Thanks both! Unfortunately the weather has wrecked part of the route so we will miss some of the highlights (I'm still waiting to receive the definitive route!) including a tunnel at 2650m. One of the additions to make up for that it's a climb up to 2993m.... For the first time in my life i might be...

Next Friday I'll be taking part to a long (1000km, 25000m+) off-road cycling event and I'm using the opportunity to raise money for CRUK. This is in memory of a friend for whom I rode BB200 back in October, as him and his family were trying any possible treatment to save him. Unfortunately Piotr is ...

Hahha thats next level, definitely vegetation has stepped up its game recently. On the pain and suffering - to very different degrees - i think thats what makes cycling appealing to people and definitely to myself: the ability to reach a place using nothing other than their leg power. Be it the pub ...

Hi All! I'm hoping this is can be of interest to people of this forum, I doubt there's many bikepacking novices here but we've all started somewhere right? If you fancy a group ride with like-minded folks, finishing the first day at a campsite (but staying at the campsite is OPTIONAL) with a pub nea...

I love it when one asks a specific question and gets recommendations for something completely different :lol: I have a tailfin alloy aeropack as well as other bags from tailfin including their panniers. I used to use a traditional rear rack on my commuter. I now use a Ortlieb Quick rack on my new co...

Should have got the full yellow jumpsuit thing modelled in the picture too! Hahahha that did cross my mind! :lol: The Fjallraven/Specialised collection seems mostly overpriced poorly designed stuff but there are a couple of interesting items (è.g. insulated quilt/hoodie). One can not fault them for...

Thanks all for the recommendations! The Wildcat looked like a strong contender but I ended up buying a Fjallraven/Spesh bag https://www.fjallraven.com/uk/en-gb/bags-gear/fjallraven-specialized/sf-seatbag-drybag-10l/ Hopefully the shape is similar to the Restrap one. At £50 RRP it should be treated a...

https://wildcat.cc/products/wildcat-tapered-drybag-10l-black They do a yellow version that seems to be dangerously similar to the yellow accents of my bike :shock: It might be worth giving it a shot (theyre pricey though!) Dave, Yes fully agree with you on robustness>lightweight but there are some ...

I made a few saddlebag holsters which I've been testing and are working really well (wayward riders louise style). I've been using mine with a 14l Restrap dry bag which is fine but I dont find it to be 100% waterproof. Can anyone recommend a dry bag that is: - actually waterproof - light - tapered -...

Hi Josh, Straight Outta Manchester was my first(!) overnighter, in blazing sunshine and with a loaded gravel bike. I didnt love the route at the time but it has grown on me....weirdly I found it a bit technical the first time (gravel bike with 40mm tyres) and now im finding it too tame (ive ridden i...

You have some serious mtb skills Valerio. Especially doing that section at 65kph with such narrow tyres :-bd Keep riding safe mate and maybe I'll see you this one. That's very kind of you but i have no such skills hahah 2.25" tyres are pretty comfy/wide by my standards! Especially on wide rims...

For those curious about the 2024 event, here's a little recap. Will to record and take photos went out of the window after Strata Florida once I realised I was pressed with time to get to the Spar at Rhyader before 10pm. Thanks to Alex, Matthew and Tom for lending me some of their footage. https://...

For those curious about the 2024 event, here's a little recap. Will to record and take photos went out of the window after Strata Florida once I realised I was pressed with time to get to the Spar at Rhyader before 10pm. Thanks to Alex, Matthew and Tom for lending me some of their footage. https://y...

Shortly after last year, we made the decision to (a) only have one rather than two events and (b) give priority to entrants with a history of competing (but not always completing). The reasons are that, last year we got a considerable number of inquiries from people who by their own admission had v...

I'm an Apidura welded bag sellout. In fact if I want to keep something super dry like electronics I've trusted their welded top tube and frame bags and they've not let me down. Yes, the zips will fail if you stress em like Valerio ( :roll: :lol: ) but they're nicely priced IMHO and if you are caref...

Very useful!! Thanks all for the responses and recommendations, short list, in no particular order so far: Pirelli Cinturato M Schwalbe G-One Overland with Raceguard Vittoria Mezcal Gravel Endurance Will dig into some of the other recommendations this evening :ugeek: Having ridden the Cinturato M 4...

Having had: Half frame bags from MissGrape, Restrap and Tailfin and full frame bags from Apidura and MissGrape I feel I have enough experience to chip in :lol: I would: - absolutely avoid Apidura. Expensive, flimsy, not waterproof (in fact, it collects water) and the zip failed twice even after Apid...

Pirelli Cinturato M.

Close the thread.

(I'm now riding some Schwalbe G-One Allroad and they seem decent, but expect them to struggle with mud)

Thanks All! I ended up going for a Sea to summit Spark -1C. I can now get rid of the Highlander and Eurohike sleeping bags I managed with so far. With a comfort of 4degs it should do OK in UK conditions most of the year and, I hope, cope with alpine environment in summer. I've got a Patagonia liner ...

I decided to save myself £100, I can't see it being of much use considering the limited sun we get in the UK and the limited % of gains the solar gives. I think the 1040 hits a nice spot for me: good enough to finish an overnighter without charging. Anything lo ger than that, I wouldn't rely on sola...

My garmin edge 530 needed replacing and I'm waiting for Garmin to send me a new unit. At the same time, I've decided to get a 1040 as the Edge was struggling on long (20hrs) rides. I'm selling the Edge 530 for £170 It comes with its original box, brand new accessories apart from the handlebar mount ...

You're quickly getting in to the "Light, cheap, quality - pick any two" terrain. For "ultra-cycling" events the question is really do you want just to recover and get a bit of rest or do you want a good night's sleep? For the former you want a system that lets you sleep but afte...

Sadly I'm not sure you can get these any more ..but .. I've been using a Yeti Vib 150 for years and it is my go to lightweight bag. I add a liner/down trousers if I think it's going to get cold. I've crossed Spain twice, and raced the TD with it. I believe Nordisk bought Yeti. I can find the VIB 25...

Thanks All! I'm intrigued by quilts but having never tried one and with the event I need the bag for approaching in a few weeks time, I don't feel confident enough getting one now without enough testing. PHD is a no-go for me. I just can't afford it I'm afraid. Even £200-300 it's really stretching m...

I reckon at 6'4", 500g for something '2 season' is probably too much of an ask. As you've already kind of discovered, 500g is really the realm of one or two weeks of high summer ... especially true of a synthetic bag. 500gr is indicative....I'll take 600gr :lol: especially if it saves me some ...