https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7UgEJQfnht4

9.00 in - New Topeak Zi-Rak rear rack / anything cage support system looks useful.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DLWCdAUSLda/

Good clip of Robin's finish. He seems quite fresh. Also says he had good sleep patterns yet was 'in deep' and would be scared to be in Banff planning to do that again, I guess now knowing what it all actually feels like.

11 days 20 hours? Jeez ... about 230 miles a day. Fast conditions or not, diversion being easier than the Gila or not, that's quite a ride. The faster and drier it is the harsher those washboards will feel and I can't get my head around how someone stays comfortable enough to cover those daily dista...

I ended up with a soaked sleeping back once, it was dry in a couple of hours in direct sunshine (France, summer). Black fabric helped, something I wanted but couldn't get with the quilt I use now. Not intending to make this a down Vs synthetics debate but I prefer Primaloft for anything I wear that ...

After one too many nights being woken and/or kept awake by my Gatewood Cape flapping I've bought a couple of additional guy lines to attach to the loops on either side, but not had the chance to use them yet to see if that improves things. I always look to follow their 'point the rear wall into the...

I already have no idea whether I go bikepacking or touring, now I don't know if I bivi or camp :grin: edit, dunno how to spell it either .. Er, are you alright there James old mate? Anything we can do to help at all? How long have we known you now? One of our top operators too :smile: . It must the...

Do you have any photos of your tarp set up, type and suze? There are so many ways to pitch them. Will look one up. It's either a 6MD Gatewood tarp tent or a 2.8 x 1.5m tarp pitched with a pole 3/4 along the front edge, seems that wherever the fabic creates a corner or bend there is a bit of ripplin...

Sorry, yes - I say 'bivi', I'm in a bivi bag with a sheet tarp up, problem can be tarp flappage. Is that still a bivi out? I already have no idea whether I go bikepacking or touring, now I don't know if I bivi or camp :grin: edit, dunno how to spell it either .. Unless we're talking hooped bivvis wh...

I probably shouldn't google rubber bed sheets ..

One of the rules of the bivi - don't bivi where it's windy? Generally I lose more sleep to flapping tarp / tarp-tent fabric than anything else. I rate my ability to pitch one as competent to fairly good but the fabric flaps in higher winds no matter what. Since I can't get a Whillans Box that's comp...

Taylor’s of Harrogate now jumping in the bandwagon

If there is any ranking.. that's particularly poor.

Crazy fast year. I think the leading riders are better prepared these days? And kit may be a bit more efficient, still generally seems like a fast conditions year. Little snow in BC and Montana also I think? All suggests the conditions are similar to Mike Hall's near-record 14.5 days in 2013 but the...

Very kind of you, will give it a go - DM'd, thanks

Thanks

Thanks boxelder, that could be good. Not had a lot of luck repairing zips before but can you send some pics and what you'd be after for it to james.olsen.remote at hotmail.co.uk? If I can't do it Ortlieb probably can.

I had a milkshake thrown at me from a pick up in New Mexico

Lucky you, I was dreaming of milkshakes and ice cream from Colorado onwards

Days of no real views dont seem that enticing tbh. People.... Meeting other racers is always great. I dont know if id enjoy meeting the locals, unfortunately im not a fan of US culture and its products. Every day out there was stunning. The locals were welcoming and interesting, politically and cul...

Shared among detail-eyed and ebay regular friends, fwiw
Sorry ..

Time and expenses-wise, getting a month off off in one go is the hardest part. The rest, it's probably about a 'nice but nowhere near top end' bike's worth of costs. Since the best bike to use is one you've already done a lot of miles on, so, just saved you the new bike costs to put towards it : )

I think I need to give myself a deadline, start saving money and annual leave, or it will never happen.

BMX rules .. if you call it you gotta do it. Just say the words / send the letter of intent
Next year?

prequel 1883

I thought that was excellent.

Richard Brash Age 50 / Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire (UK) https://bikepacking.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/rBrash-2025-tour-divide-rigs_1-2000x1333.jpg Boner? I know a Rich from Berko? Go Rich! Crikey were Tailfin handing out racks to entrants? They're clearly doing well. In fact, bikepacking in 2025...

Looking forward to more of Eddie Clarke's photgraphy along the route. I've been watching 'Yellowstone' recently, it's a good series but I watch it for the landscapes of Montana as much as anything else. Dotwatching, not much these days. If only there was a dot-gopro type of device so I could see wha...

Based on the recent rise of the pertex+pile thing via Dry Robes .. might be a smart buy