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So I'm doing the BB200 this weekend. I've got my trusty Alpkit bivvy bag which has been fine in the past, but I'm a bit concerened about the traditional "damp" Welsh climate, so I've bought a cheap light tarp from ebay. I need to get some paracord though, but I've no idea how much I need.
15ft?
50ft?
100ft?
More?
Anyone got any (sensible) suggestions?
What tarp did you get? I've been thinking about getting one myself.
depends how you plan on hanging your tarp.
6ft can be sufficient.
Some methods need more.
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£30 for 230grammes
Doesn't have as many attachment points as some, but I guess that's the light weight.
No idea how I'll attach it.
Paracord soaks up water and stretch when wet.
It probably comes with guy lines anyway I have a role of 1.5mm dyneema whcih is massively overkill for guy lines I reckon.
I think I carry 4 2m guy lines but I've never measured them properly.
tarp clips might come in handy to add some pullouts?
It doesn't come with guy lines. I was looking at Dyneema, best get some....
Get some mini linelocks and you'll be sorted
I picked up a 4 set of guy ropes from the 99p shop. They are approx 2m each and that has been sufficient for my needs.
I tend to use the tarp on bikepacking trips and found that pegging one edge of the tarp to the floor and using a wheel or two as a pole then attach the guy ropes to the lifted edge... Pretty hard to explain... But it works 🙂
I'll be taking a tarp this weekend too! Can't trust the welsh weather
Why Dyneema?
I use it on my boat, but it's horrificly expensive and the loads on a tent peg or tarp aren't going to trouble even the cheapest polyester rope?
I usualy fold my tarp in half and put a pole in the long side of the triangle (the old center of the tarp) and a guy line, then peg out the rest. Should probably cur the tarp in half to save weight/space.
In the monster bivi thread, there are loads of pitching ideas:
http://singletrackmag.com/forum/topic/sick-as-a-dog-so-show-me-you-bivi-bikepacking-adventure-racing-gear
Give Stu a shout.
He's got some guy line kits knocked up that you pick up at the start.
Tinas as I said its overkill but I had 50m from another project. It alwasn't that expensive.
http://www.cleats.co.uk/index.php/cl605pr-2mm-blue-dyneema-guy-line-30m-reel.html
I use something like this in orange. Strength may be overkill but it's light and works etc. Got ~8m of it in 6 lengths attached to a small tarp with linelocks that adjust it quickly. Bowline loops on the ends, makes a standard pitch using the bike (no reliance on fences or trees) I use a variant of it each time so the lines are the right length / place and the central bike end of the tarp is marked. Took a fair amount of faff to arrive at this though ; )
50 foot of para cord is probably the cheapest option. I've never noticed that it stretches any more than silnylon and that's never been an issue for me.
Good luck on the BB. I'm riding but hoping not to stop. Got away with it last year so...
Thanks all. I'll trawl the outdoor shops tomoorrow to find some suitable string.
ianfitz - I'm hoping to go non-stop, but I suspect I'll have to as I can't shake off the latest bout of manflu.
15m of 3mm cord purchased today from the grumpiest outdoor shop in Newcastle.
Just need some line-loks, or develop the ability to tie a knot more useful than a half-hitch.
I ruddy love tarps!
They just keep you dry from the dew settling...
I got some Fredd in 3 or 4mm guise from alpkit - a few quid for 20m is more than enough.
The rest you have to use to make ziplines in the lounge for lego.
Apparently.
DrP