never sleep more than a few hours when away from my own bed even when exhausted. Audio books help me nod off

Ray, Mike, I can make it too

I've a singulator but in push down mode. Push up wouldn't tension the chain before hitting the chainstay. Works fine though. I've a 16t sprocket - chain wrap is fine

Also, Winstanleys bmx have half links at £1.60 if you need one

The irresistible £63 Deore brakes

FYI for the after work crew, the code still seems to be working as at 17.45

waterproof cycling /pot washing / gimp gloves. So good and cheap I immediately ordered a second pair

I am buoyed by the start of spring (...maybe started...) and am really, really looking forward to tomorrow's ride - a razz around Carron Valley - after being out so long. Been crippled with a bad back since Nov, and miserable. Finally relented and went to the Dr this week who give me some man-sized ...

Got the glacier gloves today. So impressed that I have just ordered a second, spare pair. NB: get your normal size up

Ribble has 10% off shimano again

Not strictly bikepacking or particularly exciting, but useful nevertheless. Pair of Velcro buckled elasticated straps are £1 at Halfords
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stor ... yId_255230

http://superstar.tibolts.co.uk/product_ ... cdvbiaoap6
The SuperStar ones are only £8 so affordable enough to buy a few different sizes. Wide base too

Glacier Gloves at Evan's now £15. http://www.evanscycles.com/products/glacier-glove/super-g-race-glove-ec054898 Whilst they only have a single one star review, I don't think the user understood what/ how the gloves are best used. Mine have been brilliant, and I think there's a review Stu did on the...

Suggest the £15 SSC spacer/sprocket kit rather than the £10 one because the former has the wider sprocket.....and comes in bling colours. On my 26" commuter I run 16X40, which gets me around Edinburgh's city centre hills fine on the road. Spinny on any downhill but that is the trade-off for get...

LifeVenture thermal mug so I can make a second brew to have before turning in. £5, Halfords, 251g

I had my first bikepacking night away of the year Saturday night. Only local, to the Pentland Hills, just to test some new gear, Wild Country Zehpyros 1 tent and Rab Ascent 500 bag (which performed a treat). There was 6mm of snowy rain forecast overnight. The sound of the weather on the tent became ...

composite wrote: Did a recce of the 2tonOgravel route.

from your pics, it is clear that the USA's definition of 'gravel' is very different to our's.

RAB Ascent 500 and 700 bags at nearly half price (£110 and £123). http://www.tiso.com/shop/camping/ I can confirm that Go Outdoors will price match (and beat by 10%) the 500, making it £100 there. And I see no reason why not the 700 too. I decided to still give my money to Tiso instead when buying ...

Not at all exciting but a good purchase nonetheless. £2 6" magnetic dish to keep my metaly bits in check when fettling

Well, this is slightly embarrassing. I have a Rab Ascent 700 sleeping bag. I now also have a 500 bag too after Tiso's sale proved too irresistible. Easily justified to myself as I now have all possible bag/tarp/bivi/tent combinations for Scotland's four seasions. Which one would you recommend for s...

Well, this is slightly embarrassing. I have a Rab Ascent 700 sleeping bag. I now also have a 500 bag too after Tiso's sale proved too irresistible. Easily justified to myself as I now have all possible bag/tarp/bivi/tent combinations for Scotland's four sessions.

Wild Country Zephyros 1 tent. I may or may not currently be sat in it in the living room. I am.
No excuse for no Feb night away now.

I have used Pentland Powdercoaters which is behind Ikea in Edinburgh. they aren't bike frame specialists but do do them. Just be clear with them that you want a good job with the masking. if memory serves it was only £25 or £30 per frame and then £5 extra for forks or bars done at the same time. Tha...

I like those pads. Have them too

s8tannorm wrote:Just spotted Zephyros 1 for the right money: http://www.theoutdoorshop.com/showPart.asp?part=PN5652

Argghhh I am haemorrhaging money. Just bought after being on the lookout since last summer at the right price. Thanks for the post

i've one but have not heard of it having such a function