If you think the Blackbird hammocks are expensive ... take a look at these

http://www.junglehammock.com/

Alas, I'm instructing all weekend so won't be doing much in the bikepacking department although bikes will still feature heavily. Anyone else got anything planned?

Hope Matt won't mind me lifting this but I think it possibly sums things up for a lot of people. Think of it this way..... Most people in the UK, for 365 days a year, sleep in a house under roof in total comfort cosseted from the outside world. To sleep outside, to see the stars, clouds, moon. To ex...

Well, thanks to Stevemorg final testing of the Rodir stove is underway. A larger pot was required to see what effect it would have ... findings on the site soon.

Some nice stuff on that link Nevis. The tarps look very good value, not the lightest but you can't have everything

Some really BIG tarps there too if anyone's looking for something to shelter a group.

It was these that took my fancy http://warbonnetoutdoors.com/blackbirds.php (flatfishy dreams about them) ... they do look very nice. Some of their tarps even have doors on. Combine it with some quilts from these folk http://www.hammockgear.com and I reckon you'd have a superb winter sleeping soluti...

I had looked at the MSR stuff but my hands wouldn't reach the bottom of my pockets!

Went for one of these instead http://www.go-system.co.uk/catalog/prod ... tegory/43/ Found it on-line for £25, so thought it was worth a punt ... we'll see.

I know that flatfishy is a hammock fan and I have one which gets used a few times a year.

At the moment I'm using a DD one which is great but I can't help be drawn to some of the more exotic examples Anyone else use one/have one?

Might be of interest to someone. 1.5m x 2.5m and 178g.

http://www.fieldandtrek.com/terra-nova- ... p-1-783187

Short Neo Air mat. £54

http://www.fieldandtrek.com/thermarest- ... mat-782002

Not quite Elan valley proper but near enough ... Devils Bridge. Plenty of riding, walking, etc to be had.

http://www.woodlandsdevilsbridge.co.uk/

You've heard me play the banjo then?

DNF ... do you cook with the neoprene sleeve in place?

Cheers Nevis ... think I'll knock up a basic line and use a stick, bivvy pole, etc for a rod. I'll also pack food as i've never caught a fish in my life :D

I've heard it twice today ... someone wants to try bikepacking/bivvying but they're scared of, well, stuff that isn't there I suppose. It's something I've never thought about if I'm honest, so do you ever get scared, anxious, etc been out there on your own in the dark? If anyone does get scared then...

Race King 2.2 folders for me on the 29er. Never tried the BC compound so can't comment but I'm told they are the Holy Grail of rubber ... but I've been told lots of things over the years that have turned out to be rubbish :roll: I know Sallyh runs Race King 2.2's on her 69er both folders but nothing...

I quite fancy the idea of trying a remote canister type stove, does anyone have any experience of them? I know it'll add at least 100g to my kit weight but the idea of a low and stable stove does appeal. I've looked at a few on-line and they seem much the same ... all around 200g and between £20 and...

40th birthdays are very overrated ... better off with us

Anyone else fancy coming? So far there's Sallyh, Deb, Alex (I think) and myself.

EDIT: Chew now added to the list and Steve down as a possible

MSR E Wing tarp for £61 ... depending who you believe the RRP of these is over £100. They scored very well in Trails tarp test earlier in the year. Weighs under 200g and packs to nothing.

Might be useful for someone.

http://www.outdoor-ranger.co.uk/msr-ten ... -9783.html

Seeing as you asked so nicely ... SN792879

Here's the track heading up there.

Nice view of our overnight spot, looking out north ... was lovely.

Pitched up next to a lake which obviously contained fish, got me thinking about the possibility of carrying a fishing rod with me ... yea, yea I know. Anyway a little internet searching turned up a few pen/pocket fishing rods. They're certainly light and small enough to carry but would they actually...

Do you take a knife as part of your kit? Is it a whopping great big thing capable of felling trees in one swipe? I take a knife, it's a Spyderco bug and it's tiny but oddly I've always found it big enough to do whatever I've needed ... here it is. http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Y0yhiSQULX4/ThspMSV4irI/AA...

:D

If anyone's wondering what Matts on about - http://bearbonesbikepacking.blogspot.com/

Every so often I might light a very SMALL fire when I'm out. If I can't hide all signs that it was ever there then I won't light one. I believe there's nothing worse than piles of blackened stones and burnt earth all over the place. I'm interested in other peoples views about lighting fires, so what...

Aha ... well spotted, however I think looking at the image name is cheating. I may have to deduct points if the allegations prove correct