Thatcham to Kintbury should be OK, they have resurfaced quite a bit of it. It does get pretty bad from Kintbury to Bedwyn but the Sustrans route diverts around that.

If the weathers good I’d be inclined to get off at Benham Locks & head up to Coombe Gibbet / Walbury Hill & pick a route to Great Bedwyn to pick up the canal again. I’d even consider detouring from Great Bedwyn through Savernake Forest, across Marlborough Downs to Avebury & then onto Devizes

I’m an occasional user & after my GoPro stopped working I ended up replacing it with an Akaso V50. Came with loads of mounts, spare batteries, remote control.

Quite a few reviews on YouTube. Has been perfect for what I need

Following as just bought a Tempest. I’m running 700 X 45 WTB Riddler & there is plenty of clearance with them

I also have the 650 X 42 Resolutes, I’ve had the tyres on the rims (not inflated though) & put them on the bike. There’s loads of clearance for a wider tyre.

I’ve been to Bulgaria (Bansko) quite a few times, it’s perfect for beginners & cheap too.

The downside is that it does get extremely busy around school holidays as a lot of the eastern European countries have the same holidays as the UK. There is only 1 Gondola, unless you get there early it can take a couple of hours to get up to the main slopes. The runs will also be trashed by lunchtime.

If you’re set on the school holidays I’d look at one of the smaller resorts in Italy or France.

As above, Lyn Gwynant campsite within walking distance to Pen y Pass. http://www.gwynant.com

Really nice site on the river, they have fire pits & sell fire wood (it was all soft wood though)

Also served up pizza’s from a mobile wood burning pizza van.

What type of shower? I’m assuming it’s a mixer & has a faulty mixer valve or one that needs adjusting.

I’ve got a 1999 2.5D 2WD with a side conversion.

Was initially going the VW route but a lot of people selling were doing so because they didn’t use them. The Bongo was a relatively cheap way to see if we’d use a camper.

Had the van for nearly 2 years & have spent all of our holidays in it (Wife & now 6 & 14 year old kids) & it’s been great. Even managing to go to the Lakes during the only wet week last summer didn’t put us off & I’ve just bought a VWT6.

It does take a bit of getting used to the space, leaving the stuff you don’t use behind & making sure you pack stuff away. We use a roof box, a large box that fits on the bike rack & have a Decathlon beach tent to put the bedding, clothes etc. in during the day so we don’t have stuff all over the van.

I have a Sheltpod awning which is pretty versatile too as additional living, sleeping or storage space.

The van has been great, never missed a beat & gets looked after by Bongo specialists which I guess has been key to preventing any major issues. I have spent about £700 over 2 years on servicing & MOT which I don’t think is too bad for a 20 year old van.

Just ordered a VW T6 as we’re going to ditch one of our cars to run 2 vehicles instead of 3 so the Bongo is going up for sale.

Have a look at the Brooks Guest House Hotel short walk to the Docks area & pretty much as central as you can get

I’m a Bristolian who’s moved away & have stayed there whenever I go back.

Will hopefully be there

I bought one about a month ago to replace a an iPad mini & no complaints so far. Use it for browsing the web & watching films while travelling.

Didn’t take much to fill up the memory but with the ability to add a memory card it’s not too much of an issue.

It does seem to take a long time to charge but the battery life is pretty good.

You can get them to kick out a fair amount of heat (had it glowing orange) & as they’re more controllable should burn slower than an open fire so less logs needed.

I’ve used it with lump wood charcoal & briquettes where wood burning isn’t allowed. </span>

I’ve had the Frontier for a few years & it’s been great. Kicks out a fair amount of heat, ours is used under a gazebo or tarp. Cooked quite a few meals on it for a family of 4.

Only negative, for me, is that it doesn’t have a glass door (I think the newer or similar might) so I’d be inclined to go for something different like the Outbacker Firebox

Replace the stuff sack with a compression sack?

Rode past the guys setting out the XC course of Friday on the Wayfarers near Ashmansworth, it was a bit of a mud-fest most of the way from there to the road near Coombe Gibbet, can’t imagine it’s in a good state after 100+ riders rode it Saturday.

Headed out on CX today & had a quick chat with the man from Evan’s who was putting the course diversion in place, he said it was close to being cancelled. The snow was starting to settle on the road up at Coombe Gibbet. It was pretty grim out.

In-laws & a friend have the E Class, really nice & bigger inside. I have a 2015 A6 Avant which has done 90k miles in 2.5 years & I can’t fault it.

Has lugged bikes, kids & camping gear around Europe. I’ve slept in the in the back with bikes & gear packed in there too.

Front & rear indicators still fully operational after lots of use…

Martymac – Bought my Stooge from Charlie, just ‘happened’ to coincide with a family camping trip to Swanage 🙂

Idlejon – take it you’re going for a medium? Have you managed to take a test ride on one?

I’m off to see my folks tomorrow & their local LBS is a Genesis dealer so planning to pop in to see what they have

Cheers for the feedback – I also have a 17.5″ High Latitude which height wise I’m probably right at the top end on. Also ride a 17.5″ Trek Remedy & MK2 Stooge which are spot on. I emailed Genesis & will see what they say too but leaning towards a medium.

IdleJon / Martymac – Did you end up with Vagabonds?

Was just about to start a Vagabond thread so hope you don’t mind a slight hijack?!

I’m looking at getting one too & was after some size advice, I’m 5’10” with a 31″ inside leg so in two minds between medium & large…any help appreciated

Sorry again for the hijack!

Def. look at 2nd hand. We’ve just sold our Frog 43 for £150 which seems to be around the going rate (bought new for £240) was immaculate too. It was less than 12 months old before he outgrew it.

He’s currently on a used Isla Bike Cnoc 16, which we picked up for £150 & would expect to get the same for when we sell it. He’s also pretty much outgrown this since we bought it in May.

The Hoy range in Evans look ok too but they’re around the same price as the Frog’s

Depends on what you mean on sensible price? I have used Decathlon gear at similar temps. They do some pretty good base layers, fleeces & down jackets.

Stayed at this place in Moniga Del Garda on the edge of Lake Garda. They have a few self catering apartments overlooking the pool. The static caravans were nice too

Piantelle [/url]

As a ‘”Basecamp” set up I use a Vango Tempest 200 with a Vango Adventure Tarp over the front which gives loads of additional room for storing kit & cooking under.

I also use a Zephyros 1 if I’m walking, I think the 2 man is the same design with only one entrance which might be a bit of a pain for getting in & out of if there are 2 of you.

Postern Hill campsite on the edge of Savernake is probably the closest, If you’re not planning a bivvy? 10-min drive or 30-min cycle.

You can park FOC on the Ridgeway at Overton Hill just off the A4.

Always find these to be pretty good Ready meals

The spicy chilli is pretty good with an individual sized packet of boil in the bag rice (you can use the microwave stuff too, carrying the microwave & finding somewhere to plug it in is a challenge though!)

I have a Raptor 14L & although I can get all I need in it I find it uncomfortable as I don’t find it sits on my back very well. I’ve just bought the Osprey Escapist 18L for £40 from Evans which is huge in comparison & more comfortable with the same amount of kit in it.

I’m working in Cannock tomorrow & stopping over at a pub called the Rag at Rawnsley. You can ride from there & join the Monkey near Beaudesert Golf Club. Happy to show you around if you’re there.

vongassit – Member
Why the general preference for bibs over shorts?

I prefer them as it stops my back getting exposed…

Plus it holds my belly in makes me look like Big Daddy

I have a couple of the 3/4 length ones

Decathlon?

Cheesy as it sounds (& probably is!) the guided open top bus tour, you’ll probably see most of the places mentioned in the above posts.

Stratosphere at night but bring your I’d with you if you want a drink…(bring it with you everywhere)

Maverick helicopters for the Hoover Dam & Canyon flight. They land in the Canyon briefly to refuel. Will make you wish you booked a MTB trip though.

The machine gun range was an experience

A beer in the ‘Tilted Kilt’

The sports bar in Caesers Palace, never seen so many huge TV screens all showing different sports

There is a bowling alley which has a live band who play requests….they were amazing

I’ve been a few times & would go back. Small ski area so pretty repetitive & not too challenging if you’re a good boarder but great for beginners.

The main Gondola can be like a scrum when it first opens 8:30ish move pretty quickly a bit later & once you’re up on the mountain it’s no problem.

You can board on the ski road back into town, it’s lit up too. There’s an outdoor bar on the ski road with a huge fire pit which is pretty good. Some decent bars & places to eat too.

Very nice….& very tempted. I’m in the the Lakes in May any chance of swinging my leg over it for about 100 miles! 😉

I use this stuff from Decathlon

2nd the Star Inn….probably the most bike friendly pub I’ve ever been in. Really nice people, great food too

I did start to write about the pheasants earlier, especially where you pick up The Test Way from Coombe Gibbet down into the valley around Linkenholt / Faccombe. I rode through there at the start of the season & there were hundreds of them….not too many around now though!

There are quite a few micro-adventure groups on FB. link to them by region below

Micro-adventure [/url]

Never used normal thread so couldn’t comment. I always carry a reel of floss & needle (try & get a curved needle) with me my other tools/spares & it doesn’t cost much more than a £1

I’ve been running sewn up tyre with a 10mm split for about 6-months on my CX bike. I think the glue on patches & gaffer tape on the inside would hold up to running tubeless but I haven’t tried & run a tube in it.

Sew it up with some dental floss & glue a patch on top. Patch on the inside with some gaffer tape on top.

I live pretty close to the Wayfarers Walk & often head out to the Savernake Forest, Avebury (Ridgeway) area via the West Wilts Way.

You can also pick up the Test Way near Combe Gibbet & Walbury Hill. Where you’ll find some spots.

Join the Berkshire and surrounding areas microadventures group if you’re on FB? They often head up to Watership Down so should know some spots – not been out with them yet but hoping to tag along this year.

Took my brother up to Hound Tor for his first Bivi just before Xmas & he’s still alive! 10 min from car park so he could take everything he thought he might need just in case… Walked through Widecombe in the Moor (20 min on bikes) & had some food & a couple of beers in the Old Inn before heading back to Hound Tor for the night

This was probably the best £10 purchase Wood stove

Any excuse to light a fire!