There’s a few different routes out there IMO one of the best was compiled by Ian from Wildcat Gear and runs from the Great Orme to Worms Head. If you have a search around on the Bear Bones Forum you should find some info.

I do hope you’ll be doing it self-supported … makes it much more of an adventure. 😉

Get a Dia-compe non-indexed shifter … it’ll work with any gearing combination.

I spent the day testing this … over the mountains to the coast then back home over the mountains.

For the bikepackers and would be adventurers.

May 3rd / 4th / 5th Welsh Ride Thing

Oct 11th / 12th Bear Bones 200

Look up wood gas stoves too.

Bear Bones wood-gas stove instructions

Out of interest, where are you going that might require 6l of water? That’s an awful lot.

Genuine Q BTW.

The bike has to be steel.
The fork also has to be steel.
Single speed friendly.(ebb, sliding or horizontal dropouts)
Absolutely no racks! (Frame bags, seat bags and handlebar bags)
Room for large tires. (2.4’s at least)
Unrestricted go anywhere duality.
Think round world touring mile muncher.
The bike will go by the ultralight hiking ideals. > 15 kg gear.

That nearly describes my slot dropout Inbred with Enabler fork.

‘Pedant’ … you might find that ultralight = less than 4.5kg (10lb) of gear in hiking terms. 😉

Remember who?

🙄

Type, 11th hour, 11th day, 11th month into Google.

WRT at the start of May would be fine on a crosser.

Also at the start of April there’ll be something very suitable happening in sunny mid-Wales … details haven’t been released yet but there’ll be on the Bear Bones site once they are.

Andy, can you email me your address: stuart@forestfreeride.co.uk

I believe I have the perfect saddle 😉

1 tog = 0.57R (i think), so 1.6 tog is 0.9R, which is WAY too low for winter camping.

Based on the weight, price and R value, it would seem that this has no insulation in it at all, so beware, you’ll need to use it in conjunction with another mat for chilly camping.
That’s right, no insulation at all … so certainly not a winter / colder months mat.

The 2 bags are actually quite different.

Down v feathers, the smaller the gap in ratio the better: AlpKit 90/10 Robens 80/20 (X % down + x % feathers).

Fill power, it’s a complicated test but in straightforward terms, the higher the number the more loft you have: Alpkit 650fp Robens 500fp (this really is pretty low)

Down quantity: Alpkit bag contains 800g of down, the Robens contains 700g. Also, remember that the Alpkit bag doesn’t just contain more down, it contains more better quality down.

I know it doesn’t really sound like much but the 2 bags will behave very differently

You’ll be wanting mid rather than north Wales.

I can get a RAB bivvy on my top tube, 3/4 thermarest inside my frame (specialized pitch) and then hope to fit the rest on my bars and in a pack. I’m looking for a wing nut adventure pack, a light down bag and jacket. A few other bits and bobs ( brew kit, lights etc) to get started. Running a sadle bag doesn’t seem to be an option. Advice would be appreciated

The kit you’ve listed doesn’t sound disimilar to what the majority of folk are carrying regardless of where they’re riding.

When you say, techy stuff what exactly do you mean? The idea is that you pack in such a way as not to compromise your bikes handling, so you can ride whatever you come across. There’s usually plenty of technical sections on most rides.

If the Reverb’s stopping you using a rear bag then, big/bulky stuff on the bars (sleeping bag, jacket, etc). Bivvy bag and mat on / in frame and everything else in (the smallest) bag … it’s surprising how much you can fit in a wingnut Hyper 2.5.

Why would anyone put one of those beam racks on a bike, they are an awful design.

‘Tis true … there’s usually a few discarded/bent/broken ones make their way into the bin after the WRT 😉

Nope, but it does explain why It’s suddenly started chucking down with rain

We’re still dry at the moment – thankfully 😀

It might seem obvious, but go for one that is as light and compact as possible – that way you are more likely to have it with you when you need it

This ^.

The new ones from RAB look okay but it’s fair to say that they are pretty much all similar … except for weight/packsize.

There may be something along those lines next year. Early spring in Wales, I imagine it won’t be overly publicised though so you’ll need to keep your ears open.

Not a wind up, I’m £20 + £10 postage out of pocket!!

You could have bought 3 tents for that!

Rode out to see them dropping down towards Llanidloes this morning. Weather was truly bleak, high winds and sideways rain, however it really didn’t seem to slow them down … the police outriders reckoned they were doing 40mph + with zero visability – much respect.

So what have I done wrong?

Made the jet holes with a knife and fork from the look of it 😉

Are the holes too big?

Yes … try 1mm diameter holes, spaced at 10mm.

The yellow flame indicates too much fuel / not enough air … the semi-pressurised design doesn’t help here. Make another one but this time put the jets around the outer circumfrence about 15mm down from the top. Stand your pot directly on the stove top … remember not to put it on until your stove has bloomed. Any yellow in the flame should go after 30 seconds or so. There’s actually quite a lot of science goes into making a meths stove.

bearbones stuff looks good

Weighs 8g and is tough enough to stand on (if you felt the need). Intended for boiling just enough water to brew up or rehydrate a meal.

Weighs 22g. Intended for larger pots and more water.

Weighs 48g. Remote feed, so you can keep it running for as long as you have fuel.

Bear Bones 200

Entries close at the end of the month. It could be very handy for those short on time as it compresses lots of miles into a single weekend 😉

Might not be quite what you’re after but it does involve riding a bike, in Wales over quite a distance at the specified time of year 😉

Bear Bones 200

I’ll go and watch them climbing over the mountain out of Machynlleth.

as i’m building my ultralight ideal bikepacking set-up

No contest in that ^ case … even before we mention, more room, less weight and cheaper 😉

still S8tannorm : I’m a 5ft 6″ shortarse so i can fit into a surprisingly small space.

Me – 5’7″ … Lunar would be like a palace 😀

Somafunk … how tall are you ? The Lunar has lots of space inc’ headroom and porch, so as long as you’re not a giant you should be able to sit up, get dressed, etc without causing yourself lasting damage 😉

Using the 3 extra guy points will make a big difference to head / foot room which as Boblo says can be an issue at times. In reality it’s not bad without them, certainly no worse than the Helium or TN.

What kinda pole do you get for 51 grams? I’d be wary of shelters that rely on hiking poles, alternatives can be very weak, especially if they are light.

You could have a Pole-a-Bear pole

Explanation

I’ve had the Laser Comp for a few years and it’s been fine. IIRC, the Photon is slightly smaller and Cuben.

Nope, the Ultra is Cuben not the Photon.

BTW, these days the Vango stuff is definitely at the Millets end of the spectrum. Not the company they once were…

Vango and Force 10 are 2 different brands with a common parent company … much like Terra Nova and Wild Country. The Force 10 ridge tent is still available … it’s exactly the same product (slightly refined) that made them the company they once were. 😉

Somafunk, I’ve a very lightly used Force 10 Helium 100 if you’re interested.

Lunar Solo’s very good, quick to pitch, plenty of room and very stable. There’s a slightly heavier but cheaper version about at the moment called the LE.

Link to it here

Lunar on Bear Bones Blog

The SMD Skyscape would also be worth a look.

I did make it onto the bridge … but I did take the easier route to the left out of frame slightly then a 180 endo/hop around then back onto the bridge to give me some space to hope up the step onto the bridge.

Good man … however, I imagine even with the traction of a fatbike you weren’t climbing out the other side 😉
Were you staying in Llanidloes?

Very nice … but did you manage to get onto and over the bridge without dabbing?

might raise an eyebrow if you rode the llama in to town

I could use 2 and harness them to a chariot made from a wheelbarrow and an old sack truck … choose your weapon 😀

Nearest neighbour 1 mile away, nearest bus stop 4 miles away, nearest supermarket 25 miles away, nearest traffic lights 25 miles away, nearest tarmac 1 mile away. No TV (through choice these days), no mobile signal, water from spring. Internet via satellite in exchange for vast sums of money per month.

GF is away (in the van, so I’ve no transport) from this morning until Fri night, which means there’s a very good chance that I won’t speak to / see anyone until she gets back. To me that’s normal but I know others who would go mad by Wednesday.

If you’re happy with your own company, can learn to enjoy rather than endure a certain amount of hardship and have a good level of practical skills then it’s fantastic. If you enjoy nights down the pub, eating out, going to the cinema and your practical skill set starts and ends with finding your arse with both hands … you’ll last a fortnight at best 😉

The Mytimug stove set mentioned above – where can those be found? Looked at Alpkit etc but can’t see a set.

Clanton email me if you want one – stuart@bearbonesbikepacking.co.uk

Info and ideas … and Ms Wench, it’s actually ‘Bear Bones’ 😉

Some more info

On the Force 10 Helium 100 is it possible to just pitch the outer?

Yes, the pole sleeve is in the fly. Inner just clips in / out.