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A couple of friends and I are planning a 3-day trip in the Cairgorms probably in May. Plan is to end up at a B&B each night so no sleeping bags, tents etc will need to be carried - but we will need to lug spare clothes etc...
Given it is the Cairgorms and the weather is not exactly reliable or if we break anything (bike or people!) it could be several hours walk to civilization I am thinking a [b]KISU/Bothy Bag[/b] would be worth carrying. Can anyone recommend any that pack particularly small/light?
Then I need something to carry gear in - I am working on the assumption that this will be a small rucksack. It needs to fit camelbag, spare tubes (x2), multitool, small first aid kit, phone, waterproof shell, food (at least 1 days worth), very small pair of non bike shoes for evening, spare clothes for evening in the pub, the bothybag, tesco torch, minimal toiletries, etc...
I am also thinking of getting some [b]sort of Gilet[/b] if I can find one that doesn't make me look too camp and cost silly money for a body warmer - the bag will need to fit that too.
I already have a reasonable sized saddle bag and a small camelbag - but I don't think there will be enough space there. So looking for [b]a small day rucksack[/b] - probably with the weight low down - but was wondering about something like this Ortileb one: [url= http://www.cyclestore.co.uk/productDetails.asp?productID=7492 ]http://www.cyclestore.co.uk/productDetails.asp?productID=7492[/url]
Wondering if their are clever ways to pack some of this in the frame - e.g. in a bottle cage?
[i]"very small pair of non bike shoes for evening"[/i]
Have you considered getting a pair of vaguely hiking boot lookalike SPD shoes? Like the specialized tahoes or the shimano equivalents. Would let you take one pair of shoes, and perhaps be better for shouldering/pushing the bike if that were needed. I think only the front part of the shoe is designed to flex, so it shouldn't loose that much stiffness for pedalling. (I've not ridden a set myself though). Just an idea?
For an emergency bag you might want to consider one of these:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Adventure-Medical-Essentials-Heatsheets-Emergency/dp/B000M98A88
or even
Andym - thanks - I haven't tried those specific bags - they look a bit like "Blizzard Bags" which are very good - BUT once you open the bag it never goes bsck in the case (well it will if you have a vacuum cleaner!) so that makes it only useful for an emergency. A [url= http://www.terra-nova.co.uk/Product_Type/Tents/Bivi__Bothy_Bags ]bothy bag like this[/url] means if we get stuck in bad weather we can shelter for an hour and keep warm and dry(ish), even if its just to have lunch or consult the maps to find an alternative route. I like that idea as it means we can use it "preemptively" to stop a grotty day turning into a survival problem. The other benefit is that for a little bit bigger than those bags we can get one shelter big enough for 3.
However if anyone has used the first option you posted I would be interested to hear there experiences.
thanks,
james - thanks for the idea - its a possibility I'll certainly think about although it might be nice to take off wet shoes at the end of the ride and let them dry - I'm thinking about a pair of flip-flops or sandals or something like that.
Check out the Gourdon backpack
[url= http://www.alpkit.com/gourdon/ ]http://www.alpkit.com/gourdon/[/url]
Seems to be a favourite on here.
I reckon you'll need a 25L+.
Also the Hunka bivvy.
[url= http://www.alpkit.com/hunka/ ]http://www.alpkit.com/hunka/[/url]
And whilst you're at it the sleeping bags and other kit too. I think they can kit you fully out within budget.
Thanks HTTP404 - i'll need to get all the bits'n'pieces together and see how much crap we have as I would have though 15L was more than enough. Those Gourdon backpacks certainly look up to the job.
[i]" it might be nice to take off wet shoes at the end of the ride"[/i]
Ah, I hadn't thought about that.
Maybe me own multi-day bike ride footwear plan needs a rethink
You wanted shoes, surely if you're just going to be staying in a B&B or somewhere like that, flip flops would be enough and super light to carry!?
- they look a bit like "Blizzard Bags" which are very good - BUT once you open the bag it never goes bsck in the case (well it will if you have a vacuum cleaner!)
No they definitely aren't the same as the Blizzard bags - you can fold them up and put back into the stuff sack. also they are more fabric-like rather than turkey roasting bag.
Munge chuck - yeah thats the sort of thing I meant by "very small pair of non-bike shoes".
Andym - I'll investigate them a bit more then. Thanks,