Looking for some advice on backpacking?

Question

I'm heading out on a backpacking trip for 6 weeks. I'm traveling via train mostly; however, I'm taking my bike with me. In addition, I'll be staying in mostly hostels. I'm heading east from Denver up to the northeast and into Canada ending up in Seattle. I plan on taking a lightweight sleeping bag, but heard hostels sometimes don't allow them? Are there anything I should be aware of? Things to bring? Not to bring?

Answer 1

I took a bike tour from Amsterdam to Sweden one year and here's my advice:
Think WATERPROOF EVERYTHING !!!!! It think you'll be traveling through some rainy places.
Get shoes with Gore Tex, (or similar waterPROOF breathable membrane)
Everything as lightweight as possible. If you're staying in hostels ask in advance what they require. You might not need a puffy sleeping bag unless you're camping; if you want take a lightweight down filled bag.They fold smaller then polyfills.. You could take a polyester fleece sleeping sack like the one I bought at a Target or Kmart for about $9.99. It can unzip into a sheet or zip together like a sleeping bag, and it folds or rolls up very small.
Or just take a sheet or a twin sized duvet cover. If hostels are that strict, do you really want to stay with them?
I took a small 2 person tent, kept it in my bike bags, and used it some, but the problem was RAIN. Put things like clothes and papers inside plastic bags, and don't think
Water-resistant is anywhere near WaterPROOF. Good thing nowadays waterproof doesn't only mean heavy rubber. The tent's rain cover I put over the stuff inside my bike bag as more waterproof protection, but a plastic poncho is good too, then you can use it to sit on for your picnic in a dewy field..
I also recommend being ready for serious heat if you're traveling in USA or even Canada in Summer. COOLMAX will serve you better than cotton t-shirts, Fishing shirts have mesh inside that keep you cool and they have all kinds of pockets that velcro shut. Get one of those. And nylon shorts and lightweight cargo shorts are better than jean shorts. Fleece is lighter than leather, wool, or cotton sweats. You'll need something for cool times, so a fleece jacket and a goretex rain jacket should be enough. Get some athletic sandals that strap on and are very comfortable to walk in. Protect your eyes. lips and skin from the blazing sun!!
Buy a seat cushion if you'll be biking more than a few hours, and bike shorts with padding. If you're city biking, have a good lock and stash your panniers in the hostel.
Finally, I recommend some black nylon pants that have Goretex (or similar) and are waterproof. The ones I have look normal enough to pass for black slacks at night.
They also have a kind of mesh inside that keeps you cool and keeps the pants from sticking to your legs even if it is raining. And the Goretex blocks the wind, so they're the perfect pants for travel.
And, they have zipper pockets and hidden pockets that are great when you're traveling to keep things safe.
When you sit on a wet park bench you're cooly doesn't get wet. And they almost never get dirty and if they do you just shower them off and they dry fast. You can find them online or in stores or catalogs that sell camping and outdoor gear and clothing.
PACK lite!!!!! Leave the economy size shampoo and gel at home. Take along some old clothes like socks, undies, and tshirts ready to throw away, and as they get dirty throw them away. When you get rid of them, buy some new ones. It's time anyway, isn't it? And it'll be almost as cheap as running your old holy ones through a laundromat.