I really want to do a bike bivvy ride soon so need to get some kit (although don’t want to go crazy.. on a bit of a budget

Tarp – presumable can get from an outdoor store?
dry bag – something like the alpkit one?
Bivvy bag – the alpkit hunka?

something to cook with

Was actually thinking of driving to the black mountains and giving it a go on sunday for 1 night.

You’ll find a lot here I think: http://www.singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/sick-as-a-dog-so-show-me-you-bivi-bikepacking-adventure-racing-gear

Just been trawling through that 🙂

why can’t i find a bivvy bag with http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk?

trickydisco – ygm re bivvy bags

because bivvys arent mainstream enough for gooutdoors.

try here
http://www.backpackinglight.co.uk/page112.asp

any queries, Bob at backpackinglight is a very friendly chap and happy to answer any qus you have too.

So I see the tesco downbag looks a good buy

http://direct.tesco.com/q/R.200-7415.aspx

Do Alpkit do tarps?

Looks like i’m not going to get enough stuff sorted for this weekend. Going to try and get kits sorted and do a trip the following weekend

You don’t need a tarp if you just want to try out bivvying for a night. Just check the weather forecast, and pick a night when its probably not going to rain.

Go Outdoors do have a few Rab bivvy bags – unhelpfully they are in the sections for “backpacking tents” or “mountain tents”. eg http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/storm-bivi-p153673

trickydisco come and join the fun 😀 http://bearbonesbikepacking.co.uk/phpBB3/index.php

You won’t go far wrong with a Hunka or the Trekmates bag that TJ is flogging. There’s some info about the Tesco down bags on the Bear Bones forum.

Decathlon do some reasonable bivvy kit. I use a decathlon Tarp that did need a bit of additional work to customise it as it didnt have enough eyelets. Decathlon also do a bivvy bag too though I have no idea of how well its made.

The alpkit gear is good, all seems to be of the no-frills but works very well variety. Hunka bivvy bags are good value, well made, pack down small and are highly reccomended. The sleeping bags are good too.

Small stoves are probably the big issue, I use a Primus Eta packlite stove that is flippin brilliant but maybe a little bit pricy if you are just starting out bivvying, MSR pocket rockets are cheaper and can be got for about £20-£30 from Millets (a bit of a faff if its windy) just avoid the cheapo solid fuel stoves as they are, frankly, rubbish.

Otherwise, get a Hunka bivvy bag and any ok-ish sleeping bag, some good warm clothing a big thermos of tea or soup and a clear weather forecast and you’re sorted 🙂

camo tarp off ebay works pretty well. just be careful of the size they go from too small to freakkin massive.

2×3 meters is about right….

I have seen them in the past in Blacks and Cotswold outdoor – both in Broadmead. Cotswold is the best bet of the 2. Dunno if Taunton Leisure in Bedminster stock such things.

Up and Under in Cardiff is also pretty good, they have a web site.

Gooutdoors has Rab storm bivi’s in stock brizzle branch…well they did this afternoon

lots of info here http://www.bikeandbivi.co.uk

Thanks for all the suggestions. I need to get ordering 🙂

*jumps in*

if anyone has a bivvy bag for sale, i’d be intersted!

am also looking at making my own tarp – using materials from http://www.extremtextil.de/ i reckon i can easily make a sub 200g tarp for under £20. will report back once complete (hopefully towards the end of this week).

Dunno how good they are, but blacks have own brand down sleeping bags for £60, down from over £100.

Just seen this vid from the alastair humprheys site

[video]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yYN7kBhK12A[/video]

http://www.alastairhumphreys.com/2011/08/microadventure-competition-howies/

http://www.alastairhumphreys.com/2011/04/microadventure-3-sleep-hill/