cable lock:

First aid kit

Allen key set, wrench, levers, tubes, lube

Toothbrush, washscrubby, camp towel, sunscreen

Tank top, capri pants with riding short briefs, 

cycling shorts, a t-shirt, pants and top base-layer

Cook pot, stove, cup, utensil set

Tent, sleeping bag, pad (sort of light-weight)

Oatmeal, trail-mix and day-to-day variety, usually beans and veggies of some sort

Water, usually at least a gallon

postcard making materials, though I haven't had the time, yet

~35lbs

Not the absolute finest touring set-up there can be, but I'm rockin it for now!