Has anyone tried the coloured Proviz gear? Is it still as reflective at night? It looks like it might address my main issue with the grey stuff, if it's dull or raining it can be a bit like camouflage on roads in the day time, but if it's not as mad shiny at night then... :(

Reg's handiwork reminded me of the Purple Helmets' antics...

Getting bored and turning in earlier than normal is one of the benefits of kipping in a ditch. Between that & the exercise I reckon stoating around in the arse end of nowhere does wonders for my sleep patterns.

Pub is also a shout, but tends to have the opposite effect

I quite liked the wee bit that's available to sample on Amazon. The FAQ in particular tickled me :)

BigdummySteve wrote:for the younger among us the big metal tower with a wheel on top was a pit.

That particular A-frame still stands, the less obvious remnants are families in the surrounding towns & villages still feuding from the strikes.

crewlie wrote:Anyway at the moment it looks like I'll be hosting my own Winter Bivy!

That'll be two of us then. I'm just on the other side of the water :)

14p for a tube of High 5 electrolyte tabs, presumably a pricing mistake. Fiver postage but worthwhile if you're buying a few. https://www.amazon.co.uk/High-Zero-Calorie-Electrolyte-Drink/dp/B008KM5MJY Not sure that it's a mistake. Look what happens to the postage when you select more than one. I'm ...

The biggest problem might be infrastructure if you want to learn jumps for example. Less than you might think Bob ... technique is technique and it's surprising what you can learn with something as simple as a kerb. Bob in a week or so... https://cliquebmx.files.wordpress.com/2014/11/vic-murphy.jpg

It's worth noting that you can't register a Manx sim with 999 SMS, at least not on the mainland anyway.

Asposium wrote: A 999 call will use any available UK network.

but... unless you're on your "home" network or using a Manx SIM the people dealing with your call can't phone you back if they need to.

I'd advise getting an OS map & linking some of these up...
http://www.arranbikeclub.com/routes

It's worth putting in the road miles for a look around the west coast too.

This bit of serendipity from the One Bike thread made me chuckle at the end of a fairly grim week

I don't know what yies are all fussing about...
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-e ... e-39898684

Would you risk it? Yup :-bd If I've been known to doss in the shelters on various local courses. It's not part of the right to roam laws so technically illegal up here too, but the worst that's ever happened is that I've slept late, a greenkeeper has noticed me & they've came all the way over t...

"Bikepacking, like cycle touring but you get to make dens"

I've been putting off the Feb bivvy (& trying out my new bag) because for the last few weeks I've had a cold/virus that has neither came to full on manflu or gone away. It's not in my chest, and the forecast looks the best it's been this year, so I'm away out shortly to see if a kip in a ditch ...

I've been putting off the Feb bivvy (& trying out my new bag) because for the last few weeks I've had a cold/virus that has neither came to full on manflu or gone away. It's not in my chest, and the forecast looks the best it's been this year, so I'm away out shortly to see if a kip in a ditch c...

I fully realise lots of people will disagree Half the MOs around here would disagree :lol: A check on a bothy seems to require humphing in a weekends worth of drink & coal, then seeing how hot you can get the place* (presumably in case that fabled netball team shows up). They've been a destinat...

I can't find a membraned jacket to suit me, so I'm in the light windproof camp.
I also pack a waterproof, but not breathable, smock for throwing over the top when the weather turns hellish enough to need it.

I've did most of it in stages & it should go. Galloway is famous for having bogs & baby's heads all over the shop, but with the right mindset even these poor show bits are quite fun(ny). Take maps/printouts for the obvious diversions when inevitably decide you can't be arsed pushing/carrying...

Search the forums for Hunka XL, there's a few threads about it and how it's big enough for most bags, mats and bodies. That was the backup plan. Plan A was to swap beer for an issued one. A bottle of Devon's finest brown wine later & I am now the proud owner of an old DPM bag that I was assured...

benp1 wrote:Reg, how much time do you spend faffing on wikipedia?

FTFY

1/12: Combined birdy counting for Sustrans with a trip to a pub & the inevitable night in a ditch :-bd Things I have learnt: 1... I either need to get a wider bivi or modify my current one so I can sleep comfortably without the new fandangled mat Santa got me taking up all the room and crushing ...

Interesting you should post this. I've got an idea for a narrative based bikepacking film that would tell the story of trying to complete a certain route in under 24 hours. Would mainly have no speech and is inspired by a particular piece of music. Which I find very evocative it has a chilled build...

johnnystorm wrote:I reckon they'd have enjoyed the first bit more if they hadn't ridden for 10 hours in the rain without their waterproofs on and wore warm gloves instead of track mitts.

I assumed they were too warm for waterproofs until I saw the nick of them in that petrol station