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

@ Rochey;

Head south and you have the Ridgeway, you can ride the Grand Union south will come down to Tring.

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Worse case scenario there is a village nearby and the 'rural' base of Playboy Uk is there.

Being in Milton Keynes, you have The Outdoor Shop located in Stony Stratford. But to be honest online retailers are your friend, lighter gear and better prices.

Love the "Tommy's Cooker" stove looks like the orginal can stove.

I wonder in Retro Bivi'ing will be the niche to be seen doing.

More bikepacking goodness can be found over here > www.bearbonesbikepacking.co.uk

Biggest site - www.bikepacking.net-mainly US based. Some good general info.
Biggest UK site - www.bikenadbivi.co.uk - seems to be growing pretty quickly but still only a few weeks old.

BushcraftUK is good for general bushy info as well.
Hammock forum is good for those of us who like to sleep off the ground.

Biggest site - http://www.bikepacking.net-mainly US based. Some good general info.
Biggest UK site - http://www.bikenadbivi.co.uk - seems to be growing pretty quickly but still only a few weeks old.

Thats www.bikeandbivi.co.uk 🙂

http://www.bikeandbivi.co.uk

not working today for me???

Bit slow but working for me.

We managed to squeeze one off at the weekend 😯 The location was the old Red Lake Quarry up on Southern Dartmoor. A nice gentle 8 mile ride up and a nicer, fast eight miles back in the morning. With almost zero midge trouble, a clear sky, a million stars, nightjars, newts, bats, trout, various 'artisan' alcoholic beverages, proper coffee in the morning and absolutly no-one else around. What more could you want 🙂

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[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/8308384@N06/sets/72157627104344430/ ]Some more here[/url]

Dont any of you guys use a light weight 2 person tent if so what you recommend
And where do you guys ride?

Nice job Slugwash ... about time we had some good weather for it 😀

How cold was the water?

How cold was the water?

There was a moderate amount of plum retraction upon entering the water but after the long ride up in the blazing sunshine it was most refreshing 😉

@ Slugwash 😀

@ Grantway ... there was a post on here a while back where someone was using a Tarptent they'd imported from the US which looked very good. IMO the majority of 2 man tents are too heavy (even when split between 2) but some of the stuff from the US would fit the bill ... Tarptent, six moon designs, Bearpaw, etc. I do use a GoLite Shangri-la 3 sometimes as you can see here:

http://www.bearbonesbikepacking.co.uk/pages/trips.html

Light and very roomy but there are compromises.

I need to get out soon, too much work and no play is grinding me down a bit

Slug: Looks like a nice trip... Doesnt seem to have much posted on this thread anymore at one point it never left the front page on the forum...

@Bigface0_0 - yes, an inflatable Sevylor. Carries two people, one dog, and all the sleeping kit and food for the above.

@santacoops - only took the dog on canoe bivvies, see above. Dog thought it was fantastic and would wake up at three in the morning all excited because LOOK AT US WE'RE ALL SLEEPING ON THE GROUND TOGETHER IN A PACK LIKE WOLVES!! and have to be calmed down. This is me scurvy crew abandoning me after dropping me off to pick up the car and take it round to the launch point. Nil points for guessing the lake, and no, we weren't on the island.

[url= http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3505/3777764924_d83cff5434.jp g" target="_blank">http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3505/3777764924_d83cff5434.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/nickw3216/3777764924/ ]Abandoned[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/nickw3216/ ]nick3216[/url], on Flickr

@didnothingfatal - shhh.
The Playboy connection will explain the noise last time I was there.

@grantway - IME can't go wrong with a Vango. We just got a Vango Spectre 300 to replace our old two man. Sharing the load means there's little extra burden in taking a three man tent as opposed to two man.

Apart from weight, what are the advantages of the pricey tarps versus that thick stuff that is usually used for covering garden furniture?

I ask because I've got a massive one that I've often thought of using for little excursions.

Other than weight pack size is the next major advanatage.

Here's one I made at the weekend, 157g with the stuff sack and 8 dyneema guy lines -

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More pics and info

http://www.bikeandbivi.co.uk/php/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=124

That tarp looks good. I agree, pack size would be the other issue. However, it could be a cheap way for me to try out this bike & bivi-ing to see how I get on. If it's all good then I can invest in lighter/smaller things later. Cheers.

Despit having a nice Alpkit tarp I'm more likely to take one of those cheap garden tarpaulins out with me as it's smaller (2m x 1.7m) and you can use it as a ground sheet if it's not looking like it may rain. Also, you can just roll it up and forget about it for a few weeks after a damp excursion without feeling guilty 🙂

Here on the Welsh Ride Thing...

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The bigger, proper, tarp is handy if there's more than one of you...

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Liking the support post you have on the Welsh Ride Thing.

I'll give the cheapo tarp a go one of these days and see how I like it.

@ guitarmanjon if you really want a go on the cheap just use a polythene dust sheet ... with a little care it'll last a few trips.

Try the 7th post down here http://welshridething.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2011-03-06T09%3A15%3A00-08%3A00&max-results=7

Absolutely [i]LOVE[/i] this thread!

Had my first ever summer bivi weekend before last - nice & light with a tesco down sleeping bag and alpkit bivi bag, sleeping bag on bars and bivi behind saddle. Everything else in usual camelback!

[url= http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5301/5894862672_e36f5bd971.jp g" target="_blank">http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5301/5894862672_e36f5bd971.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/50539691@N05/5894862672/ ]P7010341[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/50539691@N05/ ]Newforce Photos[/url], on Flickr

Stopped at a couple of pubs on the way out before uncovering our pre-hidden stash of cider on a secluded beach. Bit of a bonfire under the stars, plenty to drink, rather a late night then about 3 hours sleep before it was light again!

[url= http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5306/5894298597_932b70ac23.jp g" target="_blank">http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5306/5894298597_932b70ac23.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/50539691@N05/5894298597/ ]P7020356[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/50539691@N05/ ]Newforce Photos[/url], on Flickr

Can't beat waking up to see the sun rise over the Isle of Wight though, followed by a nice warm ride home 😀

[url= http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5195/5894873868_62a4173793.jp g" target="_blank">http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5195/5894873868_62a4173793.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/50539691@N05/5894873868/ ]P7020363[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/50539691@N05/ ]Newforce Photos[/url], on Flickr

Missing the tent - Terra Nova Laser Large (for two of us and the sh1tty conditions forecast - drying on the lawn) - some notes on the Flickr page if your interested?!

[url= http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6137/5920110542_f235e2fc38_z.jp g" target="_blank">http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6137/5920110542_f235e2fc38_z.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/99percentchimp/5920110542/ ]WRT Kit - Aftermath[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/99percentchimp/ ]99percentchimp[/url], on Flickr

oh well may have ended my bivvi trips for 2011 dislocated my knee last night 😕

How on earth did you manage that?

dad dancing 😀

Pillock. That'll learn ya. 🙄

yep sure will, in bed with full leg cast on.

are you not in Europe namely France??

P1ssed up Pete? 😉

Hope it gets better soon.

Yup. Sunny France. Just been for a swim in our private pool next to our chateau. I am, however, going biviing tomorrow evening. 😀

Watch out for the ticks in France ... total PITA last year. I also discovered it's illegal to bivvy within their national parks 😉

Who am i going to get lost with in Mid Wales now Pete? I hope you are going to be OK for Stuarts October ride!
take it easy - catch up soon

I admit I had a few beers but more to do with rugs on wooden floors 🙁

Looks like you might be doing the bear bones 200 with me then Steve. 😉

Fame at last. 🙂

This humble little thread that started with me feeling a bit ill last Christmas has a mention in the mag.

Bivvy 101

you're our hero 😀

Taylor - am I allowed to ride with you if I don't have a 29er?

I think I might allow it.

you could borrow my Swift if you can fit a large Steve?

The problem is Steve once you ride with the big wheeled boys you know the force is strong to change to a 29er 😉

Fame at last.

This humble little thread that started with me feeling a bit ill last Christmas has a mention in the mag.

Hmmmm, time to start getting nasty and have the thread closed then 😉

behave Slugwash 😉

I'll lend you a 96er if you fancy Steve ... that way you can have a foot in both camps, however you may look like a monkey on a mangle given our differences in stature 😀

@ Pete - thanks but I'm too much of a short arse to fit yours - work allowing (if I have a job!!) I may well go for a 29er Inbred when they are available - the big question is wether I then sell my 26 inbred or keep it!

how's the knee feeling?

Stu - many thanks but I may have the opposite problem on your bike!

keep it too 😆

knee frikken sore but ok waiting for mri on Friday for full diagnosis so fingers crossed

Pete I imagine they may diagnose a bad case of shite dancing! 😉

Hmmmm, time to start getting nasty and have the thread closed then

Then start a new one to show off your new rack!

that's a given Stu, karma sure did kick my ass on the weekend the barsteward!!! 🙁

I'll have to think of a thread to rival this one now as probably weeks of spare time ahead 😥

best Troll ever this I reckon, I don't even have a bike let alone a bivi bag

What makes the best Bivi spot??? open ground, woods, by a river? what do you look for??

This made a nice spot Bigface. Over 2000ft, near to a lake ... fantastic.

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www.bearbonesbikepacking.co.uk

They do look good but our next trip a long the south downs way in a couple of weeks doesnt really have any mountain views 😕

[i]What makes the best Bivi spot??? open ground, woods, by a river? what do you look for??[/i]

There is no one answer to that, depends where you are and what the weather is doing.

Things to consider:

Do you need to be concealed?
Will you need shelter from forecast/incoming weather?
Do you want a view in the morning?
Are there biting insects?

There's a whole load of variables, so each situation is different.

On a fine night with no chance of rain, I'd go for somewhere exposed enough to keep the midges at bay som I can sleep out of the bivvy bag.

With a strong wind I'd be looking for somewhere with a bit of shelter that I can sleep in the lee of.

Lower and in more urban areas I'd be wanting a bit of cover for a stealth bivvy.

I believe there's an article in Issue 67 that may be of help ;o)

I dont like being too close to water as the midges seem to find me pretty tasty. I like to find somewhere relatively shelter. Not directly on a track, so behind a wall, just over the ridge, in amongst the trees etc

Most of my kit is alpine climbing related so is not very stealthy. My newest bivi bag is a marmot model that is ORANGE! So its good to be out of the way as much as possible.

Pics of the bivi - http://www.bikeandbivi.co.uk/php/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=39

It works really well and has been on two trips since I purchased it.

How urban do you go without meeting a load of Chavs or Bagheads?

Here is one of my boy just waking up after his first night in a bivi.

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Sorry 'bout the blurry picture, was a cold morning!

Are you on the run Kevj? 8)

Chuffed to monkeys..

My SilTarp turned up today..

So thats all my kit squared away now. 8)

Now all I need is a free weekend. 😐

pistonbroke

Are you on the run Kevj?

😆 I had put the sheet up to mask the glow from the fire!

Feeling inspired to get a night under the stars this weekend. How's that weather forecast looking??

Here's a taster of my C2C pictures. Time is hectic so I'll have to keep it brief!

Totally unsupported and solo
MBR (Woodcock-ish route) St Bees - Robin Hoods Bay
Mon 4pm-Thur 11am
Beautiful weather from start to finish, absolutely perfect trip.
One broken saddle and bent brake lever
Trapped nerve in right hand.

I also then cycled down to Dalby for a lap with a good friend and a very kind offer of a lift home. I was keen to press on during the big day in the Lakes so I didn't take many photos, I largely kept my camera/phone turned off to preserve battery.

I have some very happy memories from this trip.

Other than a Camelbak, this was full kit including food.
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First nights bivvy spot, Wasdale side of Black Sail Pass.
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From here it was a 5hr push/carry up and over to Rossett Pike/Langdale.

Angle Tarn at 7.30 in morning.
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Looking up at Rossett Pike, the last hurdle before one long rocky downhill scramble!
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Dinner by the stream in Osmotherly
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3rd night's bivvy.
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Evening sunset on the last night.
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Brilliant trip there then Anthony 🙂 And good weather as well. We had to cancel a full moon Dartmoor bivi last week on account of the sudden decline in good weather (and a run of the trots ripping through some members of the Dartmoor Posse. They must of had a dodgy cream tea or something 😉 )

My bike and B.O.B trailer. [url= http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6149/5953750472_1ecc83945e.jp g" target="_blank">http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6149/5953750472_1ecc83945e.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/56842631@N06/5953750472/ ]Bike and B.O.B[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/56842631@N06/ ]stuartrider25[/url], on Flickr
On my way to the Singletrack Classic weekender race.

Very nice Anthony 😉

New addition to my backpack.[url= http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6148/5953193591_ea1eda9a64.jp g" target="_blank">http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6148/5953193591_ea1eda9a64.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/56842631@N06/5953193591/ ]Mini Coffee.[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/56842631@N06/ ]stuartrider25[/url], on Flickr

Nice trips chaps, For some reason checking out people photos of trips at work just seems to lift my mood when your stuck in an office, good work 😀

Sturider that coffee unit looks amazing, I take it really works fella 😉

nice pics of a C2C ^^^ I cant wait to get back on the bike.

Keep the pics coming in

I have a smaller version of the coffee thing - it works really well but mine gets left and home when I am concerned about weight. It only comes along on a luxury camp not a superlight

I have to admit a decent coffee was a very good way to drag myself out of bed on the c2c, but only a lowly coffee bag. Thanks for the comments, it really was an amazing trip all the planning and practice runs really paid off.

I slept on the campsite at Dalby for a little luxury after the trip was over, the attention I got from other 'normal' campers was amazing, they couldnt believe I rocked up planning on sleeping under a tarp! The owners even took pity and bought me over a towel and soap so i could use their showers. I must have looked a mess after 4 days in the wilds!

Was that the woodcock ctc route you did Anthony?

Was that the woodcock ctc route you did Anthony?

nope - I guess that was mixed with the Hodgson route - as here [url= http://www.offroadadventures-online.com/c2c.html ]click here for route details[/url]

Thats great, 2 sugars in mine ;o)

I love that coffee machine sturider, flippn brilliant. 😆

Was it easy to make up??

Thinking a coffee machine would trump flatfish and his Christmas dinner!! 😉

This a link to the gpx coast to coast trip mbr did that inspired Anthonys route
http://www.gpsies.com/map.do?fileId=yoqsjzcryofzjvar

Excellent write up. What was your kit list?

I just use one of these: [url= http://www.homebabybeauty.co.uk/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=0&products_id=806 ] Hmmm, Lekke... :)[/url]

Cheers for the route link Jon.

C2C Kit list 🙂

[b]Bars 1675g[/b]

5L Exped dry bag 47
3L Exped dry bag 36
PHD Minimus down vest 242
PHD Minim Ultra sleeping bag 352
Helly Hansen Lifa Long Johns 118
Mountain Hardwear fleace beanie 26
Lifesystems midge headnet 37
Helly Hansen Lifa LS Crew 154
M&S Merino evening socks 49
2x Large freezer bags 15
Double Bar Harness 117
Pace eVent waterproof jacket 333
Ortleib Map Case 60
Maps 1:50K 89

[b]Saddle 1659g[/b]

Topeak Saddle Bag + Strap 236
Innertube x2 186
Brake Pads 2 sets 47
Chain tool 77
Spare chain links 18
First-aid kit 50
Zip-ties 17
Spoke key 14
Allen key set 92
Tubeless repair kit 22
Park instant patches 5
Leatherman 132
Gaffa tape 9
Tyre boot 5
Emergency fire lighter 15
Oil 14
Storage tub 19
Spare guy cord 20
Stuff Sack & Strap 26
Thermarest Neo-air short 265
Tarp Pegs 146
Integral Designs Siltarp1 inc. guys 219
Polycro 5'x2' groundsheet 25

[b]Frame 240g+ Food[/b]

Framebag 240
Food

[b]Camelbak 2085g[/b]

Octane 18X 462
3L Bladder 209
Vargo Ti-lite 700ml mug/pot 132
Pour & Store x2 22
Sea to Summit Lhoon 11
100ml meths 104
Compass 14
Caldera Cone stove inc. 330ml meths 457
Pump 130
Travel Tap water filter 151
Terra Nova Moonlight Bivvy bag 176
Sea to Summit 2L Dry Bag 28
Petzl E+lite headtorch 29
Spare Batteries 9
Ear-plugs 1
Disposable lighter 15
Matches 15
Toilet Roll 56
Ipod Shuffle 28
Exped 3L Drybag 36
Food

Total exc. food and water 5659g

I'm just in awe of that kit list!

🙂

I can't wait till Oliver is old enough to come along, then I can do him a nice list too. I hope he doesn't take after me and actually has a life! His little sleeping bag currently weighs more and packs bigger than most of my kit put together 🙄

anyone have any opinions on these? they are very cheap.

[url= http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CAMO-CAMOUFLAGE-TARPAULIN-TARP-2-7M-X-3-5M-WATERPROOF-/200572442453?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item2eb30c9755 ]tarp on ebay[/url]

Kevster, I don't think you could go far wrong for the money. Obviously it isn't the lightest thing out there but given its size it certainly isn't the heaviest option either.