New to the forum, Looking for newbie advice?

[DanDax1990]

Hi guys, New to the forum and to bike packing too.

Bit of background information, I've been toying with the idea of bike packing since the start of this year and as the year has gone by, the idea has grown.

I'm currently off the saddle due to a broken collarbone which is why I'm deciding to get the gear I need (On a budget) and hopefully do a few 1 nighters early next summer with my brother and maybe do a weekend away somewhere towards the end of the summer.

I live in Bradford, West Yorkshire. My bike is a 2011/2012 upgraded Voodoo Bokor, Soon to have a new fork and maybe a new frame.



I'm toying with the idea of making my own frame bag, Is this worth doing or should I just buy one?

Also looking at buying a cheap but fairly light tent, Here's a couple that I've spotted, I know they'll be nowhere near as good as the gear most of you guys use but I'm on a budget due to saving for a mortgage and so on.

http://www.outdoorclearance.co.uk/index ... _id=154063

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/360636852504? ... 1438.l2649

Any tips/pointers/info and recommendations will be very useful. If someone could do/point me towards a basic list of gear needed as a guide that would be helpful.

[jameso]

http://bearbonesbikepacking.co.uk/phpBB ... bie#p16544

Hi Dan, this thread had a load of useful ideas in it

[Bearbonesnorm]

Dan ... why do you want a tent?

The quick pitch thing will be akin to a watery coffin after a few hours inside, it's also got a fairly big pack size. The Solo isn't actually a bad tent but it's very, very small inside. The quality of both isn't great so you might find you'll soon start looking to replace whichever you bought.

If you really do want a tent then I'd look at the Delta from AlpKit. They're £60 and with the inner stripped out make a superb tarp-tent ... a sort of halfway house between tent and tarp.

Another option would be a tarp ... now, I know that some folk are unsure of tarps but in reality they're actually fairly easy to use, all that's required is a little thought and practice. Something like the AlpKit bicycle 7 will weigh less than half what those ^ tents weigh and give you enough coverage for up to 3 bodies depending how it's set up.

[Ray Young]

I'm with Stu on this. I bought a gelert solo and at 5'8" I found it to be too small. Once your in it you can't do anything but sleep. It also weighs 1.5k. If you do decide on one though you can pick them up for about £25 on the net. The pop up I wouldn't trust if the weather got bad in the hills. I was a tarp virgin until discovering this site but now really enjoy using it. "A" frame style is easy to set up and can be made very weather proof.
I made a frame bag but had some spare material to use and just fitted a Velcro closure because I also had some. I used it for a few trips but then bought one. If your going to buy the material's then I'd say don't bother, alpkit will make you a custom job for not much more money.

[DanDax1990]

Cheers for the heads up guys, If I went for a tarp I'm guessing you use a bivi to sleep in?

I was just thinking a tent would be easier and cheaper that's all?

[Bearbonesnorm]

Cheers for the heads up guys, If I went for a tarp I'm guessing you use a bivi to sleep in?

I was just thinking a tent would be easier and cheaper that's all?

You won't always need a bivvy bag, much depends on your tarp and how you set it up ... reckon you'd still need a bivvy bag inside that quick erect Gelert

Wouldn't really need a bivvy bag under something like below, a poly dustsheet for a groundsheet would be required but that's all.

[DanDax1990]

Any links for certain products guys? As cheap as possible?

[Ray Young]

Field and Trek are doing Terra nova comp 1 tarp for £35 or adventure tarp 1 for £25. Both about 1.5 m x 2.5 m which is big enough for one. I use a bivi bag with mine just in case rain gets under it and also improve warmth of my sleeping bag. You will need to add guylines and pegs. Poles are optional but I find them much easier to use than using the bike or hoping to find suitable branches etc.

[Bearbonesnorm]

Wild Country Adventure Tarp - £24.99

http://www.fieldandtrek.com/wild-countr ... p-1-783185

Karrimor Bivvy bag (similar to a Hunka) - £24.99

http://www.fieldandtrek.com/karrimor-x- ... bag-781084

There's cheaper stuff out there than those items above ... but the above stuff is, robust, fairly light and will actually do what it's meant to.

[jameso]

I agree with Ray and Stu here, if the weather's bad enough to overwhelm a half decent tarp set up (reasonable tarp area with a pole and bike or tree as main support) then you'd be as well carrying on to found shelter or out of the weather. So a tent is good if there's a real risk of bad weather and exposure but for shorter weekend trips with a fair forecast I think a tarp's a much more 'outdoors' experience. Lighter too and the lighter you go the more you enjoy it all.
My simple tarp set up before I got a 70cm pole to go where the wheel goes in these pics -

[DanDax1990]

So here is where I've got to...

http://www.sportsdirect.com/terra-nova- ... p-2-783188

http://www.sportsdirect.com/terra-nova- ... ivi-783184

http://www.sportsdirect.com/karrimor-x- ... bag-781007

Would this type of set-up work well?

A friend works at Sports Direct so I can get some extra discount too so will be cheaper.

[jameso]

That terra nova bivi looks like a really good deal at £35.

[DanDax1990]

So would be even better with further discount then? :D

Would that be a decent set-up. I like the idea of a tarp over a tent also, more room to move around I'm guessing. Last time I went camping in a confined tent I got wet due to the sides touching.

My parents go camping often and have some monster tents, Lots more fun when you can move about in them imo.

Also as I read elsewhere, If it's miserable weather I'm guessing cooking would be easier and more enjoyable under a tarp.

[Ben98]

The terra nova bivi will not be as good as the karrimor hunka copy as there the same weight but the TN will be less breathable and more expensive

[DanDax1990]

Can you recommend any other bivis around that price?

[Chew]

I'd always look at buying the right kit for the right price, rather than something cheap which may not help with your first nights out. Buying cheap may end up costing more as you end up buying twice.
Secondhand can be a good option as you can get good kit cheap and if you change your mind later you'll be able to get most of your cash back, so its worth keeping an any on the classifieds.

I Prefer Bivi's to tents as you're a bit more connected with the outside world. I cant recomend Hunkas enough
http://www.alpkit.com/shop/cart.php?tar ... ory_id=324

In terms of tarps have a look at the MYOG versions on the 'cheap night out challenge' if you're on a budget. Also dont forget about a good sleeping mat to keep you comfy and warm on a night.

Sleeping bags - Get the best you can and dont scrimp too much. It'll be the most used piece of kit you own and its going to keep you warm overnight. For UK use i'd look for something which has a minimum comfort rating of 0C (look for the difference between comfort and limit. Loads of reading on the Alpkit site*) 0C will be adequate for 3 season use (it gets cold in summer too) and with a bit of layering you'll be able to get through winter as well.

Why wait until next summer?
Plenty of adventures to be had in autumn/winter/spring and the weathers never as bad as people generally think.

I'm over in Halifax, so give me a shout if you want to get out, pick up a few tips and here a few bad jokes

* I should be on commision for the amount of referals i give

[DanDax1990]

I'd always look at buying the right kit for the right price, rather than something cheap which may not help with your first nights out. Buying cheap may end up costing more as you end up buying twice.
Secondhand can be a good option as you can get good kit cheap and if you change your mind later you'll be able to get most of your cash back, so its worth keeping an any on the classifieds.

I Prefer Bivi's to tents as you're a bit more connected with the outside world. I cant recomend Hunkas enough
http://www.alpkit.com/shop/cart.php?tar ... ory_id=324

In terms of tarps have a look at the MYOG versions on the 'cheap night out challenge' if you're on a budget. Also dont forget about a good sleeping mat to keep you comfy and warm on a night.

Sleeping bags - Get the best you can and dont scrimp too much. It'll be the most used piece of kit you own and its going to keep you warm overnight. For UK use i'd look for something which has a minimum comfort rating of 0C (look for the difference between comfort and limit. Loads of reading on the Alpkit site*) 0C will be adequate for 3 season use (it gets cold in summer too) and with a bit of layering you'll be able to get through winter as well.

Why wait until next summer?
Plenty of adventures to be had in autumn/winter/spring and the weathers never as bad as people generally think.

I'm over in Halifax, so give me a shout if you want to get out, pick up a few tips and here a few bad jokes

* I should be on commision for the amount of referals i give

Hey Chew, I'm located around Odsal/Wibsey. Just off of Halifax Road.

Cheers for the tips also! I doubt i'll be able to do it this year anyway, My fitness has dropped loads in the pasts 6 weeks due to the broken collarbone and I still don't know when I'll be back on the bike. I'm seeing a consultant on Thursday so fingers crossed it will be soon!

I'd be interested in tagging along sometime and slowing you down haha.

The Alpkit gear does look nice for definite, Will have a closer look into it with my brother who will be joining me.

Would a bar harness, large front triangle frame bag and a large saddle bag be sufficient enough along with my usual Camelbak Mule?

[Chew]

Would a bar harness, large front triangle frame bag and a large saddle bag be sufficient enough along with my usual Camelbak Mule?

The more space you have the have the more stuff you'll take with you so i'd keep to a minimum for now. I just started off with a dry bag strapped the the bars and a back pack.

I'll be doing plenty of checking out routes/bivi spots for next summers Tdf trip over the next few months so plenty of bimbling around and visiting pubs to be done in the area when you feel like getting out and exploring.

[DanDax1990]

What frame bags are recommended? And saddle bags?

[Chew]

What frame bags are recommended

http://www.alpkit.com/shop/cart.php?tar ... ory_id=324

And saddle bags

http://wildcatgear.co.uk/products/seat-packs/

[johnnystorm]

Also have a look at www.bikepack.eu for frame bags, etc.

[rudedog]

Out of curiosity, what would the combined weight be for a cheapish tarp + bivi bag + poles/pegs setup ?

[Zoglug]

My setup is:-

Tw hammocks ultralite tarp - £21.99 - approx 500g
Alpkit hunka - £30 - approx 370g
Alpkit candy cane pegs - £6.50 for 10 - 15g per peg
Poles - not bought yet, but will be getting them from here. 70 cm pole and a 110 cm pole - £36.60 in p+p - 99g

Total weight - 1,119g

Ive added price so you can take into account the bulk/weight/price conundrum.

[greenmug]

Personally, I've gone for the tent option. The ideal of having a beutiful night out under the stars doesn't happen to much for me. I'm normally fighting either weather or midges when pitching. If you look at the weight of a tarp and bivi they come quite close to the 950g of my tent. If the perfect conditions arrive I can leave the door wide open :)

While rigging with bikes is possible it can sometimes be a bit tricky, maybe just whilst learning. I can pitch a tent by inserting the one pole and pushing in as little as four pegs.
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A really good bit of advise when looking at sleeping bags is to consider the duvet jacket + lightweight bag option. If you are likely to get a really warm jacket then you can scale down the sleeping bag. I'm looking for a mega lightweight sleeping arrangement for the summer and the down jacket will be most of the insulation. Downside is if you have wet cold legs these might need the extra sleeping bag warmth as much as the top half.
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I just got an Alpkit Y-front. Will give a review shortly after testing
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First trip(s): make them really easy and a location guarenteed to be good. Adventures for later. The steep learning curve means you don't want to add a hard journey. What is really nice is going somewhere you normally ride and have thought it would be great to stay the night. Often that spot where you take a breather overlooking a good view. My first ride before I'd bought nice kit was an hour ride each way. Great night and the inadequacy of rider didn't matter because I knew I could get home. I had an idea of where to pitch so I didn't have to think about much except which flavor noodles to cook on my new Bearbones meths cooker.

Whilst on the subject of food, if you are going for one night and don't yet have cooking kit, don't bother. Take food that doesn't need cooking or a mini thermos. Once you get some nights under your belt it is really nice to do some cooking or brewing-up. However I've sometimes found me cooking 'OK' food whilst I could have eaten some luxury goodies (e.g. posh pork pies).

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Best tip I could suggest is that the quality of a ride is often dictated by the quality of the people you ride with. It is great for the spirt to do some solo adventures. But better to share them.

I'm a little north of you and there seems even on this forum a fair few folk in the region so do always post up rides.

[Bearbonesnorm]

Personally, I've gone for the tent option. The ideal of having a beutiful night out under the stars doesn't happen to much for me. I'm normally fighting either weather or midges when pitching. If you look at the weight of a tarp and bivi they come quite close to the 950g of my tent. If the perfect conditions arrive I can leave the door wide open

'Tis true ^ ... if funds allow then a tent the weight of an average tarp set-up is readily available. Some folk just don't get on with tarps even in perfect conditions.