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Did anyone get out this weekend?
No I didn't get a night out but I did the Wentwood enduro today - it was brutal 😯
cheers for that link Stu, maybe tempted to have a go at a frame bag as the misses is a dab hand with the sewing machine.
any opinions on this tarp
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=390290005312&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT
saw that tarp - a bit smaller than the DD one, about the same weight and with postage about the same price - I'm still going for a DD one I think but I'm going to have to slum it in my work basha for now!
Valleydaddy, it's pretty heavy but a good size, are DD ones lighter and bigger?
Bigface, no overnighter but out looking for GR ... some pics on the blog.
ok cheers will make up my mind one day 😉
will take a peak at the WRT blog for some clues 😛
Looks good Stu, why am I so excited.. 😀 I want to get my os maps in the next week or so which one/ones would I need to cover the ground we are going to be covering in May??
OL23, 213, 214, 215, 239 maybe a good bet 😉
3 for 2 here
http://leisure.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/
let me know if you know of a better deal.
or you could ask for a custom map from OS
Well, made my tea and a meths stove and slept outside, but cheated as a small tent was used.
Sorry, map details won't be given out until April. However if you do want to buy some, you won't be far off the mark if you follow Valleydaddy into the map shop 😉
Whahey I guessed right do I win a prize - or commission from OS for increased map sales of those titles?
Not another trip to Go outdoors for Maps then... the wife will be happy.. 3 for 2 there on maps so Im told and a bit cheaper 😉
Bigface0_0 - MemberFor me as a first timer and just starting out on the Bivi adventure road.
I wanted to get kit that 'A' doest cost the world and 'B' is small and dosnt really weigh a lot...
Yeah it's all good as long as it's fun. I think I just had a little internet strop moment so don't take me too seriously.
let me know if you know of a better deal
well the same deal really, W H Smiths are doing buy one get second 1/2 price on 1:50k and 1:25k OS maps
This was recommended from here and they have indeed been very good and cheap.
http://www.dash4it.co.uk/store/
I'm sorry but I'm perfectly happy, from an environmental point of view, with 7 balloons per night.
To put it into context again, I have just eaten 7 individually wrapped celebration chocolates (not bought by me, they were a gift). There is more waste from those than from my 7 ballons. In the grand scheme of the average human life, it's not even a drop in the ocean.
I tell you what, if ever I drive to go bivvying I'll stop the car 5 yards shorter than normal, that will more than offest the carbon footprint. Whilst I appreciate your concerns, I just don't think the argument is justified on such a tiny scale as this.
PSA-
The PHD spring sale is now live!!
It's still a throw away philosophy where throw away is not necessary. It still dose not change the fact it's only really a adventure racing system. not really any good for more than a couple of nights. They are both negative points and need to be accepted.
also
TheBrick - Member
Bigface0_0 - Member
For me as a first timer and just starting out on the Bivi adventure road.
I wanted to get kit that 'A' doest cost the world and 'B' is small and dosnt really weigh a lot...Yeah it's all good as long as it's fun. I think I just had a little internet strop moment so don't take me too seriously.
@ didnothingfatal:
I picked up a Peak Elite AC this afternoon, pack size and weight are fantastic, 396g for full length mat Seems as comfortable as my Exped Down Mat, but much lighter
Do you notice the extra insulating capacity of the Exped to the extent you could use a lighter weight bag, compared to a mat without insulation?
We seem to compare the raw weight of mats when there is actually more to it than that in terms of performance, particularly with regard to insulation and how that would affect choice of other equipment. (discuss).
It's still a throw away philosophy where throw away is not necessary. It still dose not change the fact it's only really a adventure racing system. not really any good for more than a couple of nights. They are both negative points and need to be accepted.
I've just ordered 100 high quality latex balloons for my balloon bed. (£4.69) Balloon beds rock! 🙂 Horses for courses. No point getting yer ballons twisted up into a sausage dog about it. Let's settle down, all be friends and get another brew going on the MYOG meths burners 😉
@ IanB
Do you notice the extra insulating capacity of the Exped to the extent you could use a lighter weight bag, compared to a mat without insulation?We seem to compare the raw weight of mats when there is actually more to it than that in terms of performance, particularly with regard to insulation and how that would affect choice of other equipment.
The Exped is noticably warmer than a thermarest, both a base camp model and ProLite 4, and much comfier. In summer I've used it with a Mont Bell UL Down Hugger 7, (this bag has hardly any down) for high alpine camps, and it definently works at keep ground chill at bay. It's also been used for glacier camps, although the better half used it, no complaining in the mornings so can safely assume it works, she was using a 3 season Mountain Hardwear down bag.
I went for the PAC mat based on the R value, depth of padding (a better night's sleep means a better chance of continued silliness the next day) and the fact the GoLite quilt has no back section in the bag. So bag choice is determining pad choice.
The Balloon bed is good, it works, pure function, but the balloon bed with a OMM Duo Pad for the legs is about the same weight as the PAC mat, with a much greater R rating.
ha ha ha so Im not the only person to spend ages try to make one then 😆 p.s where did you find 100 balloons for that cost ?No point getting yer ballons twisted up into a sausage dog about it
Crossing over with the "how did you know your partner was the one..." thread, I woke up this morning to find out that my wife had bought me an Alpkit Ti mug! Ok, it was my birthday pressie, but it was exactly what I wanted!
Bless her!
where did you find 100 balloons for that cost ?
[url] http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=220727030781 [/url]
They're the better quality Qualatex ones that come with the balloon bed. I've tried cheaper ones , and although they all lasted the night without popping*, the blown up dimensions are all over the shop, whereas the Qualatex ones all blew up roughly the same size.
*(actually, one did burst when I was blowing it up but I managed to survive the night sleeping on only six balloons. One way of lessening yer campbed carbon footprint by a seventh 😉 )
If anyone want a cheap Alpkit Numo for the grand price of £26 get clicking
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Alpkit-Numo-Sleeping-Mat-/130495250466?pt=UK_SportingGoods_SleepingMats_Airbeds_CA&hash=item1e621f8022
How effective are the Numos for keeping you warm, or are they purely to stave off bumps/pebbles/nettles?
It's a great thread this but it needs an index 🙂
What was the verdict on light bags? At 6'3" I'm too big for the little Alpkit one. I feel the cold but I have got a Rab gilet that I can wear. For the last (early spring) trip I did I just used my full on winter bag but that weighs about 1100g and would be way ott for warmer nights.
Did anyone get out this weekend?
Yep, me. First test of a load of kit: Hunka bivvy, Rig Tarp, my on-bike setup. 45 miles or so to the Teifi Pools and back from Rhayader. Lovely trip, but cold on Sunday.
Claerwen Reservoir[url= http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5253/5504440860_dd8e98542a_z.jp g" target="_blank">
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/26008756@N08/5504440860/ ]Claerwen[/url]
Bike loaded and ready to go
[url= http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5098/5504442614_865cb2365a_z.jp g" target="_blank">
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/26008756@N08/5504442614/ ]Before[/url]
4 speed cassette (32x14/17/21/27)
[url= http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5100/5503814033_9ea916be5f_z.jp g" target="_blank">
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/26008756@N08/5503814033/ ]4 speed[/url]
I think it's this way
[url= http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5095/5504410046_f367d65689_z.jp g" target="_blank">
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/26008756@N08/5504410046/ ]Esgair Perfedd[/url]
Penygarreg reservoir
[url= http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5100/5504415266_5908f99f58_z.jp g" target="_blank">
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/26008756@N08/5504415266/ ]Penygarreg Reservoir[/url]
Claerwen reservoir
[url= http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5096/5504420788_992d77e2cc_z.jp g" target="_blank">
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/26008756@N08/5504420788/ ]Claerwen reservoir[/url]
You don't say?
[url= http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5213/5504425740_a2aa7a3985_z.jp g" target="_blank">
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/26008756@N08/5504425740/ ]Motor vehicles prohibited[/url]
Afon Claerddu
[url= http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5017/5504431070_bdb18c4fb4_z.jp g" target="_blank">
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/26008756@N08/5504431070/ ]Afon Claerddu[/url]
Ready for the night
[url= http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5300/5503854693_0c0e8d6fa0_z.jp g" target="_blank">
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/26008756@N08/5503854693/ ]Outside[/url]
The view from my bed
[url= http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5258/5504444134_f770e64104_z.jp g" target="_blank">
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/26008756@N08/5504444134/ ]Inside[/url]
In the morning
[url= http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5140/5504436052_00f484541a_z.jp g" target="_blank">
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/26008756@N08/5504436052/ ]Nant Egnant[/url]
Some nice bags over at phd in the sale.
EDIT: Nice job Chris ... that's just what it's all about. For those who 'don't get it' you don't know what you're missing. 😀
That looks like a great little trip, what frame bag is that?
It's a Jandd frame pack: http://www.jandd.com/detail.asp?PRODUCT_ID=FFP
Bit of a squeeze in the Inbred - it's designed for a longer headtube, but added some useful extra space. Not sure you can get them in the UK - I got it S/H from a guy who had brought a couple back from the US.
I think a larger, fitted bag would be better - seeing markenduro's up there ^^^ makes me want to make one. Or I'll just get a Revelate tangle bag, along with a new seatpack... 😕
Chris, how did you make the 4 speed cassette? Is it butchered together just using spacers, is it clunky to shift gear?
Great pictures, just what the thread needed.
The hub on that bike is a WTB Single Duty SS cassette hub - the flange spacing is wider than standard for a stronger wheel. The freehub has a Hyperglide pattern spline, but is half the length of a standard freehub, and has an external thread for a BB lockring.
The cassette is a cut down 9 speed 12-27 road cassette: drill out the rivets, chuck five of the sprockets away and reassemble (re-riveting the biggest three sprockets back together to stop them gouging the aluminium freehub body) using three nine speed spacers.
Result is a short, wide-ish ratio cassette that fits a SS cassette hub but that can be used with 9 speed shifters - in this case a Dura-Ace bar end shifter mounted on a Paul Thumbie mount. I could get away with a short cage mech as it's a 27T big sprocket but had the XT in the shed.
I'm not sure that it gives enough of an advantage though - I found myself wishing for a much lower gear than I had and would have liked a 22T granny for some of the climbs. In future I think I'll just go back to 32/20 SS and walk more.
chris n did you know that you were just yards from the most comfortable Bothy in Wales? Gas fire, cooking and lighting all for nowt. Won't say where it is but it provided a home to about 12 on the WRT last year.
great pics there chris_n a real inspiration to get out 😀
@pistonbroke
I know, but I was testing my bivvy kit, not the local bothies. 🙂 It'd be possible to travel pretty light from bothy to bothy round there - I can think of four within about 30 miles.
I wanna go again, can't wait until the WRT. must get the cheque off soon!
C'mon then chaps what do you think about these...
Alpkit Gourdon 20
http://www.alpkit.com/shop/cart.php?target=product&product_id=16379&category_id=251
Ive got a camelbak Mule but cant really get much in these little chaps..???
Bigface ... I really don't like riding with a pack after seperating my shoulder (then having to ride 30 miles home) last year. However, I needed a pack when I was instructing a DoE cycle expedition so bought a Gourdon 20. It's fantastic, light, comfy, waterproof and what else could you get for the same money?
Highly recommended, I recall putting something on the WRT blog about it last year.
The plan is just to carry my clothes/jacket in it so not a massive amount of weight... I like the stealth one but also like the idea of a couple of extra pockets for.....Stuff!!!
Wow this thread has inspired to give bike tracking a sample, dont suppose anybody knows any suitable sort of campsites around afan/heads of the valleys in south wales, so I can go practice some fieldcraft with my bike.
Plodtv ... I'm sure Valleydaddy and some others will be along to point you in the right direction shortly.
plodtv where are you based?
Literally there's tons upon tons of places you could go practicing 😉
(yes page 20 and IanB didn't get it 😀 )
Bigface0_0 - Member
C'mon then chaps what do you think about these...
Alpkit Gourdon 20
http://www.alpkit.com/shop/cart.php?target=product&product_id=16379&category_id=251
For the money they look superb, as long as you keep light stuff in it plus a hydration bag, I'm sure you'll be fine
valleydaddy I am Pencoed/Bridgend based (from the Rhondda originally). Any place that's as local as possible that you know would be great, just to get a bit of practice in 😉
Ok, I am in Aberdare, so the otherside of your original stomping ground 😀
Well just to "test" out your kit just head off into the nearest woodland/hills/beach and camp out off the beaten track away from prying eyes so to speak.
email in profile if you want to discuss off forum 😉
Any thoughts on this? http://www.furtech.co.uk/scripts/prodView.asp?idproduct=10
yes page 20 and IanB didn't get it
I'm waiting for the 1000'th post 😉
I have one living in the bottom of my 'instuctor' rucsac, but its never been used. It looks a little too much like suffering for my liking. I have a Marmot Atom that only weighs 400gms, so would much rather go with that. Its a little slice of luxury. Go on and treat your self to a light down bag. You won't regret it. I know I don't!!
The current Marmot Atom weighs 600g?
Perhaps I have it wrong, but it is an older model without a full length zip.
A full length zip on it's own weighs 120-140g, anything sub 400g is likely to have no zip at all. Pop it on the scales 🙂
That Furtech site looks interesting, they are making some bold claims. I'm not sure why the first line of their description likens it to 'Waking up to the sound of snap crackle and pop'!! Not the best selling point really. It's also a shame it needs vacuum packing to get it down to a decent size.
Just for anyone who cares and all those stuck at work.
Flatfish and myself will be heading out into the Welsh hills this afternoon for a couple of days bikepacking. To make you feel better, take heart in the fact that first thing in the morning we'll be tackling the highest road pass in Wales ... it's a 1 in 5 and somewhere around 3k long and Flatfish doesn't know yet 😉
Have a good weekend.
That Furtech site looks interesting, they are making some bold claims. I'm not sure why the first line of their description likens it to 'Waking up to the sound of snap crackle and pop'!!
I thought that was a negative point too!
Not the best selling point really. It's also a shame it needs vacuum packing to get it down to a decent size.
Looks like more of an emergent bag or bag to be used on an adventure race. Hopefully by the time you sleep some food will be gone so freeing up a little pack space? (A guess never done one of these races)
Still I might get one and try it on a summers night, it's nice not to have to worry about damaging a expensive down bag.
Have a good 'un then guys. We've got a full moon Dartmoor one next weekend (come rain or shine). In the meantime I'm limbering up by cooking my lunch at work using homemade meths/solid fuel burners and freezer bags.
Please can someone help free me from these stupid lightweight/MYOG experimental obsessions. I've got a couple of perfectly good Trangias at home 😉
[img] 
[/img]
[img] 
[/img]
[url] http://www.flickr.com/photos/8308384@N06/sets/72157626077847855/ [/url]
Don't ask for help slugwash ... rejoice in the nerdyness 😀
I'll second that (been lurking round these parts for a while admiring all the inspirational work).
What's that you've used for the windshield/cone slugwash?
Flatfish and myself will be heading out into the Welsh hills this afternoon for a couple of days bikepacking. To make you feel better, take heart in the fact that first thing in the morning we'll be tackling the highest road pass in Wales ... it's a 1 in 5 and somewhere around 3k long and Flatfish doesn't know yet
Have fun chaps, already looking forward to a picture heavy report on your return 8)
highest road pass in Wales
Assume your scouting you're deff going north for the WRT then?
That'll save me some money on maps then 🙂
Not really scouting but I might cast my eye over a few things whilst out and about 😉
Good luck with the adventure this weekend I believe Steve is intending joining up with you tomorrow, sorry I can't make this one I've got to teach the little one the art of single speed balance biking 😀
Aye that's right Valleydaddy, Steve shall be joining the merry band in the morning ... just in time for the climb!
It's nice to know you're starting the young un's off in the right direction ... single speed 😉
Indeed 😉
Steve will probably drive his camper van up to the top 😆
I hope his new kit and inbred serves him well
No bugger told me about a 1 in 5 climb - I thought this was supposed to be fun!
Pete - we can catch up and do a local one - what do you reckon on the Doethie Valley routes in the last STW? - I think you know the area better than me
@Steve Yes that's a great idea Steve with the nights getting later we could make a later start to avoid family issues 😉
Good luck tomorrow, let me know how the bags and bar mount works out and don't forget to take some pics
MrSparkle - Member
Any thoughts on this? http://www.furtech.co.uk/scripts/prodView.asp?idproduct=10
I used something similar in a Polaris a few years back. Basically, avoid if at all possible.
I got through the night but it was pretty damn uncomfortable - very noisy (think a thousand crisp packets being scrunched next to your ears, all night), not breathable and not particularly warm.
Also, once you've opened the packet you'll never get it back to anywhere near the same size, and it was quite fragile material. A bit of a one time only job really.
Cheers Blake, 'sgood to know.
apologies if this has already been asked - can anyone recommend a lightish cheapish sleeping bag for bikepacking duties?
700gish 1 season sythetic bags can be had for around £30, in fact my synthetic Karrimor was reduced to £13 in Blacks end of season sale. Tesco and Decathalon would be a good place to start for real budget bags. Tesco also do a summer down/feather/sythetic mix for about £40 iirc, but they seem to sell out fast.
One of the main issues with cheap sythetics is their pack size compared with down. For example my down summer bag is about 1/4 the packed volume of the Karrimor I mentioned above and has a slightly warmer rating, but then it cost 15 times as much.
Someone will be along soon to give you example of a more mid-range bag, but I tend to either buy cheap and cheerful or save up for very expensive.
valleydaddy - Member
email in profile if you want to discuss off forum 😉
Did do, not sure if I got lost in junk mail 🙂
BuggyBags.co.uk has been working up a prototype framebag for me over the last few weeks.
Still a work in progress but here's the first attempt
[img] http://tinyurl.com/66pgbtf [/img]
More to come soon, and Jon at BuggyBags would love to here from you if you're interested.
Did do, not sure if I got lost in junk mail
I did reply did you get a email from me???
Plodtv email me again I seem to have lost the email you sent me, I did reply via my blackberry or so I thought 🙁
http://www.singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/fs-rab-ascent-bivi-bag
just in case anyone is looking for one 😉
Just buy a Snugpak
Hi all
I'm new to this and looking to get some kit together for some bivvying trips during spring and summer. I wondered what people thought of either of these two sleeping bags from Mountain Warehouse:
[url= http://www.mountainwarehouse.com/camping/sleeping-bags/1-2-season-sleeping-bags/microlite-500-sleeping-bag-p1944.aspx ]Microlite 500[/url]
[url= http://www.mountainwarehouse.com/camping/sleeping-bags/3-4-season-sleeping-bags/microlite-700-sleeping-bag-p2761.aspx ]Microlite 700[/url]
The 500 is only a kilo and is qute small in its stuff sack. It says its comfort temp is 5 degrees so figured I could use a bag liner if in case it gets cold overnight.
Also would you advise using a bivvy bag under a basha type shelter? If so how well do army surplus bivi's & basha's do in your opinion?
Cheers All 🙂
Both those bags are cheep bags with synthetic insulation. The Microlite 500 would IMHO only be suitable for indoor use, the Microlite 700 may be ok, but is heavy, and may be uncomfortable when warm.
The Microlite 500 would IMHO only be suitable for indoor use,
I had a look at one yesterday at their Plymouth store and it would be okay for summer use in the UK in a tent or bivibag. I've slept out in the rain in July in an even less insulated Trekmates Microfleece sleeping bag liner and a bivi bag and was more than comfortable (the round-the-campfire scrumpy session might have helped though 😉 )
You can often pick up the liners at T K Maxx for under a tenner.
[url= http://www.trekmates.co.uk/549/Trekmates-Microfleece-Sleeping-Bag-Liner.html?referrer=froogle&utm_source=google&utm_medium=froogle&utm_campaign=pid549 ]Trekmates Microfleece[/url]
I'm going to test my Snugpak Travel Lite bag (along with the Trekmates liner) up on Dartmoor next weekend to see how that'll cope with the cooler Spring temperatures. The Snugpak bag's intended for warmer foreign travel and UK Summer use, but it packs down tiny. I'll be taking emergency thermal underwear as backup though 🙂
[url= http://www.snugpak.com/index.php?MenuID=114-119&ItemID=149 ]Snugpak Travel Lite[/url]
BTW, Mountain Warehouse have LS Merino zip collar baselayers reduced to £20 at the moment. Like all MW clothes the styling and cut looks a bit suspect but they might do if you're currently after something like that.
So, my kitlist so far is:
Alpkit Hunka bivvy bag and Base Mat with Cumulus Ultralight 350 Sleeping Bag, reckon that's the sleeping bit sorted for just under 2kg.
Now thinking of the cooking bit - I want an easy 1 person set up for low level 2/3 season use and am looking at something like the Primus EtaSolo or Jetboil, I know there's cheaper ways to cook but I fancy a bit of high tech luxury 🙂
I've used both the Primus ETA and the Jetboil. The Jetboil was a miserable experience a over priced kettle, the ignition is poor and fails, at altitude in was really crap and almost got hurled of the mountain (in case you ever want to take it mountaineering). Best setup I found for gas is the [url= http://www.optimusstoves.com/seen/optimus-products/products/katadynshopconnect/optimus-outdoor-kocher/optimus-crux/ ]Optimus Crux[/url] and would sooner invest in a setup like the [url= http://www.expeditionhardware.co.uk/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=312 ]Optimus Crux Weekend HE Cook System[/url], I fit a gas cartridge, crux, and folding spork easily into a MSR Ti Kettle.
That weekend system looks good, thanks for the link 🙂
stayhigh - MemberHi all
I'm new to this and looking to get some kit together for some bivvying trips during spring and summer. I wondered what people thought of either of these two sleeping bags from Mountain Warehouse:
Microlite 500
Microlite 700
The 500 is only a kilo and is qute small in its stuff sack. It says its comfort temp is 5 degrees so figured I could use a bag liner if in case it gets cold overnight.
Also would you advise using a bivvy bag under a basha type shelter? If so how well do army surplus bivi's & basha's do in your opinion?
Cheers All
I wouldn't bother with them even on a budget.
What I'd get (have, apart from I don't have the sleeping bag)
[url= http://direct.tesco.com/q/R.200-7415.aspx ]
Tesco Down bag £39[/url] Down & only 800grms!
[url= http://www.alpkit.com/shop/cart.php?target=product&product_id=16312&category_id=253 ]Alpkit Hunka bivi bag £35[/url]
[url= http://www.ddhammocks.com/products/tarps/tarp ]D&D 3x3 tarp £30[/url]
I am looking forward to some pics from the 3 amigos who are adventuring this weekend 😉
The weather in S.Wales is superb this morning so hopefully it's the same where they are 8)