I used to find that layering up in a lightweight bag ended up stretching the down so you lost insulation. It was a particular problem for my bum as I sleep on my side at my bum always seems to stick out... It works better with a quilt. I did one night at -6 in my Vesper quilt with my thermal longs ...

I thought we were meant to poop in a bag and hang it in a tree like a dog walker?

In a world without shareholders or children, this wouldn't be a problem!

It's a nice track but the world moves on

Us bikers are smart fellows, we'll find a way. #bikerafting

I like to slather on the sudocream!

Best frame bag I ever had was the official Salsa one for the Spearfish. Made by Revelate designs.

Was totally waterproof including multiple river crossing immersions down Glen Feshie after all the bridges were washed away.

Similarly, I often wear some Endura gravel shorts. Very lightweight, neither tight nor baggy and have been comfortable. They are designed to go over bib shorts but I just wear normal boxers. I wear them as day to day shorts in summer. They have pockets and vents and things like that and dry very qui...

It's worth getting the z flick poles, they pack down much shorter than even 4 piece hiking poles. Handy for taking on the bike.

Other than that, I dunno, it needs at least 4 pegs in the ground over quite a large area so sometimes hard to find a pitch?

Is this any good for you?

https://planetx.co.uk/products/titus-si ... nture-bike

I have a Planer X ti framed bike and it's great

There's a few places to camp up the Coriearyiack Pass.
The bothy on the Fort Augustus side is fine and easy to camp outside of if it's full.
The descent off of the pass will be hard work on a gravel bike but the rest of the route would suit one better. It's a very rocky descent.

I booked flights a while back, to Denver, so will take my chances I guess. Decided a while ago that I'd not go back, but the CT was what got me bike packing inspired and if I don't do it now, I'll not manage #selfishgit If it goes to plan, I'll descend to the brewery in Durango on my 56th birthday....

I've written off going to the States for a quite a few years now. It's a shame as I know lots of nice people there and some of the landscapes are amazing. I just feel I could inadvertently get in trouble for something. I'm going abroad I'm focusing on Europe and exploring smaller towns and less 'tou...

wouldnt it be good, if we all went back to paper maps...like we managed pre mid 2000's. forcing all the tech people to shut. it didnt seem any harder to plot a route IIRC. If only the rest of the world had been as blessed as we are with the OS. I've been enjoying using backcountrynavigator. You can...

I may have to take a spin up that way on the monkey bike and do a recce as I do not know that area at all....

Saw this route on bike packing.com and it looks amazing: https://bikepacking.com/routes/great-western-loop/ Am considering giving it a go, but maybe splitting it into two. Not quite sure about food/resupply and the long rafting section on Loch Linnie looks out of my comfort zone, especially as I'm g...

OK that all sounds pretty do-able on my "road" bike.

The guys were suggesting staying at Glen Duror bothy one night then Invermaillie bothy another night.

A couple of pals have asked me to join them at the end of the month on a wee trip. We'll be starting off the ferry in Brodick and then heading to Inverness via Oban and Fort William. It'll be pretty sedate (40 miles a day) and this is the route: https://cycle.travel/map?from=Brodick&to=Inverness...

voodoo_simon wrote: ↑Sun Feb 16, 2025 8:51 pm Sea to Summit mat at a cheaper price

https://rockrun.com/products/sea-to-sum ... at-regular

Lots of Sea to Summit stuff on Sports pursuit just now. Good discounts

My pal took this on a motorbike tour we did, seemed to be a good tent. Lots of space for sitting in etc with the porch part

https://amzn.eu/d/44FYlBc

Seems like it's 210cm long and has vertical ends.

1450g without poles (needs 2) so maybe 2kg total?

I got an old Rockshox suspension seat post with elastomers in it off of eBay for a tenner.
Works ok to take the edge off the bumps and seems fine with a seat bag on it

Maybe worth looking for one of them? Not much money to gamble

A long sleeved Helly Hansen one, with a wee 1/4 zip.
Wear it about half the year and it's lasted years. Would buy again

I've settled on a springy hardtail frame and 100mm SIDs.
It's just more pleasant.

I am a bimbler.

For what it's worth, I have been very happy with this one I got from Amazon. Packs down small, has a nice valve, the fabric feels ok, not too crinkly and has a strap to go round the back of your mat. https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07M7TBGJB?th=1 I do heartily agree that a pillow os very important! A c...

Can't speak for retrofitting a midmount but I have a wee Orbea Katu-E electric shopping bike with a bafang front hub motor. Have had it since about 2017 I think? Never had an issue with batteries or charging it up. The control system was made by eBikeMotion, now Mahle. It does occasionally turn itse...

This set might work for you:

https://www.hotukdeals.com/deals/wera-t ... nt-4500183