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Bikepack Repack SL large seatpack (bag & tarp)
15l drybag on bars (bivvy, mat, fleece)
Might be worth trying to split this lot up ... wet tarp in the same space as a sleeping bag could spell disaster.
Sleeping bag, mat and fleece might be a better mix 😉
Any of you bivvy afficionados do so in the MOD land around Farnborough/Aldershot?
Midge proof bivvy bag - http://bearbonesbikepacking.blogspot.co.uk/2012/08/borah-gear-bivvy-bag.html
Molgrips ive done alot of riding in that area and so long as you dont go getting in the armys way no ones likely to be bothered. Some excelent hiden trails around the old machine gun bunkers aswell.
A couple of shots from the weekend, for those of you who let mowing the lawns/visiting the in-laws/fill in the blank, get in way of riding your bike. 😀
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Right guys I'm going to get myself some budget bikepacking kit....I think that I'm going to get the cheap Gelert 1 man tent (I don't much fancy the idea of a bivvy bag) I'm also going to get the tesco down sleeping bag. What sleeping mat would you recommend? I've seen both the alpkit numo and dirtbag...that is about the top of my budget tbh-I'm not a great sleeper so I'd like something that favours comfort. I've read all 56 pages of this thread today-best thread on stw!!
You can't really beat Alpkit for price/performance
Which type would you recommend though....the balloon style one or the self inflating type?
I've read all 56 pages of this thread today
Brilliant.
I love that enthusiasm when you find something new to be psyched on!
The numo is hard to beat for weight, comfort and packed size.
I'm currently using an air mattress, which is more compact than a self inflating and comfier. But tbh, I rarely get a good nights sleep when camping as I'm a side sleeper. Usually the terrain is the limiting factor.
Don't forget some earplugs for when it's windy...
Also, the thread is now 65 pages, keep up 😛
...I'm also going to get the tesco down sleeping bag
Can you still get them? I thought they were discontinued.
Yep turns out that you cant get them!...can anyone recommend a cheapish sleeping bag please? It wont be used in silly cold temps.
I love my Mountain Hardware Lamina synthetic bag.
I paid £70 discounted for the 35 model I think (from a shop in hathersage).
Not quite as small/light as a down bag, but not very far off at all. (in a class of it's own as far as I can tell).
http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/product-search/text/lamina
http://www.blacks.co.uk/product/096732.html
Edit: Hmmm - I didn't realise the Tesco bag was as cheap as £20. Hmmmm.
I got one of those Lamina 35s when Go Outdoors were selling off stock. Fabulous bag - almost as light/compact as my down bag but potentially better for bivvying.
Can someone point me in the right direction for buying some Cordura fabric please? I'm looking to get some to make a handlebar harness but can only seem to find it in huge volumes.
I'm probably just being crap as its early and I've nearly finished work...
Can someone point me in the right direction for buying some Cordura fabric please?
[url= http://www.profabrics.co.uk/ ]UK SUPPLIER[/url]
I have some Cordura fabric I think there is 2 meter ish
My son and I took a little jaunt on Monday night, probably not as 'core as some on here as it involved being dropped off in the [i]wilderness[/i] by the missus in our car :
The walk in.
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Tent up and then bye bye to mum.
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The evenings activities.
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Campfire with a lovely dusk approaching.
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Scary story time.
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Off to skinny dip.
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Luuuvverly.
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In the morning we got to see huge shoals of fish (? mackerel) all jumping close to shore, thousands of them, an angler reckoned they were herding on the sand eels ready for the kill. We could actually hear them splashing from our tent. Might invest in a fishing rod next.
The tent i used was a £30 Coleman Rigel X2 (<1kg) which i really like the size of. We slept the night with the long door rolled up but it still produced condensation on the inside above our feet which dripped. I think maybe the same design but in a waterproof and breatheable material would be great be very expensive.
probably not as 'core as some on here
Seeing as it looks like you pitched up at the end of Slapton Sands known for dodgy nocturnal activities I'd say it was, almost literaly, [i]'core[/i] 😉
Seeing as it looks like you pitched up at the end of Slapton Sands known for dodgy nocturnal activities I'd say it was, almost literaly, 'core
ahhh, yes, in the morning we chatted to a naked fisherman - he had some well used tackle 😆
[url= http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7228/7163553610_8d478ea59f.jp g" target="_blank">
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/yorkshirebiking/7163553610/ ]IMG_0667[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/yorkshirebiking/ ]Yorkshirebiking[/url], on Flickr
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[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/yorkshirebiking/7163548126/ ]IMG_0676[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/yorkshirebiking/ ]Yorkshirebiking[/url], on Flickr
[url= http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8016/7163568502_9306d3d4c1.jp g" target="_blank">
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/yorkshirebiking/7163568502/ ]IMG_0650[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/yorkshirebiking/ ]Yorkshirebiking[/url], on Flickr
[url= http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7236/7163539978_b3c2cded11.jp g" target="_blank">
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/yorkshirebiking/7163539978/ ]IMG_0685[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/yorkshirebiking/ ]Yorkshirebiking[/url], on Flickr
Back in May I completed the Cairngorm Loop ITT. a 196 mile self supported ride around the beautiful Cairngorm Mountains. After 34 beautiful & brutal miles I finished what has to be my most memorable ride to date 🙂 I wrote a blog artical after the event. I hope you like the read.
[url= http://riderscyclecentre.com/?p=239 ]Cairngorm Loop blog.[/url]
Great job Sturider.
The Cairngorm Loop is certainly on my list. I need to work on my endurance/fitness first though. There's no way I could do 200 offroad miles in 2-3 days just yet.
PSA: Alpkit Airlok XTra dry bags (the ones with the attachment pooints) now back in stock.
Also the Gourdon drybag backpacks.
They seem to have stopped doing black though 🙁
Just seen that the alpkit dry bags are back in stock. A question: How well will they attach to a hardtail using just straps and no rack/clever homemade cages? I'm thinking of a 13l on my bars and a 20l strapped to my seatpost and saddle.....will I die?
I use a 8L under the saddle and a 13L on the handlebars with only straps (and some double-sided velcro to wrap around the setapost) and it's all good.
The only problem is that the end right under the saddle can get a bit wide for thighs, so you learn to pack something narrow in that bit, or just stuff soft stuff in and then batter it narrow 🙂
I personally wouldn't go bigger than 8L though, because it's difficult to stabilise the load side-to-side. You have to have the bag aligning vertically, which means the attachment points are at the top and bottom of the bag. If you're handy with a sewing machine, you could make a sling for it, That might get a 13L on. I still wouldn't go for 20L.
I do something similar to alexsimon, but if you clip the roll top clip of the dry bag round top of the seatpost, you can cantilever the bag out the back upside down, with a bungee round the saddle rails. This keeps it out of the way of your thighs. I've done it with a 13l dry bag too, although that was a bit wobbly ...
I've had one of the Tesco down sleeping bags for a year or so and only got around to using it on a family camping trip last week. Unfortunately, I found the zip was more than a little crap and very stiff indeed. Can anyone recommend an effective zip lubricant for plastic zips?
On said trip, was in Tesco in Bangor, and spotted that they currently have a small synthetic bag for £20. It packs down about as small as the old lightweight down bags but is obviously not rated to be quite as warm. They also have 2.6kg 2-man tents for £20 and a 3-man for £25. Probably a bit cosy for 2/3, but disposable at those prices.
[quote=DoctorRad ]I've had one of the Tesco down sleeping bags for a year or so and only got around to using it on a family camping trip last week. Unfortunately, I found the zip was more than a little crap and very stiff indeed. Can anyone recommend an effective zip lubricant for plastic zips?
Try rubbing it with a candle.
What he ^ said.
I've used a 20ltr alpkit bag on the saddle/seatpost. I bit big, but fine with light items in it. Down bag & vest in my case. Although TBH I could compress both smaller. No issues on moderate descents, no so great when it gets really steep.
Suppose I ought to add a few shots from my partner and her daughters first ever Dartmoor bivvy last weekend.
I know it's not biking but they are both getting into MTB and this first outing went down a storm, so a first bike bivvy is planned probably with Slugwash and his little'un
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A rare this year perfect dawn on Dartmoor
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Coffee for us....
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Hot chocolate for her
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Loads of small trout in that stream
Good work there Mr Things.
looks great.
Out of curiosity whats the best thread for using with cordura 1000d?
Top draw images
Weekend fatpacking trip, with breakfast served on the beach 8)
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Perfect weekend, but realising I need to source another sleepmat.
What is out there that is light, small & cheap 😉
Double post 😳
Ace pics. I've been looking at the alpkit sleeping mats....they do a few that are £40 that are pretty light. Can anybody recommend me a cheap sleeping bag?
I've got both the Alpkit Numo and Pacific Outdoor Ether mats, both brilliant airbed-types. Very light, small pack size and not overly expensive (got the Ether on sale for about £25, Numo at the Alpkit yard sale for £20...}
No bikes but first proper bivvy for years, with many 'ah thats a good idea/item to take' gained from this thread so thanks muchly. 😀
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Being properly pissed and it being 3am before i went to sleep probably helped aswell. 😳
Been reading this thread for a while now, some great set ups and great trips!
Though i'd chip in and mention that Alpkit have a Hunka for £5 (with a faulty coating) that may be of use under a tarp or could even be re-waterproofed.
http://www.alpkit.com/shop/cart.php?target=product&product_id=16869&category_id=282
Worth a look for a £5, order placed..)))
be aware in the classifieds in the coming months for an abundance of these with folk trying to cash in, but definitely tempting
NE Scotland coast camping
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Mr Shinythings in the pics you put on a couple of weeks ago what is that shiny thing you are using to make coffee and where would I find one?
motorman those pics are the same as a few weeks back!
End of Summer road trip. Forests, camping municipals and a Formula 1 hotel....
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[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/8308384@N06/sets/72157631581520666/with/8006113712/ ]Flickr - Brittany by Bike[/url]
I've been looking at the Salsa Minimalist Rack but for the limited use it might get and the fact that it costs over £60, I thought I'd do a bit of a botch job using the £9.99 one that's on offer this week in Aldi, which I've used successfully on the rear for several years.
It looks like this
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Salsa Minimlist rack 526 grams £66
Aldi £9.99 rack original weight 1100 grams
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Aldi £9.99 rack now weights 650 grams
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It even goes around a Big Fat Larry Fat tyre on a 100mm wide rim
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I drilled another hole in the silver bottom fixing strip (above shot) to rasie the rack a touch higher
Excess weight trimmed and it's weight is straight over the bottom bolts
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So, as long as I don't overload it cable ties should be perfect for fixings and weight saving
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I cut a tiny square of inner tube and raped it in duct tape to stop rubbing the fork.
Bike packing potato masher... Very versatile
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^ : ) always go for dual-use kit... drink then mash. or mash then pass drink to mate, open a different one yourself.
Jon climber... Chap, I don't think you should secure a front rack with a zip tie.
If it fails the rack will fall forward, and it, plus whatever is on it will go under your front wheel,
You may well walk away from this, but you may well also roll in the traffic.
Salsa's own rack has been recalled because this fork mounting has failed.
Singlespeedpunk Alex had one of these brackets fail (not a salsa) on the ride to ssec.
I would get a strip of metal or two and run it from the fork hole, to the rack.
An old reflector bracket might do it.
You could easily drill the plate where the bikemate logo is.
Leave the safety label on there for its ironic qualities 🙂
Cheers Charlie, CoastKid just said the same elsewhere and I'm going to order one of these tomorrow
+1 on the rack.
Had a rear rack slip onto the wheel which was scary - front would be worse.
John, that will do the trick.
Does this count as a bivvi? 😉
[url= http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8188/8138128117_36a8dcebd3_b.jp g" target="_blank">
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/matt_outandabout/8138128117/ ]Canoe river Spey[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/matt_outandabout/ ]matt_outandabout[/url], on Flickr
[url= http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8464/8138184808_5398d1356c_b.jp g" target="_blank">
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/matt_outandabout/8138184808/ ]Canoe river Spey[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/matt_outandabout/ ]matt_outandabout[/url], on Flickr
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[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/uphilldownhill/8258966486/ ]P1010039[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/uphilldownhill/ ]portchspics[/url], on [url= http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8083/8257900435_236e8fca9b_c.jp g" target="_blank">
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/uphilldownhill/8257900435/ ]P1010042[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/uphilldownhill/ ]portchspics[/url], on [url= http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8340/8258964780_a25b1585c9_c.jp g" target="_blank">
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/uphilldownhill/8258964780/ ]P1010043[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/uphilldownhill/ ]portchspics[/url], on Flickr
Dartmoor Sat night, a bit wild and wet, but better than having to sit through x Factor.
You had the weather for it Instant hit 🙂 What part of the moor did you head for then?
Rode up the track from top of Lydford village then up to Great Links Tor, bit off a hike a bike for last 500m and very wet underfoot. Had a reasonable night though.
Been thinking about bivvying food, and I reckon I could rustle up a decent eggs Benedict for brekkie, by using the Whitebox stove. Only caveat would be having to use a wee tub of shop bought hollandaise, but by Christ, how luxurious would eggs benedict be whilst out in the hills!.
2300 WOOHOO. I love this thread.
I did note: No "Nuit de bivvy Internationale" was not on the STW Calendar 🙁
Flash in the pan amateurs. 🙄
This post hasn't seen any action recently... I was enjoying the pics! Good inspiration and tips.
Anyone been braving the rain and cold and got any photos from recent trips?
Great to see the thread ongoing, I was meant to be going on an annual walk / bivy tonight but have ditched - its been raining for days, and will be character building in the extreme - need colder weather!
I was enjoying the pics! Good inspiration and tips.
Some really nice pics on this thread ... might produce some inspiration.
[url= http://bearbonesbikepacking.co.uk/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=1436 ]Bear Bones[/url]
Sleeping bag recommendations please. Thinking 4 season, but not sure weather to go to the expense of a down bag over synthetic? Surely there must be some good deals around at the moment?
My tent and various other goodies have turned up over the past two days....hoping to get out soon!
Got a Hunka XL for Christmas. Need a couple of other little bits and planning an Ullswater.skyline bivi with my brother in the summer inspired by this thread. May do something a bit more tame first to check the bivi set up and riding with the kit when the weather gets better.
Anyone with Alpkit Skyehigh600 or Pipedream 400/600 bags out there?
Please can you share your experiences of using these year round in the UK? Pack size and weight seem to be the differentiating factors.
One of my thoughts for getting a 4 season bag is so that I have a bag ready to go for any trips to altitude or colder climates - my Wife and I are planning a trip to Iceland this year.
Pipedream 400 is all you need for the UK.
Used it down to -10c with extra clothes on and had a decent nights sleep.
Depends how warm/cold you sleep and what mat you're sleeping on, but the pd400 is cutting it fine for 4 season UK use.
I certainly couldn't cope with -10' with only 400g of 700fp down.
The pd600 boosted with a down jacket is a better bet. Or better still a pd400 for 3 season and a pd800 for winter use!
Thanks for advice chaps. Have settled for a SkyeHigh 600 as it weighs the same and appears to pack down to the same dimensions as a Snugpack synthetic 2 season I've had for 16 years! So should be fine for what I require.
Will see how it fairs next weekend as Mrs Julioflo has set a New Years resolution to Bivvy at least once a month for the whole year. I'll be helping here keep this, so will update with progress on here!
Who has an MLD Trailstar?
Opinions would be great - got a normal tarp but thinking of selling my Vaude Power Lizard and getting a Trailstar and Oookworks inner.
Should I ??
Got a Trailstar with a BPWD inner.
Love it after initial concerns.
Here's my Trailstar on the slopes of a Welsh mountain ... it was August although it looks like March 😉
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Also, here's my BPWD Lair with Pyra inner net ... superb set up. Not as roomy as a TS but the smaller footprint comes in handy at times.
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Will see how it fairs next weekend as Mrs Julioflo has set a New Years resolution to Bivvy at least once a month for the whole year. I'll be helping here keep this, so will update with progress on here!
Good luck with that.
[url= http://bearbonesbikepacking.co.uk/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=1471 ]Bear Bones Bivvy A Month[/url]
Looking good...
I would like versatility for two people if needed without adding huge amount of weight.
The power lizard is huge compared to a laser and can sleep 2 comfortably for a couple of nights unlike a laser.
What's the complete weight with inners? What poles are you using due to needing two?
Does MLD mark the parcel down for customs?
What's the complete weight with inners? What poles are you using due to needing two?
Don't use an inner with mine Rik so can't help there, sorry. I've been using an MSR adjustable pole (shortened), not the lightest but it's going nowhere. You can usually find a stick for the front pole or use your bike.
Does MLD mark the parcel down for customs?
Bought mine S/H from the States but I believe you do tend to get stung when buying direct from MLD. I've seen that MLD have made a prototype 'mini' Trailstar which looks interesting.
If it's a bombproof 2 person shelter you're after then I don't think you can do better given the weight, pack size and cost.
Think I'd love a MLD Bigstar that they produced as a proto. But very uncertain if they will be ever produced as stock item.
The I could keep the power lizard and replace my ageing hilleberg touring tent with a bigstar. Doubt it's going to happen though - hence looking at the trailstar again