Right, I've decided I'm going to stop faffing about, and by that I mean whinging and moaning that I can't pack everything perfectly, in to neat little packages on the bike etc! I've got a seatpack (sort of), I've got a handlebar harness (sort of). I've got a bunch of stuff that doesn't fit where I'd hoped, but so what, I've got a rucksack! I'm out of here! I've decided I'm going for my first off-road bikepacking trip. Not 100% sure when, it depends on work and family, but probably next weekend. I've been reading a few of Stu's articles regarding bikepacking, and more importanly, the sense of adventure that comes from it. So, I've got a vague (very vague) route in mind up in to the Clwydian hills. I'm just going to head out of the front door and ride, see where I end up, sleep, wake up and ride some more.
All this being said, if anyone has bikepacked around the Clwydian hills and has any advice, do's or dont's please let me know!

Sometimes the inner ultralight geek means we end up spending so much time packing, weighing, buying, diy-ing and researching we never end up going anywhere

It took me over a year!

A year of reading, buying, weighing, buying again, I went through 3 mats, 2 sleeping bags, so so so much DIY, 2 tents, 3 tarps, a bivvy, and that was before I even spent a night outdoors....am I mad?

I eventually gave up, used a rack, a rucksack, got a bit uncomfortable but now I'm camping nearly every weekend, and one thing I couldn't predict was how only by getting out and doing it, can you learn or actually know what you need

HaYWiRe wrote:Sometimes the inner ultralight geek means we end up spending so much time packing, weighing, buying, diy-ing and researching we never end up going anywhere

It took me over a year!

A year of reading, buying, weighing, buying again, I went through 3 mats, 2 sleeping bags, so so so much DIY, 2 tents, 3 tarps, a bivvy, and that was before I even spent a night outdoors....am I mad?

I eventually gave up, used a rack, a rucksack, got a bit uncomfortable but now I'm camping nearly every weekend, and one thing I couldn't predict was how only by getting out and doing it, can you learn or actually know what you need

Exactly, this is exactly where I am right now. I'm spending far too long worrying about how the hell to fix a cage to a fork stanchion, or the best way to pack a stove in a dry bag yadda yadda yadda. At this rate bikepacking will end up being a purely theoretical hobby! It's time to get out there, give it a whirl and see what happens! Adventurin' n' all that!

Nice one.

Theres tons of advice on here but you will learn so much more the first few times out. Where to put things will develop with what is most important to you when you stop and what you find yourself looking for half way up a hill somewhere.

Final tip, dont bite off too much on the first trip and remain open mided on what will hapen and where you will go. Remember, youre not lost if you dont care where you are

ootini wrote:I'm spending far too long worrying about how the hell to fix a cage to a fork stanchion

I guess that you're probably doing it right and just got the words mixed up but the 'stanchion' is the slippery part that slides into the bottom part when the fork is compressed. You dont want to be attaching anything to that.

touch wrote:

ootini wrote:I'm spending far too long worrying about how the hell to fix a cage to a fork stanchion

I guess that you're probably doing it right and just got the words mixed up but the 'stanchion' is the slippery part that slides into the bottom part when the fork is compressed. You dont want to be attaching anything to that.

Ah right yeah, the other bit is what I meant. The flange in to which the shaft slides, so to speak.

my only advise when it comes to gear on the bike is to protect the frame where the bags are going to rub a bit of insulation tape, especially on the front under where the bar bag harness will rub on the frame/ cables. other than that just see how it all works you will end up moving stuff around and i like to put my thermals that i sleep in around my pan and stove to stop it rattling about in my back dry bag as any rattles do my head in hahaha....

go have fun.

youre not lost if you dont care where you are

'like'

Good idea to just go for a pootle and see where you end up. Gear is worth thinking about but waking up, packing up and riding as the sun rises tends to make kit options seem irrelevant. Well, assuming you're not soaked and/or frozen by then after a bad night but anyway .. It's summer.. enjoy.

A bike, something to sleep in and some big hills ... that's the makings of a great trip right there.

s8tannorm wrote:A bike, something to sleep in and some big hills ... that's the makings of a great trip right there.

And FOOD!!!!!

And FOOD!!!!!

You can survive a night without food ... and besides, that's what the cafe's for

ootini wrote:Right, I've decided I'm going to stop faffing about...
All this being said, if anyone has bikepacked around the Clwydian hills and has any advice, do's or dont's please let me know!

Ootini, I'm fairly local to the Clwyds... slightly overweight, unfit and very slow. I mostly bivi around the Clwyds and know a couple of different spots.

If you fancy a "guided" trip out just yell

Hi Barney, I've sent you a message.

And here's my cathartic / vitriolic rant. Also, can anyone tell me if the airlok looks fitted "correctly"?

https://bikepackingonabudget.wordpress. ... ing-bumpy/

Actually, it looks like I bolloxed it up. Should have been more like this :

That looks like the bottom of the bag is going to rub on your mudguard which you don't really want.

I've just received my taper today, fantastic size as it fits by bag, bed clothes, and down jacket at a squeeze

I had sewn up a few parts to go with my Mr.Fusion style metal support and looped a strap around the bag, seat rails and support its its rock solid, no bop wobble, sway, or importantly, that wagging tail effect

Downside is as I had to tread the buckles through all the loops,rails, ect, its a huge faff to take on and off, so back to the office to design a holster


Also, liking the blog mate, very down to earth, and loving the "may be better buying but like the challenge" attitude;)

HaYWiRe wrote:I've just received my taper today, fantastic size as it fits by bag, bed clothes, and down jacket at a squeeze

I had sewn up a few parts to go with my Mr.Fusion style metal support and looped a strap around the bag, seat rails and support its its rock solid, no bop wobble, sway, or importantly, that wagging tail effect

Downside is as I had to tread the buckles through all the loops,rails, ect, its a huge faff to take on and off, so back to the office to design a holster


Also, liking the blog mate, very down to earth, and loving the "may be better buying but like the challenge" attitude;)

Cheers, glad you like it.

Good reading,quite liking the recipes too....