Not exactly bikepacking related, but the postie brought me a £240 ANT+ USB stick today, along with a free Garmin 910XT...

I'll admit I use it for chasing times/average speeds etc, but that's down to using it mainly for keeping an eye on my training on the road bike for triathlon purposes. Not that I'm any good (which is obviously actually the correct state of affairs for triathlon). I don't use it to compete with other...

Some nice warm cycling socks from the missus which I put to the test on a somewhat chilly Christmas Day ride, and a Cicerone Cycling the Pennine Bridleway book from the parents.

Birthday coming up soon so a large Alpkit order will be put together shortly...

My goals for the year to come as far as bikepacking goes is to make a start on some proper wild camping. The trips I've done so far have been with the wife and we've stayed on campsites. What I'm wanting to do is get in some proper off-road miles and set up camp somewhere in the middle of nowhere. A...

Doubt I'll get it but the main thing I'm wanting this year is a Garmin Forerunner 910XT with HRM and Speed/Cadence sensor. Did ask for some winter road cycling kit but was able to buy that anyway over the weekend when the missus decided she "needed" a new pair of boots.

If only this had come up closer to Christmas tips week! If it's still available then I may be in touch (not that it will be)

Could well be up for this! Even if it does mean entering Yorkshire. I'll dust off my passport

This just reminds me that I really need to get my arse back over to that neck of the woods. Spent 5 and a bit years living in Ponterwyd, and never did the area justice.

Currently running a cheap set of Michelin 700x35s on my 29er for triathlon duties and they make a world of difference. Noticeably quicker, easier to get up hills etc. Also noticeably more uncomfortable over bumps!

Looks vaguely exciting. Used to live just down the road from Nant y Moch. Always miss it when I see stuff like this. Should try to get over sometime and do some bikepacking in the area.

Aye was enjoyable, great weather for it too. Realised that folding self-inflating mats 3 or 4 times gives you quite a comfy chair which resulted in us lounging around until lunch time drinking tea before heading home. Nice quick ride back along Sustrans route 14 after the initial climb out of Allens...

Just got back from Allensford. So far we've gone with campsites (not been able to convince the better half to go for wild camping yet...) so fairly civilised. Easy access to clean water etc. Managed to improve the kit a bit over last time. I carried my sleeping bag (cheap Tesco mummy bag) in a 10l T...

Was fairly basic, was all covered on-road too. Rode from Durham over to Middleton-in-Teesdale via Hamsterley. Didn't even take kit for cooking/making a brew. Scenery was great, and was alright for an intro. We're heading out again tomorrow night, this time heading along the lines through Lanchester ...

Near Neville's Cross. Don't work in Craghead at all but pass through fairly often, work round South Moor a couple of times a fortnight

Good to know there are at least a few about! Definately need to sort something out at some point.

rocklobstercat, where abouts in the Stanley area? A lot of my work is around Stanley

Hi folks,

Just getting into bikepacking currently, having done one little basic trip (all on-road and using a tent) and looking to do similar this weekend. Wondering if there's anyone else in the Durham/Newcastle area I can steal knowledge and expertise from

vaguely exciting videos! Just getting into bikepacking after reading various threads on STW and browsing here, and videos like that are just inspiring. Also used to live just down the road from Nant y Moch reservoir, and watching those videos I'm seriously missing the place!