Here’s the final route taken around Lake Erie.  The green and blue segments designate alternate days on the bicycle. The yellow segment (Windsor, Ontario to Toledo, Ohio) was taken via a rental car.

For the most part, all the gear performed well. A few things, however, will be changed before the next lake in the “Great Lakes Project”.

• The Specialized TriCross rode well and performed flawlessly. The seat, however, is not a touring seat. A Brooks B-17 was immediately ordered on my return.
• The Arkel GT-18 Panniers worked really well.  It would have been nice to have a bit more space but, then again, more space leads to more weight.  I probably will go ahead and get a pair of GT-54s to have the option for a bit more clothing next time.  I really don’t see myself needing both front and rear panniers, but having the set could come in handy.
• Although I didn’t camp a single night, I did have the tent (MSR Hubba-Hubba), sleeping bag, and pad if necessary.  Next time, if I don’t anticipate consecutive nights of camping, I’ll opt for the lighter and smaller 1-man Hubba.
• The Garmin Edge 800 worked really well but I probably should have gone ahead and gotten the latest North American map data – mostly for the latest POIs. Additionally, it’s battery life is right at the limit for an all-day tour. A portable (possibly solar) battery pack would have been useful for charging during a rest stop.
• I really need better rain gear. The Performance jacket would be fine for getting caught in the rain during a training ride but isn’t breathable enough for touring in light rain on a warm day. I was quickly wetter beneath the jacket than had I not been wearing it. My old Burley pants were losing the inner rubberized lining even before the tour.  Time to do some research…
• Miscellaneous clothing. A few items will be different next time: a second pair of regular cycling shorts, leg-warmers instead of long cycling pants, a better (more touring-friendly) long-sleeve jersey, etc.