[Closed] Sick as a dog so, show me you Bivi / Bikepacking / Adventure racing gear.....

Fame at last.

This humble little thread that started with me feeling a bit ill last Christmas has a mention in the mag.

Hmmmm, time to start getting nasty and have the thread closed then 😉

behave Slugwash 😉

I'll lend you a 96er if you fancy Steve ... that way you can have a foot in both camps, however you may look like a monkey on a mangle given our differences in stature 😀

@ Pete - thanks but I'm too much of a short arse to fit yours - work allowing (if I have a job!!) I may well go for a 29er Inbred when they are available - the big question is wether I then sell my 26 inbred or keep it!

how's the knee feeling?

Stu - many thanks but I may have the opposite problem on your bike!

keep it too 😆

knee frikken sore but ok waiting for mri on Friday for full diagnosis so fingers crossed

Pete I imagine they may diagnose a bad case of shite dancing! 😉

Hmmmm, time to start getting nasty and have the thread closed then

Then start a new one to show off your new rack!

that's a given Stu, karma sure did kick my ass on the weekend the barsteward!!! 🙁

I'll have to think of a thread to rival this one now as probably weeks of spare time ahead 😥

best Troll ever this I reckon, I don't even have a bike let alone a bivi bag

What makes the best Bivi spot??? open ground, woods, by a river? what do you look for??

This made a nice spot Bigface. Over 2000ft, near to a lake ... fantastic.

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www.bearbonesbikepacking.co.uk

They do look good but our next trip a long the south downs way in a couple of weeks doesnt really have any mountain views 😕

[i]What makes the best Bivi spot??? open ground, woods, by a river? what do you look for??[/i]

There is no one answer to that, depends where you are and what the weather is doing.

Things to consider:

Do you need to be concealed?
Will you need shelter from forecast/incoming weather?
Do you want a view in the morning?
Are there biting insects?

There's a whole load of variables, so each situation is different.

On a fine night with no chance of rain, I'd go for somewhere exposed enough to keep the midges at bay som I can sleep out of the bivvy bag.

With a strong wind I'd be looking for somewhere with a bit of shelter that I can sleep in the lee of.

Lower and in more urban areas I'd be wanting a bit of cover for a stealth bivvy.

I believe there's an article in Issue 67 that may be of help ;o)

I dont like being too close to water as the midges seem to find me pretty tasty. I like to find somewhere relatively shelter. Not directly on a track, so behind a wall, just over the ridge, in amongst the trees etc

Most of my kit is alpine climbing related so is not very stealthy. My newest bivi bag is a marmot model that is ORANGE! So its good to be out of the way as much as possible.

Pics of the bivi - http://www.bikeandbivi.co.uk/php/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=39

It works really well and has been on two trips since I purchased it.

How urban do you go without meeting a load of Chavs or Bagheads?

Here is one of my boy just waking up after his first night in a bivi.

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Sorry 'bout the blurry picture, was a cold morning!

Are you on the run Kevj? 8)

Chuffed to monkeys..

My SilTarp turned up today..

So thats all my kit squared away now. 8)

Now all I need is a free weekend. 😐

pistonbroke

Are you on the run Kevj?

😆 I had put the sheet up to mask the glow from the fire!

Feeling inspired to get a night under the stars this weekend. How's that weather forecast looking??

Here's a taster of my C2C pictures. Time is hectic so I'll have to keep it brief!

Totally unsupported and solo
MBR (Woodcock-ish route) St Bees - Robin Hoods Bay
Mon 4pm-Thur 11am
Beautiful weather from start to finish, absolutely perfect trip.
One broken saddle and bent brake lever
Trapped nerve in right hand.

I also then cycled down to Dalby for a lap with a good friend and a very kind offer of a lift home. I was keen to press on during the big day in the Lakes so I didn't take many photos, I largely kept my camera/phone turned off to preserve battery.

I have some very happy memories from this trip.

Other than a Camelbak, this was full kit including food.
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First nights bivvy spot, Wasdale side of Black Sail Pass.
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From here it was a 5hr push/carry up and over to Rossett Pike/Langdale.

Angle Tarn at 7.30 in morning.
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Looking up at Rossett Pike, the last hurdle before one long rocky downhill scramble!
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Dinner by the stream in Osmotherly
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3rd night's bivvy.
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Evening sunset on the last night.
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Brilliant trip there then Anthony 🙂 And good weather as well. We had to cancel a full moon Dartmoor bivi last week on account of the sudden decline in good weather (and a run of the trots ripping through some members of the Dartmoor Posse. They must of had a dodgy cream tea or something 😉 )

My bike and B.O.B trailer. [url= http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6149/5953750472_1ecc83945e.jp g" target="_blank">http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6149/5953750472_1ecc83945e.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/56842631@N06/5953750472/ ]Bike and B.O.B[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/56842631@N06/ ]stuartrider25[/url], on Flickr
On my way to the Singletrack Classic weekender race.

Very nice Anthony 😉

New addition to my backpack.[url= http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6148/5953193591_ea1eda9a64.jp g" target="_blank">http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6148/5953193591_ea1eda9a64.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/56842631@N06/5953193591/ ]Mini Coffee.[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/56842631@N06/ ]stuartrider25[/url], on Flickr

Nice trips chaps, For some reason checking out people photos of trips at work just seems to lift my mood when your stuck in an office, good work 😀

Sturider that coffee unit looks amazing, I take it really works fella 😉

nice pics of a C2C ^^^ I cant wait to get back on the bike.

Keep the pics coming in

I have a smaller version of the coffee thing - it works really well but mine gets left and home when I am concerned about weight. It only comes along on a luxury camp not a superlight

I have to admit a decent coffee was a very good way to drag myself out of bed on the c2c, but only a lowly coffee bag. Thanks for the comments, it really was an amazing trip all the planning and practice runs really paid off.

I slept on the campsite at Dalby for a little luxury after the trip was over, the attention I got from other 'normal' campers was amazing, they couldnt believe I rocked up planning on sleeping under a tarp! The owners even took pity and bought me over a towel and soap so i could use their showers. I must have looked a mess after 4 days in the wilds!

Was that the woodcock ctc route you did Anthony?

Was that the woodcock ctc route you did Anthony?

nope - I guess that was mixed with the Hodgson route - as here [url= http://www.offroadadventures-online.com/c2c.html ]click here for route details[/url]

Thats great, 2 sugars in mine ;o)

I love that coffee machine sturider, flippn brilliant. 😆

Was it easy to make up??

Thinking a coffee machine would trump flatfish and his Christmas dinner!! 😉

This a link to the gpx coast to coast trip mbr did that inspired Anthonys route
http://www.gpsies.com/map.do?fileId=yoqsjzcryofzjvar

Excellent write up. What was your kit list?

I just use one of these: [url= http://www.homebabybeauty.co.uk/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=0&products_id=806 ] Hmmm, Lekke... :)[/url]

Cheers for the route link Jon.

C2C Kit list 🙂

[b]Bars 1675g[/b]

5L Exped dry bag 47
3L Exped dry bag 36
PHD Minimus down vest 242
PHD Minim Ultra sleeping bag 352
Helly Hansen Lifa Long Johns 118
Mountain Hardwear fleace beanie 26
Lifesystems midge headnet 37
Helly Hansen Lifa LS Crew 154
M&S Merino evening socks 49
2x Large freezer bags 15
Double Bar Harness 117
Pace eVent waterproof jacket 333
Ortleib Map Case 60
Maps 1:50K 89

[b]Saddle 1659g[/b]

Topeak Saddle Bag + Strap 236
Innertube x2 186
Brake Pads 2 sets 47
Chain tool 77
Spare chain links 18
First-aid kit 50
Zip-ties 17
Spoke key 14
Allen key set 92
Tubeless repair kit 22
Park instant patches 5
Leatherman 132
Gaffa tape 9
Tyre boot 5
Emergency fire lighter 15
Oil 14
Storage tub 19
Spare guy cord 20
Stuff Sack & Strap 26
Thermarest Neo-air short 265
Tarp Pegs 146
Integral Designs Siltarp1 inc. guys 219
Polycro 5'x2' groundsheet 25

[b]Frame 240g+ Food[/b]

Framebag 240
Food

[b]Camelbak 2085g[/b]

Octane 18X 462
3L Bladder 209
Vargo Ti-lite 700ml mug/pot 132
Pour & Store x2 22
Sea to Summit Lhoon 11
100ml meths 104
Compass 14
Caldera Cone stove inc. 330ml meths 457
Pump 130
Travel Tap water filter 151
Terra Nova Moonlight Bivvy bag 176
Sea to Summit 2L Dry Bag 28
Petzl E+lite headtorch 29
Spare Batteries 9
Ear-plugs 1
Disposable lighter 15
Matches 15
Toilet Roll 56
Ipod Shuffle 28
Exped 3L Drybag 36
Food

Total exc. food and water 5659g

I'm just in awe of that kit list!

🙂

I can't wait till Oliver is old enough to come along, then I can do him a nice list too. I hope he doesn't take after me and actually has a life! His little sleeping bag currently weighs more and packs bigger than most of my kit put together 🙄

anyone have any opinions on these? they are very cheap.

[url= http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CAMO-CAMOUFLAGE-TARPAULIN-TARP-2-7M-X-3-5M-WATERPROOF-/200572442453?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item2eb30c9755 ]tarp on ebay[/url]

Kevster, I don't think you could go far wrong for the money. Obviously it isn't the lightest thing out there but given its size it certainly isn't the heaviest option either.

wow - Anthony - that kit list is pretty much a wish list of the very best lightweight kit available. Nice!

Anthony - Great kit list, is that a typo on the pegs? Seems very heavy compared to the other kit. 10x5g Ti pegs from alpkit are cheap and work great. Don't bother with the terra nova 1 and 2g pegs as they are shite.
You could take another 100g of the coat too but no point if your happy with it.

Brave choice on the sleeping bag I have an orginal Rab Quantum top that weighs 400g (200g of down) that I use with a Rab xenon jacket - but thinking of selling it as it's not really warm enough for me (although I do feel the cold easily)

I've been reading a bit about tarps (mainly so that I don't have to use my issue one when I go out and about) and I was wondering about whether the more popular light ones (Alpkit Rig7 and the Tenth Wonder tarps immediately spring to mind) would be big enough for a tall chap like me to fit over a hammock. Anyone got any recommendations?

I could use the issue tarp, but it is a little over the top, and if I am out on my bike or kayak and staying out, I do try to stay away from the whole Army thing.

Cheers chaps, I do love my camping kit!

Re pegs, they are 6x 6g ti wire, 4x 2g TN 2g ti wire (for polycro groundsheet) and 6x alli Y stakes. I like the reliabilty of the Y pegs for the main tarp guy points. My tarp setup puts quite a lot of tension on the guys and the soft peat found in a lot of uk areas won't support thin wire pegs. Ti V pegs are only 1g lighter than the Y stakes so I cant justify the cost.

Yup a Montane jacket is on the wishlist.

The PHD sleeping bag is incredible. I used it in march on just a balloon bed, boosted by a lightweight down jacket and in temps nudging zero I was toasty. Their 900 fill vest was tempting but the minimus, for my uses, made more sense.

I have now ditched the caldera cone plastic case which has saved 80 or 90g.

Willard, the Rig 7 is pretty big.