'Shake down'

I am pretty much packed, and with a tent and sleeping bag included, I am roughly going to be pulling 16-17kg, which is considered 'medium weight'.

I have, however, been thinking about it at night, and I am worried I am taking too much!  Some ultralight specialised go as far as to cut toothbrushes in half and rip out the pages they have read in books.  I am not sure I can comply with this mentality, plus I like a full length toothbrush, but there is a lot to be said in keeping it light, especially as I hit the Appalachians pretty soonish in the trip!

When reading cycle touring articles, you often hear the phrase 'shake down'.  Basically, you go on a weekend/short cycle with all your equipment to test everything works.  I was reminded of this in a bicycle shop the other day.  I was pretending to be interested in buying a Surly off them so I could finalise sizes, and the owner asked how long I had till the start.  When I said I was off in two weeks, he advised on hurrying up and buying so that I could ride it for at least a week to 'break it in' and also tighten up the wires after a bit of use and adjust any components for comfort.

I'm sure this helps as a selling technique, but there is a lot to be said in it.

I am not going to be able to do a 'shake down', except for a small ride in central Washington, but I am going to re-pack with minimalism in mind! 

If you have read Bill Bryson's Walk in the Woods, it reminds me of the first days trekking he does, and how his mate throws away all the food (only finding out the next day at breakfast) because he never tried the backpack fully packed before!