Anyone been out recently ….?

I’ve collected some more gear and I’m itching to get out but not had time yet .
I need some more inspiration and a shove …….

You may find some inspiration over here – http://bearbonesbikepacking.co.uk/phpBB3/index.php

Don’t forget to tell us your times 😉

http://transcambrianitt.blogspot.co.uk/

by August you should be ok.

I think it’s fair to say that Aug is one of the wettest months around these parts 😀

I use the larger size OMM one.

The final descent of the ClimachX may not be open … check with the Holy Trail in Mach’ first.

features i’m after
1) chainstay mounted disc mount
2) lots of bottle mounts
3) rear rack mounts
4) geared and Alfine compatability if possible
5) fits flat bars

*Slot dropout Inbred does all that.

*Please no On One hating … I’m just pointing out the facts 😉

Much is going to depend on the bivvy bag. Something with a light base is soon going to get knackered if it’s directly on the floor.

Some bags (many Rabs as an example) have a much tougher base so they’ll withstand being placed on the floor. Something like a lightweight MSR or TN Moonlite would get damaged/worn pretty quickly.

A bit of poly sheet used as a groundsheet weighs nowt and works wonders 😉

If you really want to stick everything on your back then I’d consider something from Wingnut … i’d still be strapping a dry bag on the bars though just to shift some bulk/weight.

Something like a Rab Storm will offer you quite a bit more space than a regular Hunka but maybe not as much an a Hunka XL.

No snow, warmish today with a light (slightly cool) breeze … meant to be a nice weekend. There was snow on the tops last weekend but that was the ‘proper’ tops, much higher than anything Welshpool way – enjoy 😀

So, still s8tannorm – how do you fit the bikes in? Any chance of a picture of the bikes squeezed into it? (i’m trying to get my head around if all my gear would fit into it too!)

Sorry GF is out in it but I just put them in right way up, turn the rears inward slightly and bungee them to the side of the van. I reckon if you could be arsed to take the front wheels out, you’d easily get 4 or maybe 5 bikes in.

I always found carbon On Ones to be a little more rigid than my Exotic carbon forks but very nice. For steel, I can’t fault Salsa forks.

We’ve got a Kangoo. It’s the 1.5 version which I’m told is the best option, returns about 50mpg and drives like a ‘normal’ car. Easily fit a few complete bikes in the back … I can even sleep in the back (only 5’7″ though).

Reliability has been pretty good over 2 years with only a couple of small / easily sorted / cheap problems.

MSP … someone will have some pictures over here >>> http://bearbonesbikepacking.co.uk/phpBB3/index.php

Anyone tried one of these Pocket Stoves?

http://bearbonesbikepacking.blogspot.co.uk/

Scroll down a little bit 😉

How about this – http://www.theoutdoorshop.com/showPart.asp?part=PN90989

The trouble with any synthetic bag costing £50 is … you’ll either be cold (unless it’s a very mild night) or you’ll be burdened with weight/pack size.*In all honesty I’d save a bit more cash and pay AlpKit a visit.

*I understand this may not be possible.

You might just be glad of the cloud cover at 3 in the morning John 😉

CB there’s plenty about but you’ll need to be a reasonable navigator. Over the hill in one direction you’ve got the Dyfi forest. In the other direction you’ve got Lake Vyrnwy … you’ll need to tackle the highest road pass in Wales to reach the lake though. 😉

If you need anything specific – stuart@forestfreeride.co.uk

Don’t be afraid of experimenting with your foot position on *switchbacks. It’s quite common for people to feel better/improve by changing their leading foot for them … there’s no real right or wrong here, some people find it better to trail the foot in the direction of the corner, others prefer to lead with that foot.

*I assume we’re talking about proper, slow speed switchback turns where you need to steer the bike, rather than corners 😉

Me and Sim are off packrafting tomorrow for a future article

What rafts are you using Dave?

if you imagine a force pushing the rear wheel upwards, the bike will pivot arround your feet

Tempted to say, the bike will pivot around the front wheel.

Nicolai put their gearbox in this position to decrease sprung weight(?);

CZ … wrong way round. The frame and in this case the Alfine are supported by the suspension so are sprung weight. Putting the Alfine in the frame will increase sprung weight but decrease unsprung weight which is the holy grail. 😉

Cadair wouldn’t be bad Tony … well all except the last 100 yards.

For anyone looking for bivvy inspiration / ideas, etc.

http://bearbonesbikepacking.co.uk/phpBB3/index.php

http://www.bearbonesbikepacking.co.uk/

Top bivvy tip number 1 … make sure you watch Dog Soldiers a couple of hours before you go out. 😉

Cardiff … as cupra says, you’ll not go far wrong with an AlpKit Hunka BUT are you planning on using a tarp of some description too?

Hunka’s could be thought of as a waterproof / breathable sleeping bag cover, ie, you’re not fully enclosed so with no tarp you’ll have to be careful in the rain but with a tarp you’ll be fine.

If you want something that you can fully enclose yourself in (Alpine style bag) and you’re on a budget then look at a RAB Storm. If you’re not on a budget, look at something like a RAB eVent superlight.

I’ve just played Pleasant Valley Sunday as tribute to Mr Jones … A stroke of genius as it seems to describe a great many stw forum users 😉

Go 160 on the rear, you really don’t need a big rear disc … due to weight transfer under braking a bigger rear disc is actually more likely to cause you to skid / make brake control more difficult.

There’s some okay bits out of Mach, the trouble is footpaths. At least half of Glyndwrs way is footpath. If you’re after a way from Mach’ to Knighton that you can maybe follow on a gps, you’d be better served by the Trans Cambrian (IMO obviously) 😉

EDIT: forgot to say, if you’re nearby call in for a brew – SN871976

It’s the WRT that weekend, so if anyones at a lose end 😉

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

Don’t go it’s rubbish, you won’t like it. Pease has made that video up 😉

Hmm, can’t find one in that size.

Salsa do one that size.

I find the 2.5 better than the 3 simply because on the 2.5 there’s nothing resting against your back. Old injury meant I always tried not to wear a pack (not easy when you’re guiding for a living) bought a 2.5 and never looked back.

One thing … don’t try to wear it like a normal pack. Try and make sure all the weight/load is carried through the bag and on the hips. The shoulder straps can be really lose then, so there’s no weight being carried by your shoulders/ back. It might feel odd when you’re just stood there but once you’re riding you won’t feel a thing 😉

I did some riding in the Massif Central in France a couple of years ago. Only had a rough idea where I was headed, just set out with a sleeping bag/bivvy bag and explored. Lovely area with plenty of hills if you want them … it was over 100 degrees most days too. 😀

There’s a route (Grand Traverse of the Massif Central – Cicerone guide) that runs from Clermont-Ferand to Montpellier Sete on the Med. Just over 700km, could be ideal for a weeks trip.

@billyboy … like flatfish says.

Terra Nova Moonlite bivvy – 180g
Silnylon 1.5m x 1m tarp/lines- 210g
Pegs – 32g

Total 422g

You’ll be looking at something like the Rab Explorer series, possibly a 500 stretching to a 700 if there is a likelihood of below freezing temps.

He’s asking about bivvy bags not sleeping bags.

Just buy an AlpKit Hunka XL, think of it as a sleeping bag cover and you’ll be fine. If you want something you can fully shut yourself up in (try not to if possible) then a RAB Storm would be about your cheapest option.

Hugor … it’s really not as bad as you’d think. It can actually be a really great time of year to be out under the stars (no biting things). I think for many part of the ‘fun’ is thinking of ways to stop it been a long miserable night 😉

No, you’ll be fine … this was riding back out of the mountains on last years winter bivvy trip. That snow isn’t slushy, it’s frozen solid 😉

http://www.bearbonesbikepacking.co.uk

Or something from Carradice … it’ll last longer than you will and it’ll just get better with age 😉

Someone asked me if the pubs in mid Wales were all theme pubs (I think the theme might be ‘Wales 1972’) … that picture suggests it may be true 😉

Restless you’ll find some tarp pitching ideas over on the Bear Bones forum. There’s a recent pic of bike/tarp set-up on the classifieds and some other diagrams, etc elsewhere.

http://bearbonesbikepacking.co.uk/phpBB3/index.php