Nice ride; looks like the demo rides didn't get much beyond the car park!

Rode this over the last few days. Dartmoor was fantastic, in glorious weather, and there where some amazing, hard earned descents on Exmoor. The meandering connecting lanes where tedious and claustrophobic, and some of the byeways best avoided in the wet - very claggy! The Red Lion didn't disappoint...

Take care out there; according to Bikepacking.com there is a 12,000 foot mountain range to cross!!!

Maxis Ikons (tubeless) are constantly puncturing on the rear with sidewall problems. Confusing number of variations in each model (why do you need 8 different types of 2.2 tyre?) and hard to get hold of at the moment. Might go back to Schwalbes; better value as well.

Just a little update.... We're starting it on Sunday 20th with the lift up to Brevent, down to Les Houches, and back up along the TMB route for the first night. Two of us are doing it over three nights to be back for Wednesday 23rd (One refuge stop but hopefully bivi the other nights). Two others a...

Would be perfect for the Gruppenfuhrer, but I just can't face another concurrent bike building project right now...

FLV wrote:http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/mobi ... lsrc=aw.ds

How do you use a DI2 adapter to create an additional water bottle mount?

So wide rims are the latest trend in wheels, but I'm not sure I understand the advantages unless they are paired with particularly fat tyres. Surely a normal (say 2.3") tyre on a 35mm internal diameter rim will have a less 'pear shaped', more circular cross section, therefore exposing the sidew...

Where are the travellers Kipling down on Friday night? Not looking great weather for camping!

Do you have any experience with cuben fibre and sewing machine? I want a super-lightweight bag for my Scalpel, for 24 hr events, so durability is less important. I can't find anybody in this country doing such a thing, so if you fancy a challenge, I can send you a template.

That's going to hurt your nuts when you have to dismount in a hurry!

The Dartmoor/Exmoor bit of EWE isn't as god as it could be - the Plymouth-Minehead-Taunton route that Alan G posted on here earlier this year is a bit better, IMO.

Time to ride is too precious for me to dedicate riding 2400km in the UK, but I'd love to hear about the adventure / best bits.

johnnystorm wrote:XT M8000 oval rings:
http://www.oneupcomponents.com/products ... chainrings

As above, whatever you've got short of a full blown Dh bike will do.

How exciting! When they make a 28t version for my weak legs, I might even be tempted.

The more I see from bike packing events around the world, the more I think there is no one bike to rule them all, quite the opposite. But if I was buying just the one, I would probably be looking at a 29er HT frame, which then gives the option of running 27/650b+ wheels, if the terrain is super roug...

Loads of good info here; one of my favorite web sites:

http://bikepackersmagazine.com/2014-col ... race-gear/

For something a bit less race focussed, try Pedalling Nowhere.

I'm keen, but it will depend on a few other things falling into place by then. I'm not familiar with the area; what's the GR for the start?

Really interesting to see the bicycle used by JJ to smash the CTR course record last week. Long travel FS 27.5, but with light wheels shod in 'normal' rubber; looks like 2.2-2.35 Ikons. Compare that with the FR SS iron horse NRT used to win the HTR and draw your own conclusions!

I like! What's the rim and internal width?

jay91 wrote:That Garmin mount is ace

How does he change the batteries, without a massive faff?

Up for a race in the States next summer too, TD or CTR, if I get my sh*t together over the winter...

That certainly does look fab; can I pester you for the GPX and route cues?

Another US Epic event ready to roll - Anybody from here involved this year?

http://trackleaders.com/ctr15

Wish I was there - maybe next year...

I need to bicycle my garage with anti-theft devices - any ideas where I can get this stuff from, without breaking the bank?

Used ESIs for a bit but no more; they are a bit better than cheap foam grips, but they don't last long and the silicon lifeline grips I just got from Wiggle appear to be at least as good at less than half the price. http://www.wiggle.co.uk/lifeline-silicone-handlebar-grips/ I also found the Extra Lo...

I'd definitely go for a 29er frame; as another hobbit, I was very sceptical, but totally sold now. Next thing for me is probably going to be 27.5/650b+ wheels and tyres, which will fit the 29er, on the front, and should reap a few benefits, especially when using a rigid fork.