I'll try basecamp.

A little while back I bought an etrex for backup on a trip. I tried downloading gpx files from ridewithgps onto it but for some reason they did not appear on the device. I googled how to do it and followed the instructions but to no avail. Gave it up as I didn't need any more hassle and put the rout...

I can only comment on what I have which is a copper spur ul1 It's superbly constructed and I love it. Tons of space to sit up inside and it's nice to have different flap options depending on wind direction etc. I believe the fly creek is end entry so more constricted and doesn't have the small cross...

Yes, this is exactly what I found. Day five I clicked into the routine and knew I could ride forever. That's an empowering feeling.

I figured you guys would understand this: I'm 2 weeks back from a brilliant 8 day trip where I rode to Wales and back from Kent, mainly off road, and did a three day tour of the Brecon Beacons whilst there. It had its hardships, especially the first few days of storms and mud, but I settled into the...

I must have blocked most of it out. On my return leg I thought it would be about a half hour ride from Reading to the BP garage in Farnham. Actually took me about 3hrs! Was completely bonking by the time I got there.

Well it was great to meet you. Gave me a real boost. I did mutter darkly about your comment that it was easy riding to Reading whilst swerving round puddle after puddle on that bridleway running parallel with the main road just before you hit the outskirts of the city.

Trob6.
Sounds like you.
How long did it take to get to qecp?
I had a wild day getting from Reading to Marlborough then it improved from there. Wales as ever was sublime.

I used the Farnham to Reading section to link the NDW with the Kennet and Avon canal last week. Didn't enjoy the route much. It was really just a road ride with short sections of boggy off road to clag up the drivetrain and slow you to a crawl. Granted it was a horrendous wet weekend but the NDW was...

Yes my glasses are just normal specs.
I use a cap and that does keep most of the rain off but exaserbates the fogging issue due to reduced airflow.

I'm just back from a brilliant trip. Rode from Kent to Wales using the NDW, King Alfred's Way and Kennet and Avon canal. Spent 3 days in the Brecon Beacons then retraced my path home. On the outbound leg it was during that weekend of storms and I had real difficulty navigating. Here's the issue: Whe...

I had a go with the Duolingo app last night. Quite a fun way of learning.

I can speak French to the degree that I could ask a shop assistant for two 50cent pieces in my change so that I could pay to use the toilet, however when she replied I had no clue what she was saying. After the fact I realised she was trying to tell me that my change didn't amount to €1. I'd absolut...

I think doing this trip would be just the thing to inspire me to return in the future for a bikepacking adventure in the mountains. Having a definite start date would force me to sort out the logistics and then after that I'd be familiar with the procedures and more likely to return. I'm coming to t...

I know it's not bikepacking but you guys are more worldly than most so it seems a good place to ask. There's a mtb stage race in the French alps that I was supposed to do this june which I deferred until june 2021. They managed to pull off this years race in August so there's a good chance it'll hap...

I've used a mtb BB on a road bike. Left the plastic tube out, it's not essential. I've a toolbox full of different spacers so can usually bodge things.

For me, as a newcomer to all this, it's the moment when your anxiety on leaving home becomes calm confidence in your ability to carry on regardless. Usually happenes about 2hrs into the trip when I stop to make my first brew. It's like the point of no return where if you've forgotten anything you'll...

Just got home. That was flippin brill! About 300km, 4000m, a night on the top of the Downs and a swim in a river.
I'm far, far to tired to learn how to post pics right now.

I'm just eating breakfast (omelette, mushrooms and bagels ) before riding out on a big 2 day loop of the South Downs and North Downs and I'm actually shaking with excitement! It's making it hard to keep food on my fork

Last Sunday I had a smashing day out. Left the house at 2.30am, slept out in the open for a couple of hours just because I could, then rode 136miles including carrying my loaded bike up a zig zag path on the White Cliffs of Dover. I met a group of pretty feral locals down by the shoreline and approa...

I've hatched a plan to do a 200km local loop this Sunday to see what it feels like. Unless it takes you from just after midnight on Saturday to just before midnight Sunday you've made your local 200km loop to easy :wink: Remember to include an uphill push where despite the gradient the water seems ...

Based on the advice from this forum I bought an Exped Synmat. First impressions on the living room floor are favourable. Non slip, quiet, clever pump bag thingy and a super toasty colour scheme!
I went for a non tapered model as I'm a wriggler.

Very excited about this announcement! It feels like a really accessible way to dip my toe in the water.
I've hatched a plan to do a 200km local loop this Sunday to see what it feels like. It's my 46th birthday the next day. Perfectly timed mid life crisis I reckon.

Don't use fork oil! I speak from experience. Just a few weeks ago I was bleeding a rear shimano slx brake and accidentally picked up the bottle of fork oil rather than brake oil. Spent about an hour trying to force oil into the system. The tube from the syringe blew off the nipple twice shooting oil...

I wavered about whether to drive or ride to the Downs (1 or 4hrs respectively). I hate driving to ride, much prefer setting out from home. I was swayed by the fact I was knackered after a tough day at work, (I work outside), and the worry that not taking a sleeping bag was a seriously daft idea. I u...