OOHh that looks good, makes my 'Cheap' army surplus one look a bit rubbish...((
Bike Forum
Sick as a dog so, show me you Bivi / Bikepacking / Adventure racing gear.....
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Posted 2 years ago #
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It's all in the set up Bigface ... any tarp'll do, tarp choice really comes down to cost v weight
Posted 2 years ago # -
Slugwash - what's the pot your using in your pics - looks an odd shape?
Just been fettling my new epic designs sling on the bike a minute ago. Santa brought me that and the seatpack/waterproof liner. Going to order some of the posh fabric Eric uses for my mk11 frame bag. Going to be a good year 2011.
Think I've fully dialled my bikepacking set up now (although I still intend on making a new tarp before the spring arrives based on the mld trailstar - comparable weight and size but a total cost of £35 rather than £140).
Posted 2 years ago # -
Basil, is that a Z-Lite mat you have there? How do you find it?
I'm trying to de-hassle my camping gear, and if I could replace my Prolite mat with a lighter, cheaper, more robust closed cell mat, that would be great!
Posted 2 years ago # -
13th - you should try a Pacific Outdoor Ether elite (see Lightweight Outdoor blog for a review). Got one last year at it's a Thermarest nano for half the cash (around £50 or less - paid £42 for mine). 400g full length packs up small too
Posted 2 years ago # -
Slugwash - what's the pot your using in your pics - looks an odd shape?
It's from a 'storm kettle'. I wanted a Kelly Kettle but couldn't justify the cost so I got this one from an army surplus shop for a tenner. The pot's brilliant 'cos you can fit a pocket rocket sized stove and a 100g gas canister inside and it weighs about the same as an Alpkit ti Mytimug
The chicken was not cooked. The fox ate it raw
Posted 2 years ago # -
That looks an ace bit of kit Slugwash - use a small snowpeak pot I bought 10 years ago.
Been looking at a Kelly type kettle myself - Kettle link from backpackinglight but just don't think I can justify the cost or the availability of dry wood in a country where it rains so much. Very cool bit of kit though.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Cheers Rik, I'd seen the Neo-airs and equivalents, but can't see how they'd be any more robust than what I have.
It was the combo of lighter, cheaper AND more robust I liked the sound of
Posted 2 years ago # -
s8tannorms - just looking at your tarp again, very nice. It looks a bit like a zpaks hexamid.
Few questions - what tarp did you start with or was it just fabric? Did you sew/cut the tarp for the adjustments, or is it just folded and pegged out? Any closer pics?
Posted 2 years ago # -
This is the bit I don't understand. By the time you have a tarp, pole, guys and peg with a bivy bag as well why not use a tent - the weight is the same surely?
I have bivied with a tarp and bivvy bag and in poor weather its so miserable compared to having a tent.
Posted 2 years ago # -
I think the point is there is a place for both tent and tarp. But a once in a tent you are in an exclosed and small environment. A tarp gives you all the outside space feeling of a bivi but with more protection, you get to see the environment change around you which you don't get in a tent.
I have both and prefer a tarp, but once the midges are around the tent comes out.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Bigface0_0 - Member
Anyone used one of these? Super light and extra small
The Balloonbed is excellent but short! I use a OMM Duomat for my legs, with a GoLite Ultralight quilt it's a fine lightweight system. If it's cold I add Rab Down Socks.
The sleeping bag, socks, mammut pillow, balloon bed easily fits in a 8l Alpkit Drybag, mounted with a Revelate designs harness.
Also have Epic Ride Designs - Mountain Feedbags mounted on the bars
The Rest of the luggage I use is Revelate Designs bags with Backcountry Research 'Awesome Straps' to hold various kit to the bike.
Posted 2 years ago # -
I was thinking of getting one of those Feed Bags. What's the verdict on them?
Posted 2 years ago # -
The feedbags are good, but the service is shocking! Mine took three months with no response to numerous emails. Did get a second one for free though as they acknowledged the crap service! I use them on most rides not just multiday rides
Posted 2 years ago # -
I think there are times and places for all shelter set ups...
Tents,Tarps,bivvy bags and Hennessy Hamocks...
i like the Hennessy Hammock being off the damp ground and also giving a (small ) shelter to sit and cook under, lying being able to look out either side is nice.Though until you get inside theres no midge protection just like with a bivvy here in Scotland unlike with a tent. and you need trees but i usually prefer to ride near the VW coast when away and apart from Harris always found it as easy to find trees to pitch as say a suitable clearing for a tent,
Midges really are the hardest thing to avoid, less on the coast but if in a sheltered area theres no way to avoid them!, yep a smokey fire and midge net/jacket is good but i find cooking and eating the worst so just change eating times and feast when there not out, er feasting on us
Posted 2 years ago # -
[i]Balloon beds are well comfy. I've only had a balloon burst when I was testing it for the first time on the floor at work whilst simulating leaning out of my 'tent' to put an imaginary morning brew on the go, the outermost balloon burst!
However, when used inside a bivi bag balloon beds do tend to move around with you as you roll from your back onto your side leaving you with no cushioning. Also I wouldn't use one for a multi day tour 'cos I'd get sick of blowing the balloons up every night, but for mountain marathons and one or two night ultra-light bivis they're great.
Regarding tarps, I prefer them to a tent any day but only now bother putting one up if there's a danger of rain or a strong cold wind. I bought one of those Alpkit tarps, which is great but TBH, a cheap tarpaulin from a hardware store is not too bad, it's what I used for years and there's much less worry about damaging it with a sparky campfire or on sharp branches...
Ok, what's still left in the wild camping snapshot album then?
A riverside bivi...
Using a Dartmoor wall and a tarp to funnel the cold wind over me...
The dangers of not securing your tarp properly. When Si crashed out the night before there was a layer of nylon between him and the sky...
Posted 2 years ago # -
Midges - 100% deet
Posted 2 years ago # -
I am thinking of making up a bivvy bag for this year - I have found a source of gortex and cordura by the yard. My intent was to make a big bivvy bag with a pole. so sort of halfway to a tent. The aim being to have something that can be zipped up completely and provide good shelter in a highland gale
I guess I only need breathable material for the main part of the top.
My tent is good for two but its two big and heavy for a solo effort
Posted 2 years ago # -
didnothingfatal - Member
The feedbags are good, but the service is shocking! Mine took three months with no response to numerous emails. Did get a second one for free though as they acknowledged the crap service! I use them on most rides not just multiday rides
Cheers, I'm in no hurry so probably worth a punt!
Posted 2 years ago # -
how about a kinda bivvy bag with a hoop and one guy rope TJ?,
i always thought that would be good, i had a Ultimate peapod tent like that once but had no midge net so no use in Scotland!
were planning a few Saturday overnighters on the local Lammermuirs at weekends next year if you fancy it,using the SUW and Herring Road and train stations/cars to get home Posted 2 years ago # -
Got the Rab Ascent bivi bag just before christmas and used it on the last trip and thought it was fantastic.
It's got a built in bug net and can be zipped right up with plenty of space inside so it's not too claustrophobic. The mouth can be kept open with a small tab and some cord to either a bike, tree, wall, etc.
It's made of e-vent so is lighter than goretex and cordura and is a hell of a lot more breathable.
I used a goretex version at the begining of the month on a night which was cold(-6) but dry and had a small amount of damp in my sleeping bag but my new one used on a +4 night and misty/drizzly was bone dry inside. Until recently i thought decent goretex was the dogs but now i'm an e-vent convertPosted 2 years ago # -
I'd be up for that coastkid.
I have a design in my head that I want to try = should need no guys
Posted 2 years ago # -
I dont use a bivy bag anymore, a well set up tarp with decent protection - I use a golite lair 1 and a homemade sinylon groundsheet with the airbed on top with a down bag - not had any problems so far even in windy wet conditions.
I am going to make my own tarp though as I reckon I can get more useable floor space with the bike as part of the structure for stability and bike safety, prob in conjuction with 1 pole.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Oh - does anybody know a good dry bag around 13l that had a narrow/thin diameter?
Currently use a 8l on the handlebars but to go to a 13l means fatter rather than longer. I know epic designs make one but i forgot to order one with my lorder, so not worth it now due to postage.
Looked at Pod, alpkit, ortlieb etc but no luck
Anybody?
Posted 2 years ago # -
Shouldn't need any pole to be able to make a tarp shelter, here's two extra guy ropes attached to the saddle rails to make a two person shelter.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Try this one Rik
Posted 2 years ago # -
I realise this is a bit cheeky so appologies in advance.
I recieved a Rab Storm Bivi bag as an unwanted present a little over a year and a half ago. It has not been used or even opened and i just came accross it un-packing my last few boxes for my new flat. If any one is interested in it i'd happily sell it for £30 posted. My email is in my profile.
Once again appoligies for hijacking the thread
Posted 2 years ago # -
My last bivi on an island on the Spey. Its all horses for courses, the Tarp wont replace any of the tents, its for a change, and a different way of being there.
Posted 2 years ago # -
For any Meths stove users. My daughter got one of these Buxton Kids 250ml bottles yesterday in a lunch pack.
It's nice and small has a squirty top and seems spot on for Meths for 1-2 days. Squeezed it as hard as I could and couldn't pop the cap.
Posted 2 years ago # -
BIG tarps rock - especially paddling, with fires and loadsa kit / warm clothes etc
Carrying everything and trying to go light-as = tent every time for me.
Horse, courses, boats or bikes and all that
Posted 2 years ago # -
My daughter got one of these Buxton Kids 250ml bottles yesterday in a lunch pack.
Knowing my luck it would almost certainly leak within five minutes of going into my pack. I use a small 250ml plastic meths bottle with a 'child proof' lock - no leakage that way
I top it up before leaving home from a big 5 litre meths bottle 'cos it's cheaper that way. 
In the olden days I used to carry around a massive, heavy Sigg bottle full of meths 'cos I thought it was the thing to do
Posted 2 years ago # -
flatfish - nice. What size is that tarp?
Matt
Posted 2 years ago # -
Clicky linky for sizes of the tarp,
http://hennessyhammock.com/specs_70hexdfly.htmlPosted 2 years ago # -
Rik, no more pics sorry (I'll try and sort some). It's just a normal 3m x 3m tarp, in this case from DD hammocks. There's no cutting only folding, I've used tarp clips to hold the folds and also attatch guys where needed. the pole sleeve is also held in place with a tarp clip.
Come midge season I've got a mesh inner tent from bearpawtents.com in the states which hangs in side the tarp and weighs next to nothing. I also had it made with 12" high bathtub sides to help keep any draughts out
Tarp clips came from http://www.ultralightoutdoorgear.co.uk The whole thing inc' pegs, pole and guys comes in around 800g. Add the inner and it's still sub kilo.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Flatfish - thanks for the drybag info
On the tarp front I'm thinking more on the lines of this Tarp link
Interesting find those tarp clips though. I have a Hilleberg UL 3.5x2.9m tarp, I'll see what shapes I can make if I use that to make a trailstar shaped tarp without sewing. Very interesting......
Posted 2 years ago #
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