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Better add to Slugwash's.... We certainly had a cracker to make up for a crap April with no bivvies.
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It was hot...
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Amazes me how few people come out here
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Here's some close-ups of my stove kit.
It works a treat. Weighs very little indeed and cost about 50p
(one can of tesco value potatoes and 2 cans of peas I think)
I could bring myself to eat the canned potatoes 🙂
It fits perfectly inside an Alpkit mytimug.
It also fits a pop-can stove (made from a Budweiser word cup beer can) inside, a bit of vasalene-rubbed cotton wool and a tiny bottle of meths as a backup.
The only real requirement is that you've got a bit of time on the journey to faff a little - finding wood, setting the fire, getting it hot enough to ignite the woodgas, then constantly feeding it small twigs, etc.
But I enjoy doing all that - it's a highlight of my trips.
[url= http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8012/7286517586_3d539e32d0.jp g" target="_blank">
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/thingswelike/7286517586/ ]Homemade stove kit[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/thingswelike/ ]thingswelike[/url], on Flickr
[url= http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7233/7286517206_695e832ae4.jp g" target="_blank">
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/thingswelike/7286517206/ ]Stove kit[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/thingswelike/ ]thingswelike[/url], on Flickr
This shows the warm air comping back into the top of the stove and igniting the woodgas.
[url= http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7222/7286553582_bdcd5af26a.jp g" target="_blank">
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/thingswelike/7286553582/ ]Woodgas ignited[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/thingswelike/ ]thingswelike[/url], on Flickr
Here's a shot showing the pot-stand/windbreak on top and the room to put new twigs in
[url= http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8154/7286553288_6c26097d05.jp g" target="_blank">
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/thingswelike/7286553288/ ]IMG_1642[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/thingswelike/ ]thingswelike[/url], on Flickr
[url= http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7216/7286517890_4389561c6c.jp g" target="_blank">
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/thingswelike/7286517890/ ]Homemade woodgas stove[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/thingswelike/ ]thingswelike[/url], on Flickr
Basically you need a cooking pot and a hole drill like this one [url= http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/HSS-Step-Cone-Taper-Drill-Hole-Cutter-3-16-3-4-Set-Hex-Quick-Release-Titanium-/320909049595?pt=UK_Home_Garden_PowerTools_SM&var=&hash=item76c23ece1d ]ebay link[/url]. Take it to a supermarket. Find a cheap can that fits inside your pot and 2 smaller ones that will leave a nice gap inside the 1st one.
The inner can has holes top and bottom, whereas the outer only has holes at the bottom.
I used the top of a can to make a raised floor (full of holes) and the 2nd small can to make the potstand/windbreak. Just bend it in a little to fit inside the pot when not in use.
I can't remember whether I used scissors or a stanley knife to cut the potstand legs, but it wasn't difficult.
I must ask Nick about that set up, ie were they pooling gear or if he could do a solo trip on it.
slugwash, did you catch dinner or have to use back-up food? )
I went for a little spin along the Tweed valley the other weekend. Left home at 16:00 on Saturday and landed in a pub at 15:00 ish the next day. Rode from Midlem (Selkirk way) to Broughton where I used to live by the most off road route taking in some of the classic Tweed valley views.
Bowhill House
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Duchess Drive
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SUW
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Camp
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View from camp
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Traquair
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View to Peebles from Gypsy Glen
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JBW
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🙂
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Nice pics RestlessNative, I like your tarp setup too.
Left home 20:00 sun eve, biked to near the bealach half way round glen finglass and was at work by 9 monday - pretty much a 3 day weekend 🙂
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Love that last one flyingmm
First time last night - loved it
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Having a clear out for those interested.
http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/fs-bikepacking-gear
All ready for the Welsh Ride Thing tomorrow, all up weight exc water (but inc food and fuel) is just under 45lb which I'm pretty happy about seeing as my On One 456 setup last year was about 53lb inc water.
Plus I don't need a backpack so that's much more comfy.
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Bit more detail [url= http://iwillbebacksoon.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/welsh-ride-thing-2012-setup.html ]here on my blog[/url], will add a full kit list once my daughter gets off the other PC!
Finally I can post on here!
Not bivvying so travelling light, we're doing the Trans-Cambrian Way ITT on sunday.
Got my JandD frame pac yesterday (after import duty grief)
[url= http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7239/7315665120_59d9f08921_o.jp g" target="_blank">
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/ir_bandito/7315665120/ ]DSC_0327[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/ir_bandito/ ]ir_bandito[/url], on Flickr
Frame pack is full of food, solar-powered ghetto GPS, lights cos we're bound to run out of daylight.
Forecast for sunday is shocking. Bring it on 🙂
Location is East of Southease Station, East Sussex across the A26 Beddinghsm - Newhaven road, overlooking the River Ouse - Up there on that there hill...We ate well that night, veggie and chorizo kebabs, snags and morrocan rice, desert custard, brownies, caramel rocky biscuits, blueband wafers, just chucked it all in with a splash o rum, yum yum!
Woop Woop 29er coming through!!!
This is so interesting! Drive past the southease bridge every day to work. Really tempted me to do a bivvy now
Went on a mice 32 miler on Saturday with a nice wild camp near Capel Curig, north Wales. Sunday saw a very wet 23 miler through Snowdonia and finishing in Conwy. Awesome if not a little moist!
Full report and pics:
http://northwalesmtb.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=ridedays&action=display&thread=8944
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love the life in this thread 😀
New Revelate gear on my 9Zero7. The Viscacha saddle bags have been out for a while, but that's the Sweet Roll handlebar bag which is newly released. Seems to work pretty well.
[url= http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7072/7349587728_85b9fa9465_z.jp g" target="_blank">
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/druidh2000/7349587728/ ]P1040183[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/druidh2000/ ]druidh_dubh[/url], on Flickr
[url= http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7237/7164522655_a038eeceef_z.jp g" target="_blank">
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/druidh2000/7164522655/ ]P1040207[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/druidh2000/ ]druidh_dubh[/url], on Flickr
Hi, loving the bag set ups very much 🙂
Can I just ask tho, why the fat tyres if there is no snow or sand? Just curious as never tried them...........yet.
It's to float over all the bogs due to the amount of liquid sunshine the Jockenese get. 😉
Looks great druid. Proper adventure bike.
(Off to look to see if there's a welsh ride thing thread)
Well, it's a bit of this...Davetherave - Member
Hi, loving the bag set ups very much
Can I just ask tho, why the fat tyres if there is no snow or sand? Just curious as never tried them...........yet.
🙂 but without trying to come over all evangelical about fatbikes, expect to see them turning up on trails near you soon as folk discover just how adept they are over all sorts of terrain. It's worth noting that the imminent On One fatbike isn't designed for snow or sand at all - it's a fat-tyred trail bike.flatfish - Member
It's to float over all the bogs due to the amount of liquid sunshine the Jockenese get.
Cheers for the explanation. Seems even more niche than 29er! Mind I bet the actual size will be similar 8)
Anyway The bags look good 8)
I'm slowly gathering kit for a maiden voyage as it were, I have a Quecha self inflating mat, Hunka bivi, MSR clone stove and a cat stove and a cheap and cheerful tarp 🙂
Im looking for a new sleeping bag and have seen [url= http://www.sportpursuit.co.uk/husky-outdoors-equipment/monti-sleeping-bag-blue ]THIS ONE[/url]. I know its not the smallest, lighest, poshest but seems reasonable. They also have this [url= http://www.sportpursuit.co.uk/husky-outdoors-equipment/mikro-sleeping-bag-green ]ONE SEASON[/url] bag but I'm not sure about the temperature ratings and how they relate in real world terms if that makes sense?
Advice much appreciated as its all a bit of a minefield.
stayhigh - Those links are to member only pages, so I can't see them.
Blast, scurries off to find proper links...
[url= http://www.huskyeu.eu/sleeping-bag-outdoor-monti-11-c-blue-d98.html ]THREE SEASON[/url]
[url= http://www.huskyeu.eu/light-weight-cycling-sleeping-bag-mikro-2-c-green-d1403.html ]ON E SEASON[/url]
Hows that?
A low comfort of 10 degrees C is a little high unless you're a really warm sleeper. My summer bag is 5 (and weighs about a kilo), and if feels about right for around 5-12 degrees
http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/lamina-35-p152495
I don't know how that compares to the one you were looking at - I'm guessing a bit dearer.
You could add a liner I suppose, but I've never tried one.
I'd be tempted to strap the one you've got to the bars and get out and see what it's like.
tesco do a sub kilo down bag with about the same ratings for £40. had mine a year and very pleased with it.
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Just finished building my Scandal 29er for bikepacking purposes, can't wait to get out and give it a go. Built mostly with parts from the classifieds. Thanks to Duckman, jameso, chainslapp and crazyknowledge
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I've got my Anything cage and DIY handlebar harness sorted, but need to think about a saddle bag. Is there anyone UK based making them?
Wildcat have got something in the pipeline - give them a buzz:
I may be selling a buggybags framebag - custom made for an 18inch On One!
I may be selling a buggybags framebag - custom made for an 18inch On One!
Interesting. My frame is 19.5", so I'm not sure about the fit. They look bombproof, but also look like they'd double in weight when wet. If the price is right though...
Not sure if anybody on this post might be interested in a couple of brand new ultralight Bikepacking items i'm selling cheap on the classified forum - cheap, cheap.
http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/fs-sub-1kg-4-man-tipi-shelter-140-brand-new
http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/fs-golite-shangri-la-3-inner-nest-half-price
bump for this: http://www.alpkit.com/news/alpkit-framebags-at-mountain-mayhem-and-ctc-rally
possibly on another separate thread but obviously warrants discussion here. If they're <£50, I'll look at getting one.
If they are<£50 then I'll be surprised
£50? no chance. They will be similar price to Wildcat i reckon, afteral they have set-up a little mini factory to do custom stuff so they wont be pricing at the bottom end of the market. Buggy bags are your best bet if you want cheap.
ah if they're custom thats different I suppose
oooooooh, wished i still lived in Scotland!
Don't have clue if i'm honest, just know what i like. And that bike looks yummy......
Just a compliment, that's all!!!
Hi we were suposed to going bike packing this weekend but we wimped out due to the weather. It was pretty torential to be honest so I think it was for the best.
The bike and kit was all packed up, so I thought I would post some pics. Its all been done on a pretty tight budget trying to improvise whatever i can.
Stove is a cheap coleman gas unit that packs inside an alloy pan kit from Blacks with a plastic pot for mixing food a home made wind shield ti spork etc
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this packs inside
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to use like this
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bike loaded with everything for night away only sleeping bag goes in camel back
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Drybag mounted to bars with clothes and synthetic down jacket
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Old bar ends mounted in board of levers with an alloy tube between them to strap the bag onto, stops it bouncing against cables etc
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saddle bag is a cheap old rucksack with the waist strap fed up around the seat rails and another webbing strap to suport it.
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Frame bag was a cheapy from ebay, hold all my food hip flask etc 🙂
kit laid out
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Tesco down bag in small dry bag inside camel back
Ex army bivi bag
Karrimor inflatable mat
Cotton bag liner
Synthetic down jacket in compression sack
Plan to try it all out as soon as we get a dryish weekend. See what works and what doesnt and change what needs to change.
Keep the posts coming!
The bar end improvisation is a great idea (although haven't seen to many with the split clamp). I do something very similar to your saddle bag with an Alpkit drybag - works well.
STATO - Member
£50? no chance. They will be similar price to Wildcat i reckon, afteral they have set-up a little mini factory to do custom stuff so they wont be pricing at the bottom end of the market. Buggy bags are your best bet if you want cheap.
I wouldn't be so sure about that - they ran a competition recently where if you sent in a template of your front triangle, you had the chance of winning one of their prototype frame bags
I would have thought the point of getting all those templates would be so they could test the feasibility of producing some 'standard' size frame bags? I think they realise there is a market for a more modestly priced product than the custom ones available from wildcat/revelate etc.
Time will tell of course.
I'm still umming over sleeping bags and have been looking at Snugpak Traveller and Travel Lite models. Both are <1kg synthetic bags with a comfort rating of 7o and pack nice and small at 12x14". I'll be sleeping in a Hunka bag (which will improve the rating slightly?) with a mat underneath and a tarp overhead.
I'll be honest as much as I'd like to someday go all hardcore all weather rah rah for now its not gonna happen so I think could be good to get started with. If I get cold during the night I can always put a base layer on/sleep in clothes and it wont break the bank.
Apart from that all I need to do is sort out a pan set, was thinking of something similar to the above set and a windshield. I've seen lots of people saying about making their own using aluminium sheet, what would be the best thickness to get this or can you point me in the direction of something cheap and cheerful?
Finally with getting dry bags, what are the best sizes to go for.
Cheers all 🙂
Sleeping bag ratings normally include the fact you'll be wearing some sort of base layer, so don't figure on that adding anything. Even as someone who "sleeps warm", I prefer my bags rated close to 0C, but then my camping tends to be in Scotland where temperatures can plummet overnight even in the summer.
Remember that, without a tent, you'll also be subject to wind-chill. A well-placed tarp can help minimise that but it's still a factor.
Would the Hunka not reduce the wind chill in a similar way to a tent? I was planning on sleeping under the tarp between the wheels of the bike if that makes sense. I guess I could always use a liner as well.
I'm all the way down south where (apparently) the weather isnt quite as changable and tend to camp from may to early sept time. My first trip out isnt going to be hugely adventerous, more of a make sure everything does what its supposed to type affair about an hours ride from home 😳
what would be the best thickness to get this or can you point me in the direction of something cheap and cheerful?
The aluminium serving platters available at Tesco work okay, not going to last a lifetime but cheap and work better than kitchen foil*
*(also takeaway foil tubs if yours still does tin ones, ours are plastic now, these don't work and tend to melt)
saw the alpkit frame bags at the ctc rally yesterday.
very very nice and well made, and very cheap in comparison to other frame bags available.
NorthCountryBoy - Looks like you're all set to go! Roll on some better weather! 🙂
Just a quick thumbs-up for the Alpkit frame bags here, about 800 miles loaded up on mine now and looks totally sound, if a bit grubby, this weekend felt like winter riding apart from a warmer headwind most of the way out.. if you're after any details pics of the bag etc let me know.
A tarp against the wind will keep you warmer than just a bivi bag. When the wind blows the bivi against the sleeping bag it will conduct some of the coldness into the sleeping bag but a well pitched tarp would keep it away from your sleeping bag, thus stopping heat being conducted away from you.
If you use a tarp AND bivi bag you need to have some sort of airflow over the bivi to allow it to "breathe".
Make sense?
Good.