@pedalhead … not tried it in anger yet. Saying that I’ve used a full length POE Ether mat for the last year or so and the comfort has been great. I believe the Peak Elite to be even better.

The last part onto the ridge is the real test / killer!

Pretty much as long as your legs are hurting and you’re coughing up lungs, you’ll be heading in the right direction 😀

I’ve used Alpkit mats for years and had no problems. If you’re concerned about weight / pack size then a lot of folk will advise a NeoAir (for good reason) … I’ve just bought a POE Peak Elite AC which is lighter than a NeoAir, has a higher R value and is quite a bit cheaper – you pays your money, etc really.

Some folk are plenty tough enough to endure the ‘light rain’ showers that are forecast … others are better suited to trail centres and motorhomes 😉

Did you write my name on it?

Yes, copper grease (copper-slip) always works for me on ebb’s. Worth putting some on the bolts too.

Now that does look well Aidan … very minimal. Is that everything, no backpack required?

@Ian … still no maps. I thought you were joking when you said you’d commited the route to memory.

@Pete … Everyone will tell you you’ll need one. If you run your chain nice and short and use an unramped ring you might get away with it 99% of the time, give it a go without, you’ve nothing to lose.

EDIT: Except your chain (said before someone else does) 😉

Very nice. My Carver’s sometimes set up 1×10 (34×11:36) works a treat 😀

You are aware that all Singulars should be built up SS aren’t you Pete? … It’s the law.

I see your logic Nick but I really couldn’t imagine eating that for breakfast 😉

@Mark … should be enough sheltered spots about for a bivvy/tarp. Forecast looks dry for Sat night, haven’t seen Sundays yet though.

What Singular? When did that happen?

Johnny ‘Valleydaddy’ Cash this weekend then Pete 😉

Bless … I’m so happy for you. I might have ‘flatfish – simply the best’ tattooed on my bum 😀

Right Steve, first dibs to you if and when.

Well … I’ve just spent the entire afternoon phoning round all the pubs in the area. I’ve asked that they don’t serve cyclists on Sat or Sun evening. Amazingly, once I’d explained the charity aspect the majority were happy to oblige.

I’m still trying to work out how I want mine to work … my head is so full of ‘extras’ that I daren’t ask Beth for a price 😉

What’s with all this ‘going to try and get back early stuff?’ It’s not a race remember and there’s quite a difference to spending 2 nights out rather than 1.

Anyone returning early will be expected to be carrying a note from their mum 😉

WRT doesn’t have competition … it is a unique event for the hardcore, elite, fool hardy or just plain nerdy 😉

There’s a section of the forest here that got christened ‘otters pocket’ after my very first ride 😀

Edit: Forecast said very heavy rain and thunderstorms for today, instead we’ve had some wind and a little light rain 😉

@IanB the mounts in the pic work great … look like they shouldn’t but do 😉

No complaints about the weather please … I’ll be out guiding today and am willing to take the full brunt of it for you, so it’ll be nice next weekend. Surely there can only be so much rain 😀

Nice pics 7hz, looks like you had a good time. Is the Tarp Tent yours and how do you find it?

I’ve a few, got some Lush stuff from when they were handmade in Sheffield which are really nice. A carbon composite Roe Racing slalom set up which is just about the nicest thing I’ve ever ridden.

The ones I’d never sell are the collection of signed Pocket Pistols boards 😀

@Buzz, not that hard to learn. I didn’t pick a board up until I was 30.

Weather looks a little like last year … poor Sat then getting better.

Saying that, I’ve been coaching at CyB today and the forecast was really bad … we didn’t get wet!

That’s the spirit Pete … it’s surprising how much natural shelter there is out there once you start looking. Found myself a rather nice cave last week, it’s got a large rock overhang too which makes a splendid porch for cooking duties!

Red Lion (Llew Coch) at Dinas is alright for a bite to eat … don’t they’ll mind you a bit grubby.

Ride flats and save yourself 44g!

It will have to be a Morrisons carrier bag as that’s the only supplier of said items for at least a million miles 😀

Don’t worry DNF, if I were doing it I’d sleep out in a carrier bag and a knotted hanky … tents for girls 😉

You’ll struggle to find the paths (obviously green on the map) but stick to the fire roads and you’ll have no trouble.

Bit of a PSA here. With all this talk of rain and tents someone might find this useful.

http://www.terra-nova.co.uk/Clearance/Laser_Photon_Elite_Green_End_of_Line.html?utm_source=tn-factorysale&utm_medium=email&utm_term=&utm_content=&utm_campaign=facotrysale

Terra Nova Laser Photon Elite down from £330 to £200 for this weekend only.

Atleast it’s warm 😉

What you’ve just said is making me not want to have any thoughts 😉

I reckon you’ll be fine in a +12 so long as you kip in your clothes and use some kind of mat.

I certainly know of a couple carrying lights.

Without bothering to look … the other side isn’t really cheeky as it’s FC.

STS have a look here http://wildcatgear.co.uk/

Lovingly hand crafted in Wales … ’tis very nice stuff.

Cheers Aidan but I reckon they’ll be alright. Last weekend they were able to carry pretty much all their gear with a full frame bag, bar harness and small backpack … the more carrying capacity they’ve got the more crap they’ll take 😉

Condensation might be the problem with an emergency shelter. If money’s tight them I’ll sort you out with a poly tarp … just let me know and I’ll knock one up.

EDIT: I should just say that obviously condensation could also be a problem with a poly tarp 😀

If they’re Trekmate ones, they’re alright. Some bigger folk do say they’re a little cramped though.