Bikepacking - a viable alternative to racks & panniers

MSR Pocket Rocket

or Alcohol as described here: https://andrewskurka.com/2015/backpacking-stove-systems-gear-lists-soloists-couples-groups/

Has anyone DIYed a saddle bag (carradice style) out of another non-cycling bag?
I'm thinking something like a camera bag, that's roughly the size and form of a Carradice, and then putting loops and straps in to the back, possibly some stiffeners if needed. That sort of thing. I could only find stuff online about making your own from scratch, but i'm thinking of just re-purposing.

Probably been done but I'd question time & effort cost versus just buying the right Carradice.

Camera bags tend to have zips in the wrong spots though don't they and they have rain covers typically, they're not waterproof by default?

Yep, all valid considerations. I'd seen some older (maybe 80s?) cotton canvas bags that could be waterproofed and might work. I might give it a go and then get annoyed when I definitely should have just got a Carradice instead.

Basically you just need hole for the straps and the wooden dowel in the bag to keep it's shape. Might not be that great though. Or you could get a Bagman with the qr bracket, so it would be stable and you'd only need the holes for the zip ties.

And here's a guide for a handlebar bag, http://www.bikepacking.com/gear/camera-handlebar-bag-diy/

Straight from work to the Pentlands near Edinburgh to bivvy tonight. Will come straight back into work tomorrow morning, hopefully arriving before 9. Forecast says "feels like -10°". Fun...

Edit: rucksack contains my hulking great sleeping bag rated to below -10°. Doesn't fit in any of my bikepacking bags; think with a bigger bar bag and a proper frame bag I'd be sorted.

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enjoy! camped out there in april last year. p damn cold!

Another +1 for trangia. I’ve had mine since I was in Cubs 20yrs ago.
Ive got the big version which is a perfect fit for a front pannier along with food and kitchen stuff. I keep my fuel under the downtube.

I use it most days at work during winter as nice to have a brew ready in 5mins.
This website has details of how to buy it or it’s equivalent in most places around the world, obvs with varying degrees of success.
http://www.mark-ju.net/juliette/meths.htm

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^stacked pans with spacer and burner on simmer + lid makes a great oven to reheat pie onsite.

I just realised I’ve got a load of quite wide metal eyelets that would be good for the loop holes. Cheers for that link - good to see a similar thing to what I’m thinking.

Fair play! I don't mind the cold, but the wet takes some discipline to keep your kit clean.....have a good kip!

Army surplus might be worth a look too. They seem to like box-shaped bags.

Here's my little crawl hole for the night. Riding was total shit as it was pure mud all the way. Only made it a few km in an hour or two of cycling/pushing.

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Type 2 fun? Enjoy!

Is there a type 3? Because I think it's that one.

Ah, that much fun. Take care & sleep well!

"Feels like" when it comes to describing temps can take a flying leap.
Just give me the actual temp and wind speed/humidity and I'll work the rest out. People around here regularly freak out when they're told "feels like -35º" while the actual may only be be in the negative teens. Some of the more 'popular' radio stations have even stopped using the "feels like" descriptor and just give the calculated number.
#oldmanrant

Has he surfaced/survived yet?

Just checking in for same reason.

All ok @frankenbike?

I'm alive! Toasty warm in my sleeping bag but very chilly outside it. Nearly back in work now, looking forward to a big bowl of porridge, cup of tea and a shower

#rep

Nice one, better riding conditions on way back?

Lessons learned:

1. Don't do a route for the first time in the dark. We were never lost and had done a lot of the nearby paths, but we might have known it would just be a mud trudge if we'd done that specific bit before. We had intended to get onto the easy trails that we'd done often but didn't even make it that far. Definitely don't do this if you're hoping for a relaxing evening and a nice early start.

2. Ensure at least one person remembers to bring snacks...

@withered_preacher yeah I agree. Not much wind-chill if you've got a tarp pegged down around you. I was more concerned about the cycling/packing/faffing this morning.

@rhb Yep, it's much easier when you can see where you're going... we took a different route that got us back onto well-walked trails much more quickly. I would even say it was "fun" riding although slippy from the snow.

Photo from this morning. Friend's lovely warm tent in the foreground. My bin-bag/mylar/tarp hovel at the back.

Also there was one casualty at dinner last night...

It always ends like that for sporks.

Morning snow looks ace, if a bit cold to camp in for this softy.