I've had a Tubus Fly rack for years. 350g and supposedly carries a max of 20kg, though I carried a lot more than that with no issues, though not off road. You can find them for around £60, which is still steep for a rack.

Love your trip reports and pix RKB. There is always something of the spirit of discovery in them. Nice one.

Ive done this a few times Ben, but not travelling any particular distance. The only option I found was to just cram all the bivvy gear into a big dry bag and lash it to my bars with some of those cinch strap things that come with some Alpkit bags instead of using the harness. It did mean the front w...

An Exposure Diablo from the boys at Wiggle. My route to work involves lots of canal towpath and my Joystick isn't up to the task, so is going on my helmet from now on. And while we're talking long bows and things other than bikes, some lightweight Acavallo Opera titanium jumping stirrups for Little ...

Ive got an Ortlieb seat bag that I use in winter - it's huge and nicely designed but pretty heavy. Overall I prefer my Wildcat seat harness, as its lighter and you can remove the dry bag and take it under your shelter, which only really makes sense when you've tried to pack a down sleeping bag and j...

But I DID look ... I swear, honest. No, actually I didn't but if promise to be a better bearbones'er next time can I still play?

Meanwhile, I'll get me some of them there Digest bars and see how she runs.

Thanks all

Mile what does 480mm mean on a Digest bar? It is from the start of the bend, the middle of the bend or the centre of the flare? I am hoping for something 50cm CTC on the tops .

Cheers
Tim

That's what Im after. Wide n cheap and hopefully not sold out everywhere

Cheers

EDIT: nope, cant find em anywhere ... google fu is weak today

Afternoon team, i've now ridden my new Arkose over enough stuff to know I need (ok, want) a shorter stem and much wider bar and just wondering if anyone knows of anything sold in the UK that are 48 or maybe 50cm centre-to-centre? I know that seems wide for a drop bar, but Im reasonably broad anyway,...

If you don't want to be too cold, go to Crete. It can rain a bit in December (actually, it can rain a lot in December) but it will be 15-20 deg and you will pretty much have the whole island to yourself. Hundreds of miles of nice dirt trails, great views from the top of every hill, lovely people who...

How are ya Nigel, mate? You coming on the winter bivvy? You've only got four months to decide, so don't muck about. Places are strictly limited to anyone who wants to come along. I tried cold water to rehydrate a meal once and while it worked, in that after over an hour I could eat it without cracki...

Pickers wrote:Might I be permitted to join your happy throng again this year?

More the merrier. In fact we need a proper score for the post pub squealing brake pad chorus. This year, we must film it.

Suspect i will be an early adopter here. Finally, I can ditch the Crocs ...

Trying not to get involved in the what is touring what is bikepacking debate because I've got my own interpretation that Im comfortable with and Im not sure I could be arsed having to justify it with people who have more considered opinions and rational arguments. But ... when I was in my 20's all I...

32 x 11-42 on 3in 650B+ and very happy with it. And I'm a fat tourist.

Hi John, I'm near Amersham in South Bucks and get out once of twice a month for local overnight rides, usually just 20-30 miles, dinner at a pub and pitch up wherever. Something for your diary is the Winter Bivvy night, on Sat 16 Dec. We've got one in the Chilterns starting from Tring, visiting a ve...

Not sure if we've done this already but I quite like the bar bag. http://www.polaris-bikewear.co.uk/category-s/1463.htm?utm_source=Polaris+Pedalers+Post+Newsletter&utm_campaign=e870300270-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2017_07_24&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_897d869ee3-e870300270-316679977&mc_cid=e87...

I never understand this ... people seem happy to use 'soft luggage' when off-road but seem to feel some sort of compulsion to fit racks and panniers when they venture onto the road. Surely the same benefits of soft luggage exist regardless of terrain or bike type I like my bikepacking bikes on my b...

Agree with ATK. Get a 2nd hand beater off eBay - dont worry about the disk brake, you will hardly use it after a while. A Specialized Langster with a short stem and riser bar would probably do too.

"I can't believe how many people are buying into this Adventure Bike fad." Well, chalk up another one. An Arkose 4 arrives this week. Mostly it's for commuting now Ive in a full time job and have emptied my garage of all but one other bike (sob .... ) but Im very keen to see how capable i...

You've forgotten the medication again, eh Reg? Sam's not sure sure about the fireworks on account of the very local locals, but he will ask. He's also going to join the ride this year - he's rebuilt his Troll as a 650B+ monster which Ive yet to check out, but he's an ace wrench and I bet the wheels ...

Excellent. We're approaching critical mass. I dont remember much of the route last year either. I remember a lot of standing about in the rain as the group elastic stretched and finally snapped and then lots of desperate searching for phone signals and Garmin reference points, a bit of a giggle when...

The pub people were very accommodating of a bunch of filthy bikers, or are you thinking of "self catering"?

I'm thinking we might have a BBQ. Nice big open fire. Selection of meats on the grill. Vegie option. Couple of of pot noodles for the traditionalists.

So El Capitan has decreed 16/17 December as the winter bivvy night. I was speaking with Sam earlier this week and he's insisting we stay at his field again. I'm well up for that as the shepherd's hut, round house and wood shed mean most of us can leave shelters at home. It's early days, so all we ne...

Stu, that sounds kinda like a challenge. I will shortly start a thread of the 2017 Chilterns Winter Bivvy. I think we need a theme this year. Any suggestions? Other than Christmas?