Ok then, TJs comments have scared me. The potential litigation could be tremendous … next year it’ll be the Welsh B&B Thing 😀

If you pushed the boat out by another fiver you could buy him a gift voucher for a days mountain bike instruction.

http://www.forestfreeride.co.uk

Voucher’s valid for 12 months so he could choose when to do it.

Jimmers be interesting to know how you get on, like you say there’s only one way to find out … will you be taking your PD400 as backup?

Good luck with the thermo-lite Jimmers … I haven’t tried one myself but I imagine if your aim is to be cold and fed up you’ll do right well 😉

Yes my Rab bivvy bag has a built in net. It’s also what they term a Crocodile entry. You can zip the midge net up and tie the entry up high (tree, bike etc) so you’ve a couple of feet of head room but still away from the winged teeth.

I think what Ian says is very true ^. I find the real benefit of a tarp is the space it offers against a lightweight tent. I believe what lets people down is not taking the time to practice and understand what you can and can’t do with a tarp … it doesn’t just have to be a straight forward ridge or lean to but it’s those set ups that people see in their mind when tarps get mentioned.

@Colonel … great stuff, I’ve a pic somewhere of one of the Rough Stuff Fellowship on a folder high in the Cairngorms – barking mad 😀

Boblo, you can run but you can’t hide 😉 … from time to time I do know what you mean though.

Field and Trek have some good prices but you have to keep checking. I got a Force Ten Helium for £100 in store, there was no mention of it on the website though.

The superstar tensioners seem to work as well as anything else … either type.

Don’t leave the front mech on it’s not needed.

Don’t need a special chain, just shorten what you have.

Enjoy it.

I’ve got an Ortlieb version of the one above. Fully waterproof and you can fit a surprising amount in it.

If you still want to try a bolt up skewer … I can recommend Halo ones, even with an allen key set to FT they’ve not shown any signs of rounding out.

You’ll just have to nobble him then 😀

Just remember it’s a long race, not a fast one 😉

Does it have to be a trail centre? The Mach 1 route (out of Machynlleth) is ok for families.

Looks well Kevin … training going according to whatever your plan was?

I don’t think it’s anymore overkill for a few hours around Cannock than a 6″ travel bike, full face and armour 😉

3 cheers for Ray Mears 😀

The Welsh midges are the reason I bought my Bearpaw mesh inner tent http://welshridething.blogspot.com/2011/02/bear-spotted-in-wales.html#comments

Out for another scoutabout today (under the pretense of guiding) I’ll try for some pics if I manage to figure out my new birthday camera. I shall also be riding a SS, rigid, 29er with drops for added niche effect 😉

Instructing today and guiding tomorrow 😀

@ Ian … Is this the kind of thing you’re thinking midge net wise?

http://www.winwood-outdoor.co.uk/acatalog/Gossamer_Gear_Bug_Canopy.html

I have to say, I prefer Aluminium to Ti for pans as it conducts heat better and I’m tight 😉

The Ranger bag is a bargain!

Slugwash that is a great badge.

@Everyone – taking all comments on board 😀 … Right I’m off to instruct some ladies in the black art of jumping off stuff.

No badges … because we’re roughty toughty types (rather than tufty) I thought we could wear badgers 😀

*I fully understand that what I’m about to say crosses the line from nerdyness to uber nerdyness.

I’ve a few plans and ideas floating around in my head (as ever) for next year and later on this year. One of them is the forming of a bikepacking club. I’ve no firm plans and as yet it’s only an idea but if it comes off would anyone be interested?

Anyone who knows me will know that things would be pretty informal. In my mind it seems that it might be a good way to concolidate a lot of the contacts, information and ideas that are already out there.

Ta.

@Matt I could be up for some Pennine BW action, let me know when you do.

@Ian was Winwood the cheapest place you could find the tarps.

@Pete I’d love to come out over Easter but I’m working all weekend.

I like WTB mountain drops RIP 🙁

@Tiger … yes, I see what you mean.

Bigface, I’ve no idea if they’re avaliable on-line or if it’s an is store only deal. Got mine from Cotswolds but I noticed that Field and Trek had the same thing for a couple of quid more.

What you’re after is a Aquamira Frontier Pro ultralight water filter … if that helps track it down.

Thought some people might find this of interest.

http://bikeovernights.org/

EDIT: you’ll need to have a good look around to find the interesting bits. Jill Homers blog is quite good on there http://blog.adventurecycling.org/search/label/Bikepacker

Ahh, takes me back to my luge and speedboarding days … loads of gravity bike stuff on the net, some of which is pretty mental 😀

I’ve no problem with folk riding it (or anywhere else). As Rocketman says you’re not likely to meet anyone and I don’t believe bikes cause anymore damage than feet do … just wanted to make sure you were aware of the situation. 😀

How bothered are you about being ‘legal’? The only legal ROW for a bike up / down Cadair is the Pony Path from the south. Most of Cadair is a nature reserve, the powers that be don’t have a high regard for bikes … just saying.

No trouble at all Aidan … I spend months trying to blag stuff to give away, so the more the merrier. 😀

If anyone has any samples, flyers, cards, etc they’d like handing out feel free to get in touch.

I can’t believe we’re a few posts into food and no picture of flatfish’s christmas dinner 😉

Very good question Pete … I shall stick something on the WRT blog about food and stuff, soon as I get a minute.

😀

The Gelerts are good for the money but you can’t sit up in one and there’s pretty much no porch area. They’ll obviously keep you dry and out of the wind and rain though but so will a well pitched tarp 😉

I have now 😀 … thank you very much.

Much better suited to ss use as there’s not much room for brakes and shifters … I believe the loop bars are better for geared use. SSS will tell you 😉

That lad;s got no trouble packing has he? 😀

Brassneck can I come and live at your house for 24 hours? … I’m 40 in the morning so you never know 😉