s8tannorm wrote:

Does anyone know if there is any grass around the start/finish?

For what Matt?

Doing it in a one-er and still sleeping outside.

This is my first attempt. I know sections, but not all of the route. There is at least one stinking unrideable climb towards the end, but I can't see another way to link it up. Unsure weather to do it clockwise or anti-clockwise at the moment. I think its only missing one point, which is East of Nan...

Thermarest Neo Air xlite :)

Is there a good online tool for inputting grid refs onto OS maps?
I can't find the paper maps I have.

HT550 is the main one.

Ended up going for the Etrex 30 & bike mount.

Any battery suggestions? Disposable I assume will be best?

If the route is going where everyone thinks its going, then those wellies won't be much cop. You will need some of these...



It's waist deep even during the Summer.

Depends what rating you consider winter, but there is a 0 degree bag in the PHD bargain box for £200.
http://www.phdesigns.co.uk/bargain-box

Probably not warm enough though

Well I've ordered my bag! After a good chat with Peter at PHD, I've ordered one of their Autumn race bags. We talked about doing something custom, but until I know exactly what I need and what I can/can't cope with, it would be plucking ideas from the air. The race bag should be a good base, which I...

Thanks for the comments. I'm leaning towards the eTrex 30.
I've got £280 to spend, at RRP. So the Oregon pushes that. eTrex comes in under, even with a bike mount.

Schwalbe Racing Ralph or Smart Sam are good for faster terrain, Rocket Ron is ace in mud. Surprisingly tenacious for such a skinny tyre.
All are light, with thin sidewalls - but I've not had issues yet despite lots of riding.

I have a Garmin 800 at the moment. It is fine for single day rides, even beyond the standard battery, but multi-day I think its a little weak. I know lots of people who have had issues when trying to use and recharge simultaneously, myself included. What devices would others recommend? Looking at th...

Ooops, my mistake. It is a Venom 225 that I have, ~10 years old. Very little loft these days.
600g is the total weight, or there about.

Would I be right in thinking most of the wet, sloppy stuff is towards the East? Rhayader onwards is pretty dry, I think?

Why not?
I've used my current Vango Venom 600 1-season bag down to freezing in a one-man tent without issue and I am sure that either will be a noticeable improvement.

I need something for the Fiesta

By the time I add a zip the phd is pushing the budget quite a bit. Around £100 more.
Enough to get a lightweight down vest or new mat.

Looking at option for an ultralight bag for fast bikepacking adventures. Narrowed down to the following (but any competitors at similar price/quality considered) Cumulus Quilt 250 - 250g fill, 480g total. Cumulus X-Lite 200 zip - 200g fill, 415g total. So... quilt vs bag minus hood. Seems like the b...

Schwalbe Kozak is a great 29er road tyre. Not sure if its tubeless specific, but I am sure it will work so long as you don't go crazy with the pressures.

Would you consider using the moonlite without a tarp?

Ian wrote: The Terra Nova Discovery Lite Goretex bivvy would suit you Matt. I have one and you're shorter than me, so it should be fine.

Wouldn't find having a look at that sometime if that is OK, to check pack size and what its like?

Is this for use in a race situation or something more leisurely Matt? Just "race" use. I've got a Gelert solo and that does the trick for leisurely stuff. Also, planning on getting a Alpkit bivvy for other stuff, mostly because they are cheap. Stuff on the list above is just for, ride til...

I don't want to go down the tarp route. IMO if you are carrying more than just a bivvy bag then you might as well just use a lightweight tent.

s8tannorm wrote: Not really noisy, just a bit noiser than some mats. I think the first generation were actually worse than the latest ones ... but you'll be too knackered to notice.

Very good point :)

Synthetic was mostly chosen for warmth when wet as you mention.
I'd worry about getting it wet when crossing rivers and the like.

I hadn't realised the bivvy wasn't waterproof though - thanks for bringing that up. I thought it was just the head that wasn't.

Isn't the Neoair very noisy to sleep on?