Terry - I missed your reply here until now. Sorry for the delay. It is indeed a sickness & my attempted cure ran well into the ......... I never added it up but ...... hmmmm.... it is LESS than a SE bike!
Summer mountain trips are interesting. I usually carry a leather jacket and leggings just in case. Used the leather jacket on the last mountain trip a couple of weeks ago, but the light jacket (windbreaker) was not needed some mornings, even. I may ditch the leather for some FXRG type gear though. More versatile, but leather has served me well for a long time riding. Wide temp swings are common in elevation so I plan ahead. On the socks issue - I use socks that wick moisture both summer & winter. Found some on a closeout somewhere for not much $$ & they are working great. When its cold I just add a sock liner (also add a liner if a lot of hiking is planned for summer trips.)
Cabelas, Sierra Trading Post, Gander Mt., REI, & Bass pro Shops were a magnet for me, along with a few mountain/backpacking stores a few years back. I have enough backpacking gear for extended primitive camping trips, which I no longer take. But just in case, its there.....
I'll be back in the Smokies in August. Hope You have a great time on your July trip!
Yes, it's all less than a SE bike, but I shudder to think what I've got tied up in all of it...skis, boots, poles, Wenowna canoes (two) and all accesories for canoe camping trips, Gregory backpack, Trailwise Backpack, Sierra Designs Tent, various stoves, candle lanterns, lanterns. I can't bring myself to get rid of some of the stuff, as I can look at it and have such great memories. It doesn't eat, so it's not hurting anything other than occupying space.
I much prefer riding at all times in the chaps and leather jacket, but if it gets really warm, that stuff has got to come off and then there's no where to store the big jackets...they take up a LOT of room. That's what I like about these jackets...the panels are able to fold up and lay totally flat in the TP, or be stuffed into a small stuffsack, then the mesh is cool, but it's also got the good elbow and shoulder armor. I am so sick....
It's still cheaper than a color matched trailer...