Very,Very,Very Excited

[karlytown]

Many moons ago I posted on here asking for advice on bike packing gear. I got some great reposnes and advice from you guys..Thankyou. Back in 2012 I went and did the big night out at Aplkits big shakeout festival in Derbyshire. Feeling a little shy at the prospect of my gear, fitness and experinece level I opted to go solo. ( Partly so I could smke fags with impunity and no paddington hard stares, or headshakes.) I got lost, had the best night out camped under a dyign oak tree in the corner of a field I later leanred to be somewhere quite near to Wormhill. ( I was miles off course, having got giddy on the monsal trial and missed my turnoff:-)

Being the gear geek that I am, I've gone away and can finally say, I'm now equipped and good to go. Got Full Alpkit Bike luggage sorted, a decent down jacket, have reasonable down sleeping bag, and new Wingnut adventure pack ! Dead Giddy !

Looking forward to the WRT See you there.

One question.. What's the best lightweight sleep mat that will fit in Alpkit's Dual lok dry bag ?

[Tom]

The most lighweight sleeping mat is no sleeping mat..just ride 'til your eyes begin to close and you'll sleep anywhere. Long grass works well.

However, I've got a Thermarest NeoAir Xlite. It packs away very well in the same bag as my down bag and is very lightweight. It's just a faff blowing it up after a long day on the saddle and not very stealthy either. It's pretty durable I haven't had a single puncture yet. It is expensive.

You could also consider that silver bubble wrap stuff that goes behind radiators.

[Chew]

2 main choices:

Neoair
http://www.facewest.co.uk/Thermarest-Ne ... Arwq8P8HAQ

or
Exped
http://www.exped.com/usa/en/product-cat ... mat-ul-7-s

Not much difference, so i'd just go with personal preference or the cheapest. I've had numerous nights out on my Neoair without fault. A lot of abuse, not a lot of TLC and its been fine. Stu would say the same out his exped mat.

Excited?
Get yourself out on one of the Winter Bivi's. Social affairs, no pressure, gentle miles and plenty of options for a cheeky rollie

[Blackhound]

Another happy Thermarest Neoair user here. Had mine for 3 years now and ;last year had a bit of leakage where it went down over night. Tracked down the little hole and covered it with a sticky puncture patch and it has been fine ever since. Small and light.

[Bearbonesnorm]

As Chew says, the main contenders are Exped and Neoair ... although i quite fancy trying one of these from Klymit.