Technically, the South Downs way is in Hampshire & West/East Sussex, but it's close enough to to Kent to make it viable.

Not as much tree cover as the North Downs Way, but nicer views (IMHO) and much more rural.
(There are still plenty of places to hide away your tarp/tent/hammock)

I've been using an Alpkit Airlok Tapered dry bag in my Wilcat Tiger Seat pack for some time now, but was never really satisfied with how the seat pack straps sat, on top of the dry bag closure buckles... https://farm1.staticflickr.com/882/41292063581_72d3d03fb5_n.jpg Messy straps by belugabob , on F...

Too busy this year, I'm afraid, but I'll definitely consider it for next year.

Our local woodpecker (which I've only heard, but not seen) was busy this morning. Considering that I live in a fairly large town, close to Gatwick (albeit on the edge of town) it's good to know that the wildlife is just getting on with it. It's only a 5 minute bike ride to the more rural surrounding...

Ah, Fremington Edge - a place firmly etched in our memories, after Stuart (from the Dales Bike centre) took us up there, not long after we'd had a pie and a pint (very nearly saw them again) None of cleaned it, but we did actually enjoy the ride, as it was so different to what we're used to. After t...

Hi there, I'm another Sussex mountain biker who has dabbled in bikepacking, and looking to do some more. Probably not up for bivi-a-month, as the prospect of being out in all weathers isn't massively appealing. A few of my regular riding buddies are looking to get out a few times this year, with our...

Well, I would have posted a picture of the new bike bag that I made, but somebody didn't want me to use my cutting board...

IMG_20180402_100343 by belugabob, on Flickr

Stu - you are right about the variables involved. I sleep quite warm, but do like to 'cocoon' and am a bit sensitive to draughts, which is why I've shied away from quilts. I'm also a bit wary of the shock cords and toggles on the Cumulus 150 being annoying to lie on - and I'm 6ft, so it could be a b...

I have both the Pipedream 200 and 600, for winter and summer use, good pack size, keeps me nice and warm, I layer up with a liner if needed. Love mine. I've been procrastinating about which bag to buy for a couple of weeks now, and am strangely drawn to the pipedream 200 - mainly because of the pac...

Certainly an interesting (and clever) twist on the usual tubeless threads. I'm kind of spoiled, as I have bontrager TLR rims, tape and tyres, so have never experienced the trials and tribulations that I often read about on forums ( although this might change, if I decide to go tubeless on my other b...

ootini wrote:

Bearbonesnorm wrote:

I'm assuming that if we are willing to carry our own booze, this is OK?

Oh yeah, no trouble at all ... we just thought we'd give people the option.

Cracking, cheers

Didn't you mean...

"Cracking one open, right now - cheers!"

Sounds interesting - July sounds better for me. What's the location? What are the toilet/washing arrangements? (Licked by a cow, dried by a sheep?) I think I can manage £20 worth of beer ;) I'll be off work on those dates so I'm easy. I'll make the effort to make this. And has anyone ever tried a hi...

Do it -Japan is one of my all time favourite destinations. It's so 'alien' but so welcoming - never felt threatened at any point, during my three visits. It's an assault on the senses, with something to make you stare/smile/gasp/question around every corner. Combine this with riding your bike, and I...

As I live 'darn sarf', bothies are a bit of a rarity. The one which we do use is part of a farm complex, and only a mile or so from the public highway. It is, however, a reasonable distance from large towns, so has always been a pleasant experience. It's quite disappointing to hear about people misu...

Thinner spacers might be a better alternative - what sizes are you currently using?

Try the "Mini top up kit" from here...velosolo

It is anchored to the ground, the carbon supports have got little spikes on ... obviously, I couldn't push them into the worktop so used a little blue-tac instead :wink: Pushed into the ground, 'twould be very secure. Hope you didn't light that and leave a burn mark on Dee's new worktop? She's gone...

Are tyres affected by excess heat?

Nice!

If I didn't already have a bikepacking bike (and a full shed) I'd bee sorely tempted - Genesis make great bikes.

Bearbonesnorm wrote:Just been looking and I see it comes flat-packed for easy home assembly ... am I right to assume that you must supply your own coconut?

I find it hard to believe that a man of your calibre doesn't have his own coconuts.

Monkii cage + monkii clip, FTW



I think that the super duper prototype that you're thinking of is actually a gorilla clip.

So, did Genesis come to the rescue?

It's the £8 fee that I object to - I don't mind paying duty and VAT, if the item is just not available in the UK.

Anybody know if it's possible to arrange the payments before hand? (if only to prevent Porcel Farce from getting any of my money)

How about one and a half packets of these? (And maybe an extra packet for spares)

Bottle cage mounts

I've used these to provide a second bottle mounting point on one of my bikes, and found them to be satisfactory.

There are other manufacturers available, but I can't remember where

A prototype, 3 mount Gorilla cage mounting adaptor has just arrive

Ah - I'd just received a reply to the email, that I'd sent to Parable, asking if they were going to make those (and they replied positively)

Glad to see that you're in the loop, and look forward to hearing your opinions.

I bought one, earlier this year, for use on a 3 day 'credit card touring' trip. The bottle ejected on the first rough track that I encountered (about 15 miles into the trip) and was duly recovered from the grass verge and re-inserted. I put this down to operator error, as there was not repeat of the...