Bikepacking - a viable alternative to racks & panniers

Based on our recent expedition to Paris, get some lip balm so you don't have cracked lips like some of us now. Doesn't take any space but prevents from some annoyance.

Hmm ... £70 should be fair? It's truly only been used once, it just isn't the right thing for me and my tiny bike

This.

Good list. Always good to cut out anything unnecessary. Do you need two base layers? I almost never wear one.
Also, rather than shorts for off bike, some light trousers are always in my bag. Nice in the evening/first thing in the morning which is the only time you're off the bike. For off road bikepacking I'd always be in baggys on the bike anyway.
Just my tuppence worth.

Soooo much this, chapped lips are a real pain!

Yeah this is my main reason for posting my list, I don't really know what's neccesary/unnecessary yet as I'm only dipping my toe in for the first time.

2 base layers I think would be nice to have, especially West of Ireland, and they take up very little space. Light trousers might have been nicer than shorts but I'm committed now and clinging onto summer.

Will pick up some lip balm.

Trowel is not a bad shout though we'll likely grab a morning coffee and pub lunch most days, so could drop then. Planning to have one or two campsite nights too for showers etc.

Mate has a tarp I believe.

I've been trial fitting stuff and can get my tent and sleeping mat in the bar bag. Tubes and tools in a bottle holder, so everything else will hopefully fit in the saddle bag. If not I might need to pick up a fuel bag for the top tube. I can really see the merits of a bivvy now when it comes to packing!

I took two of everything to Scotland for a 9 trip and it seemed to work well. Nothing beats putting on fresh dry socks!! (I took 3 pairs)
Shaving off a couple of kilos isn't going to make much of a difference unless you are trying to achieve ultra light levels.
If you and your bike and kit weigh 110 kilos then you are only saving 2%ish.
Although there's no need to take the percolator I don't think it's necessary to ditch a few comforts even if it is for those 'just in case' scenarios.
You are not going to be trying to beat any land speed records so just get used to life in the slow(er) lane.

Also, as there's two of you you can share. One takes the bog roll, one takes the toothpaste, that kind of thing.
Liquid soap is a neat product,
https://www.essentialslondon.com/products/soaps/dr-bronner-s-castille-rose-liquid-soap-236ml?gclid=CNzKy46G3tQCFWe77QodslIPKQ#fo_c=762&fo_k=a761a59bc6d611082a74eeef23f2cd52&fo_s=gplauk

so everything else will hopefully fit in the saddle bag.

Bear in mind that bikepacking style saddlebags rely on being well filled to keep their shape. If there's anything you're likely to need during the day (i.e. any time you're not stopping for the night and fully unpacking), keep it somewhere more easily accessed (e.g. fuel pod, stem cell or similar).

I bought a couple of pairs of very light underwear from Uniqlo last year. I know it seems a bit ridiculous but rolled up, two pairs of them take up well under a quarter of the space of a pair of cotton boxers and they dry overnight if you wash them out in the sink at the end of the day. It's the little things like this that can gradually get the weight and bulk for touring down. I use Vaseline with aloe vera instead of Chamois cream and it's fine as a lip balm as well (no double dipping!), Maybe not ideal for really to end shorts, but I just use basic dhb shorts, so am not really worried on that score.

Be disciplined when getting into/out of your tent or bivvy.....you don't want to be dragging in grass, mud or sheep shit. Any little grain of whatever will piss you off! It's almost better to strip off totally before getting in....it's not always possible though!
I like to go b&b every third night, to charge up my electrics and give my balls a good wash. Also watch a bit of news.....but I'm old.

Trial fit all my stuff into the bar and saddle bag today and it's tight, too tight in fact.

Already thinking of going full outdoors and grabbing a bivvy and tarp instead.

Anyone interested in a wild country tent never removed from packaging lol.

What model and what price?😂

Coshee micro, cost me £85 delivered, need to check if I can return it but prob willing to take a small hit on it, say £75?

Literally just been out of its bag to make sure everything was there.

Could you do the ridgeway with a CdF (28c panaracer paesalas)? Friend and I are thinking of going. I'd take my straggler that's got some knobbly tyres.

You could but I wouldn't. The descents wouldn't be much fun on loaded bikes

Is that cause of suspension or tyres?

hello,

some of you might be aware that i got Lymes disease doing the North 500 in May last year and I've been pretty debilitated since, for those that are planning on touring Scotland-or anywhere in the UK now really-please be careful and take precautions like packing a tick remover and antiseptic, as well as insect repellant and long trousers if you're wild camping-it might save you a lot of hardship later on. Some more info here: https://www.nhsinform.scot/healthy-livin­g/outdoor-health/bugs-and-germs/lyme-dis­ease

Also, this petition about the lack of awareness of what is now an endemic but under-recognised disease in Scotland in the UK finishes at Midnight tonight, if you could take a few seconds to sign it that would be much appreciated.

http://www.parliament.scot/GettingInvolv­ed/Petitions/lymedisease

Thanks and happy touring!

Ah, cheers bud, they are good but I am thinking about something a bit bigger👍

No worries at all, uttings can do full refund so we're all good!

Damn, heading to Grinduro next month on Arran. I'll add a tick removal kit to my bag.

Thanks for the heads up.

Chronic fatigue?

I suspect everyone reading this is now, like me, thinking "I'm tired all the time..."

Hypochondria setting in.

Hope you shake it off soon. Sounds nasty.

That's shitty man, and thanks for the reminder. I hope things get better.

Haha. I've been feeling vaguely flu-ey for a couple of weeks (probably the pollen + pollution) - read the linked info and considered heading to the bathroom to examine myself, despite a lack of recent clambering in the undergrowth.