 You don't need to be an 'investor' to invest in Singletrack: 6 days left: 95% of target - Find out more
Can anybody give me some ideas here?
I've suffered discoid eczema for the last few years- Weird... I got to almost 40 without any skin problems, got stressed, and developed eczema :-/
Anyway, it is worse on my back, and any covering or build up of heat there makes it flare up a lot (Big red lumps that need steroids and take ages to calm down).
I've binned the bib-shorts and "technical fabrics", finding that a cotton T-shirt is the least irritating. Next step is to try and lose the Camelbak.
So short local rides are ok......... just take a water bottle and small under seat pack for tube, gas and multi-tool.
But what for longer rides?
How to carry more water, jacket, phone, food, keys, etc.
Any ideas?
As a recent covert to road cycling, I'm learning just how much you can carry without needing a backpack. Amazing what you can fit into a few pockets on the back of a jersey. Problem is, if you're definitely stuck with a cotton T, you're unlikely to find any with pockets I suspect. Have you tried a sportswool top?
Old skool bumbag? seemed to work fine for everyone 15 years ago.
I only carry a rucksac in winter or for long rides out in the wilds.
Bottle(s) on frame - 2 is plenty as you can always refill if going out for longer than 5 or 6 hrs
Multitool. stram links, tube, puncture kit, bits and bobs in a small seat pouch. food in jersey pockets, keys in pockets
I don't carry a jacket, (apart from a very small waterproof n jersey pockets if rain forecast) a phone or anything else unneeded
If you need more space than a seat pack how about a bar or frame pack as well?
[url] http://www.buggybags.co.uk/pages/BikeBagOptions.htm [/url]
Have a word with Jon and he'll build you a suitable frame bag.
Wingnut Hyper 2.5 backpack sits very low, on the lower back only. Soooo much nicer in this hot weather.
Alternatively I use a couple of water bottles on the frame and seat pack (ortleib 1 litre for small rides or the big 3 litre ortlieb one for bigger rides with gilet, etc) for tools etc, and rear jersey pockets for trail food etc.
Arm & leg warmers, buff & gilet are all good if you don't have much space. All fit in the larger saddle bag with tools too.
Bumbag/waist pack ([url= http://www.outdoorkit.co.uk/product.php?product_id=1838&utm_source=froogle&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=froogle ]North Face[/url], [url= http://www.cotswoldoutdoor.com/index.cfm/product/osprey-talon-ii-4/fuseaction/products.detail/code/67110050/group/47/level/2 ]Osprey[/url] or similar) or something like a [url= http://www.wingnutgear.com/product_details.cfm?product_id=117 ]Wingnut[/url] (if you can find one)?
[i]Edit: did it really take me 9 minutes to find those links? I should amend to Wingnut +1. :)[/i]
I've got a small CamelBak designed for jogging (like a glorified bumbag with a small bladder) that I used for matathon training. This works ok on a bike. Feels a little wield on steep drops as it can ride up a bit but overall its fine.
The ortileb large saddle bag will fit a huge amount of stuff. I used one on a torridon trip recently - and whilst I think that is probably a bit too bouncy for it really (it did need extra care to ensure properly closed so it couldn't work open, and some of the contents got a bit shaken to pieces) - it survived the trip, and a "normal" MTB route should be fine for it. Large water bottle and refill is required (if close to civilisation tap water shouldn't be too tricky to find, if rural then a stream (with purification if you are worried)). I find it amusing that so many people spend fortunes saving hundreds of grams from their bike, or months on weird diets to loose a few pounds and then pack 2kg more water than they need onto their back...
stanley,
have a spin through the luggage posts in here:
[url] http://www.singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/sick-as-a-dog-so-show-me-you-bivi-bikepacking-adventure-racing-gear [/url]
I'd get a seatpost bag, or maybe a seatpost/bar bag combo if you're going to be going up a lot of steep climbs and you want to balance the weight more towards the front.
If you go for a frame bag, that'll get in the way of your water bottle/s
If you've got a spare bottle mount you can get bottles with large screw cap, into which you can fit a load of stuff.
Hey, thanks for all of these suggestions.
Smartwool? I've got a few Merino tops (Howies, Icebreaker) but they seem to make things worse:-(
Thinking that maybe I use a combination of ideas. I'd thought of a bumbag but dismissed them as I hadn't realised how technical they now are! If I could get one to sit really low down, then maybe that would be good.
Possibly a small frame bag.... would certainly be good for over-nighters.
I only have one water bottle cage mount (Two bikes- both Turners) so need to make maximum use of that.
What cages/bottles would people recommend? I'm using an old one lifted of a road bike, but it isn't very secure.
And what bar bags? I'm assuming that a roll-bag is best?
Thanks
You can clamp on bottle mounts as well
I have a north face lumbar pack, 2 bottle pockets plus around 5 litres of cargo space. Its easily enough for most rides, and no sweaty back.
Possibly a small frame bag
have a look (on ebay) for jandd quite cheap and universal. nbot massive but good enough for a jacket/ few bars etc.
wingnut bags available here http://www.roughrideguide.co.uk/rucksacks.html
I have a wingnut rucksack and it is indeed good.