Bit last minute, but planning on heading up to Northumberland tomorrow/sunday for a couple of days riding and checking out some of the Bothies. Probably end up over the border at some point as well.

Anyone else interested let me know

Still looking to come along, just need to sort a few things this end before i can commit as theres lots of other stuff going on at the same time next year.

Been looking at options on how to get back to the 'start' but not having much luck yet :(

yes 2014 (got a bit carried away)

Interesting to see where to route goes, and hopefully it'll be possible to ride between the stages. I'll post something up nearer the time

Its on the list for next year.

Wait and see what the routes are and i can pick out a few local spots, and some riding inbetween. Any luck they might go past my house :D

Yes 12 out of 12 for me, and all bivi's.

So far think i've had
20 Bivi's
8 Nights in the tent
9 Nights in Bothie/other buildings

Still plenty of December left as well. Probably continue into 2013, but might be a bit more generous with the tent. Decembers Peak night was definatly tent weather.

That's a shame Ione, but hopefully you sneak out for a cuppa

That links fantastic :D
The dates dont fit though

With all the trips which are brewing for next year, i need to make sure i'm fit enough so i can spend more time enjoying the journeys rather than struggling with the mileage. Ideally it would mean more offroad miles, but thats not always possible due to ground conditions and faffage, whereas via roa...

Same dates for me. Pushing my luck at work with the North America trip, so would have to be back for the 12th for commitments I have (we'd also get the bank holiday bonus)

Lift would be greatly appreciated as well Duncan

Also hoping to get an entry to Fred Whitton as well.

Gairy - I think one of the hardest bits might be how you can get from the end of the route back to the start.

Not sure on train options as the french seem a bit funny on letting bikes on the train unless they're boxed

Yes, everythings still going ahead. Same weekend as the Welsh lot.

Not sure who's comming along yet, but think its myself, Kevin and a few of the Derby based lot, unless theres a few quiet lurkers around

What time are you intending on setting off?

Might take me a while to get down to Wales on th friday after work :?

I've managed to get the 5 days off between 22-26 of December and fancy making a trip of it.

Plenty of time to travel and do something interesting. Anybody any suggestions, want some bar humbug action?

ton wrote:i am in..........might add, i may need a gentle push uphill from time to time.
so anyone who wants to aid me is more than welcome....... :)

Tony i'll ride with you. You can plan the route and i'll bring the beer tokens :D

Osprey packs are good. My talon has taken a lot of abuse and still works well.

Its also worth looking at the bladder you get as well. Personally I like Camelbak bladders, especially the bite values, so i use that if a need a big bag for anything else.

I'm interested I'll just need to see if the stars align for whatever you have planned, and how far i can push my luck with work, with our North America trip.

Its a fair ol' way from Llanbrymair to Elan. I get 35 miles taking the most direct route, and i'm sure that'll extend once you add in a few diversions?

Thats me in, although might have to try and borrow a winter bag if it gets really cold.

Links working fine for me Ian, must be something your end?

Will i die riding anything techincal

Thinking of getting a fargo for the big trip next summer, but wondering how much use it might get over here. Easy to brake and turn on the drops, or is it a case of having to adjust how i ride?

Novembers outing ticked off. Was planning on riding the top end of the Pennine Bridleway, but missed the train from Settle to Kirkby Stephen, so decided to ride northwards and catch the train back the next day. Got about half way and the weather was closing in, and i knew the rest of the route was q...

Right then you lot, the English Winter Bivi Gala will be as follows The plan is to meet here, from about 12ish at the cafe, have a brew, chat and a glance at the map*, with the aim to depart around about 1ish http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?x=430325&y=384976&z=120&sv=430325,384976&am...

Think road riding at night would bore me to death as well, but off road night riding 8-)

Give it a couple of weeks until the ground starts to freeze and its game on.

If you buy something in kit form you're welcome to either send it here and I'll put it together or bring it down and we'll put it together ... but as CM says, it's really not very difficult. Might take you up on that offer Stu. The only thing that phases me, is the frame/headset/fork combo, everyth...

Yes swap out Scandal is on the list, and gives me the opportunity to build it up myself. Have been thinking Salsa fargo as well, just a bit unsure on drop bars.

Just wondering if theres anything else out there which i might have missed.

Never built up a bike myself. How hard can it be.

Right then Getting to the point where a new bike is on the cards. My 456 works very well but its more suited to throwing down trails rather than long distance bikepacking. Looking for something: 29er to help cover the miles bikepacking friendly reasonably priced single speed friendly for winters in ...