Bikepacking - a viable alternative to racks & panniers

I kind of hope it is with the lifetime warranty...

+1 to that then!

Yeah, I just returned a large car camping thermarest that I couldn't find a leak in.
Brought it to my local (MEC - Canadian outdoor co-op) and they said just go pick another one. Pleased and nonplussed.

The tent I lend to Jake resist thorn extremely well, which made the high price tags worth paying for (unless it got a leak from your adventure), if your tent is good at resisting thorn, then your inflatable mattress shouldn't be a problem.

JB, stop moaning, every time you go touring, you never sound happy in the end!

I was in a bivy with the mat just on the ground. If it turns out there's a puncture in the underside then fair-does. If it's the seam, top or valve then it's getting sent back. May just stick to foam mats with the bivy in future as it's cheap and simple rather than knocking up a groundsheet or buying a tent.

Really enjoyed the whole trip, even the hike-a-bike bits don't aeem so bad now. Few months at the gym should make it easier in Wales...

Bivvy a whole different ball games, fair does, I'd also use a foam mats for that.

Yep, thought about getting a lightweight tent but can't justify it financially for mainly single night trips over 6 months of the year. Maybe next year if a longer tour plan comes together, but probably better to beg and borrow for that, saving money for ice cream, cake and cheese on toast

What do you usually bring on one night trips? Might head out of Madrid a few times during weekends and I got my bikepacking stuff with me.

Next time I go out will be usual ride stuff (tools tubes snacks water lights), sleeping bag, bivy, synthetic insulated vest and a handful of beers.

Admittedly I'll be driven most of the way before sleeping out but either way, those are the basics for me, don't over think it unless you live somewhere with bears.

Ed I'm not moaning. It's just all a learning curve isn't it. Same as Andy, the hike a bike is now a distant memory but my god - at the time I wanted to just give up. The first day was absolutely brilliant all day though - despite the constant downpours.

Here are a few photos from The Lake District. Apologies if anyone viewing these follows me on Instagram - you may have seen then before.

how was the bike itself? (on the riding you actually got in;])

Amazing obvs. Heavy, but absolutely bombproof - such a rugged machine.

Rode it without luggage yesterday evening , it felt like a weight weenie mtb. Felt so agile ha.

Beautiful JB.

How about hygene on 1-2 night trips? If staying on campgrounds with showers it wont be an issue, but when camping wild how do you guys stay fresh? Tooth brush+paste and baby wipes?

We could easily have washed in a lake/stream. Using soap and stuff, but I just washed the mud and sweat off of me every evening in water. It wasn't really at the forefront of my mind until the 3rd day, in which I really really really wanted a shower. I brushed my teeth as usual twice a day though.

I took toothbrush (full size yeahhh), travel tooth paste, antibacterial hand wipes. Washed up a bit in a couple of the pubs/cafes too. Being dressed in mainly 100% merino probably helped quite a bit.

I'd also take toothbrush/toothpaste, wipes and a mini first aid kit on an overnight too. Didn't think to include those in yesterday's ramble.

Hammock and tarp is the way forward.....no worries about a mat, but trees needed obvs....

Major lack of trees in the lakes!

Quit reading at

toothbrush (full size

just test packed for a week in wales... this is how its looking... probably need a feed bag thingy to keep a few things (camera/snacks) to hand...

Pack list:
Macpac microlight tent (in frame pack and saddle pack)
Snugpak Softiee micro sleeping bag
Vango 3/4 sleeping mat
Karrimor Xlite TI stove & gas packed inside a Hi Gear backpack cookset
Aeropress
Camping mug
Solar powered/Windup radio

Couple of Rohan wicking tees, Rab Pertex shield jacket, Rab Merino Longsleeve, socks x3, spare shorts
toiletries etc

Few packs of noodles/porridge/rice etc to keep me going...

Touring bike by pixel_fiddler, on Flickr

Neat!
I very much enjoyed having a bar bag for keeping stuff at hand: Food, wallet, phone, camera, arm&leg warmers, windstopper jacket, map, pen, paper, 0.5L drink. However, the RD framebag is also easily reached while riding. Otherwise a toptube bag behind the steerer tube may be a solution.

Neat!
I very much enjoyed having a bar bag for keeping stuff at hand: Food, wallet, phone, camera, arm&leg warmers, windstopper jacket, map, pen, paper, 0.5L drink. However, the RD framebag is also easily reached while riding. Otherwise a toptube bag behind the steerer tube may be a solution.

Yeah may end up chucking a small handlebar bag on as there are a couple of things i realised i'd not accounted for like OS maps etc....

Looks good Adam!

Been slowly writing up/making a few notes about the Lakes trip, will start with a quick (and still relatively dynamic) kitlist including what might need changing

I love lists. Should do something like that as well.

Should not leave camera at home though. Especially when dumping the clever phone.
When did you have need for bigger pliers?

Maybe, I ended up taking 3 or 4 photos this weekend, one of a tuft of grass that looked like a face, my wrinkly hands and an accidental shot of Jake's handlebars with my fingers half covering the lens... Guess it depends who you're with (Jake took more, interesting photos). Generally I'm a bit disappointed with most of the photos I take when out riding, might as well spend that time taking in the views myself or riding further...

Rational between "bigger" pliers - combines two tools into one, rather than duplicating blade, bottle opener, can opener, nail file etc. I didn't need it last week but I've stopped several times around one loop in the Pennines where insert stereotype rider here have been sat at the side of the track with smashed rear mechs, looking for some way of cutting the gear cable, removing a sheared bolt etc.