KamelTrek wrote:What's amazing about Lael was that she rode the tour in 17 days, went back home to Alaska, rode 800 miles back to the start in Banff and did the tour again in under 16 days.

I think she is totally amazing I must say (which is slightly unfair on the other endurance cyclists who are equally amazing)

From my experience the hardest things are things like what to drink and eat, which being of this parish I assume you know all about anyway. Slarge's points about pre-preparing your food, and bottles in particular, is very good though. Making up my sodding bottles turned into the biggest chore of the...

In my back garden. Was locked out, as i had left my keys inside. Parents were out and due to return the next morning( pre mobile phone era). Broke into the garage. Rolled my sisters Duke of ed mat and sleeping bag out. Went to sleep. Got into loads of trouble the next day, as the dogs had not been ...

I have a Rab Ascent Bivi and am rather large for a cyclist. I have to say that with an Exped 5 in the bag with me there is not a lot of space, it's definitely more comfy with the mat outside.

That said, if I was a normal cyclist shape then i'd probably be fine...

Raphidura - http://www.bikeradar.com/road/news/arti ... hed-47258/

Its a pack not a bag remember!!

That's true but if you re like me and not so good at getting up in the morning, that sort of non-plan means you don't leave till midday

An Osprey Exos pack for some of the (whisper it) walking i'm thinking of doing over the summer...

Thanks all. This is all very new to me, so I'm learning a lot. For me, fitness is easy to work on, but specifics like this are nigh on impossible to get without talking to people with experience. :) I'm in the same bag as you, reading all these "racing" experts :oops: I would add that hav...

JohnClimber wrote:Karen and Phil's wedding day bike ride

In it's own way this is the best pic in the thread!

(I really would but I'm out of a job next month so probably shouldnt :( )

Ok, let's hope that Brizzle is a bit less strict than Iceland then.

The flight on Sunday night was 150Eur and the one Monday morning was 40 so it was a no brainer really. I'll be in work by 10

So, I never really knew this was a thing but - http://www.sleepinginairports.net/ Obviously our hobby means that we have a certain amount of kit that can make this really rather comfortable but is this "allowed"? I ve always been under the impression that you have to at least look like it ...

Sorry, is the Large seat pack sold to me or someone else?

If you can wait until my payday in tues, I ll take the Large seat pack please

slightly in love

Definitely find some skinny slick tyres (if you have a 29er you'll have a wealth of options) The only real benefit I have found to racks and Panniers over bikepacking bags is that you can carry much more stuff and when you do it's nice and low down, How much you need that space (and weight) is up to...

My Cumulus Quilt arrived, first thought - Man that's a horrible colour

2nd thought, Wow that packs down small! (It's my first down...thing)

HaYWiRe wrote: If she has to take a makeup bag bikepacking to feel better and happier outdoors then let her, I dont think it makes her any less adventurous....along as she carries it herself that is

Totally agree...

Attention, hijack! [...] I was interviewed about wild camping for The Sunday Times (Irish edition), but the piece was 'edited' to make me seem a bit more... shall we say feminine. [...]. Reminds me of a fellow GDT hiker and her issues with "feminine": http://www.walkingwithwired.com/2015/...

Latest post from a week ago - https://davekio.wordpress.com/2016/05/18/a-flemish-adventure/ The original article is here - http://www.bikepacking.com/routes/cycling-the-gr5-belgian-ardennes/ - though I did nt cover the same ground as him (though you could add my trip onto his) It's a good place for ...

Thanks, I meant finding a cheap replacement but if we can help each other out that wold be good too!

It's a Blacks Lupus - but it's the front porch that's broken.

I'm fairly sure it still exists under a Eurocamp Name so there may be a chance...

ctznsmith wrote:If anyone ever needs spare poles for a Vango Banshee 200 I have a set that are just sat around without a tent to go in.

If they re 350cm long I'm in!

I was trying but I ve got the dispatch confirmation email so i guess it's too late...

Weirdly they were replying to my emails yesterday when I think we were all off, but it's gone quiet today when we should be "back at work"

Final final, actually too late question

I ordered a quilt from cumulus over the weekend but I did nt see the option to stuff it with Hydrophobic down for an extra 25 eur.

Is this worth it? Is it worth returning it to them and swapping it. I don't need it any time soon actually.

Thanks
David