Don’t look too far removed from todays bikepackers 😉

In 1897 they rode 1900 miles cross country in 34 days. Obviously the bikes were SS and loaded weighed over 70lb.

There seems to be a difference between the sexes with this too. I’ve found that it’s common for men to have a ‘fixed’ leading foot but women often have the ability to change their lead foot without thinking about it*. 60% – 70% of people lead with their left also.

* Women tell me this is due to them being more inteligent and using both sides of the brain 😀

If you’re planning on going off piste, just be aware that there’s still a lot of police activity in the Dyfi at the moment, lots of taped off areas, etc.

Planning on doing a nant-y-arian – mach – nant-y-arian ride over Easter, that should be ace!

It’s a good day out, lots of different route options so it’s fairly easy to form a nice loop … if the weather’s with you then there’s no better place in the world. If it’s against you, you might die out there 😉

The Climachx is what you’d expect. Man made trail in a forest, some nice sections before the final (climax) descent which is cracking.

The Mach 1, 2 and 3 are more old school riding. Bridlways, doubletracks and bit of singletrack out in the hills. Nothing actually built for mountain bikes but if you enjoy a ‘proper’ ride, with lots of climbing, big views and a few interesting descents then you might enjoy them. Don’t expect a trail centre and DO take a map, don’t rely on signposting or the official trail map.

How you position yourself on the bike will have a big impact on whether you get cramp or not. Too low a position (with very bent knees) will put a lot of strain on your quads … is the cramp happening in the front of your legs (quads) or calfs?

thanks Stu – love nothing more than wading about in bogs . . . just cant seem to get enough!

The bogs were only for those sporting fat bikes. 😀

When is it?

May 25th – 27th

9:Zero:7 I reckon..

I’ll put you some boggy sections in 😉

Welsh Ride Thing

I’ll give him a free entry to the WRT in May or the Bear Bones 200 in Oct.

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

http://www.bearbonesbikepacking.co.uk/pages/BB200.html

If he fancies one, he can contact me @ stuart@bearbonesbikepacking.co.uk

Brothersmith runs Jones Loops on his … seems to like it.

Chew – which top tube bag is that?

I believe flatfish’s TT handbag is a Revelate one … I’m sure he’ll correct me if I’m wrong 😉

That Shand is lovely!

In all honesty it’s okay on a rigid, so your 29er sounds ideal.

Not that particular one but I have used DD tarps before. Have you seen the weight? Not really ultralight and that’s before you add the stupid heavy steel pegs and cord.

Spend a few quid more and either buy:

AlpKit Rig – about the same weight but much, much bigger and with a smaller pack size.

Integral Designs Siltarp 1 – about the same size but less than half the weight/pack size

Using a pole will gives you more set-up options than just relying on your bike.

Set-up ideas

Planning ahead for the spring Tarp arrived today and I’m now looking for light weight telescopic/ segmental tarp poles. any ideas welcome. previously taken my walking poles, buy they are a wee bit heavy and excessively large. cheers

A few pole ideas

What’s the complete weight with inners? What poles are you using due to needing two?

Don’t use an inner with mine Rik so can’t help there, sorry. I’ve been using an MSR adjustable pole (shortened), not the lightest but it’s going nowhere. You can usually find a stick for the front pole or use your bike.

Does MLD mark the parcel down for customs?

Bought mine S/H from the States but I believe you do tend to get stung when buying direct from MLD. I’ve seen that MLD have made a prototype ‘mini’ Trailstar which looks interesting.

If it’s a bombproof 2 person shelter you’re after then I don’t think you can do better given the weight, pack size and cost.

Will see how it fairs next weekend as Mrs Julioflo has set a New Years resolution to Bivvy at least once a month for the whole year. I’ll be helping here keep this, so will update with progress on here!

Good luck with that.

Bear Bones Bivvy A Month

Here’s my Trailstar on the slopes of a Welsh mountain … it was August although it looks like March 😉

Also, here’s my BPWD Lair with Pyra inner net … superb set up. Not as roomy as a TS but the smaller footprint comes in handy at times.

Might be of interest

My second set have faired better than the first. I think that ditching the Salsa straps and knocking up some shockcord ones has helped … it’s very easy to put a lot of sideways pull on the cages with normal straps and besides, the standard straps are a bit too short and fiddly with cold hands 😉

Even when mounted properly, using all 3 mounts on Salsa forks and keeping the weight below 5lb (as Salsa say) they still snap … there’s a weak point as doh points out, they all go in the same place.

The two things don’t have to go hand in hand (I don’t drink) … I did once go on a trip and didn’t take any tea, that really was a struggle 😉

I was enjoying the pics! Good inspiration and tips.

Some really nice pics on this thread … might produce some inspiration.

Bear Bones

Bear Bones Welsh Winter Bivvy … although we ended up somewhere else, ’twas smashing. 😀

All quiet and no slipping!

Mine’s not given me any trouble in the last few years. Pull it apart every so often (12 months) for a clean/lube and that’s it 😉

just been reading a thing about camping in alaska, the guy who wrote it suggested that a foam mat with either a tin foil backing or a tin foil survival bag laid on it, was the best choice for winter.
he said a inflatable air type mat stayed cold cos your body heat escaped through it.

Tony, some air mats contain insulation to stop heat escaping to the ground. Some of the ‘best’ are the Exped down mats (which contain down obviously), Exped also make one with a synthetic filling. NeoAir mats have a reflective barrier on the inside which doesa similar thing. Any air mat which is ‘open’ and allows air to move freely inside will be cold in winter as it offers no insulation.

A thin closed cell foam mat underneath any mat will bump up the R value by about 2.

Have a look at the mats over at AlpKit, their self inflating mats are pretty good at keeping you warm.

Twenty quid will get you an entry for El-an Back … doesn’t get much more bikepacky than that 😉

More Here[/url]

I’m 5’7″ and ride a 16″ Inbred, I know a woman who’s an inch shorter and she rides an 18″ … Me long legs and short body – She other way round.

Lots of folk seem to like the Wild Country Zephyros tents … I believe the 1 man version has a bigger porch than the 2 man if it makes a difference to you.

I’ve been using a Vango Force 10 Helium 100 for a while and it’s great. Quick/easy to pitch, very stable, just over 1kg and very well made.

There’s some good stuff out there. A copy of OS Explorer 213 will be a great help … head out towards Nant Y Moch or maybe Fishermans retreat.

Oddly most of the stuff marked on the map is actually on the ground and rideable … not the usual case with much of mid Wales 😉

Glacier gloves are 3mm thick. The pre-curved shape means they fit okay … 1mm would certainly allows for a more natural movement but at the expense of warmth.

Can’t help with socks sorry.

Plenty out there, OS really is your friend. A word of caution though … due to the small population many bridleways are hardly used, so what looks great on the map may not be on the ground.

If you’re going to be in the area at the end of May, enter the Welsh Ride Thing, it’ll give you a great insight into what’s out there.

I have frame bags on my Inbred and Haro, both are 16″ frames … obviously there isn’t as much space as there would be on a bigger frame but it’s still worthwhile.

Some stuff inc a pic HERE[/url]

As someone who’s been out searching for April, I have to say it really is like looking for a needle in a haystack, in places you could be as little as 5 feet from something and not know it’s there. I think the local community is resigned to the fact we’re now looking for a body … very sad days.

Lots of very tired people finishing the Bear Bones 200 😉

Similar but still quite different – Bear Bones 200

Or if you can wait until early next year there’s this – Jan in Wales and obviously the WRT at the end of May 😀

A couple of areas to avoid in winter are valley bottoms and anywhere close to water … both will be cold. Trees will give you shelter and anything between you and the (clear) sky will hold the heat and limit condensation forming.

Just consider that if you can see habitation then they can also see you (or at least any light you have) 😉

http://www.hotlines-uk.com/News.aspx?NewsID=429

You sure about that^?

Yes …The time of 9h 51m was actual riding time not total time. Their total time was 12H 10m.

Terrahawk, along with TwinklyDave, holds the record for the Trans Cambrain Way

You might find that Mark Goldie holds that title with a time of 11 hours 44 minutes.

With huge bum bag and rucksack…

Good luck fella … I assume this ^^^ means you’re carrying enough gear to endure a night out?