Dave Barter wrote: ↑Wed Apr 10, 2024 4:46 pm Bonnie Tyler is having one soon apparently.

I believe she lives in Portugal these days so she won't be too far away. At least she won't be lost in France

I believe they have a bike packing area at St Pancras Station for the Eurostar. Apparently it's where you can pack your bike.

Aye, and on Greathough Brook in Forest of Dean

... and they have been breeding

This talk about functional clothing reminded me of my wool jumpers, especially the one made of lettlopi (an Icelandic wool), which are, for specific weather, incredibly functional. Best is, my girlfriend made them :-bd Way, way back my mother crocheted a short-sleeved jumper for me which worn next ...

RIP wrote: ↑Fri Apr 05, 2024 8:36 am
Two what?

Two woo

Is it Teapot's birthday too...

Yes, very best wishes to Stu. Let's hope you have a wonderful day polishing your helmet

I practically live in short-zip long-sleeved fleece tops. Comfy as! They squidge up a bit more bulky but how many would you be carrying?

CyclingUK seem to have a lot of content on the topic and discussion: https://www.cyclinguk.org/article/cycle-touring-and-bikepacking-whats-difference if it gets more folks out on their bikes then it's all good :wink: Of course, Cycling UK were formerly CTC, the Cyclists Touring Club, and if I remem...

I went beyond two sentences and read the whole post. A picture paints a thousand words but your fewer words did indeed paint the picture(s) for me. Except... in my mind those pictures mostly had a Scottish mountain in the background until I realised they were in fact 'selfies'

Just trying to tally up past and future riding with the currently designated boundaries so I don't stray too close to being fashionable, doing what I would have done anyway. :wink: I think that's probably the point though, there really aren't any "currently designated boundaries". Or rath...

Interestingly now that 'self supported' has been mentioned, they refer to their journey in the article as "... a self-supported, multi-day adventure." In these days of marketing, influencers, social media, diversity, bike manufacturing, adventure holidays, self-identification... maybe we'r...

thenorthwind wrote: ↑Tue Apr 02, 2024 6:08 pm I knew exactly what this was going to be about before I opened it

Thanks for that insight Jack, very valid points :-bd In the last decade or so, the term seems to have become a bit linked to soft strap-on luggage rather than traditional racks and panniers. It's interesting that rear racks are increasingly being favoured along with soft strap-on luggage, albeit lig...

I've just had a nosey through the latest Cycle magazine (the magazine of Cycling UK) and there is an article titled Great Rides Bikepacking Beginners [subtitled: Bivvying under a tarp isn't the only bikepacking option]. So far so good. The article relates the story of a couple of gents who went on a...

RIP wrote: ↑Tue Apr 02, 2024 3:55 pm Erm, aren't we meant to be schtum until after the event?

Bl00dy hell Reg, we're going to have to put you out to pasture!! That's the BB200/300, the WRT is decidedly non-competitive

ootini wrote: ↑Mon Apr 01, 2024 2:14 pm So I'm assuming it's all primarily NE of BB towers this year ?

Yes. E & NE

Apparently "squeezing slows you down".
If I slowed down anymore I'd fall off the bike, so maybe I need a couple of these

Verena wrote: ↑Mon Apr 01, 2024 9:09 am Supertramp!! Of course!

Right. Right. You're bloody well right....

Mmmm... just got to decide whether to have Sunday morning breakfast in Newtown, dinner in Llangollen or vice versa?

RIP wrote: ↑Mon Apr 01, 2024 9:06 am

I particularly liked "hoping this will lead to bigger jobs in the future"

As said by Ifor Barrow

Brilliant Stu. How does one join CRaPS? They appear to have a certain affluence and do they have a special membership offer on this morning?

I did think that just before I posed (only because of the ear ring) but the Marin hoody completely threw me. Was initially thinking one of the repack lads from back in the day (again, due to the hoody) :oops: I'm not surprised the Marin hoody threw you, it's "Made in" !!! :lol: :wink:

Crikey that were a close hobbling thing! I think she's the first Brit to finish it - the early years on the spreadsheet don't have nationality so can't be sure. Largest ever number of finishers despite “That new section is brutal. You are a bad man.” Crazy. Imagine the mental state, just 2 minutes ...

WRT 2022? I remember riding up a steep grassy slope not long after leaving the Towers, passing a couple of groups, regrouping and chatting at the gate near the top. If it was me you met, let's say I was doing well to hide the effort if you think I was casually chatting to you. It was indeed you Gia...

Like you say, everyone is different. One person's sit and spin is another person's get off and walk, depends how big your lungs and legs are. Me, I like a bit of torque at the pedals rather than a high cadence (if that makes sense?) I can remember once walking up a stupidly steep hill not far from B...

Just started The Life and Rhymes of Benjamin Zephaniah, his autobiography.
Childhood years at the moment. Its interesting that he seems to relate those in a childlike way rather than as an adult recalling their childhood. So far so good