[Closed] Sick as a dog so, show me you Bivi / Bikepacking / Adventure racing gear.....

I think the point is there is a place for both tent and tarp. But a once in a tent you are in an exclosed and small environment. A tarp gives you all the outside space feeling of a bivi but with more protection, you get to see the environment change around you which you don't get in a tent.

I have both and prefer a tarp, but once the midges are around the tent comes out.

Bigface0_0 - Member

Anyone used one of these? Super light and extra small

http://www.balloonbed.co.uk

The Balloonbed is excellent but short! I use a OMM Duomat for my legs, with a GoLite Ultralight quilt it's a fine lightweight system. If it's cold I add Rab Down Socks.

The sleeping bag, socks, mammut pillow, balloon bed easily fits in a 8l Alpkit Drybag, mounted with a Revelate designs harness.

[img] [/img]

Also have Epic Ride Designs - Mountain Feedbags mounted on the bars

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The Rest of the luggage I use is Revelate Designs bags with Backcountry Research 'Awesome Straps' to hold various kit to the bike.

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I was thinking of getting one of those Feed Bags. What's the verdict on them?

The feedbags are good, but the service is shocking! Mine took three months with no response to numerous emails. Did get a second one for free though as they acknowledged the crap service! I use them on most rides not just multiday rides 🙂

I think there are times and places for all shelter set ups...
Tents,Tarps,bivvy bags and Hennessy Hamocks...
i like the Hennessy Hammock being off the damp ground and also giving a (small ) shelter to sit and cook under, lying being able to look out either side is nice.Though until you get inside theres no midge protection just like with a bivvy here in Scotland unlike with a tent. and you need trees but i usually prefer to ride near the VW coast when away and apart from Harris always found it as easy to find trees to pitch as say a suitable clearing for a tent,
Midges really are the hardest thing to avoid, less on the coast but if in a sheltered area theres no way to avoid them!, yep a smokey fire and midge net/jacket is good but i find cooking and eating the worst so just change eating times and feast when there not out, er feasting on us 😮

[i]Balloon beds are well comfy. I've only had a balloon burst when I was testing it for the first time on the floor at work whilst simulating leaning out of my 'tent' to put an imaginary morning brew on the go, the outermost balloon burst!

However, when used inside a bivi bag balloon beds do tend to move around with you as you roll from your back onto your side leaving you with no cushioning. Also I wouldn't use one for a multi day tour 'cos I'd get sick of blowing the balloons up every night, but for mountain marathons and one or two night ultra-light bivis they're great.

[img] [/img]

Regarding tarps, I prefer them to a tent any day but only now bother putting one up if there's a danger of rain or a strong cold wind. I bought one of those Alpkit tarps, which is great but TBH, a cheap tarpaulin from a hardware store is not too bad, it's what I used for years and there's much less worry about damaging it with a sparky campfire or on sharp branches...

Ok, what's still left in the wild camping snapshot album then? 😉

A riverside bivi...

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Using a Dartmoor wall and a tarp to funnel the cold wind over me...

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The dangers of not securing your tarp properly. When Si crashed out the night before there was a layer of nylon between him and the sky...

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Midges - 100% deet

I am thinking of making up a bivvy bag for this year - I have found a source of gortex and cordura by the yard. My intent was to make a big bivvy bag with a pole. so sort of halfway to a tent. The aim being to have something that can be zipped up completely and provide good shelter in a highland gale

I guess I only need breathable material for the main part of the top.

My tent is good for two but its two big and heavy for a solo effort

didnothingfatal - Member

The feedbags are good, but the service is shocking! Mine took three months with no response to numerous emails. Did get a second one for free though as they acknowledged the crap service! I use them on most rides not just multiday rides

Cheers, I'm in no hurry so probably worth a punt!

how about a kinda bivvy bag with a hoop and one guy rope TJ?,
i always thought that would be good, i had a Ultimate peapod tent like that once but had no midge net so no use in Scotland!
were planning a few Saturday overnighters on the local Lammermuirs at weekends next year if you fancy it,using the SUW and Herring Road and train stations/cars to get home 😮

Got the Rab Ascent bivi bag just before christmas and used it on the last trip and thought it was fantastic.
It's got a built in bug net and can be zipped right up with plenty of space inside so it's not too claustrophobic. The mouth can be kept open with a small tab and some cord to either a bike, tree, wall, etc.
It's made of e-vent so is lighter than goretex and cordura and is a hell of a lot more breathable.
I used a goretex version at the begining of the month on a night which was cold(-6) but dry and had a small amount of damp in my sleeping bag but my new one used on a +4 night and misty/drizzly was bone dry inside. Until recently i thought decent goretex was the dogs but now i'm an e-vent convert

http://www.theoutdoorshop.com/showPart.asp?part=PN80329

I'd be up for that coastkid.

I have a design in my head that I want to try = should need no guys

I dont use a bivy bag anymore, a well set up tarp with decent protection - I use a golite lair 1 and a homemade sinylon groundsheet with the airbed on top with a down bag - not had any problems so far even in windy wet conditions.

I am going to make my own tarp though as I reckon I can get more useable floor space with the bike as part of the structure for stability and bike safety, prob in conjuction with 1 pole.

Oh - does anybody know a good dry bag around 13l that had a narrow/thin diameter?

Currently use a 8l on the handlebars but to go to a 13l means fatter rather than longer. I know epic designs make one but i forgot to order one with my lorder, so not worth it now due to postage.

Looked at Pod, alpkit, ortlieb etc but no luck

Anybody?

Shouldn't need any pole to be able to make a tarp shelter, here's two extra guy ropes attached to the saddle rails to make a two person shelter.
[img] [/img]
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Try this one Rik

http://www.ewetsuits.com/acatalog/dry-bags-info_355.html

I realise this is a bit cheeky so appologies in advance.

I recieved a Rab Storm Bivi bag as an unwanted present a little over a year and a half ago. It has not been used or even opened and i just came accross it un-packing my last few boxes for my new flat. If any one is interested in it i'd happily sell it for £30 posted. My email is in my profile.

Once again appoligies for hijacking the thread

[IMG] [/IMG]

My last bivi on an island on the Spey. Its all horses for courses, the Tarp wont replace any of the tents, its for a change, and a different way of being there.

For any Meths stove users. My daughter got one of these Buxton Kids 250ml bottles yesterday in a lunch pack.

It's nice and small has a squirty top and seems spot on for Meths for 1-2 days. Squeezed it as hard as I could and couldn't pop the cap.

[img] [/img]

BIG tarps rock - especially paddling, with fires and loadsa kit / warm clothes etc

Carrying everything and trying to go light-as = tent every time for me.

Horse, courses, boats or bikes and all that 🙂

My daughter got one of these Buxton Kids 250ml bottles yesterday in a lunch pack.

Knowing my luck it would almost certainly leak within five minutes of going into my pack. I use a small 250ml plastic meths bottle with a 'child proof' lock - no leakage that way 🙂 I top it up before leaving home from a big 5 litre meths bottle 'cos it's cheaper that way.

[img]//www.healthcheckpharmacy.com/shop/files/sxdetail/5011309079319_IMAGE2.jpg[/img]

In the olden days I used to carry around a massive, heavy Sigg bottle full of meths 'cos I thought it was the thing to do 🙄

flatfish - nice. What size is that tarp?

Matt

Clicky linky for sizes of the tarp,
http://hennessyhammock.com/specs_70hexdfly.html

Rik, no more pics sorry (I'll try and sort some). It's just a normal 3m x 3m tarp, in this case from DD hammocks. There's no cutting only folding, I've used tarp clips to hold the folds and also attatch guys where needed. the pole sleeve is also held in place with a tarp clip.

Come midge season I've got a mesh inner tent from bearpawtents.com in the states which hangs in side the tarp and weighs next to nothing. I also had it made with 12" high bathtub sides to help keep any draughts out 😉

Tarp clips came from www.ultralightoutdoorgear.co.uk The whole thing inc' pegs, pole and guys comes in around 800g. Add the inner and it's still sub kilo.

Flatfish - thanks for the drybag info

On the tarp front I'm thinking more on the lines of this [url= http://www.mountainlaureldesigns.com/shop/product_info.php?products_id=102 ]Tarp link[/url]

Interesting find those tarp clips though. I have a Hilleberg UL 3.5x2.9m tarp, I'll see what shapes I can make if I use that to make a trailstar shaped tarp without sewing. Very interesting......

Reply to 13th
It is a Z-lite
£28 from Snow & Rock (the colour of mine is the newer version.The older model is orange and about a Mars bar heavier!)
Full length 380g
Very comfy for me even on poor ground.
No punctures or delamination problems unlike pneumatic mats.
Folds into lovely seat mat.
Not so easy to store on bike as a roll type mat and the occassional question about the "accordian" are the only disadvantages so far.

We managed to get an almost-full-moon-sub-zero-bivi out on Dartmoor on Friday night and as my family and neighbours are now fed up to the back teeth with hearing how great it was I've decided to resurrect this thread instead and share a with a few of my photos (and a couple of shinythings') with you from our intrepid excursion.....

[center]Looking out over Avon Dam in the Morning....

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Morning espresso as the sun breaks over the horizon...

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It was frosty last night...

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The Location....

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My balloon bed was only firing on six balloons (and not the full seven) as that was all I had 🙁

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Jim's piccie of me first thing....

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View out over the dam just before sunrise....

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The kit photo...

Flickr link with detailed notes here...

[url] http://www.flickr.com/photos/8308384@N06/5377326277/ [/url]

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[/center]

Great post and looks like a supurb trip with great weather.

Still not had chance to try my new revelate designs kit yet, just a mixture of diy and searching out new trails in the woods this weekend.

Next hard frost and I'll be out!

Nice pics ... looks like you had a great time.

[url= http://www.mountainlaureldesigns.com/ ]cool light stuff[/url]Anyone had dealing with these guys? Looks like they do an uber light bug net/tarp combo thing (serenity shelter and tarp)

Slug, Man it looks cold... For some reason I can't get on your flickr link..((((

Great pictures but I'm better now thanks

AJ - Member

cool light stuffAnyone had dealing with these guys? Looks like they do an uber light bug net/tarp combo thing (serenity shelter and tarp)

MLD seem quite well regarded on the bikepacking.net forum. I'm thinking of buying some of their eVent mitts actually.

Oh goody, a proper nerdy bivvy thread 😀

My kit getting packed. Amazing what you can get into a 25l Gourdon:
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Our last (awesome) bivvy up Farelton Fell in December when it hit -9:
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The views getting up before everyone else gets you:
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Have bed, will travel. Down.
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[url= http://picasaweb.google.com/mrhallorann/RideFarletonFellSnowyEpicBivvy#slideshow/ ]More here for the terminally bored[/url].

Bivvying rocks 🙂

mrhallorann

Since someone else started it... a couple of pics from my trip across Spain, I think it was 14 nights, only 3 of which weren't outdoors 😀

[img] http://www.flickr.com/photos/58701394@N05/5385564219/ [/img]

[img] http://www.flickr.com/photos/58701394@N05/5385566265/ [/img]

I've never done a bivi trip. This thread has made me want to! Roll on the spring.

Homemade ultralight Coke can stove and Alpkit MyTiMug

[img] [/img]

mrhallorann: That a big load of Alpkit, you cant really go wrong with them, looks good I love looking at people kits give me idea's....The wife will be happy, more treats for me....

Tiger: Coke can looks good, I've got a redbull one a bit like that, nice little stash of booze behind too 8)

Ahem! - I'll just try that again as the forum maintenance started while I was trying to fix the links 😳

[img] http://picasaweb.google.com/mustardcolman/Spain201002#5565921144440801906 [/img] That's my lunch trying to escape off the back.

[img] http://picasaweb.google.com/mustardcolman/Spain201002#5565920962488893730 [/img]

And if they haven't worked I give up, they're

[img] http://picasaweb.google.com/mustardcolman/Spain201002#5565921454159798034 [/img]

[url= http://picasaweb.google.com/mustardcolman/Spain201002# ]here![/url]

Coke-can thing looks awesome, is it easy to make?

Al - they're really easy, even I managed it. Instruction for several variants here:[url= http://zenstoves.net/Stoves.htm ]Zen Stoves[/url] . The best one I have made is a side burner (like the Coke one above) Red Bull can one. The side burner means you can just set your pot on to when it is going and don't need a seperate pot stand.

The lightweight backpacking sites have loads of people experimenting with variations on the design.

I can also recommend making a pot cosy out of the foil bubble wrap stuff you get for behind radiators. Instead of boiling your food, just boil the water then put the pot into the cosy and the food in the water and it cooks really well as well as not sticking to the pot - makes especially good porridge.

Oh, and I've never bothered with any sealant between the two sections of can and I haven't died yet 🙂

I must of made about 20 of those stoves for me and all my friends. Can do one in about 10 minutes now.

Search on Outdoorsmagic for Capitain Paranoia instructions.

Ace little things

I've made a few out of energy drink cans but find that these smaller cans often burn off all the meths before the water's boiling. Also I find the pressure 'driven' ones (i.e. not double skinned but with just a small fill hole in the top) frustratingly hard to prime, any tips?

At the end of the day though I'm much happier with a Trangia burner 'cos you can easily adjust the flame to simmer and any unburned meths is stored securly inside the burner until it's needed again.

[url] http://www.flickr.com/groups/trangia/ [/url]

Took me a few mins to locate the Outdoorsmagic page, but here it is, just in case anyone else is struggling

http://www.outdoorsmagic.com/gear-features/make-your-own-meths-burner/6227.html

Some more...

[url= http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5215/5388029966_c52fd2411c_z.jp g" target="_blank">http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5215/5388029966_c52fd2411c_z.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/47300508@N05/5388029966/ ]Coke Can Stove[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/47300508@N05/ ]fantasticmrmatt[/url], on Flickr

[url= http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5214/5387421895_a5ed42c197_z.jp g" target="_blank">http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5214/5387421895_a5ed42c197_z.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/47300508@N05/5387421895/ ]Coke Can Stove[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/47300508@N05/ ]fantasticmrmatt[/url], on Flickr

[url= http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5212/5388026598_cedf537ba1_z.jp g" target="_blank">http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5212/5388026598_cedf537ba1_z.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/47300508@N05/5388026598/ ]Coke Can Stove[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/47300508@N05/ ]fantasticmrmatt[/url], on Flickr

[url= http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5215/5388029132_ffd7356495_z.jp g" target="_blank">http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5215/5388029132_ffd7356495_z.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/47300508@N05/5388029132/ ]Coke Can Stove[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/47300508@N05/ ]fantasticmrmatt[/url], on Flickr

Im loving those pics, Ive got our production team at work knocking out a couple of stoves tomorrow 😉

Tiger - nice stove you've made there, how quick does it boil 500ml of water?

how quick does it boil 500ml of water?

Hmmmm not sure, will have to time it. All I've worked out is that it takes 1 old 35mm camera film pod of meths to boil a full MyTiMug

I like this design

http://ygingras.net/b/2007/6/a-better-soda-can-stove

I use a tin lid as a priming pan and a penny to cover the hole to pressurize. Sainsburies transnational lemonade cans are good can to use. No embossing and a good lip on the base like pepsi cans. Plus traditional lemonade > pepsi.

[IMG] [/IMG]

Does my bum look big in this... 🙄

Anyone used on of these Fusion bags before

Thats an ideal starter for 10!

edyeah looked and looked for something but unless you opt for a US saddle bag there doesnt seem many on the market...!!

s8tannorm has an ortlieb one that looks quite good too

New to this 'adventure racing' malarky, so had a bit of a test-fit of some kit planning for some 2-3 day trips this year.

[IMG] [/IMG]

3/4 mat, sleeping bag and bivvy bag in the drybag under the bars = 1675g. Otrlieb saddlebag ~330g (probably use for dry clothes - will force me to pack light!).

Full frame bag in progress at the mo, then probably strap a bottle cage under the down tube to augment my 2 litre Camelbak.

Dyffers, which size Ortlieb bag do you have in that pic ??

'Large', claimed as 2.7 litres, but with the roll-up end and some bulging I reckon there's more capacity that that.

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/ortlieb-large-saddle-bag/

The bracket is a bit lightweight - I'll put a strap around it and the seatrails probably, but it tapers away from the legs nicely.

I've got one of those saddlebags (as IanB said) ... I know what you mean about the bracket Dyffers but I've carried all kinds in it and it's held up fine. The biggest problem I had was when I fitted the bracket back to front once ... bag still fits on but then won't come off!

@pedalhead and @didnothingfatal

The feedbags are good, but the service is shocking! Mine took three months with no response to numerous emails. Did get a second one for free though as they acknowledged the crap service! I use them on most rides not just multiday rides

An alternative if you are still looking for some feedbags - not used myself but you could try [url= http://www.handlebarbuckets.com ]Handlebar Buckets[/url]
[img] [/img]

How are they attached?

Do you think a climbing chalk bag might work (£11)[img] [/img]

yeah I ordered one of the Mountain Feed bags a couple of weeks ago. Sent them an email. Nothing. Sounds like previous comments about shocking service were not a one off!!

pedalhead - was that through Eric at Revelate... I got some stuff off him earlier in the year and was willing to wait and yep - a long time coming BUT worth the wait. I think he's had a kid in the last 6 months so that may slow him up a bit (one man & one dog band I think).

I thought the handlebar buckets might be an alternative but no idea on turnaround there either..... sorry.

Chalk bag might be a little small/soft and may need another attachment - I know you can get big one (mainly for bouldering i.e. not worn on your back) that might be a bit more rigid (and maybe too big).

I see another off the peg build opportunity for Wildcat bags here.

I emailed the nice man who makes the buckets ... Troy, I think he's called. Seems on the ball, quick to reply and more than happy to ship to the UK, 1 or 2 bags was $15 shipping I recall.

Cheers Stu - I might go for that too and a quicker service than others mentioned, Mark

Whos got what sleeping bags? Been thiking about the Alpkit one, the problem Ive got is Im 23inches across the shoulders and I dont want it to tight??

Alpkit are all sold out of sleeping bags 🙁

Yeah bit gutted about that, just wondered what everyone else has? I cant be the only one with wide shoulders.. Its seem they do one that fits but its a long and Im only 5.10

Depends what I'm doing/what time of year it is.

Spring/Autumn - Golite 4 degree down bag.

Winter - Deuter Atmosphere down bag.

If I think I'm going to get wet then I'll sustitute for Nanok syntehetic bags and suffer the weight. The Deueter is pretty roomy (not that I'm a giant) but the Golites are quite snug.

Nice lightweight [url= http://www.equipuk.com/rab_sleepingbags/range_neutrino.html ]Rab Neutrino[/url] MM down bag for the summer (I have an older version) - very lightweight but drawback is no zip so can get a bit hot occasionally (I roll it down obviously)... I think they came in a couple of sizes and I'm not small (190cm) - probably quite broad too but it's just snug (sizes on web page abouve)

Marmot 4 season down bag for winter/autumn/trekking etc. - I can get extra stuff on inside it for when it's really cold (Alpine bivvy/Tibetan monastries etc.) so it can't be too small.

Seem to be the very lightweight bags you'll have an issue with but like I said Rab have sizes on their sites and you can always get in one in a shop to try it out (that's what I've done)

Bigface0_0 - have you a link to that Fusion bag please? What do you think of it? Thanks. 🙂

99percentchimp - Member

pedalhead - was that through Eric at Revelate... I got some stuff off him earlier in the year and was willing to wait and yep - a long time coming BUT worth the wait. I think he's had a kid in the last 6 months so that may slow him up a bit (one man & one dog band I think).

nah, I ordered from the actual Mountain Bag guy. I wish I'd known at the time that Eric stocked them as he's been great for all my other bags, whereas this guy's continuing lack of response is taking the piddle.

Sleeping bags...I use a [url= http://www.westernmountaineering.com/index.cfm?section=products&page=sleeping%20bags&cat=ExtremeLite%20Series&viewpost=2&ContentId=69 ]Western Mountaineering Summerlite.[/url] Expensive as all hell but I got a good deal from Webtogs with a Neoair matress. The bag is good down to zero or so, plus really light & packs down nice & small, which is rather what you're paying for with this kind of bag.

I've got a Rab Alpine 300 - not sure they do these any more, but 300g of down, differential fill. I specced it short and with no zip to save weight - think it's just over 600g. It's fine down to about freezing, or just below. I also have a Rab Quantum 200 (500g) which is OK down to about +5. It's more roomy than the Alpine, so I can put the Alpine inside it for a winter bag, which worked very well on the Welsh Winter Bivvy in December, where it was proper cold.

Tiger - best chalkbag I found to substitute as a feed bag is the Boreal Night Chalkbag (£14):

[img] [/img]

I've yet to sew a couple of straps to it, but it looks like it'll work really well. For sense of scale, it'll take a 750ml bike bottle and the draw cord tightens up right around the narrow bit of the bottle neck.

Bigface0_0, I've got one of those bags for commuting, but haven't used it yet. I think I prefer the look of the Ortlieb saddlebag or the larger ones mentioned in the first age or so.

cinnamon_girl: I've not taken it out yet but its seems massive. Its well made and should be handy for the next bivi trip, I got mine of Ebay for £10... They dont seem to come up the often..

C-G if you want mine you can have it for £12 posted. It's unused, I paid £15 for it last year.

e mails in profile if you want it

cheers

Chucky

chucky if C-G doesn't want it I would like it please 😀

assuming it is like this??

http://www.pedalpowerclitheroe.co.uk/prods/altura-fusion-day-pack-cycle-luggage.html

yip, thats the one.

I'll let you know if CG doesn't have it

Thanks for replies. To be honest it's something I would prefer to have a good look at to decide whether the size would work.

I have been impressed with the Ortlieb products though and being completely waterproof is essential!

valleydaddy - it's yours. 🙂