I had a huge, viscous, meat-based turd land on my shoulder while stopped in the woods on a night ride years ago. Either a bird of prey, an escaped monkey or a wild man, I reckon.

I was also hit by a lump of meat (innards of a small mammal) while doing my paper round in the 70s. I’ve had nothing but good luck since.

I have a Pickenflick that I’m very happy with. Also have a Fatty Trail and have had multiple Inbreds and 456s in the past. No problems with any of them and good service from Planet X.

Krampus? Stooge?

Not a cheap solution but I got a Rockgeist Gondola seatpack. It attaches to the saddle rails only and lets me get full drop from my post. Not huge capacity but enough for me most of the time and it’s very stable.

It’s entirely possible to wild camp discreetly and responsibly at loads of places on the route. If you do it right no one will ever know you were there. It’s people who don’t do it right that will cause, and experience, conflict with the locals.

Get a Columbia Outdry jacket. They are actually waterproof and stay that way. Moderate your effort so you don’t sweat too much.

Pack warm clothes for the evening and take a shelter that will let you escape the weather.

Research some escape routes for if it all goes pear. It’s rarely as bad as you imagine it might be and if it is you’ll have memories to last a lifetime.

Get it done.

Very, very nice.

I have a purple mk1 and a 29+ Ti.

The mk1 will never be sold.

Stooge Ti is an option. I have one I picked up second hand and it’s lovely.

Nice! I’m off there tomorrow. I’ve been just about every year for the last three decades and I’ll be taking my CX bike for some loops between Fishguard, St David’s, Preselis and maybe down to Dale. Can’t wait, despite the iffy forecast. 😀

Yeah, I’m a little worried it doesn’t have enough tank capacity. I need something to work on 29+ and fat bike tyres. Been using an adapted garden sprayer for a few years but that’s finally sprung a leak. I think I’ll either go for an Airshot or adapt a fire extinguisher.

Thanks all.

I’ve been wearing standard stretchy cotton undies, with a liberal slather of chammy cream when it’s proper hot. The cream really helps stop chafing.

I’ve explored in Puddletown Forest when down that way. Some nice trails that are easy to find from the main tracks. Just head for high ground.

I’m local and I’m very much of the “this land is our land” persuasion but I’ve seen the situation develop over recent years from sustainable to ridiculous.

Where once there were some relatively subtle trails snaking stealthily through the trees there is now, in some areas, an ugly, intrusive bike park. I’m also embarrassed by some of the behaviour I see from “fellow mountain bikers”.

God, I sound old. But it’s true.

Forget saving weight, a 3in front tyre is where it’s at. 30mm at the back will be fine but I’d go 40-50mm at the front.

I’ve always used 32:16 on 26in wheels.

The right answer is always: Stooge 🙂

Thanks all for those ideas.

I’ve got a Krampus steel fork that’ll do for now, v similar to the Salsa.

I’ve emailed Ted James, as that looks a great option.

I’ll also ask Andy about a steel truss. Could be an option if not too weighty and the geo is right.

On paper, the Travers seems not as good as the Kinesis (less offset, more £) but it does look nice.

I’ve just bought some Rivelo bibs on SP. very comfy and seem nicely made. I reckon they come up on the small side. I’m usually at the top end of medium and large is a good fit in these.

Nice. Enjoyed that. Quirky edit and great trails 👍🏻

I use an Etrex 20 with cheap OS 1:50 maps. I tend to plot routes on ViewRanger on my phone, which is excellent for that and as a bigger-screen view of where I am if needed out on the trail. Upload a track from there to the Etrex and job done. It works really well but I admit the Garmin has a non-intuitive UI and takes a bit of getting used to.

TBH, for a route like the BD you could get away with just having your phone in your pocket and checking it when you get to a significant junction.

I’ve just ticked off my first 2020 BAM, having been off the bike for a while. I have lots of plans but nothing tied down yet. I will likely do a week in May in Scotland, have the TCW firmly in my sights and also aim to do some multi-day gravel/road trips from home.

I’ve also just watched a video of a guy riding Spain south to north off road and that is now high on my wish list.

@colin9 the Whippet (🙄edit) looks great. Would the fork take a 29×3 tyre?

I built the Musson stand in MDF because that’s what was to hand. I’ve built loads of wheels with it in the last eight years and it’s still going strong.

Ta for the Evans tip! Ordered

Second the Duro Crux – but it’s not the lightest if that matters to you.

Using plenty of tape (and packing if necessary) is the key thing IME. I’ve fitted a variety of fat tyres on tubeless and non-tubeless rims using my home-made garden sprayer ‘Airshot’.

Just as a point of interest, scrolling through this one page of this thread I have been served 11 identical ads for the local independent hard Brexit gammon candidate. Everywhere I go online I see his odious face. I wonder who’s paying for that?

@spacemonkey would this be the scene of your Coldharbour dunking?

I waited for my mate for about five minutes before heading back to find him stuck fast. I may have laughed more than I helped

I’m using mashed potato and glitter. Can’t remember why

I’m still using a DIY version made from a garden sprayer. Easy to make, huge capacity, so only needs pumping to 50-60psi, and works every time, even on 4.8 fatbike tyres.

Well I’ve had a Swift for years and use it for bikepacking and the rougher end of gravel riding.

I bought a Pickenflick early this year and I’ve got tons of use (and fun) out of it.

It’s led me to do longer routes with a mix of road and gravel that I wouldn’t have contemplated on the Swift, so it’s expanded my riding options.

Of course, you could just get two sets of tyres for the Swift and you’d be part way to the same result (but it won’t be the same).

Shorts!? String vest, tats, nothing else required

I’m just about to dig a burrow, line it with straw, eat my own body weight in roast potatoes and retire till the spring. Night night.

Football
Religion
Eggs
Waterproofs

Experimental WW2 tank dug up in Denbies Vineyard outside Dorking

I have a 2017/18 Smuggler built from a frame with XT, Arch wheels, Fox 34, etc. It’s good at most things (and not heavy). I’d recommend it for all-round trail riding. I’m 5ft9 and a medium fits me well.

There’s some very good value bags at Planet X that generally seem recommended as a toe-in-the-water purchase. Not used them myself.