The plan was to ride 80 miles to kick-off 2014s Bivi a month and complete the Strava Gran Fondo challenge in one. I've been commuting on the Fargo so rather than strip off the semi-slicks & rattly mudguards I thought I'd give my SS Inbred it's first bikepacking outing.

Everyone on time for a midday departure when literally a 1/4 from home this happens:

Heard a crack as I pedalled to cross the A12 so thought I'd best have a look. Good job it didn't give way totally...

Luckily being so close to home means I can throw on a spare, et voila the 40p BMX chain I bought from Halfords in a fetching shade of orange:


Only five miles in and the planned route goes out of window as the storm surge has wrecked the causeway through the marshes:


Storm continues to influence the ride/route with various tracks missing or blocked with debris, fallen trees were not an uncommon sight:#


We made it into Woodbridge in time for a Kebab then headed back to the woods for the night looking for shelter from the biting wind. Apart from some nocturnal barking pheasants and it starting to rain just as we packed away the Bivi itself went well.

The bikepacking Gods obviously decided I'd suffered enough on the trail and allowed me to get home and wash the bike before revealing this:


After being at the lardy end of the WRT weigh in I'm making a concious effort to try and cut down on what I take and having fewer luggage options on the Inbred forced my hand a bit too. I was really happy with it, and running SS so this won't be its last overnighter.

I think you should keep the orange chain.

The orange chain stays until it goes the way of the other one!