Bikepacking - a viable alternative to racks & panniers

I've pretty much wrecked a basic machine on bag making. Replaced with old Singer machine (hand wind) which is much sturdier & looks nicer too.

Yep, old Singers are the way to go, though I have a motor driven version from the late 40s.
Solid.

We had a couple of those 250ml skinny G&T cans empty so I made a smaller beercan stove, weighs 6.5g and works great if looks tatty! Defo benefits from pot being about 1/2 inch above it, too small for bulldog clips tho so wire stand required.

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Anyone doing any rail/sail type activity in the Netherlands before the end of this month?

I have two 'any station to any station' train tickets that were unused during my trip last year. They expire on 1 July and was hoping I could swap them with someone who is travelling this month, thereby extending the validity, as I'm planning on heading over in Aug/Sept.

Any takers? I'll buy you a beer :)

Think I need a bigger and more waterproof top tube bag. I know we've discussed this before somewhere but what options do I have? My Deuter was ok but got quite damp inside, which is a worry as that's where my battery and cables sit.

tt? Above or below?

Because of seams you'll never get 100% waterproof. But unless rain is driving at teh zip, I doubt with a decent bag you'll get water in.

You know those plastic wallets that audax brevet cards come in. One of those with a bit of electrical tape will keep your batteries dry.

Below the top tube it would be a frame bag. Above the top tube is a top tube bag.

It doesn't have to be 100%, I'd just like it to be bigger (taller or longer not wider) and more water-resistant than the Deuter.

Yes, I could've just used a zip lock (i usually do, forgot this time) but it was initially only drizzling and I was sitting over it so it wasn't an issue until it got heavier and heavier and ended up quite wet. I still want a bigger bag though.

Friend's using a the larger Topeak Fuel Tank, looks a reasonable size but maybe too wide. Apidura is quite long but not very tall, both have single, central zips which I don't like.

Newer Revelate Gas tanks are good height and the zip allows opening either side. Bit pricey though.

Ah.

Yeah rain will get in that zip easy.
Put in ziplock bag or in frame bag.

I doubt you'll get a tt bag that is waterproof in good rain.

Cable for charger looks cool - mine just sticks out the top because there's not much room for the battery once the usb lead is plugged in.

Gas Tank: 6,35/3,8cm (width at stem/tapers to top tube)
Fuel Tank Large: (L x W x H): 24 x 7.5 x 11 cm
Alpkit Fuel Pod: 25 cm x 7 cm x 11 cm

Alpkit Fuel Pods?
https://www.alpkit.com/products/fuel-pod-large

• Stem Cell
  https://www.alpkit.com/products/stem-cell
  
  

Length: 25 cm
Width: 7 cm
Height: 11 cm

nah leaks in heavy rain. Mine does.

Like they all will.

Alpkit ones didn't used to have any support in them and would flop around a bunch, not sure if they've updated design

Same as the Deuter but it's small so not much of an issue. So Revelate vs. Topeak?

Topeak cheaper, bigger and has cable out but might be too big as it's 7.5cm all the way back.

What do we think of the rapha/apidura partnership? Not as eyewateringly expensive as I guessed when the email landed!

Makes sense for their market. It's light enough, works well on road/gravel and I really don't understand how it's taken this long for someone to stick a big bloody reflective stripe down the back of a saddlebag...

Yet to get dry bags to test this out but anyone know where to get fat (probably elastic) straps like the above? I've found some stupid expensive ski ones but mostly it's heavy ratcheting straps for trucks and such.

Oh and someone said yoga mat is way too heavy and I should use foam sleep pad. Of course, there's a million varieties of foam out there, so... burns hair off

exercise straps/resistance bands?

https://www.alpkit.com/products/dual-straps-grey ?

Looks like sea to summit might do straps as well as the dry bags

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sea-Summit-Buckle-Accessory-Straps/dp/B004WBAEHC/ref=sr_1_10?s=sports&ie=UTF8&qid=1466013555&sr=1-10&keywords=sea+to+summit+straps

Yeah, that kind of thing might work. Cool. I haz options now.

I have some similar alpkit ones, they may not be uber light, but they're fast to tension. And easy to use.