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I was jealous of the 29ers my 26er looked so twee 😉
Looks like a great time was had by all - where was the bivi site?
It was near Brecon 😉
I 'd just about work d that one out!
My guess is on the ridge running above and east of the gap?
check your text 😉
Can i just ask, all these photo's of improvised tarp solutions seem to show one person getting fully under a tarp and still using a waterproof bivvy... then their mate doing the same. For all the talk of saving weight it seems none of you have though up the obvious solution of sharing one tarp, heads under, feet out.
fair comment but we were trying out tarp set ups in readiness for the WRT.
In answer to your query yes we could have shared a tarp between the 3 of us but someone was just thinking of himself 8)
all these photo's of improvised tarp solutions seem to show one person getting fully under a tarp ... then their mate doing the same. ........sharing one tarp, heads under, feet out.
Crikey, if I go to sleep outside in the wilds (or in the UK 😉 ) the last thing I want to do is snuggle up with two or three other people I'm not a parent or partner to. I've got a young family and have to do that often enough at home. When I go out on a bivi I want some space.
getting fully under a tarp and still using a waterproof bivvy...
I'm not bothering taking a bivi bag out tomorrow. I'll just use a sleeping bag like the good old days before I wasted tons of money on superfluous bivi kit 😉
There was some discussion last night as to whether we should put the tarps up at all, though I was glad to shelter from the cool evening breeze under mine in the end. For reference, we were over 600m height.
As valleydaddy says, it was a bit of a kit test in advance of WRT with the aim of becoming a bit more practiced in being self sufficient, albeit with some company.
Another thing to note is that for longer trips the drier you can keep waterproof breathable fabric the better it performs. The last time I slept out during a wet night with the lower part of my bag out of a very small tarp my sleeping bag was soaked due to condensation as it couldn't breathe efficiently through the film of water. For trips of longer than a couple of nights an exposed bivvy bag isn't really practical especially with very lightweight down sleeping bags.
You could argue that a full on goretex/event hooped bivvy bag used with a shared tarp would work but then the bivvybag on its own is heavier than many of the lightweight solo set ups shown here.
The last time I slept out during a wet night with the lower part of my bag out of a very small tarp my sleeping bag was soaked due to condensation...
I'm finding that, rain or shine, the foot end of my sleeping bag nearly always suffers from condensation in my bivi bag (Rab Survival Zone)
For trips of longer than a couple of nights an exposed bivvy bag isn't really practical especially with very lightweight down sleeping bags.......You could argue that a full on goretex/event hooped bivvy bag used with a shared tarp would work but then the bivvybag on its own is heavier than many of the lightweight solo set ups shown here.
If your using a tarp them a bivi bag isn't necessary, except perhaps to draftproof your sleeping bag if it's extra windy.
In fact, even without a tarp, a bivi bag's only needed if it's wet, or there's a cold wind, or as an external 'liner' to add an extra layer of insulation to a not-quite-adequate sleeping bag. You can carry a bivi bag on a multiday trip but you're not obliged to use it every night unless conditions dictate.
That's very true Slugwash. We do seem to think that if we've no tent then we must have a bivvy bag. The last few nights around here a sleeping bag and mat would be all that's needed.
Just packing my new bag for tonight.
Slugwash is gonna be really jealous.
In my experience it doesn't matter what fancy kit you use, you will never negate bag dampness, but using a fleece liner as an outer certainly helps.
Hi all new here,
1st off just gotta say this is one of the BEST blog feeds going on at the moment 😀 Loads of good information and links, well done and keep up the good work.
So iam a keen camper and enjoy cycling so my girlfreind signed me up for the WRT for my birthday 😆 and after reading all 39 pages so far think iam nearly there with my kit but thought id show you my prototype all in 1 cooking system.
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550ml Aluminum pot with screw lid = 72g
Pot cozy with lid = 23g
Aluminum wind shield = 23g
Soda can stove (max fuel capacity 2 oz) = 11g
primer pan = 7g
2 oz Fuel bottle empty = 16g
Aluminum folding spork = 20g
Silicon lip guard for drinking hot food right out of the pot= 6g
Plastic prep mat = 11g
Foam Holding Pad for eating hot food right out of the pot = 4g
Total weight 191g
You could make this lighter by removing some items or cutting a few bits down on size!
@ matty2fatty - nice bit of work there fella 😀
Make sure the lids not screwed on whilst cooking or it'll explode 😯
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ppssssssssssssssssss KERBOOOM 😯
Thanks, usually just rest the lid on top of the pot, but could put a few holes in the top but seems a shame as can also use it to carry cold/hot water with as well, ahh and can also use it as a hot water bottle !!!
ahh and can also use it as a hot water bottle !!!
Hopefully you won't need that function on the WRT 😉
But holes would allow you to drain stuff.
WRT will be warm enough that you'll not need a hot water bottle.
WRT will be warm enough that you'll not need a hot water bottle.
here's hoping
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True I wont need a hot water bottle but wanna try and make it universal as possible, maybe add two lids 1 with holes and 1 with out then can change as your need do.
Come across this the other day
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280646350145&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT#ht_500wt_1156
or
http://www.luxeoutdoor.com/eng/catalog-topic-gallery-view1.asp?id=821&selfpath=/12/125
anyone used one??
not used one but maybe worth a punt for the price if available again.
but at around 1kg not bad for a "tent" to get out of bad weather
Well time for the first bivi trip of the year. Was planning to get the train from Leeds to Dent, but missed that so settled on Skipton for a start.
Beautiful day, great decents, and a nice bar meal in Kettleworth.
Rode up into the hills to make camp, before sunset.
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Then snap, chain broke 40 miles from home. Its going to be a long walk. 😯
Managed to set up camp while i thought of a plan.
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Luckly the chain snapped in a place where a could singlespeed it. Gently rode/pushed my way back to Skipton, fingers crossed that the trains were running on an Easter Sunday. They were phew....
Not the adventure i planned but an 'adventure'...
Some nice pics there chew 😀
Adventure is what it's all about 😆
If your using a tarp them a bivi bag isn't necessary
...unless the ground is already wet from rain! The bag I was using at the time also happened to be a Survival Zone but I never really suffered with excessive condensation at other times.
Great pictures Matty and thanks for the inclusion of the weights 🙂 Did you make the pot cosy?
[Did you make the pot cosy?]
Yes made it myself, gotta say it all well made and works well keep hot for a cup of tea/coffee for over an hour
Where did you get the material?
At £13 I'm tempted to buy one, but I'm always up for a bit of MOYG
got it from B&Q
[url= http://www.diy.com/diy/jsp/bq/nav.jsp?action=detail&fh_secondid=10617653&fh_reftheme=promo_159792389%2cseeall%2c%2f%2fcatalog01%2fen_GB%2fcategories%3c%7b9372016%7d%2f_eco_indicators%3e%7bsaves_energy%7d%2fcategories%3c%7b9372050%7d&fh_view_size=12&fh_location=%2f%2fcatalog01%2fen_GB%2fcategories%3c%7b9372016%7d%2f_eco_indicators%3e%7bsaves_energy%7d%2fcategories%3c%7b9372050%7d%2fcategories%3c%7b9372230%7d&fh_eds=ß&fh_refview=lister&isSearch=false ]link[/url]
Will start to sell these got 10 on the go at the moment just gotta work on a price 😀
Looks like everyone's had some nice bivi action over the weekend..
nice pics
Not everyone 😕 😉
No I've got to wait to next weekend before I can get out for the first test of everything SDW here we come.. Bet the weathers rubbish now after it being so nice this weekend..
It'll be scorching next weekend 'cos I'm out too ... in fact I shall be out nearly all week 😀
I really like this thread, it has to be one of the longest running yet! I am really interested in the idea of using the bike and front wheel as a support for tarp, as in Ian bs pics above, Ian do you secure the bike to the ground first?
Does anyone know when the tiger frame bags are likely to appear? Would love to get one but can't wait/ afford to go the revelate route....
James - I don't secure the bike to the ground first and the tension in the fabric and guy lines holds it in place. A bit tricky to erect to begin with, but perfectly do-able in 5 mins or so. If it was very windy pitch, I would pass the guy line over the top of the wheel, back round under the rim and through the tarp loop again before tightening up against the peg - this would make the bike less likely to slip if the tension in the tarp reduces in a gust. Various ways of doing it - clove hitch is another example.
tiger frame bags - do you mean Wildcat? Things are likely to get rolling again early June, after the Welsh Ride Thing. In the meantime, the email channel is open to get some idea on options/ costs: http://www.singletrackworld.com/members/wildcat
The trouble with using the bike as an integral part of your shelter is that it can be a right pain if you want to ride to the pub later 🙂
Anyway, here's my kit for a three week camping trip across the Pyrnees I did a couple of years ago. Not much there...
[url= http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2464/3849610321_8f13078ab8.jp g" target="_blank">
Left to right: Epic seat bag which takes 2 green drybags - 1 spare riding gear (one shorts, one jersy, spare socks), 1 evening wear (shorts, belt, pants, long sleeve wool top), flip-flops, silk bag liner, blue bag contains Big Agnes sleeping bag, above is sleep mat, then yellow beanie, arm warmers, pack towel, Haglof Goretex jacket with bungey washing line, phd down vest, glasses, iPod, Garmin and charger, penknifes, spork. Also washbag, lock and little tool kit on bike. Done.
Oops yes wildcat, not tiger, Cheers for info!
Things are likely to get rolling again early June, after the Welsh Ride Thing.
Damn, was going to ask about a bar roll for WRT 🙁
Chipps - you can always pitch the tarp in the beer garden 😉
Notice you've got no cooking stuff there which saves a bit if you can aim for civilisation each night.
Tiger - we're aiming to do a small run of these in time for the WRT, so don't worry.
Ian - I'm not convinced about my Revelate bar roll and having seen stuart's I may well be up for one if any are available for the WRT
It weren't mine Steve ... I was just acting as test monkey 😉
I have to say test results were very favourable and this from a man who owns a Revelate harness.
I have been following this thread for a while now and it has inspired me to go and buy some kit,here a few pics from first night bikepacking overlooking Carnetown.
[url= http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5108/5653262496_cfd07ef8e2.jp g" target="_blank">
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/46168911@N06/5653262496/ ]Photo0091[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/46168911@N06/ ]dave j2[/url], on Flickr
[url= http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5023/5652693615_d05c266c3b.jp g" target="_blank">
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/46168911@N06/5652693615/ ]Photo0090[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/46168911@N06/ ]dave j2[/url], on Flickr
Ian Any tube bags on the cards?
Tube bags??