Backing up what Mart says above I first read about the TD in 1999/2000 - it had been on my radar a LONG time. The CRT is quite a technical challenge rather than the long steady miles of TD, different but much shorter. There are more events taking place in USA but the Highland Trail Race route in SCo...

Depends weather you are trying to do it in 16 days or say 28-30. Or just tour it in ~40 days. It is more about not giving up. Having found the time and money do you really want to quit in Helena? (unless bike fails or you break a bone etc). The route is not difficult technically although a couple of...

I ended up riding with Chew to get in practice for a longer, and hopefully warmer, trip we have planned in the summer. About 94km on Saturday as we could not find our preferred bivvy spot. Rode until 10pm and just had a ride through Hafren on Sunday. Roads had a few spots of ice but not bad really. ...

I'll have one if there is 5 going!

Welcome all.

InspiredRamblings - London is easy, what about St Pauls;-)


Occupy London by jsbissett, on Flickr

I really like my silk liner and use it for warmth and to keep sleeping bag clean. I also use merino socks,an Ibex beanie and base layers. The beanie is really small, light and warm. I do have a brand new 'Blacks' silk liner for sale at £15 I could bring to El-an-back if you want to dive in. I mislai...

Just read that myself last night and this morning. I saw Nick but can't recall a conversation with him. We were in the same motel in Seeley Lake and in Helena where he shared with Welsh Simon who arrived just after Joel and myself. I got away a few hours before him the next day and never saw him aga...

Moved this to the 'Your Trips and Adventures' forum for 2013 where it probably sits better.

A continuation of last years thread. Aim is to get us out more and use all that expensive kit we have just bought. - Only rule is to get out and spend a night in wilderness under appropriate cover. - If regular one night is an issue maybe go for 6 months of 2+ nights to get 12 nights that way. What ...

A programme on William Roy's survey of the Highlands and General Wades military road. Even shows a bivvy spot on Corrieyairick Pass. Shows part of the Highland Trail Race route for those forsaking WRT in 2013. http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b0078s32/Map_Man_Series_1_William_Roys_Military_Surve...

Good start Ian. At around 250 miles per week and say 5 rides that is 50 miles which even on the road is 3 hours probably. Hard to do with a job and family. Good luck.

So far this year no miles, hope to start back tomorrow after illness.

Some adventure films on tour across the country. Hope to get to one of the London shows:

http://www.banff-uk.com/FILMS%282525164%29.htm

Good point cheeky monkey, maybe need to find a smaller bladder, I have a 2l bladder.

Side pockets hold loads but I used the side mesh ones for drinks bottles with energy stuff in. An advantage of the 2.5 is one of those little sil packs (from our email, not this thread) can sit on top when required.

Buffs, or similar, are always useful, no idea on cost per unit or quantities required.

Chew has it right up there re WRT.

Hi Chew, Mark was using a 3l one on the December bivvy, seemed to like it. Got zip working on my 2.5 again thanks to some WD40, hope it will last for our trip. I have never been satisfied with the bladders I have tried in it though. I did wonder if one of these would fit: http://www.facewest.co.uk/I...

Thanks all. Might go for the lighter Crest if I decide to proceed to save a few grams. I tend not to be very heavy on equipment and my wheels are kept close to the ground whenever possible.

Considering purchasing an Exposure Revo light / hub combination if I can get one at a good price. (Wiggle have some deal where you can £50 off a £300 spend later in month) Looking at a Stans Flow/Crest/Arch but no experience of any of them. Erring towards the Crest at the moment. All same price. It ...

I am a convert to tubeless and wouldn't go back. Not had one in 3 years which is a lot of miles. I do carry a spare tube and a tyre patch just in case but not needed. On a long tour last year I took some sealant as well. (In 2 months and 4,000 miles I used just a 5mm allen key). On the road I still ...

It depends. My second mtb in 1994 was a Kona Kilauea. £850 for fully rigid, Velocity headset( not A-head), canti brakes that the shop I bought from said were not very good. So I upgraded the brakes and paid just over £900. Bike still in use though after a couple of re-sprays and upgrading everything...

Watched these two episodes over the last couple of evenings.

I have done bits of it on a barge and it is of course flat. 36:18 will be fairly spinny, wouldn't go for a 20 along the canal. Enjoy.

Not South of the border though:-( Will have to keep an eye on iPlayer to see if it pops up.

There is a train along the border. Certainly Narbonne to Bayonne which is ~6 hours. Not sure how practical this is with a number of bikes, and not checked the Spanish side.

I don't know the area other than a day on an mtb in Luchon and some road riding in that area so have no knowledge to impart. Not fussed which direction we do it in or even sticking to a specific route if there is a nice alternative someone is aware of. Andorra sounds good though, duty free meths! A ...

Hi still up for it. Did send you a PM a couple of weeks ago on the subject gairy.

Told my other half and it is in her diary.