Keep an eye out for a cheap fly fishing rod. Light, strong and can be taken apart. Just cut the handle off.

I have just picked up my 3rd mountain bike map from a tourist office in the French Alpes. These maps have all the downhill routes and usually a huge route for the cross country riders. And these have always been pretty big challenging rides. Some 50-80km. This year's maps no longer call them 'extrem...

Downs Link is a nice disused railway track. Lots of dog walkers. Cafe half way. Shoreham end was closed during the summer for construction work.

Had lunch at Fort Central. It is busy up here. Met a German doing the TN now.

Not descending the switchbacks. There is mountain bike trail down from Fort Tabourde. Excellent single track.

Just descending the Col de Tende right now. Can confirm that the view is amazing.
To those who are riding unsupported, I stashed your food when you said to.

I'm going to keep it in one piece. A bit long for a bike but I ride an XL frame.

Thanks for the tips.

Yes, for a tarp. One metre height. I chose 6mm because it seemed stiff enough in the shop. But I haven't tried it in the field. It won't be for gusty Welsh nights, more summer Alps. But if it works then I will get a thicker one for the UK.

Cheers.

Shatters!

I have 6mm carbon pole. I haven't cut it yet. Heatshrink?
Can I just cut it with a hacksaw and use it or is there more to it than that?

Cheers.

I bought a cheapo Shakespeare 7ft rod just to strap to the bike without a case. At £35, not worried if it gets bust. The rod cases are too heavy to use. I was planning on riding down and bivi/fly fishing in the Gorge du Verdon, France, a couple of days ago. But found out at the last minute that bike...

Bearbonesnorm wrote:

but only full Gortex really works as a bivi material.

I prefer eVent but there you go.

You must be new to all this bivi stuff then. Have you had your first night out yet?

Army Surplus. Brand new off Amazon. £40-45. Full Gortex, which is the best. Most complain that it is too heavy. But at that price you can trim it down and seam seal it. Everyone is searching for lightness, but only full Gortex really works as a bivi material. Avoid non-breathable floors if you move ...

Google - "rock climbing shoe repair".

Climbers repair / resole all the time. They are the experts in this.

No links. But just get the mini IGN paper map. Where are you based? Cul de Chien. Huge sand pit area for the adults to play in and some great boulders for the kids. Mare aux Evées. North end. Nothing major but a nice place to search out. Café in forest. 1km east of Barbizon. Point de vue des Gorges ...

Thanks for updating me. Something new to buy & try. It will make a nice change from buying a tent or tyre.
In France now, so will try to here.

Pour & store bags?

What are these? Is it just a new name for freezer/sandwich/gorp zip bags or are they different?

I was there 3 days ago.
It is fun riding hard dirt trails then turning a corner and then trying to ride through sand for 200m, then back to dirt.

I hate seeing photos of a big fried breakfast, late in the evening.

At least I can still go out for a pint.

I made it out. I had to bury myself deep in the woods to keep out of the wind. It was amazing how the wind could still pass through so many trees. Unfortunately I was surrounded by ash trees, which have a tendancy to panic and drop their branches when frightened. Widow makers. Met a few bikepackers ...

Google Friday ad.
Search North Face Tent.
It's mine. Made in Scotland! +postage.
Great for stormy nights.

Thanks Slug.

On Goog Earth I can see Chantry Wood, 1 mile SE of Guildford.

Up to Winchester then the South Downs Way. On your doorstep.

Thanks for the replies.
I'm tall, so I guess I will hold off until I see one. I have a Hilleberg Akto as my lightest tall person's tent. But it is 1.6kg.

Can anyone tell me if these tents will fit a lanky person? Estimated lankyness? The internal length looks good on paper but it angles down quite a lot at each end. Ps. My brand new, never used, army Gortex bag arrived today. £40. It's huge, but I am not short. And at that price, easily cut down and ...

Arrived. It is tiny. Fits in the puncture repair kit. It is weightless. On my scales. Fitted. Hard knock on the pedal. Scunch! As the cassette ring loosened. Brilliant. This is now in the tool bag. Out goes the heavy tool that still needs a big spanner and whip. It also has a 3.3 spoke key on the en...