dlovett wrote: ↑Wed Sep 13, 2023 9:21 pm Have a look at my spot v inreach post a few weeks ago it tell you how prote works

Already did (and thanks for the writeup, I reckon that's going to save me some $ in the long run). Anyway, all set up, and going to play around with it this weekend to make sure I understand how everything works.

I usually stuff a 2l or 3l platypus into my frame bag and run the hose out to my bars. However as I often find I don't drink enough/find it hard to monitor how much I have drunk, I'm wondering about wearing a running vest and stuffing a couple of squishy bottles into the pockets and then topping the...

Hey all, I just bough an InReach Messenger in prep for some longer rides (and providing the missus with some peace of mind!). I'm now trying to figure out the activation steps. Looking at the Protegear plans they seem better suited to my needs that the Garmin ones. However, I haven't figured out how...

I’ve been very happy with the frame bag I got made by https://www.meritgear.eu/

It is made to measure, and they added a rear port so I could run the dynamic cables bag to a rear light.

great to see the Mournes there @gonecaving -- the granite up there seems to weather into pretty coarse rounded chunks and it's put me off trying to take the bike much beyond the likes of the trails around Tollymore! Yep, there was a lot of pushing! Some folk can clearly ride it, but not me with a l...

In early June I ran the Mourne Way trail half marathon. It starts from a carpark near the Spelga dam, and just across the road was a rather enticing path up into the Mournes proper. Wondering if it could be cycled, and having said for a while that I should do a bivvy trip in the Mournes, I decided t...

Verena wrote: ↑Tue May 16, 2023 12:40 pm I’m offering this post as a bit of therapy for those of you who are already missing WRT

Aww that looks smashing V! I’m totally missing the WRT and Karl’s LHC ride. First week of my ridiculously early retirement and the solo rides this week while nice are all on road and just not the same.

Before I totally forget about it, just a quick post to record that I did get the BaM in for May. Nothing too exciting, just a quick local midweek one, but t’was a nice clear and calm evening and probably the most restful night I’ve had so far. I’d post pics but I’ve run up against the limits of free...

I've been riding a pinion/gates hardtail for about 18months now and am very happy with it. So my 2c: Pros: * Low maintenance - annual oil change, and that's about it, the belt gets cleaned when I wash the bike * No chance of striking or fouling the derailleur * Huge range of gears, I'm running a C1....

I just got my Exposure Axis back from repair (replaced the PCB), and would have to agree that the support is excellent.

I use it to supplement a dynamo and Klite combination for night riding, and a a small Fenix HL50 head torch for camping and as a backup backup.

It was my first BB event, and it totally lived up to my hopes. Many thanks to Stu, Dee and all involved in the organisation. Thanks also to Karl and Cat for making the Lonely Hearts Club ride such fun. I’m looking forward to getting back over to Wales.

redefined_cycles wrote: ↑Mon Apr 24, 2023 11:04 pm I recognise them. Lovely folks to deal with. I have a half frame bag which got designed and delivered in no time. Really like it...

They certainly are. These bags are a match to the full frame bag they made me last year.

New bike bags, and just in time for the WRT. Should be able to pack some taps along with the kitchen sink!

With that in mind, NO ONE bring sun cream!!!! With the photos above, I was wondering if a wetsuit was more appropriate! I spent the morning bike fettling, and vaguely starting to pack. I think I’m almost inevitably going to end up packing more than is necessary, but am looking forward to the weekend.

After a zero for March, I was keen to get a bivvy in for April, and decent spin to boot. I'd been eying up St Declan's Way, a walking route from Cashel to Ardmor, for some time. So on Good Friday I got my darling wife to detour over to Cashel on her way to visit her mother, and drop me off mid-after...

whitestone wrote: ↑Thu Apr 06, 2023 6:50 pm

GoneCaving wrote: ↑Thu Apr 06, 2023 6:14 pm Well in terms of the heatmaps, I was thinking they might help indicate if what looks like a track in google might actually be a track?

Ah, the optimism of innocence

yes, guilty as charged! With a bit of luck I’ll get to have that knocked out of me in the Autumn this year.

I use https://www.rowmaps.com to give me an idea of what's supposed to be on the ground. It doesn't give any indication of open access areas, like Forestry Commision tracks and what not, so you still have to do a bit of digging. But for an overview it's quite useful. Especially as you can also load...

Well in terms of the heatmaps, I was thinking they might help indicate if what looks like a track in google might actually be a track?

Ignore all the above 'cos you've got an expert Karl to chaperone you along anyway :smile: . Probably not the wisest of words from Reg :lol: Yes, but we know he’s done the ITI, so I’m at least a little bit wary of what he might have planned! 😆 I did start trying to figure out how I might approach it...

One for the pack raft crew??

So while I’ve signed up for the LHC, any tips as to how to join the dots from the more experienced bikepackers?

Having travelled with much more unusual electronics, I would be astonished if a klite and USB caused so much as a raised eyebrow!

Rockbus wrote: ↑Thu Mar 30, 2023 10:00 pm I’m excited too and getting my stuff together now on basis I will need to discard lots of it so can actually pack in bike!

<removes kitchen sink and acme anvil from frame bag>

Sadly the 14 month streak is a gonner. A combination of work, life, weather and now a nasty cold has ruled out a bivvy. Never mind. Onwards next month with some chances for at least two nights out and some proper outings.

Sounds like a combination of Strava and Excel would be best. Might try to automate the Strava->Excel bit if I find myself with some spare time. Thanks for all the input!

OK, so I was wondering if this group had any good recommendations on how best to manage a training diary? I'm planning on starting a training plan in a couple of months and would like to track some subjective notes on how each session felt, as well as the usual metrics. Ideally this should be easy, ...