OT but have you the link to the shorts thread?

I still prefer waterproof shorts worn over either fleecy knee length bibs or if it's proper grim full length bibs. My legs like the ventilation, they say, and the shins rarely feel cold apparently.

Ordered a 3r lw mummy.

It has been my only mat so over specced for most of the year but has been great on those occasional frozen floors. I suspect the 3r would be much more sensible for most of the time. But for a few grams I think I prefer the feeling of that extra insulation. And yes I'd definitely go long and wide. No...

I currently have this exped winter https://outdoorpeople.org.uk/products/synmat-hl-winter-m?variant=39939294003287 It developed a fast fail leak that I successfully repaired 2 years ago. It now has a slow leak from the same repair , taking 4 or 5 pumps over night. Currently trying to repair but if t...

I have the garmin 830, I don't reccomend, it is crap in the wet, but otherwise excellent. Apparently the new 840 is supposed to be OK in the wet . Having come from a walking gps I highly recommend getting a bike one, at least with garmin, the direction turn by turn features are vaguely exciting. A g...

I can't find any details about the pedigree of the motor though. If it is not from a tried and tested manufacturer then I think I would wait a year or two to see how reliable it is long term. That niggle aside it sounds like a world beater to me. @itchynuts Are you referring to the motor for the e-...

I was hoping that the smart shift might more easily open up the opportunity to using drop bars.

Alpkit have offered pinion for quite a while I think on the broken road and signal.

I was pondering/dreaming it for a gravel/touring type bike.

Anyone know if the frame mounting of the smart.shift unit is the same as the 'old' ones?

You'll likely meet less walkers if you do the northern edge that looks down on to Ashop Clough. My suggestion, ride up Ashop Clough, that in itself is fairly character building, get to Mill Hill, push up to the edge, then traverse back east, there are then a few interesting ways down. This route sta...

Thanks

Going for a possibly damp bivvy tonight courtesy of Babet.

I have some monoperm stuff I've never got around to using.

Black with writing on one side, grey on the other.

So which way up please?

I've generally found Sram BB's to be short lived as well. The last one I had, I noticed the destructions actually suggested prising the seals off and pushing more grease into them. The DUB set up seems pretty good so if Hope do one I'd be tempted to get one as at least the bearings can be changed. ...

Where and when are people meeting before hand for food?

Pete and I are planning on riding over from the winter hill area.

I gave up on squirt. OK in the dry but rubbish in anything vaguely Lancashirish weather wise.

Smoove is vastly better and survives multiple wet Lancashire days.

As the others though chain does need a thorough degrease first

You could use strava, sorry, but set your default ride permission to private. That way all rides are automatically private. Then when you want to share a specific ride or route change the permissions on just that one. In the unlikely event you do take up strava there is a privacy setting that sets t...

Love the only fools link.

I see the confusion now. To make it worse I am a fat biker fraud. Hardly touched mine since I got a cotic solarismax.

Could you use a pole extendor?

I got one from Stu for my (different) tarp.

Makes a huge difference on the available space.

That was the mnemonic I was taught many moons ago.

Since then north has decided to muck around with things.

Would I be correct that at the moment grid north and magnetic north are pretty well aligned in the Uk making the difference almost zero?

Regards
Bill!

Thanks all, I do wonder why I'm always called Phil here but heho my brother calls me David so that is not confusing at all! The klymit looks very well priced and for it's odd looks gets good reviews. As for insulation in mats, no they aren't warming but they definitely stop you freezing your ass off...

For several years now I have stuck with the single mat for year round use.

An exped winter insulated mat. Fabulous, comfy but clearly bulkier than needs to be for summer use.

I am thinking three quarter length.

What do you guys recommend please?

I'm confused about talk of Ramsbottom and the grane road. But yes do avoid the grane road. That first screenshot is nowhere near Ramsbottom. It is at SE 02676 12145, near Marsden. I have these 2 routes. The first gets you from Dunford Bridge via Marsden https://www.strava.com/routes/3094336783536815...

As for the first map image. That climb is all paved and cobbled until you get up high. Navigation is not an issue. Personally I'd follow pbw to cragg quarry, drop down to Edenfield. Head over to Edgworth, then on to winter hill. For me I'd then do the canal to as close as possible. Living near Entwi...

When, not sure yet.

Need to plan and agree with others. Thanks for the offer. That is really helpful.

I know the mass start is from the Mytholmroyd area. For me I reckon it would be a hard 2 days but I can't really see much in the way of wild camping spots at the east end. Are there any? Alternatively I am thinking starting from the easterly end but then I have the dilemma of where to park the car a...