Bikepacking - a viable alternative to racks & panniers

I think I was unconscious before I heard any buzzing...

Will pick up a bug net!

Learned a lot on my first ever bike packing adventure:

1. Don't do it with a mate preparing for the tcr
   
2. Look a the temperature and pack accordingly (surprisingly a bivvy, 15 degree sleeping bag and liner was too much for West Ireland in summer, posted my sleeping bag home on day 2)
   
3. Irish coffees here are generally made with poitín and not whiskey but they make for a great night cap
   
4. Bring bug spray or a bug net
   
5. Ditch the carbon road shoes and bring spd shoes that can double up as off the bike footwear
   
6. Don't do it with a mate preparing for the tcr
   
   

I joke about 1 and 6, he took it easy on me most of the time apart from the last stretch as we were on a busy road, he dragged me into town at 40kmph.

If anyone ever has time to spare and nowhere to go, I can highly recommend the wild Atlantic way in Ireland, it is stunning! And there is 40km of #groad from Achill island to Westport.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BWLE6gGg7qV/

There's bivvys with integrated nets.
Or pick someone the insects fancy more than you.

This reminds me of a night in a bivvi in Croatia where midges attacked me constantly all evening and throughout the night: my mind eventually eroded and I forgot who and what I was. Time and space became irrelevant. There was only pain and suffering. Little bastards.

Reasons above and preference of keeping kit secure result in my liking for tent over tarp.

Feedbags to sit between my aero bars - what's good? Apidura - what else?

How do you secure the camelbak hose if it's running out of a framebag? At the moment it's tucked into my bar bag strapping, is there an "official" bar clip?

This is what I use. It's the cat's pyjamas.

I zip tied the chest strap hose clip to my bare bar

Your bare what???!!! :-0

I think the magnet is much more durable though

Magnet is the one. Dunno why I didn't think of pulling that out of my bag. Fits the Alpkit straps perfectly too.

I was looking for a rather large top tube bag and I bought the large one from Alpkit as I'm seeing a few ultraracers using it. https://www.alpkit.com/products/fuel-pod-large
But my legs keep rubbing against it as it is 7cm wide. Does anyone know of any top tube bags that are smaller (4cm-ish) but tall enough to create some volume?

Are there any alternatives to this thing? Ideally not as expensive and not a carradice bagman since I run a sprung saddle

All the cool kids (me) use Revelate.

Deuter do an even skinnier one which holds less than Revelate's.

Just got a revelate TT bag with the magnetic closure. Really nice. Pricey though.

I just got a PDW Bindle from Triton bikes, had a discount code so it came in at £45.00 - it's simple to fit, seems well made and happily supports my saddle bag..... adds stability too which was the main point

I'm struggling with a front rack though, I want something about the size of the surly 8 pack, but I don't like the fittings on it...... also thinking the Porcelain Rocket MCA as a bar bag solution - anyone tried one out??

I'll check out some of the cool kids gear at the start of the TCR next week. :) (Not a racer, just an avid dotwatcher)

My bike only comes out at night. Makes it harder for people to see the motor.

Hopefully it doesn't suffer the same fate as Ty's from this years Tour Divide! :o

Isn't there a bike touring thread for this rack chat? Heathens :P

Many apols @hippy - my bad for the hi jack.

Flying death monkey squad, attack!

Audax next week on my road bike, want a little capacity for foods/getting stuff out of my jersey pockets.
Stem cell or top tube bag? Ideally cheap and quick delivery

Cheapest option would be Topeak Tri Bag. Can be had for £8 at Halfords - holds enough for 150k of snacks, will need refilling anything over that.