I too have a SS so I can be in with niche crowd.

I ride on my own quite a lot – how niche is that 😉

So really what we’re all saying is, it doesn’t really make much difference what you ride … so long as you’re out there doing it

Yes, that would sum it up fairly well.

what tiger said ^^^

o Broken / Snapped Pedal
I concede I would find this difficult to fix

o BB Failure
Square taper BB, steel axle. Not broken or seized one yet…

o Freehub Failure
Hope wheels, can pull freehub out by hand, clean and reassemble.

o Wheel/hub problems
Some spare spokes and a spoke key.

Other problems I have encountered on geared bikes* are:
– chain going over the top into the spokes, either jamming/ bending chain or damaging spokes
– broken dropout and/or rear mech
– a broken gear cable
– dodgy valve on shock/ air fork

I’m also playing devil’s advocate to some extent, as I do ride both geared and SS. One thing I do like about the latter is just how quiet it is. No flappy chain on rocky descents or the tick-tick of the chain moving up/down sprockets and rings.

* edit – I should add not necessarily my bike, but people I’ve been riding with

at least you were under the Tarp!

You had and entire tarp to yourself 😛

I rode WRT last year on a rigid singlespeed. The rigid was absolutely fine, the extra weight of kit helps keep the thing on the ground and the trails weren’t so rough as to necessitate suspension at either or both ends. I rode 80 miles no problem at all with regard to riding comfort.

The singlespeed question is more difficult to answer. Sure, I didn’t need to take spare gear cables, worry about bashing my mech on rock or having to tweak my indexing when it all gets clogged up with mud. However, a small amount of extra weight on the bike made a much larger difference than I expected and some of the uphills were quite a grunt (32:20, 29er).

That said, if I needed to get off and push (which I did), it was fine because the bike didn’t weigh so much. I wasn’t really in a hurry and you get a chance to soak up some more view (or rain). The lighter ‘n’ faster approach is fine so far as it goes, and whilst I’m not a slow rider, I like lighter ‘n’ more enjoyable. I can sit up and spin on the flats, coast the descents and enjoy the view.

Weight of bike an kit all up was something like 34lbs. Add at least 4lbs to that if you want front suspension and gears and another 2lbs for full suspension?

At 400g, that Craghopper one is quite heavy considering it doesn’t come with arms.

I really like the look of this, but it’s chuffing expensive: http://www.ultralightoutdoorgear.co.uk/crux_halo_top_-_down_filled_smock.html

LOL at minimperial

Finally pleased to see some sense coming out yesterday, from DC himself:
“Forestry Commission……was compromised by being both the regulator and the major producer of wood in England”

Regardless of how you feel about the sell off, something does need to be done about FC regulating and industry while also competing against it. It’s a bit like being judge, jury and executioner. I can’t think of another government department that operates in this way.

we love singletrack

Current issue of ST mag – Doethie Valley route – one of the best pieces of singletrack going in Wales IMO.

Previously used Exped bags, but just got some Lomo ones and they are good, very robust bags of a better proportion for strapping to your bars. L to R, 5l, 12l, 20l:

Valentines weekend??

So it is. It was the only weekend free for us for numerous other reasons.

Open invite then to all who are free on 12 Feb.

Meet 1pm outside Biped Cycles in Brecon (LD3 9AF) ready to go. Approx 4 hour ride on good open mountain trails with a bit climbing. Bivvy spot in nice secluded valley at a top secret location. We’ll be back in Brecon in time for second breakfast on Sunday.

Tiger – best chalkbag I found to substitute as a feed bag is the Boreal Night Chalkbag (£14):

I’ve yet to sew a couple of straps to it, but it looks like it’ll work really well. For sense of scale, it’ll take a 750ml bike bottle and the draw cord tightens up right around the narrow bit of the bottle neck.

I’ve got a Rab Alpine 300 – not sure they do these any more, but 300g of down, differential fill. I specced it short and with no zip to save weight – think it’s just over 600g. It’s fine down to about freezing, or just below. I also have a Rab Quantum 200 (500g) which is OK down to about +5. It’s more roomy than the Alpine, so I can put the Alpine inside it for a winter bag, which worked very well on the Welsh Winter Bivvy in December, where it was proper cold.

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Maen Madoc[/url] by ianbarrington[/url], on Flickr

Beside Sarn Helen – thought to mark the location of a Christan burial site – road side graves being a feature of Roman burials.

s8tannorm has an ortlieb one that looks quite good too

Rik, have you got any pics of your tarp erected? Sounds quite interesting

At the infamous Polaris of Spring 2004 when the wind was gale force and the rain was biblical, I rolled up at the over night camp with my lightweight gear which then comprised of a single hoop goretex bivvy bag. Wet through, I managed to get into my bivvy and sleeping bag and set about trying to blow up the balloons for the balloon bed. My hands were so cold I couldn’t knot the balloons properly. Took about half an hour to get that bit of kit sorted, whilst still not able to get properly warm as I lay on the cold ground. When packing my stuff, it had never occurred to me that it may be a problem. I use Thermarest NeoAir’s now for this and a few other reasons.

OK, found my old polaris kit list which was last used a good few years ago now. It might make for some interesting comparisons with some of Rik’s stuff:

Equipment
Terra Nova Laser Photon – 769
Rab Quantum 200 Sleeping Bag – 507
Balloonbed Mark 2 – 79
Vargo Triad stove – 23
Wind Shield/ Pot warmer – 11
Nalgene bottle w. 60ml Meths – 63
Tibetan Titanium 550ml pan – 67
LMF Spork – 10
Lifesystems foil bag – 88
First Aid Kit – 42
Black Diamond Ion torch – 30
Inov8 Race Pro 20 pack – 309
Motorola F3 Mobile Phone – 70

Spare Clothing (i.e. not necessarily worn when I set out):
Gill Pro Speed Jacket – 278
Montane Featherlite Pants – 128
Bridgedale trail socks – 34
Merino base layer – 178
Helly Hansen briefs – 50
Extremeties Power Dry Beanie – 22

Food
Torq bars (3) – 229
Torq gels (6) – 287
Expedition Foods – Chicken Korma – 187
Expedition Foods – Custard with Berries – 145
Fruit tea bags – 5
Nuun tabs (2) – 10
Expedition Foods – Porridge + Strawberries – 149
Protein Powder – 100
Energy Powder – 128

Total Pack Weight – 3998

Clothing – Normal Conditions (Worn)
Watchstrap compass – 6
Canterbury Base layer – 105
Assos Mille Bib – 208
Scott S/S Jersey – 130
Arm Warmers – 65
Scott Windstopper Gillet – 104

Normal Clothing Total – 618

Clothing – Cold Conditions (Worn)
Watchstrap compass – 6
Merino 200 base layer – 218
Assos Mille Bib – 208
Assos Leg Warmers – 118
Scott L/S Jersey – 239
Scott Windstopper Gillet – 104

Cold Clothing Total – 893

Tools (on Bike)
Finish Line lube – 18
Topeak Micro Rocket CB – 55
Topeak Super Chain Tool – 62
Spare tube (2) – 240
CO2 Canister – 84
Misc spares/ puncture kit – 95
Saddle Pack – 126

Tools/spares total – 680

So there you go. That’s enough for 12 hours of riding (80-120 miles) with one overnight stop. The pack is pretty light on day two as most of the food has gone, but I do retain an emergency ration and fuel to make something warm if I need to (mandatory in the rules for Polaris). In terms of comfort, you can survive well enough for one night and be fit enough for the second day, but if I was going out on a solo bikepacking trip I’d take a few more things or spec some different stuff.

And a book – I cannot go without a book.

I just read* the map for the route I intend to take the next day 😉

* as in study intently for a prolonged period…

One interesting thing on the list (for me) is the full length mat. On the recent STW Welsh winter bivvy trip in December, we got to the overnight bivvy spot and everyone else rolled out full length mats. I rolled out my short Neoair and it looked seriously inadequate. To compensate, I put my shoes at the bottom of the mat and my camelbak below those and that just about kept my feet off the ground. Made it through the night in very clearly freezing conditions (est. minus 5 or so) without cold feet. Bonus in the morning was shoes were damp but not frozen, whereas most other peoples shoes were blocks of ice.

I also rode from Bangor via occasional off road tracks to Llanberis with a great descent through the quarries. Head over the Telegraph route and onto Beddgelert forest. I did a loop there and headed back (long ride), but there are other options over the top from Beddgelert forest into Afon Dwyfor if you wanted to go further.

There’s a route I used to do from Bangor that went out to Abergwyngregin, and then up into the hills onto the roman road and past the stone circles. It aimed, via some wide open moorland footpaths to Sychnant Pass and south along more of the same to the roman road. It was 30 odd miles but very tough riding for the distance.

To lengthen the route, you could head further south to Llyn Cowlyd res. and go over into the Ogwen Valley. A road link would take you in the direction of Snowdon, either via Pen-y-pass or down Nant Ffrancon and over from Bethesda and through the slate quarries.

The trouble with the N. Wales I found was it’s quite fragmented as there are steep valleys and bit rocky mountains that you can’t always ride over.

Interesting list that.

Quantum top bag isn’t everyone’s idea of a sleeping bag though 😉
Buff’s also weigh more than 10g. I’ve weighed one 😳

I don’t have the list to hand, but my justenoughforthirtysixhours kit list for Polaris was around 4kg before tools and water, both of which went on the bike. That included a tent ~ 1kg, and I remember all my food was also 1kg, so Rik you don’t each much!

Anyway, my conclusion ultimately that there was too much discomfort for general use but it was tolerable for a race/event where less weight roughly translated to more speed.

5’9″ (but with long 33″ inside leg) and medium swift and subsequently medium pegasus fit me just fine.

For the Singular Pegasus riders early in this thread: what sort of frame bags are you using on your bike

Bit late picking this up – mine is home made, and is the beginning of a small cottage industry for my better half under the name of Wildcat Gear. A bit more here, but more to follow on the forum in due course.

Yes 😉

Tiger – nice stove you’ve made there, how quick does it boil 500ml of water?

Very nice Alfa. You should get one of those frame bags to go with that I reckon 😉

I’m mindful of how much I already hate spinning down road sections on my current gear though.

Me too, which is why I’m inclined not to go shorter than 32:20 and concentrate on kit selection and fitness.

Forgot to add to my previous post that Alfachippy was also SS, so perhaps he’ll be able to give some insight into his gearing for 26″ wheels and how he got on with it last year.

I do recall him saying he’d dropped his gearing and was surprised what a difference the added weight made

A good summary actually. I was on 32:20, having previously run 32:19. If I went SS this year, I’d probably keep the gear the same but try and reduce the weight of kit. Bike weight all up was something like 34lbs, iirc.

However, I’m fitter now than I was then, and on a recent bothy trip I rode up a climb on 32:19 that I pushed last year with 32:20 – bike weight was pretty similar. Depends what you’re used to, but my advice would be to try a medium length day ride with your kit loaded to see what it was like. I didn’t do this, and consequently, the first climb was more of a grunt that I expected.

Mass start (sort of more like mass wobble then mass stop at 1st junction to look at map)

😆

Bigface – I posted some pics here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/15512491@N08/sets/72157624168123844/

It is a bit “underground”, which is all part of the fun IMO.

Four bothies?

/pedant mode off

😉

I was going to speculate that we wouldn’t be heading south this year.

With an abundance of bothie’s in that direction it’d all be too easy, surely?

Subliminal advertising

I thought that was proven not to work?

First name Ian, second name Barrington, which is too long for general use, so it got shortened to B. I was regularly called Mister B at Uni, but IanB is shorter and I think MrB had been taken. Not very imaginative really.

You might be able to get just the main pivot done for less, but I think the full bearing/bush/axle kit from Nicolai was quite expensive.

This was one of the reasons I sold my Nicolai (lovely though it was) and went back to a hardtail…

I used to get Skyline Cycles to do mine ~ £120…
If I recall, the main pivot is a roller bearing but I don’t know the dimensions. It was unsealed though, so as well as replacing the bearing you also replaced an axle that passed through it and the frame. This was a slight interference fit in the frame, so depending on how long it’d been in there, it was sometimes difficult to get out. All the other pivots are plastic bushes of some sort. HTH.

Ian

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P1030348[/url] by ianbarrington[/url], on Flickr

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P1020059[/url] by ianbarrington[/url], on Flickr

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P1030453[/url] by ianbarrington[/url], on Flickr

Our native conifer species are quite few (three actually) one of which of which has it’s own disease to worry about: http://www.forestry.gov.uk/fr/INFD-6ZCKAE

Agree though that the removal of larch from the landscape would be a shame. Similarly so with Scot’s pine, particularly the truly native bits.

Government will pay out £billions in compensation to the new forest owners to chop down their trees.

Ha ha. You think? Forest owners are getting very little by way of compensation for having to clear the current infected larch stands. For non-infected stands, private forestry subsidy is a very small pot compared to the agricultual one for the amount of public benefit it provides, but that’s a different topic I guess.

I didn’t know that, can you post the source for that?

I don’t think I have a written source, but it was a point that was widely discussed at a recent DEFRA/ Forest Research conference I attended on P. Ramorum. Generally, the (suspected) incidents of P.r. are/were up and down the west coast and trail off eastwards along a gradually declining rainfall gradient. However, since the conference, a number of suspected sites have since been give the all clear, so the outbreak map doesn’t look as bad as it did.

We’ve not had long to study this disease yet, but it is thought that warm wet summers have allowed the disease to establish in the SW, and the last three (four?) summers have seen above average rainfall and above average humidity which has resulted in a large increase in the number of infections to the extent that whole stands became infected. The sporalation rate of P.r. in larch is also much more than of Rhododendron (another host for the disease), and it being in the tree canopy it is in a more exposed position to spread on a damp wind.

Bit more here, but most of it refers to the American version, Sudden Oak Death: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phytophthora_ramorum

Anyone would think that forests are devoid of wildlife.

Quite, though the range of which some MTBer’s roam is higher than the average rabbit or squirrel 😉

Not to mention the gulf stream, of course, which has been the biggest factor in the spread of this disease all the way from Cornwall to Scotland and N. Ireland.

That’s another thing ordered that until 10 mins ago I didn’t think I needed…

😉

Thanks spokebloke – liked the site btw, nice easy ordering system.