TransAm 2016 - www.transambikerace.com

FARK, I avoided going camping on Saturday as it looked nippy (fine for us, less so for a dog with no bag and 1% body fat). You miserable bugger.

I think my current sleeping bag weighs 1.5kg alone...

what bag? I have an alpkit one which is a bit hefty but the Moutnain Equip Xero 550 one my mrs has is rated to -22 and packs such small.

No pain, no gain.

My PHD bag arrived yesterday. It's pretty light but I dunno if I fit in it yet (I should according to their measurements) nor do I know how small it packs down. Next chance to test this stuff will be the BCM600. Normally I'd ride it straight through but I think I might do what I did on Saturday and sleep when I don't need to just to test the kit.

Oh, it was one of their cheap Minum/Minim bags - whatever was in their sale.

There are actually nice beds on this.

Yeah, but I'm not riding it to test Welsh bedding, I want to test my camping gear.

Be careful with the rating, the extreme rating is the temperature at which you wont die of hypothermia, its not the same as the comfort limit (upper for women and lower is for men).

There are actually nice beds on this.

Last time I rode it I remember the bed was still warm from the previous user when I got in!

I want to test my camping gear

It's great that you are doing this, but is it the right test? In the UK that the nights can be really cold this time of year and I know from camping trips that the ground is very cold.

Unless you have to pitch up at a high altitude in the Alps, it's going to be a lot warmer on the TCR and the right camping gear for North Wales in May will be way too warm for the Balkans in August.

I slept in a bivvy in a field last weekend, no bag, no pad. It got to 0. I was farkin' freezing.

I have two options - massive and heavy down bag or light PHD down bag. Then bivvy or no bivvy. Basically, I'm not testing the warmth of the kit, I'm just testing the kit. If I nearly die again then I know if I ever camp in Wales I'll need warmer stuff. In Europe I can just not use the sleeping bag or something.

I'm more worried about being too cold when trying to sleep so if I can sleep comfortably in Wales then I should be fine in Euro summer, right?

Anyone know where I can get a DT Swiss 32h 135x5mm CenterLock with 11s road freehub already installed? I've asked a couple of retailers but just in case they tell me the hubs are mtb or something... if you've spotted any that'd be useful.

Speak to Sean at Condor Cycles

I'm not testing the warmth of the kit, I'm just testing the kit.

What is there to test about the kit, other than its warmth?

Ah, I knew you'd mentioned someone before. Ta

If I fit in it (could be tested at home but where's the fun in that). How it packs and unpacks. How does the sleeping bag cover compare with the bivvy? Does the bag or cover collect condensation? Can I cut the pad down or do I like the extra insulation under my legs? Does the bag work when I side-sleep or will I be forced to lay on my back?

The more you use something the better you get at using it, you learn tricks to setting up and packing up that make you faster. Brodoueventraining?

Re: temp, if it is warm in Wales, will I need to bother with extra clothes? If it's freezing then perhaps I should get a down jacket to sleep in as well.

Well, I promise not to make a loud noise if I spot someone camped out in a field when I ride past!

You can't be louder than their moaning about the cold will be...

Don't forget that when you're tired to the point of exhaustion you will feel the cold far more than normally- go warmer always.

I plan on self-immolating if it gets too cold.

Doing it right. All I got was greeted by mostly a room full of a fragrance inspired by the flora around Mont Ventoux.

And when I woke up a really bad pain in my left knee which lasted all Sunday.

Mike (Talbot Wheelworks?) has 11s freehub going, might be able to sort you out as well...

http://www.lfgss.com/conversations/284684/

Take a self heating fo0d packet- just add small amount of water and you have a super hot tasty meal just before getting into your bag, full of win.

but self abuse will work too I guess

Looks delicious...

~450g, single use and so you're stuck carrying it out the next morning before sending it on the way to a landfill... not sure it's the best solution...

All the weight is in the food, packaging and chemical heating sachet weighs nothing