[quote] I had loads of plans for this year. But I’ve cancelled them all. I can’t be arsed tbh. /quote]
The same Ian Fitz?????

A very good way of prolonging the life of metal frames (steel or alloy, MTB or road) is to use copperslip, or similar copper-based grease on the BB threads. This will usually prevent corrosion due to road salt bonding the steel threads of the BB to the BB shell of the frame much more effectively tha...

Thanks mate - that totally works!!!
Didn't even need to use basecamp, just saved as gpx track on bikehike, rather than gpx route.
Happy New Year!

Hi I'm struggling with my new etrex 20x as it seems to be be limited to accepting gpx files any bigger than 30kb and any more than 100 waypoints. I have a 84km route plotted on bikehike that is 44kb and 284 waypoints but it won't load to my garmin and show the full distance of the route - only as fa...

Hey WELL DONE BOB AND CATH!!!!
First official winter attempt at The Northumbrian.
Thanks for giving it a go and posting great pics to show others.
Cheers

Philip

it just exposes you to more glaikit WHW walkers

Not if you're there at 02:30, like I was this year

Cheers Bob just retrieved gpx from junk and all is clear.

The small route change at the end looks like a bit of a small but painful sting in the tail Please explain I don't know what you mean. :???: As far as I know the 2018 route hasn't been released, although the expectation is that it's the same as 2017, in which case I've no idea what the small route ...

Neil Beltchencko is world class and he used 1x12 with 32 x 10-50. Hopefully that ends the gear procrastination before it starts
And in anticipation of similar with respect to tyres: around 2.3 wide, knobbly tread of some sort and air inside.

Hallelujah! A HT post at last. Well done Fitz.

Just bought a hexus 2.
Thanks all.

Just bought a nexus 6. Not expecting it to last more than 4 years though.

[quote] [Re pliers
Next time you are passing a fishing tackle shop go in and have a look at the pliers and side cutters that anglers use.
Tiny stainless steel side cutters snub nose and needle nose pliers circa 20 grams. quote]
I like that tip, I'll check it out.

Mini tool an obvious, but do others also pack compact pliers?
Can't get the locking off the tubeless valve to put a replacement tube in without one. Or get the presta valve core out to add a shot of sealant in case of a less severe tyre mishap.

LBS does Cube and can offer me a good carbon Reaction at a good price - does anyone ride a Cube for bikepacking duties? ] Cube Reaction 2015 carbon frame with carbon rs1 fork incl carbon steerer: a very good bikepacking race bike 2nd HT 2016, 4th 2017. I briefly thought about a carbon xc fs for 201...

More info from Dean, (that confirms info in techno mail's link): "You have it right - I've got a mate's farm as the start/finish so I run a series of events. All proceeds go to a charity of Mike's choice. The 300 is all on road, but the shorter rides are offroady loops around the Moors. Loads o...

Slightly confusing because if you look at the Audax calendar it shows that Dean is also running a 300km and 100km road event in the same area on the same day. :???: I'll contact him and get back. In any case, I recently did his 200km event from Darlington and it was a lovely ride, with a particularl...

DR - a little over 8hrs; YD200 - a little over 15 hrs.

That makes a pleasant change: from my considerable experience, Sealskinz don't work with water.

Hi Rich, I've just switched to an etrex 20x after years of battling with a satmap brick. I've been very impressed with battery life of around 18hrs with lithium batteries. Through the port in the back you can also run piggyback off an Anker but haven't tried this yet. You have to get the Garmin moun...

No, thought about it but always gone the Camban way, even in my pre-HT days.
I have done the cut over from Morvich - Strath Croe - then due north through the woods and Inverinate Forest to then drop on the track and head west to Iron Lodge - 4 difficult and unrideable kilometres!

Apart from the descent to Glen Licht it's straightforward.

In days gone by I've done it this way too, Bob. Just as much pushing as the HT direction, except you're mainly pushing downhill!
In any case Camban to the Licht hut is *only* 2 hours.

I don't think you'll find such a thing even if it once existed.
I use Decathlon fleece running tights with bib shorts underneath to keep lower back warm.
You could add braces to the fleece tights i suppose.

Depending on how worn it is, the jockey wheels might be worth saving at least! Always, always strip jockey wheel bolts off binned mechs! It is a dedicated bike industry bolt and to buy one individually off eBay is £5. I know this because I bought one after Huw from the HT told me he was guiding and...

[quote][If I was in a bike shop and they didn't have one of those I'd take my bike straight back out again./quote]
Too right!

Adding a silk liner +1C
Adding a fleece liner +3C
Zipping your sleeping together with the good lady wife's +10C