In the spirit of fostering adventure I’d vote for a rule that’s toggled on and off randomly and swaps East for West and North for South.

Highly dangerous? Possibly ...

Good stuff! Thanks for sharing

I agree about attachments - extra faff for no gain IME.

Thanks very much!

I’m close to persuading a couple of MTB mates (new to bikepacking but reasonably fit and technically adept) to join me on a relaxed ride of the TCW. I’d be very keen to include a better ending and any other improvements along the way. Stu, is your alternative route finished, available or published a...

Looks like the second half of May could be a bit damp. Need to pick my day carefully

I’ll take the large Podsac saddlebag please.

I’ve got a few of the Spur copies. Work well but sometimes too high-pitched for old ladies.

Round here the human voice doesn’t always cut it with the “haven’t you got a bell?” brigade.

There are times when I wish I had an air raid siren strapped to the bars.

I’ve a couple of J&L Ti posts from eBay. Cheap (for Ti) and I’ve no complaints

Marvellous. Very much enjoyed that

+1 for Outdry

Amazing! “Day 1” done in two and a bit hours

Other than dinging rims, the only ‘breakage’ I can remember was a pedal strike to a stump that stripped the pedal threads and spilled me so hard on the ground that I rearranged my innards and needed an ambulance. Tell a lie - I snapped a steel crank clean in half while honking up a steep driveway on...

I’m based in Dorking and might be able to join for some of that. I’ll post up here nearer the time if it’s looking likely.

Yes, I used it on the bike this morning and while planting out borlotti beans this afternoon. I think it’ll see plenty of action

I’ve also received a Borealis - mine’s blue. And while I was at it I ordered an Endura Shacket, which is a reversible insulated shirt/jacket - hipster check on the shirt side and a lightly quilted shooting jacket look on the other. I think I’ll be sticking with the shirt look but I might need to gro...

What bike yer got there?

It’s a Pickenflick

Thanks!

FWIW I use a v cheap, v packable Uniqlo down gilet for cool evenings, a Montane Fireball synthetic jacket when it’s cool and damp (ie most trips) and a cheap Karrimor down jacket when it’s a bit colder. They’re all cheap enough that I don’t mind giving them the full-on tramp treatment, which, for me...

I finally got a chance to attempt my virtual winter event route last week and it ended up being a great little adventure. In the end I missed out on one of my grid refs (boo) but to counter that I did manage to pick off my trio of suggestive place names, which was a bonus. https://lh3.googleusercont...

Finally got around to an attempt on my VWE route on Thursday/Friday. I’ll post up a report shortly, when I’ve recovered.

I’m divided on this. I get that, tactically, this might go awry for the access campaigners. However, IMV we need to shift people’s perceptions from ‘the land belongs to the privileged’ to ‘we all belong to the land’. XR seems a good fit in that respect. And, frankly, the need for environmental actio...

I have had Gore Phantoms (excellent but now £180!), Endura Winddchill (good, warm, not too pricey) and recently picked up one of the Polaris ones, on Colin’s recommendation. It’s a bit cooler than the Endura and copes well with a wide range of temperatures, which is great. I prefer the back pockets ...

Interesting. Tri shorts are not something I’d ever considered. Any recommendations at the cheaper end of the spectrum?

I have a pair of ancient DHB bibs that I always wear on extended trips, as they’re so comfy and don’t give me saddle sores. The fit is relaxed (partly due to the age of the elastic!) but the key thing is that the pad is really thin, soft and flexible. I’ve got some newer DHBs and some Rivelos and th...