Just for anyone who cares and all those stuck at work.

Flatfish and myself will be heading out into the Welsh hills this afternoon for a couple of days bikepacking. To make you feel better, take heart in the fact that first thing in the morning we’ll be tackling the highest road pass in Wales … it’s a 1 in 5 and somewhere around 3k long and Flatfish doesn’t know yet 😉

Have a good weekend.

Plodtv … I’m sure Valleydaddy and some others will be along to point you in the right direction shortly.

Bigface … I really don’t like riding with a pack after seperating my shoulder (then having to ride 30 miles home) last year. However, I needed a pack when I was instructing a DoE cycle expedition so bought a Gourdon 20. It’s fantastic, light, comfy, waterproof and what else could you get for the same money?

Highly recommended, I recall putting something on the WRT blog about it last year.

Some nice bags over at phd in the sale.

EDIT: Nice job Chris … that’s just what it’s all about. For those who ‘don’t get it’ you don’t know what you’re missing. 😀

I’ve got Midges on one bike and WTB Mountain drops on another … I much prefer the Mountain drops off road due to the extra width. Don’t know if you can still get them anywhere now though.

Sorry, map details won’t be given out until April. However if you do want to buy some, you won’t be far off the mark if you follow Valleydaddy into the map shop 😉

Valleydaddy, it’s pretty heavy but a good size, are DD ones lighter and bigger?

Bigface, no overnighter but out looking for GR … some pics on the blog.

Valleydaddy try these good folks http://www.profabrics.co.uk/

DNF, I’ve got an Ether Elite

Good man … glad to be of assistance, even if I do look like a ‘spod’ 😉

I have a stash of the now extinct WTB 2.55 Weirwolf LTs … I like them 😀

All looks like a top job Mark … I’ll look forward to seeing it.

Glad to hear it Buzz.

My bit’s easy, you taking the time to implement everything is the harder part 😉

Didn’t realise there was such a marked difference in volume. I’ve got a mountain one and it’s big enough for what I put in it but a bit extra wouldn’t have gone a miss.

A nice custom, full frame bag will be next … waves to everyone at Wildcat 😀

I hear you and I’ll get on it … got a bit of interesting kit for reviewing coming up this week too.

As GEDA says too much ‘arse over back wheel’ can be very bad but it’s often peoples default position either when things get steep or quite often when they become anxious/scared. I’m going to stick my neck out and estimate that 80% of the people I coach position themselves too far back. The trouble is moving backwards tends to make sense to us. It feels like we’re doing the right thing, your self preservation instincts want you to remove your face/brain from what it perceives to be the danger and it’s an image we say portrayed in magazines, pictures, etc.

Allow the bike to put you into the correct position in relation to it.

Try to ‘plan’ your braking areas in advance. If you don’t believe you can stop or slow down, then you’ll never want to release the brakes or if you do, you’ll just end up grabbing them at the worst possible moment … not a good way to maintain control 😉

Looks alright, I’d be interested to know what the down/feather ratio is (but I’m geeky). The fill power is on par with some more expensive bags. For the money I don’t think you’ll do an awful lot better.

If you do start to find it chilly you can always add a liner.

I think 623g is a typo … they’re listed as 550g everywhere else and yes I know that still doesn’t make it light. 😉

How about this at 240g http://www.outdoorwarehouse.co.uk/index.cfm?action=shop.detail&pid=D35C3696-FF29-08BD-48DB592D2EF8C6DA

Bigface, the nice thing about them is they contain insulation or baffles so aren’t cold like balloon beds.

Built for comfort not speed 😀

Coming from their neck of the woods it makes me feel at home … must be the accents. You’re right though, not really safe to broardcast anywhere 😉

Never mind that, I think it’s high time someone used the Macc Lads on a bike flick 😀

Vallydaddy … see here http://www.ultimateadventurehardware.co.uk/item/Brand_Pacific-Outdoor-Ether-Thermo-6-regular-Sleeping-Mat_0_0_592_0.html?ref=froogle for much big bargain. I have one and granted it isn’t the lightest it’s very comfy.

Hoora … I was right 😀

I believe they contain a certain amount of insulation, I’ve got a Pacific Outdoor one and even on frozen ground I don’t feel the cold from underneath.

Trekster, search for a company called North Point.

I believe I’m right in saying that, anyone taking part in this years Welsh Ride Thing will be able to see some Wildcat stuff in the flesh … and yes it is very nice. 😀

Hilldodger, this might just fit the bill. Rated to zero, 800g and under £200.

http://www.ultralightoutdoorgear.co.uk/rab_alpine_200_down_sleeping_bag.html

I mentioned no names 😉

AlpKit do an XL Hunka … big enough for big lads 😉

Has anyone had any trouble ordering?

I tried to yesterday … everything I wanted was avaliable but when I went to press the pay button all the prices vanished and I was left with a carraige charge and nothing else (even though it said free carraige for orders over £50)

Seemed to indicate that what I wanted was out of stock, just seems odd that everything was out of stock.

MSP – ygm

http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=12653571&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0

or

http://www.singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/skills-course-review

Seems to be par for the course … good stuff but very slow. If you’re not in a massive hurry you could always wait for the official launch of the (very high quality) Wildcat stuff which is made in Wales. Expect something towards the end of May.

How’s Aidan going?

There’s a lad does it on a unicycle … I think you’ll be alright.

Is the front disc on the wrong way round?

Claire can we not interest you in the Welsh Ride Thing … slap bang in the Cambrians. End of May so the weather will hopefully be ok.

If not (and I hope you have a good reason :wink:) email me stuart@forestfreeride.co.uk and I’ll sort you out a route or two.

Stuart

I have the task of keeping the wheels turning on this

http://welshridething.blogspot.com/

Evening there Buzz … just give me a nod whenever 😀

Anywhere other than Machynlleth 😉

Sent you an email Steve.