Slightly weird to think that bikepackers as many here will know and recognise them are already a minority amongst bikepackers . Something of a dying or at least diminishing breed I feel.

Alpkit have an new 900g tent, the Ultra 1.

https://alpkit.com/products/ultra-ultra ... VTN.PxFuMp

It's nowt to do with the type of luggage you use or where you stay but a mindset IMO. I saw a post on FB the other day with the usual soft luggage v panniers type stuff and one chap said, " why would you not use panniers, you can fit loads more in them" ... this bloke does not have a bikep...

Can we check the 2nd GR on the list?
There be no bridleways in sight. Does look like it might be interesting round shaped thing...possibly...

Somewhere near will do ... and at least 'it's' not 15 miles out at sea this year.

Should be of interest to anyone riding the entire thing or simply just parts.

https://www.bearbonesbikepacking.co.uk/ ... -due-soon/

I was considering insuring my bike and perhaps having a brief pootle but given that we woke to snow yesterday, I decided against bothering. Instead I will busy myself with the seemingly never ending list of tasks which require attention while I watch the droopy daffs and lambs head-butt each other. ...

That's right, WRT entries will close on Saturday. Should you miss it .... don't go bothering me with your sad 'am I too late' and 'could I still enter' type emails

If it was any help, perhaps it could be delivered to the Towers and someone could collect it at the WRT ? Just a thought.

And I never knew that about you either

Not many do and even less would ever believe it

We're doing it again. What? Taking a specific and somewhat unusual example and using it as a gateway to a much bigger and broader 'whole'.

The article appears to suggest that once re-open to motorised traffic, it will also form part of a long distance cycle route ... in my experience, the two things don't usually gel well. I'm sure everyone who rode last years BB200 will be well aware of how unsuitable a track used by 4x4 and off road ...

I have to say, that's quite mad

Final thought .... did you remember anti-seize compound on the bolts?

Well done Shaf.

What size is the actual bolt Shaf? I recall you said 19mm head which usually equates to an M12?

Buying a second hand welder would be cheaper .

Even buying a new one would be cheaper .... but it might as well be free if you can't use it

I agree that initially £150 might seem a lot but perhaps less so when you consider how much time and effort has thus far gone into not removing it

Be careful Shaf as your hole looks somewhat on the piss, so you'll still need to entirely remove what remains of the bolt (or just about) before trying to re-tap it ... if not you're hanger won't line up with your new hole.

Good idea Dave. Dee and myself were just saying last night how the whole dynamic can change once you begin to add additional nights.

As Jase says Shaf - find a nut which is roughly the same size as the bolt and weld the 2 together ... like you're welding a new head on the bolt.

Shaf, your bolt won't be stainless. As I said, it'll be grade 8 or possibly 12 which is hardened whereas stainless is actually soft yet can begin to harden when worked.

A cheap gasless mig welder would likely be a better (and cheaper) investment than oxy.

I wouldn't bother trying to drill it Shaf. It'll likely be a Grade 8 bolt or possibly even 12 ... which means very hard. If you do get a hole down it then it will weaken the bolt making it more likely to snap off which will make the problem worse still.

Sorry, just re-read your post ... do you know anyone with a welder? If you can weld a nut on, ideally as far down the shank as possible, it'll turn out.

Plus-gas is a very good freeing agent Shaf' ... WD40 etc will do very little. Ideally you want heat but lots of heat. I'm pretty sure you won't have bottles available but if you can beg / borrow a MAP gas set up, that might do it. Also, have you tried screwing it back in a little? Sometimes that'll ...