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why not join us on the WRT?
After much reading and getting excited, I've just seen when its going to be - I have to work that weekend. 🙁
that's too bad can you not swop your shifts it's a long way off???, I maybe doing something over the Easter break, not sure on dates as yet and I am sure the others ^^^^^ will be doing loads of other adventures in the coming months - where are you based??
Work in a bike shop / cycle hire shop so busy on bank holidays, so can't really avoid it.
I'm based in Nottingham and Northampton
What's the wrt?
Worlds roughest trip?
Seriously what is it?
@Becky, you could always join us on one of our trips
http://www.forestfreeride.co.uk/pages/courses2.html#trips
@Charlie ... if you fancy the WRT just pop me an email across
Worlds roughest trip?
😆
and this is post #953, which is the 18th prime number 8)
Ian, did you source the 1.1oz Silnylon from a UK supplier? I'd be interested to know where, the usual suspects are only listing 2oz+
The Suvival Zone Lite still needs a groundsheet under it!
I'm just prototyping an aluminium front luggage bracket from some 6x60mm plate that slots in place of a headset spacer which projects forward under and beyond the stem to support a drybag securely and out the way of cables. It's being welded up by my local engineers shop as I type, I'll hopefully post pictures once it's done next week.
We are out again tonight, temperature forecast looks promising enough to finally try out my new 350g PHD sleeping bag 🙂
Good luck, weathers looking good pretty much all weekend.
Jealous as superb weather at the moment.
Going to be stuck in a bar at a 40th birthday party tomorrow eve 😆
Had a moment of weakness like you last night Stu and purchased a Rig7 Tarp from Alpkit, got fed up of looking and thought I am sure flatfish has researched the kit extensively so if its good enough for the legend then it's good enough for a valleydaddy 😉
and this is post #953, which is the 18th prime number
your on fire Ian 😀
Yes but this post is 957 which if you divide by 33 then multiply by 2, then add 7, then divide by 3 and add 111 then subtract 92.6 will give you my age next week ... how spooky is that?
You'll not go wrong with a Rig Pete ... good enough for the flat one then it's good enough for anyone 😉
Happy 40th
Thank you Matt.
Hey, found my first grey hair today, it's not good. Think I'll order a Rig[7] as well, might just cheer me up. Although I have just won a Kaffenback frame on ebay. Quite pleased about that. I'll add it to my collection of 'yet to be built' bikes. 🙂
Can't edit the original title but maybe it should be:
[i][b]Getting as old as a dog so, show me you mid life crisis Bivi / Bikepacking / Adventure racing gear.....[/b][/i]
Wait until they're not on your head but elsewhere 😉
Happy 40th Stu for next week
Can we have a STW party????
No 'cos I'm still antisocial 😀
EDIT: Saying that though, it was Percy the llamas 16th birthday last week so everyone had extra carrots and a chorus of happy birthday, suppose I can't be that antisocial 😉
Was Rio Ferdinand upset he lost the captaincy though??
He got extra carrots too ... I'm amazed you remember their names.
Was Rio Ferdinand upset he lost the captaincy though??
Oh dear! It looks like I'll have to grab my doss sack and a tin of beans and head off into the hills to avoid any football talk.
Crikey, I hate the game It don't belong on a camping thread 😉
Don't worry slugwash ... the Llama is called Ferdinand after the prince not the tosser, just people assume it must be the tosser. I also hate football with a passion.
I thought it was an awesome name for your llama 😀
just one of those random things you remember from time to time Stu 😀
Don't worry slugs we'll get back on track
will we break the 1000 post mark tonight?????
so what is everyone shopping for tonight I picked up one of these today as I needed a mug/bowl/cup and thought as it folds flat it will go in the frame bag really well.
http://www.ellis-brigham.com/camping/sea-to-summit/253192/x-mug
will we break the 1000 post mark tonight?????
not going to happen tonight 🙁
971 - 20th prime number
IGMC
edit - on a more serious note, I'll post up some pics of my Caldera Clone in a mo - just finishing it off
OK then, serious (foil) hat on now: Caldera Clones.
I googled them and found a long and detailed thread on Outdoors Magic [url= http://www.outdoorsmagic.com/forum/forummessages/mps/dt/3/UTN/22357/last/1/V/2/SP/ ]here[/url]. I emailed the guy who worked out a template to create them and he sent me the latest version. It uses PostScript language, which for PC's you'll need to download some (free) software to open it up. I use a Mac, which conveniently turned the .ps file into .pdf without me having to do anything special.
I fiddled around with a couple of paper versions first to try out the various parameters of the template:
[url= http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5258/5454725726_6c66b75b0e_m.jp g" target="_blank">
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/15512491@N08/5454725726/ ]Caldera Clone - paper trial[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/15512491@N08/ ]ianbarrington[/url], on Flickr
Once I was happy with the a template, I sourced some 0.15mm alu foil from [url= http://www.backpackinglight.co.uk/product308.asp?PageID=110 ]here[/url], and then printed and cut out out my final template:
[url= http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5182/5557109188_0a43411e61_m.jp g" target="_blank">
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/15512491@N08/5557109188/ ]Caldera clone ready to be cut out[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/15512491@N08/ ]ianbarrington[/url], on Flickr
After about half an hour I had this, though I still need to add the vent holes:
[url= http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5051/5559246327_70fef97034_m.jp g" target="_blank">
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/15512491@N08/5559246327/ ]Completed Caldera Clone[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/15512491@N08/ ]ianbarrington[/url], on Flickr
The final version I produced had a series of fissues on it that interlock, so I can split it down into two parts, roll it up and pop it in my pan, thus:
[url= http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5225/5559828776_efe30b979b_m.jp g" target="_blank">
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/15512491@N08/5559828776/ ]Caldera Clone packed[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/15512491@N08/ ]ianbarrington[/url], on Flickr
It weighs 21g, which is a 5g lighter my the other one, but looks more stable and more effective at excluding drafts.
Overall it was all a bit of a faff, but I'm quite pleased with it. It cost me £7 instead of £35 for a proper Caldera one. However, I suspect that the Caldera ones would be a thicker grade foil, as you have to handle this stuff a little more carefully. Because of this, I think it will be susceptible to picking up small creases or folds through use, but we'll see.
As ever, you learn a lot doing the first one, and there is only enough foil supplied to do one, even for a small pan such at the Tibetan 550.
Very nice job Ian, it'll be interesting to see what effect it has on boil times. If it works well I anticipate a world foil shortage 😉
that's great Ian, I like the idea of the wind shield as in the link you put up, but in my quest for weenieness I guess it would be too heavy 😕
Got my alpkit today so my smaller gear is coming together.
I also remembered I had one of these
http://www.trekmates.co.uk/569/Trekmates-Bivvy-Bag.html
that I had from TK Maxx last year reduced to £5
only 366g so may come on WRT if the weather is looking good to reduce weight and bulk.
Do you lot use these on tarps
http://www.alpkit.com/shop/cart.php?target=product&product_id=16304&category_id=250
as in this
[IMG] 
[/IMG]
I think it would be a good idea, as it will speed tarp set up, as you can just move the clips to the right place and lash it down. No fumbling around undoing knots etc.
Next thing I need to practice my knot tying 🙂
I hope there's room for two under that Tarp pete - you know how pissed off I get when there's no space!
🙁 Try again...
Looking at tarps its a fight off between the Alpkit rig and the integral siltarp, anyone use a siltarp? Its lighter than the alpkit rig so getting pulled towards it, but not seen either in the flesh.
Think it's down to compromise John ... siltarps are pretty expensive compared to Alpkit for the same size, so it all depends whether the weight saving is worth it to you. Polythene tarp's lighter than anything 😉
@Valleydaddy, I've used clips before on tarps, work well enough. Flatfish has some very nice bits and bobs for rigging tarps up without needing to be a boy scout in the knot department.
So if i'm looking to build up a new bike that is bikepacking friendly, any suggestions?
Has to have gears and no 29ers (i'm lazy and short)
@s8tannorm - once I've done the vents I'll do a boil test to the same standards as my recent test for a close comparison.
@Anthony - I got my silnylin from Quest Outfitters in the US. Carrington apparently make it in the UK, but it appears impossible to get hold of
@Chew - something like an On One Inbred would be a good starting point I think. Being short doesn't necessarily preclude a 29er, check out the WRT blog for the bike Stu is building: that's a 29er and he's not known for being lanky
I've got a Scandal but I reckon on Inbred (bit more give/comfort) would be better. Idea was just to keep it simple.
All easy to service / trail repair
3x9 XT/SLX drive train
BB7 cable brakes
Coil forks
Whatever was cheap at On-one that week, that sort of stuff. (Hence the comedy disc brakes!)
[img] 
[/img]
For one end of the ridgeline (Niteize knotbone)
[img] 
[/img]
And to tighten it all up (Figure 9 rope tightener)
[img] 
[/img]
The Encylopedia of Knots and Ropework by Geofrey Budworth is worth getting if you want to learn knot tying fir yourself
Mini Lineloc's and 1.5mm dyneema makes for great guying btw.
Thanks for the info Ian. I suspect the siltarp is the easiest option then, especially as it's notoriously difficult to sew anyway.
Thats the 200g Rab Survival Zone-Lite and a Siltarp1 now on the wish list for this summer then. £160 to save 200g, it's about the same cost as saving weight from an XC race bike!!
So thats Sleeping bag, bivvy bag, tarp, cooker and down vest all in under 1KG, Nice.
We had a great time bivvying in the caves on Stannage Edge Friday night, it was cold and uncomfortable sleeping on the uneven rocks though. Fortunately I had my down jacket to suppliment the 8'C sleeping bag so was toasty warm 🙂
So thats Sleeping bag, bivvy bag, tarp, cooker and down vest all in under 1KG, Nice.
Sounds very good indeed. Just remind me exactly what this comprises of again?
No need for those flatfish, just use an italian hitch knot. 🙂
Think it's down to compromise John ... siltarps are pretty expensive compared to Alpkit for the same size, so it all depends whether the weight saving is worth it to you. Polythene tarp's lighter than anything
Cheers, think im going to go the polythene route with some of those tarp clips
My advice for the poly tarp would be to edge the short sides with duct tape ... it'll stop the thing tearing, the short sides seem to be the ones that that the greatest stress.
I hope there's room for two under that Tarp pete - you know how pissed off I get when there's no space!
always room for you Sir yes Sir 😉
cheers for the ideas about knots etc, I will get practicing
PHD Minim Ultra sleeping bag (genuine 900EU fill mmmmmm) 345g
PHD Minimus vest 240g
Rab Survival Zone Lite bivvy bag 200g (claimed)
Siltarp1 200g (claimed)
Caldera stove 16g
1001g, 1g over, sorry Ian! (add in 68g for balloon bed, forgot that beauty!)
At the moment my tarp is 320g, home-made from 2oz nylon and my bivvy bag is a standard Suvival Zone @320g hence the 200g saving from the 2 items mentioned above.
I almost went for the 150g Ultra vest but the Minimus is one that I can wear day in day out so could justify the cost a bit more. My kit is far from money no object, everything is obsessed over then saved up for.
And yes I know that doesn't include the sundries required for them like dry bags, fuel, wind shield, cooking pans, pegs etc. I could list those too but there is a limit to how much of a geek I'll admit to!
(My ballon bed stuff sack weighed 7g, I sewed it in half as it was too big anyway!! most of the time I prefer to leave stuff sacks at home anyway.)
What can I say, the kit prep is half the fun.