We are on the downhill side of summer. It will soon be camping season in Texas. Although I've been riding the new Meriwether Ponderosa consistently since it arrived in July, it has been only carrying the essentials for short rides. But I now have another bikepacking trip to the mountains planned. I'm headed to northern New Mexico in late October. It is time, therefore, to figure out how to carry things on this bike.
The photo shows the likely concept, but testing continues. The bar bag holds sleeping quilt and a layer of clothes. A bivy bag, sleeping pad, and pillow are strapped to the fork. The rear rack holds cook set, food, and another clothing layer. Primary water will be inside the main frame triangle and under the downtube, but I can add bottles to the rack supports, if needed.
Now, if I can get a high temperature below 90F followed by a low below 65F, I'll actually be able to do a complete overnight test.