When I’m guiding (very hilly and often boggy terrain) we work on a 10kph average … that will mostly be over 7-8 hours. Many of the people I guide are only used to riding for between 3-4 hours, so the extra riding time does slow things up as the day goes on.

Yes and throw your computer away … time means much more than distance.

I was proposed to, I should have stuck to my guns and said no … wonder where she is now?

These fit like they were designed for it.

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=26970

Doesn’t MBR stand for “More Bad Routes” ?

Remember that this is Aidan you’re talking about … just because he finds it all rideable on 34:19 doesn’t mean everyone will 😉

trickydisco come and join the fun 😀 http://bearbonesbikepacking.co.uk/phpBB3/index.php

You won’t go far wrong with a Hunka or the Trekmates bag that TJ is flogging. There’s some info about the Tesco down bags on the Bear Bones forum.

Saluki X can be a handfull, certainly not great around sheep as a rule. However, don’t let me put you off. We’ve 2 lurchers, one is deerhound x and the other saluki x both are fantastic dogs … and yes, they’ll walk all day as long as it’s not too hot or raining 😉

A 3500km ITT would make the club evening 10 look even more tame…..

That’ll be the Tour Divide then, oh no it can’t be the TD’s 4500km 😉

The Shangri-la 3 works very well. I don’t use a full nest with mine but have a half nest for when I’m solo. I’ve also 2 floors, a full go-lite one and a half floor from backpackinglight.co.uk.

No reason why you can’t cook in the thing as long as you’re sensible. The internal space means that condensation isn’t much of an issue either.

You will get a little rain coming through the door if it’s left open … just don’t stick your gear below the door or roll the floor back a few inches.

On another note todays tent bargain must be http://bearbonesbikepacking.co.uk/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=167 last post.

I was out with a chap a few weeks ago who was using an Ultralight 200 bag. It was the start of Aug, he was in a tent, he had a good full length mat, he slept in his clothes … he was cold.

Candodavid you might also like … http://www.bearbonesbikepacking.co.uk link to the forum from the main page.

I’ve got a Pauls seat tube mounted guide … superb.

Don’t get.

Out much.

You’ll be fine Tony. I was riding with a chap last week, his tent weighed 2.2kg, someone elses weighed under a kilo … they both enjoyed themselves 😉

When I was 10 … as the years roll on I’m wondering if it’s no longer possible for me to cry.

Herman … think you’ll find that the Rab storm bivvy most certainly isn’t eVent fabric. Rab eVent bags are very good but I’ve never seen them for £50-£60 😉

You’ll not go wrong with a Hunka in either size.

I’ve done it using a Dunsley Neutralizer … don’t be fooled it’s just a metal junction box, nothing fancy in there at all, no valves, no baffles, no nothing. Dunsley are also a little slow at helping out with advice, etc.

It’s quite a complicated job, you may find it hard to convince a plumber / heating engineer to look at it.

Good luck.

Mine with an 80mm On One high rise stem.

As TJ says, it’s single skin so something like a Hunka might also be a good idea.

2012 Welsh Ride Thing at the end of May

Have a look at Riding Giants … It’s a surf film and pretty mad in places.

Someone mentioned 18bikes a few weeks ago when they were looking.

Kevin, if you fancy something a little nearer home this year, there’s always the Bear Bones 200 in Oct.

http://www.bearbonesbikepacking.co.uk/

Erm … wonder where those pictures were taken 😉

BTW … very nice work there Kevin!

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.

There are newer, lighter and more stable versions. Worth a read …

http://www.bearbonesbikepacking.co.uk/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=58

Tony, might be worth considering Conti Race Kings. I’ve a set on a 29er and they seem to perform well enough on and off road … but obviously everything in life is a compromise 😉

Yea it’s an Enabler fork … lovely bit of kit it is.

The fat front tyre is used in the snow … it compacts the snow down slightly and gives the rear something to run on. Fat front also allows you to steer the thing in the snow.

With which bit in particular?

Yes, obviously you don’t get the full effect but it will work.

headsup … the Bear Bones 200 is taking place on Oct 15th/16th so obviously happens before Mach N Back which as you say is Jan. Mach N Back will be along the lines of the Welsh Ride Thing but a single night out rather than 2 … conditions will obviously play a part in the amount of suffering 😉

This year (and early next) will be the first time for the 200 and Mach N Back, so no one will be able to say they’ve done it yet … the WRT on the other hand has been running a few years now, so peoples experiences of that should give you a fairly good idea of what you can expect from the other events.

Hope that makes sense and sorry to go on.

http://www.bearbonesbikepacking.co.uk

I’m with Jimmers … 34t here in mid Wales, plenty of big, proper climbs and it seems fine 95% of the time.

Out of the 3 you’ve mentioned … white Box.

Rodir … I explained that in your other post. 😉

Triad … works well enough but fussy. Needs priming/pre-heating can be prone to going out. Not as light as WB.

White Box … Light, uses little fuel, compact, fairly quick boil times.

Flashes I’ve got one I’ve been testing for http://www.bearbonesbikepacking.co.uk

They work very well, much faster than other meths stoves BUT they’re not light at just over 100g, they’re not small 86mm x 83mm folded and they don’t like small diameter pots. Something bigger than 125mm is required to get the best from it (even bigger would be better).

To give you an idea, 20ml of meths boiled .5L of water in 4mins 14 secs using a 135mm diameter pot. When I tried the same thing using a 100mm diameter pot it ran out of fuel before getting the water to a rolling boil as much of the heat was lost around the outside of the pot.

I’m starting to think that they’re well suited to use by a pair or even a small group rather than an individual. If they redesigned it and made one half the size I’d say it might just be the best meths stove avaliable. However given it’s size, weight and the need for a large pan, I’d opt for a White Box for solo use.

Okay … nerdyness over 😉

All this bike talk is very interesting but I want to know, how long has Captain Jack Sparrow had a cross check for? 😉

Very nice Anthony 😉

Nick speaks the truth ^^^ we try and be as flexible as possible, so something like a one to one training course, followed by a days guiding or an overnight trip would be easily catered for. Stay in the bunkhouse (think small cottage) for a £5 donation to the Wales Air Ambulance … job done 😀

http://www.forestfreeride.co.uk

Ton a chap your size might want something a touch bigger than the usual TN stuff. Perhaps take a look at something like a GoLite Shangri-la 3.

Here’s a pic of mine (2nd post down) next to a TN, the Shangri-la weighs less.

http://www.bearbonesbikepacking.co.uk/pages/trips.html

Fantastic Alan and well done … just read your blog, great reading. What’s next then?