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

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wow - Anthony - that kit list is pretty much a wish list of the very best lightweight kit available. Nice!


 
Posted : 02/08/2011 8:43 am
 Rik
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Anthony - Great kit list, is that a typo on the pegs? Seems very heavy compared to the other kit. 10x5g Ti pegs from alpkit are cheap and work great. Don't bother with the terra nova 1 and 2g pegs as they are shite.
You could take another 100g of the coat too but no point if your happy with it.

Brave choice on the sleeping bag I have an orginal Rab Quantum top that weighs 400g (200g of down) that I use with a Rab xenon jacket - but thinking of selling it as it's not really warm enough for me (although I do feel the cold easily)


 
Posted : 02/08/2011 10:01 am
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I've been reading a bit about tarps (mainly so that I don't have to use my issue one when I go out and about) and I was wondering about whether the more popular light ones (Alpkit Rig7 and the Tenth Wonder tarps immediately spring to mind) would be big enough for a tall chap like me to fit over a hammock. Anyone got any recommendations?

I could use the issue tarp, but it is a little over the top, and if I am out on my bike or kayak and staying out, I do try to stay away from the whole Army thing.


 
Posted : 02/08/2011 12:11 pm
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Cheers chaps, I do love my camping kit!

Re pegs, they are 6x 6g ti wire, 4x 2g TN 2g ti wire (for polycro groundsheet) and 6x alli Y stakes. I like the reliabilty of the Y pegs for the main tarp guy points. My tarp setup puts quite a lot of tension on the guys and the soft peat found in a lot of uk areas won't support thin wire pegs. Ti V pegs are only 1g lighter than the Y stakes so I cant justify the cost.

Yup a Montane jacket is on the wishlist.

The PHD sleeping bag is incredible. I used it in march on just a balloon bed, boosted by a lightweight down jacket and in temps nudging zero I was toasty. Their 900 fill vest was tempting but the minimus, for my uses, made more sense.

I have now ditched the caldera cone plastic case which has saved 80 or 90g.


 
Posted : 02/08/2011 12:14 pm
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Willard, the Rig 7 is pretty big.


 
Posted : 02/08/2011 12:16 pm
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[b]Willard[/b]. I have a largish hammock and find that I have to put my 3mx3m tarp on the diagonal if I really want to be sure of coverage.

Best bet it to take out your hammock and measure it to be sure.

That would make the Rig 7 ok on the diagonal I think, but it might be tight. I haven't looked into the tenth wonder ones.

I use the cheap DD hammocks one when weight is an issue, or a tatonka polycotton one the rest of the time (because it feels and sounds nicer).


 
Posted : 02/08/2011 12:18 pm
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Just had my first w/e bike camp out for years and really enjoyed it

[IMG] [/IMG]

Follow the link for report and lots of pics
http://northwalesmtb.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=ridedays&action=display&thread=7542&page=1


 
Posted : 02/08/2011 12:37 pm
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Alex,

Thanks for the info. I think I might need to just give it a try...

Have you had any experience of the LifeVenture hammocks? They seem to fit just about all the requirements (apart from mossie net), but I was wondering about using a dirtbag mat in one as a base layer.


 
Posted : 02/08/2011 4:02 pm
 Rik
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Anthony - is that the montane spektr jacket by an chance? I went for the Omm event as I like the fabric.

I've got very similar kit to you. Quality kit is def worth the money.

What's the TN moonlite bivy like in heavy rain? It's more of a snowcave bivy I thought when I talked to TN.

I use a lightened Golite Lair 1 with Easton carbon poles and a homemade sub 100g bath tub groundsheet which negates the need for a bivy bag in 98% off weather.


 
Posted : 02/08/2011 4:21 pm
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Cycled London to Wales last week. Here are some photos

[url= http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6129/5985171935_9de5b22df6.jp g" target="_blank">http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6129/5985171935_9de5b22df6.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/fantasticmrmatt/5985171935/ ]Chalk Horse[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/fantasticmrmatt/ ]fantasticmrmatt[/url], on Flickr

All the gear was on the bike.


 
Posted : 02/08/2011 4:29 pm
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[b]willard[/b] I haven't used a lifeventure one, but I think I remember seeing that they were very similar to mine in construction and materials.

I sometimes use a thermarest in there as insulation as it's light and doubles as a back pack reinforcer/backpad, but I do find it squirms around under me in the night leaving cold spots. Maybe the double-skinned hammocks avoid this a bit.

I also have an underblanket, which is great in use, but pretty damn heavy in comparison. A hammock with tarp, underblanket and overblanket is just about the best wild camping experience I've had.


 
Posted : 02/08/2011 5:40 pm
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summittoppler looks like you had a blast, just read the NWMTB thread too, great pics.

Now what camera to get for biking???


 
Posted : 02/08/2011 6:08 pm
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Rik- I always use the Moonlight in conjunction with my tarp, treating it more as a sleeping bag cover than a shelter as such. It protects the delicate PHD sleeping bag from wet ground, any possible weather that gets past the tarp and keeps it away from rough ground. I don't rate any bivvy bag for use in heavy rain, it's just not a nice place to be. Once truly soaked they never breathe sufficiently either. The tarp and bivvy bag is still significantly smaller/lighter than my laser comp, which is saved for winter or longer trips.

Looks like 2 great trips added to the thread, making the most of the sunshine. Matt- what are those fork bottles like?


 
Posted : 02/08/2011 7:21 pm
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Fork bottles are great; Travel Tap in one 1l bottle in the other; I find it works out spot on. For that trip I had no backpack on me, all the gear was on the bike and it was brilliant.


 
Posted : 02/08/2011 9:58 pm
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[b]Tiger6791[/b] How are you finding the Travel Tap? I've only used it on one bivvy and I found it pretty frustrating to drink from. I couldn't suck you have to squeeze, and it took a lot of energy to get through a bottle.

I cooked with it, so had to decant half a litre into my pot at one point and it got pretty annoying. Have I just got a duff one?

On the Travel Tap video, there's a bit where he squirts it into his mouth from a few inches away. I couldn't make it do that.


 
Posted : 03/08/2011 8:19 am
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Mines good, it's slow but okay to drink from. I mainly use it to fill up the 1l bottle though and drink from that though.

The only problem I have with it really is you can't filter a whole bottle as when it's upside down the water has to cover the filter so the last 1/4 of water has to be topped up.

I think my ideal solution will be to find a bigger bottle with the same thread.


 
Posted : 03/08/2011 11:46 am
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I have no major issues filling my 3l bladder with my traveltap.


 
Posted : 03/08/2011 12:45 pm
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Tiger6791 - yes, that useless last bit of water is pretty frustrating, especially for us weight weenie bivviers 🙂

Anthony - that would take me all day! looks like it's time to contact Travel Tap.


 
Posted : 03/08/2011 3:26 pm
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2 of us shared 1 travel tap for this years WRT and it worked fine, we probably filtered 4-6L each per day. It does sound like you maybe have a duff filter, although I have heard a few reports of people saying similar.

I went through my kit again last night and beeing ruthless I shaved off about 400g, its amazing how 10g here 20g there soon adds up.


 
Posted : 03/08/2011 8:45 pm
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What about kit lists for those on tight budget?

http://www.bikeandbivi.co.uk/php/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=154


 
Posted : 03/08/2011 9:10 pm
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.


 
Posted : 03/08/2011 9:19 pm
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fair enough unsponsored but kit is so addictive 😕


 
Posted : 03/08/2011 9:34 pm
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fair enough unsponsored but kit is so addictive

Very true, my bank balance knows this all to well.


 
Posted : 04/08/2011 10:59 am
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Oh well, if it all goes tits up we can live in the forest in our bivvy gear 😉


 
Posted : 04/08/2011 11:03 am
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new handlebar harness arrived here in NL from sunny Wales..a sale as a direct result of this forum string... I hope it works as im off to do the CRAFT Transalp bike race route in 11 days time. 22k up and down and circa 650km in 8 days I think it is....plus the blxody ride to the airport and train stations and back. Given Im old enough to know better I should have been training this weekend, but spending all the time wandering around house deciding on what gear to take and transfering a decent groupset to my old stumpjumper hardtai, or snooping around the bike shop. Not quite sure how 9 days bike gear (rolling 2 days food) will fit in a 25 litre rucsac, a handlebar harness and a small dry bag but there we are. what dosnt fit doesnt go. Todays purchase was a 34 tooth cassette (3mph here I come), some pinhead wheel and headset locks, a new chain, a 1 man tent and the lightest functional Abus d-lock I could find. Would have been cheaper to stay in hotels.... but where is the fun in that. Fortunately i have light camping gear from climbing trips but somehow you always end up buying more. Will post a photo in time.


 
Posted : 06/08/2011 9:29 pm
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The MK1 Shinythings frame bag is go...

The old Singer has been fair flying I tell you
[img] [/img]
Grabbed a representative sample of food and had room left over. Zip opening is a tad tight for bulky items though.


 
Posted : 07/08/2011 10:53 am
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Fella's I need your advice.
I've got a £200 budget for a new sleeping bag. Its boiled down to a rab neutino 200, phd minimus, ME xero 250 or maybe cumulus quantum. The rab's swinging it at present (purely because I'll get £30 change..)
Which???
Ta


 
Posted : 07/08/2011 11:56 am
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PHD Minim Ultra (the EU 900 fill version). I spent hour after hour researching exactly the same question and found the PHD to be the clear winner if weight vs warmth is your priority.

Western Mountaineering worth a look too.


 
Posted : 07/08/2011 6:39 pm
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PHD everytime for me.


 
Posted : 07/08/2011 6:47 pm
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Just looked at the Yeti Passion One. Its got an incredible weight of sub 350g like the PHD but its £300 and only suitable for +15'c. It makes the PHD seem good value!

Be aware that Rab quote in US fill power, so the neutrino is more like 200g of 700 EU down. I do think the 2'C comfort rating is pushing its limit.


 
Posted : 07/08/2011 7:04 pm
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The MK1 Shinythings frame bag is go...

It looks good Jim but I think you should've taken my advice and made one that filled all corners of your P7 frame. You'll be doing that with MK2 I presume.

BTW, I'll soon need that big cordura holdall back that I lent you last week 😉


 
Posted : 07/08/2011 7:37 pm
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How do you attach water bottle cages to your forks please?


 
Posted : 07/08/2011 7:58 pm
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Abus make some interesting bags for carrying there rather weighty bike security chains. i stubbled upon them on Wiggle. Not a bad price.

Do Rab quote US fill power now! Damn statistics.

I have a couple of Rab bags. A trip to the factory shop is always worth while. This one cost me less than 1/2 price some time early last year.

[img] [/img]

From http://www.bikeandbivi.co.uk/php/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=16


 
Posted : 07/08/2011 8:56 pm
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ollie - Member

How do you attach water bottle cages to your forks please?

I was trying to find the picture on his blog to link to, but I've seen [url= http://coastkid.blogspot.com/ ][b]coastkid / coastrider[/b][/url] has used reflector brackets in the past I think.


 
Posted : 07/08/2011 9:51 pm
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try these for fixing waterbottles on your forks:

http://www.decathlon.co.uk/EN/apb-300-bottle-cage-bracket-17250470/

can't take credit for the idea - rcommended to me by a few others who have probably already posted somewhere on this thread


 
Posted : 07/08/2011 9:59 pm
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As Steve said the decathlon ones are pretty good and what I've always used. A couple of extra sturdy cable ties around them makes double sure.

[url= http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6128/6008461990_cbb956d1a4_z.jp g" target="_blank">http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6128/6008461990_cbb956d1a4_z.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/fantasticmrmatt/6008461990/ ]Scandal on the Roman Road[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/fantasticmrmatt/ ]fantasticmrmatt[/url], on Flickr


 
Posted : 08/08/2011 8:15 am
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@ Anthony
Just looked at the PHD minim ultra, possibly a little extreme for what I need, incredibly light though. How does it perform in a bivvy bag? The super lightwieght shell to aid lofting seems pointless if you're stuffing it into a relatively heavy bivvy bag?
Would the water resistant shell option be worth the extra weight/dosh?
Got any pics of your ultra compressed?


 
Posted : 08/08/2011 12:56 pm
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Has anyone got any thoughts on using a chalk bag in place of a mountain feed bag
[img] http://cdn.gooutdoors.co.uk/Products/15080-230211092409891847858.jp g" target="_blank">http://cdn.gooutdoors.co.uk/Products/15080-230211092409891847858.jp g"/> [/img]

so much cheaper would just need to attach something to secure it to the stem.


 
Posted : 08/08/2011 2:37 pm
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Yep, it's been done


 
Posted : 08/08/2011 3:02 pm
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Pets at Home do a doggy treat bag that would work as a feed bag. Bought one the other week, but haven't got around to playing with it yet.


 
Posted : 08/08/2011 3:17 pm
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My Western Mountaineering Summer-lite bag at ~11,300 feet and Terra Nova photon tent worked well on recent trip:

[url= http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6127/6021733765_f2e885485f.jp g" target="_blank">http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6127/6021733765_f2e885485f.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/12617230@N03/6021733765/ ]101_0144[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/12617230@N03/ ]blackhound59[/url], on Flickr

Earlier in the trip at 11,500 feet on Boreas Pass showing a wildcat gear frame bag and Revelate Design harness and seat bag.

[url= http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6145/6021708889_1d75e826a4.jp g" target="_blank">http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6145/6021708889_1d75e826a4.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/12617230@N03/6021708889/ ]101_0121[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/12617230@N03/ ]blackhound59[/url], on Flickr


 
Posted : 08/08/2011 4:12 pm
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Erm ... wonder where those pictures were taken 😉

BTW ... very nice work there Kevin!


 
Posted : 08/08/2011 4:22 pm
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You probably guessed Stuart. Looking for something shorter and nearer next year. Perhaps Wales...


 
Posted : 08/08/2011 4:43 pm
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@Twang, I use the PHD bag inside a 176g Terra Nova bivvy bag (under a tarp) so the weight of the waterproof fabric isn't an issue, the strength of the 900 down is it's party-piece. Personally I didn't bother with the dryshell fabric, it seems to cope with condensation ok and I'm quite particular about keeping it sheltered from the weather.

This is it in it's stuffsac, sat on top of a 3L dry bag. If stuffed directly into the drybag, there is still plenty of room to fit in my minimus vest with ease-

[IMG] [/IMG]

I'll admit that it is a sleeping bag with a very specific purpose and is cut quite slim. The Minimus is slightly more versatile and I doubt very much if you could notice the 100g difference once fully loaded. Having siad that if boosted with a down vest or down jacket it has coped to just above freezing and if conditions colder than that I'm in my winter bag anyway.

PHD do 2 sales a year, more often than not they do a special run of Minim 300's for about £150. These make for a great all-round 3 season bag and IIRC are about 500g.

Blackhound the trip must have been amazing, any pros/cons of the kit you took?


 
Posted : 08/08/2011 5:59 pm
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Kevin, if you fancy something a little nearer home this year, there's always the Bear Bones 200 in Oct.

http://www.bearbonesbikepacking.co.uk/


 
Posted : 08/08/2011 6:49 pm
 faaz
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What frame bags are people using?? Are there any cheap (and I mean <£50) alternatives to custom ones and/or expensively branded ones?


 
Posted : 09/08/2011 11:18 pm
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Buggybags seem to be the cheapest I know of for bespoke bags.

Ebay sometimes throws up generic frame bags, but they don't make full use of the main frame triangle so storage space isn't as good and I suspect aren't quite as stable.

I'm still lusting after a Wildcat bag, but I just made one out of whatever fabric I could lay my hands on as a short term solution whilst I gather the funds. It seems to holding up well enough and although fiddly to get right, it really wasn't that difficult other than a bit of forward planning before stitching together.


 
Posted : 10/08/2011 6:45 am
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Stuart, thanks for link - had missed that one. If I am not away II owe the other half a holiday!) then I will look into it.

Anthony - Kit worked well. Bag was just warm enough in Canada / Montana with a Craft base layer and Patagonia capilene leggings. I do sleep cold though. The TN photon elite tent was excellent. One day while touring it rained for all but 30 mins between 7.30 and 17.30 and was enough room to shelter and kept water out.

A tarp and bivvy bag would have weighed similar, packed up a bit better and might have been more practical for the Tour Divide. As I was touring for a few weeks afterwards (in Oregon) I wanted the extra privacy of a tent. Thought the tent would be warmer and I have limited experience of tarps so did not want to risk something I was unfamiliar with.

I took a few bits I didn't need and I got lucky with the weather so could have made a few different clothing choices in retrospect. However if I was to do it again would have taken same clothing and a bit less other stuff.


 
Posted : 10/08/2011 6:59 am
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[img]

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6190/6030033932_59b3cfc4d2_m.jp g" rel="nofollow" >


Some photos from last nights (cold) bivvy on dartmoor. Last time i did a bike bivvy it was on a Muddy Fox Explorer so this was a chance to lighten the kit and upgrade. I used a 20 year old sleeping bag that is knackered and paid the price of a cold night, wind probably had a chill factor of around 2 degrees. Still cracking night out and the need to purchase more lightweight kit is now very pressing.


 
Posted : 10/08/2011 6:51 pm
 faaz
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Pics are tiny!!! Get them bigger!!


 
Posted : 10/08/2011 7:40 pm
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Morning All

Me and my son are planning on taking a little light weight hike and camp this afternoon and I have a question about stoves.

I was going to make a little drink can stove then wondered about a small tin can (220g baked bean can) with a ring of holes drilled around the side instead?

It will only be used for boiling water so doesnt need to be anything super fancy. Any reason why this would'nt work?

If its all good then roughly how much meths would it take for boiling about a litre of water? Is there any great science to this or just chuck some in and top up as required?

Cheers All 🙂


 
Posted : 17/08/2011 11:36 am
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Just google 'supercat stove'

What you describe sounds like a great stove, maybe 1.5 oz meths per pint of water? Guessing


 
Posted : 17/08/2011 7:20 pm
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OMG, i just lost an hour reading some of this, inspired to give it a go now.


 
Posted : 19/08/2011 3:16 pm
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Sign up here - http://www.bikeandbivi.co.uk

I did a few weeks back (Kev on bikeandbivi) and although new has a whole mountain of information. I noticed that quite a few STW regulars are now on there inc Ton this week.


 
Posted : 19/08/2011 4:14 pm
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Just got hold of a new Nemo Gogo Elite bivy.

[img] [/img]

I've been looking for a tent/bivy compromise that's still lightweight and packs small & this looks promising. Lots of pics & words on [url= http://pedalhead.net/2011/08/19/nemo-gogo-elite-bivy-initial-thoughts/ ]my blog[/url] if you want to know more about it.


 
Posted : 19/08/2011 4:33 pm
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🙂 , just been checking your new bit of kit on www.bikeandbivi.co.uk !!!!!


 
Posted : 19/08/2011 4:43 pm
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Spurred on by this thread and a fellow forum member. I'm heading out with a couple of friends to attempt the SDW in 2 days tomorrow.


 
Posted : 19/08/2011 5:58 pm
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Candodavid you might also like ... www.bearbonesbikepacking.co.uk link to the forum from the main page.


 
Posted : 19/08/2011 6:43 pm
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Ready for this weekends beachriding bivi trip along the Moray coast 🙂

[img] [/img]


 
Posted : 19/08/2011 11:24 pm
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Sturider, where can I buy one of those solo mini coffee things? Is it a Bialetti?


 
Posted : 20/08/2011 12:06 pm
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I was interested by the idea of freezer bag cooking and that got me curious about food dehydrating. There are dehydraters available to buy which seem to range from £25-100 but I also found a number of designs across the net for making your own out of a cardboard box lined with foil/insulating material.

A couple of 100w bulbs sit in the bottom and you can fashion some shelves made from bbq skewers to rest wire racks on. You could also make a more substanial one out of plywood if you so desire.

I've not got round to reading up a great deal on "cooking" times etc as yet but it seems that its all dependent on your dehydrater and personal taste.

I think I'll give it a go making one next week as I'm off, has anyone got any experience of using or making a dehydrater?

I shall also read up on dehydrating in a normal oven. I wonder if this would be more expensive to run?


 
Posted : 20/08/2011 4:14 pm
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We got one in at the weekend. What had originaly been planned as a Dartmoor bike bivi turned into a Canoe camping exursion before metamorphing into an on foot adventure after I managed to do my left paddling shoulder in. The venue was somewhere along the wild South Devon coast a mile or two from the nearest road, carpark and ice cream kiosk.....

The Venue nestled in lovely, desolate Devonian coastline...

[img] [/img]

Off we go to visit the famous sea cave. Only accessible at low tide...

[img] [/img]

Ahh, this must be it then....

[img] [/img]

Jim, Si & Tim were surprised to find out this was actually my second visit in fifteen minutes.....this time without the toilet paper 😉

[img] [/img]

While the others went for a swim I climbed the cliffs and did some scoping for sea mammals.
All I actually saw were three lily-white retarded land mammals jumping around in the surf 😉

[img] [/img]

Early evening cuppa on the go in our chosen bivi location, A little cove that was cut off from the rest of navigable dry land at high tide.

[img] [/img]

My one-pot Paella knocked the baubles off the Vesta Pack Chow Meins the other three cooks were rehydrating...

[img] [/img]

My bed.....

[img] [/img]

Morning, low tide view from the sleeping bag, shortly before it started raining...

[img] [/img]

Second coffee of the morning...

[img] [/img]

Slugwash Flickr: [url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/8308384@N06/sets/72157627482146894/ ]South Devon Coastal Bivi[/url]


 
Posted : 21/08/2011 4:21 pm
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lovely location, looks like fun 🙂


 
Posted : 21/08/2011 6:49 pm
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Have anyone here tried nesting sleeping bags?
I have a Marmot Arete, and if I get say an Alpkit pd 600 or SH 800 as an autumn bag (I am based in northern Sweden, so it can get cold), do you think I can use the Arete inside it for winter camping, or will it not have space to loft properly?

In the winter I am looking at potential temperatures down to -30


 
Posted : 24/08/2011 9:16 am
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Have anyone here tried nesting sleeping bags?

I have for winter camping (in tent) before. I used a large cheap old mummy bag (from when i was a scout) around my alpkit bag. worked well.

however there probably isn't room inside an alpkit bag for another bag - they are pretty snug. I would email alpkit - they are pretty clued up.

HTH


 
Posted : 24/08/2011 9:34 am
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looks awesome slugwash.

can we have your one-pot Paella recipe... please 😀


 
Posted : 24/08/2011 9:35 am
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"has anyone got any experience of using or making a dehydrater?"

I've had an EzDri Snackmaker probably 12 years ago with about 10 shelves. A mix of mesh & solid shelf liners. Cost about £80 iirc. They have a video on youtube. Looks like you can buy them again the UK now.

I've never worked out how much it costs to dry food. The heater doesn't generate that much heat, certainly doesn't seem to be close to the 500W they claim the heater is - more like a 100W lamp or a PC. The key to drying food is to keep the warm airflow over the surface of the food. Drying times reduce if you turn the food during drying.

Needless to say some things work better than others. Try to remove as much water as possible before drying for sauces, or wet foods. Cut up solids smaller than you probably would normally. (I learnt that one the hard way with some veg stew where the chucks were too large & wouldn't rehydrate). The thinner you spread the food on the sheets the quicker it dries. I'd say average drying time is about 10-14 hours. I try & do as much drying as possible in the winter just so i'm using the heat from the dryer to warm the house.

Once dried, i store the results in sealable sandwich bags in the fridge (i don't know if the fridge is absolutely necessary tbh). I've used foods dried a year after drying & they've been ok.

I'm veggie so can't say what it's like for drying meat.

Dhal dries great. Cook it thicker than normal. It ends up sort of powdery but rehydrates fine. Add green leaved veg (spinach, chard etc).
Rice dishes work well, mixed veg & nut pilau is a favourite.
Stir fried beancurd, veg & rice works ok if the beancurd & veg are cut small.
Tomato sauce for pasta works well. Add thinly sliced mushrooms or veg.

I dehydrate breakfast - muesli with finely chopped banana & kiwi, made with soy milk, maple syrup. The last thing i do at night when camping is to make a brew & use the rest of the hot water to overnight soak my breakfast. If i'm doing a long walk i'll add a spoon of Torq neutral per portion to bump up the carbs.
I've tried pasta. That took about as long to rehydrate as cooking a quicker cooking pasta from scratch. Won't do it again.

If you were making a drier, i'd suggest you need to get a fan blowing air over the food as well as some heat source. A 100W bulb plus a PC fan with a speed control (like the one Zalman do) would work. Look at the youtube video at how the shelves are designed on the EziDri. They channel air around the shelves. The fan is in the centre bottom of he unit, & warm air is vented from a hole at the top.


 
Posted : 24/08/2011 10:07 am
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some bits of kit that I have for sale that maybe of interest to followers of this thread.

http://www.singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/the-valleys-clear-out-continues-hope-bivvy-kit-altura-saddlebag


 
Posted : 24/08/2011 1:41 pm
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I have for winter camping (in tent) before. I used a large cheap old mummy bag (from when i was a scout) around my alpkit bag. worked well.

however there probably isn't room inside an alpkit bag for another bag - they are pretty snug. I would email alpkit - they are pretty clued up.

HTH

Thanks. I emailed them, they said I have to try. I guess it depends on too many things like the persons size and the specific bag involved for them to be able to give a general answer.


 
Posted : 26/08/2011 8:22 am
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I need a new bivi bag.
Anyone have any real life experience's with the Rab storm bivi
are they roomy, water proof, pack small enough and light


 
Posted : 27/08/2011 9:29 am
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I love my new marmot one. Loads of room enough for a winter down bag plus more, but only come in REALLY bright colours.

http://www.bikeandbivi.co.uk/php/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=39&p=182&hilit=marmot#p182


 
Posted : 27/08/2011 5:03 pm
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marran - Member
Have anyone here tried nesting sleeping bags?

No (well not since I was a teenager with an argos bag), but Andy Kirkpatrick talks about it in one of his gear articles, worth a read.

http://andy-kirkpatrick.com/articles/gear/


 
Posted : 27/08/2011 5:20 pm
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Anyone bivvied/camped in or around the Berwyns?


 
Posted : 28/08/2011 12:34 pm
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TheBrick: Thanks for the link, good read.

For some reason he uses a synthetic bag as outer, but I guess a generously cut down bag like Alpkit SH800 would work as well


 
Posted : 30/08/2011 5:38 am
Posts: 13
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looks awesome slugwash.

can we have your one-pot Paella recipe... please

Yes, it's an easy one that. I'll post it up some time.

Meanwhile, this weekend's bacon and bean stew with dumplings was less sucessfull.
I forgot the bacon and the dumplings disintegrated 🙁

[center][img] [/img]

[img] [/img]

[img] [/img][/center]

[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/8308384@N06/sets/72157627421626697/ ]Flickr - Last Bivi of the Summer[/url] (photo's currently awaiting sorting)

It's definately getting a bit cooler out on the hills.

Is anyone else getting out under the stars at the moment? And is this thread slowly dying now everyone's over on the two new bikepacking forums ;-(


 
Posted : 30/08/2011 6:47 am
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Is anyone else getting out under the stars at the moment?

tend not to over the summer - getting excited about the season starting again....


 
Posted : 30/08/2011 8:11 am
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I agree with tom, far prefer autumn bivvying myself - it get's dark earlier and there's less tourists, both helpful for stealth camping.

Also I much prefer fresh and frosty to damp and muggy, I find it easier to keep warm than cool and there's fewer insects about - yup the seasons just starting 😀


 
Posted : 30/08/2011 8:25 am
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[img] http://flic.kr/p/ahHi4q [/img]


 
Posted : 30/08/2011 10:51 am
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Ooops!
Here is a recent bike/BOB bivi from Kidderminster to the Stiperstones and back on my Alfine 11'd Charge Duster. Only a 1 nighter but was a good trip.
[url= http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6188/6096331822_e0775cdf74_z.jp g" target="_blank">http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6188/6096331822_e0775cdf74_z.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6201/6095831893_fa74660860_z.jp g" target="_blank">http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6201/6095831893_fa74660860_z.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/66965813@N03/6095831893/ ]DSC05308[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/66965813@N03/ ]cheeezzy24[/url], on Flickr
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/66965813@N03/6096331822/ ]DSC05297[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/66965813@N03/ ]cheeezzy24[/url], on Flickr
[url= http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6067/6096326382_0f2c86674b_z.jp g" target="_blank">http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6067/6096326382_0f2c86674b_z.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/66965813@N03/6096326382/ ]DSC05311[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/66965813@N03/ ]cheeezzy24[/url], on Flickr
[url= http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6210/6096326392_9ee7160b9b_z.jp g" target="_blank">http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6210/6096326392_9ee7160b9b_z.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/66965813@N03/6096326392/ ]DSC05316[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/66965813@N03/ ]cheeezzy24[/url], on Flickr


 
Posted : 30/08/2011 11:06 am
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

Is anyone else getting out under the stars at the moment? And is this thread slowly dying now everyone's over on the two new bikepacking forums

Shame people arent posting on here, I do like the new forums but still like to check this one out as well.
Ive got one of the Tesco's ultra light down bags, how warm is that going to keep me in the next couple of months or is it time to start looking for a winter bag???


 
Posted : 30/08/2011 11:23 am
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