Hmm, going by woodsmith's reply I'll give the liner a miss. I figured if I know I'm going to be snuggly down to say, -5c, then other than the odd very cold night I would be warm throughout the winter (in the UK at least). The two choices that spring out are, Alpkit Pipedream 600, cheaper option. Or,...

Bearbonesnorm wrote: ↑Tue Dec 28, 2021 11:15 am Out of interest, what sleeping mat are you using? Bag ratings usually assume a decent insulated mat.

Exped Synmat, I think they're good to below freezing? I was in a tent as well and was wearing my merino négligée

I have a Criterion Quantom 200 sleeping bag which is really warm for its weight, but for me it's a 5* bag rather than the advertised 0*. Does anyone use the S2S thermolite liners? They are supposed to give an extra 8-15 degrees depending on the weight you choose. Sounds too good to be true for 250-4...

I have used a good one from RS that was about £50 and gave 3x, I can't find it now though. It was a few years ago, they may have discontinued it.
https://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/magnifiers/2901539 There's this one, bit over your budget. They also do a 1.2x much cheaper if that would do.

It's nice if you've got young 'uns about, non-event otherwise. Unfortunately after much intense philosophical discussion my lad figured out the Father Christmas 'thing' last month. Had to happen one day!

Bah humbug, but also merry Christmas everyone.

Can I just point out that "indoor" shoes are nothing new?* For instance, Shimano have the IC100. * slippers..... You're not wrong. Someone at work mainly cycles indoor year round. Has 3 turbos and 3 screens all connected to 3 Apple wotsits (his wife and kid do it too). He has told me befo...

Let's put it this way, people tend to give me plenty of space first thing in the morning.

Got the first one but I'm struggling here. Anyone else?

Why don't you get the giblets with a turkey any more? I suppose it's fowl in most people's eyes...

I wouldn't organ-arily be interested in this type of thread...

Never had tripe, we always had liver once a week when we were growing up. Still love lambs liver now, I have to cook it though, my wife won't go near it! In the summer my mum used to do an Ox tongue regularly, now that is a delicacy.

Mild in Northants today, 9 or 10ish and no wind to speak of.

I've got three buffs, but I'd buy another. You can never have too many as they're so useful. Synthetic though please, the merino ones get holes in them too easily.

Favorite ride/trip/outing Only did one of note, a 100K gravel ride in the Peak. Can't remember the name of it, first time off-road in the Peak though. I do enjoy riding in new places, but the hills killed me. Favourite bit of kit The Vittoria Mezcals I swapped with the Schwalbe Magic Marys (great in...

I just clicked on that link above regarding the Wanaka photo spot. It reminded me of when my wife and I were travelling around New Zealand in a camper van thirteen or fourteen years ago. We were somewhere on the south island and found an idyllic waterfall that was mentioned in the lonely planet guid...

The media, traditional and now modern, does tend to create 'honeypot' areas. Inevitable really. Maybe it's the combination of people who wouldn't normally be interested in the outdoors, feeling stifled over lockdown due to the lack of shopping/holidaying opportunities and wanting to escape, plus, th...

It probably comes across as a bit old fashioned, but I just don't 'get' social media and people with thousands of 'friends'. Share it with your mates and family and like-minded people, but sharing with the world seems, to me, to somehow cheapen the experience. Bit of a crap description I know. Is it...

A fair bit of my cycling time is spent around the river Nene and it's neighbouring ROW's. It's connected to the Grand Union, and as well as having powered craft on it, it runs through some intensively farmed land. So I decided I didn't fancy drinking it. Every second or third church I visit seems to...

You could try bonding some of those super strong neo-doodaa (whatever they're called) rare earth magnets into the carbon. Yes my jalopy is a bit Mad Max I have to admit. It's all nicely integrated though and does the job. Everybody likes a 'system' don't they? My 'hydration system' is that 500ml bot...

This is interesting, I'd never have thought that there was a technical side to a string vest. (My mate in probation refers to them as wife-beaters as well)

I might try one out, without letting the wife see it of course. Otherwise she'll think I've got to full-on old-man mode.

Bearbonesnorm wrote: ↑Wed Dec 01, 2021 9:21 am Maybe just post your question Rob

That'd be to easy!

I didn't have one to be honest, other than wondering what 'bag was popular in the colder months.

Thanks both. I thought that there must be a way of searching for an entire phrase rather than individual words, but obviously not. I tried all the various options but kept getting the "too common" message, so I wondered if there was a 'trick' you can use.

I think it's best to let the neighbour's know you're weird early on. Then, when the curtain twitching starts as you put up your tent in the rain, or cook tea on the patio, or go out in the dark to test your latest light, you can give a cheery wave without a second thought!

I have a 500ml Stanley, it works well but you have to unscrew the top a turn-and-a-half to use. Never tried it on the bike though.

Sounds weird, but a wrap with dairylea and jam stays eatable for ages and goes down well. Don't knock it till you've tried it!

And as previously mentioned, they won't get a mention in 'sports science', but pork pies will keep you going for hours.

Cous Cous is easy, I usually chuck in a tin of sardines in oil (because the Cous Cous is low in fat). The rice pouches are OK as well, a third of a cup of water and let it simmer for 5 minutes. Muesli for breakfast, but if it's going to be cold and you don't mind the weight, a tin of beans and mini ...