Gear recommendations and Is a 3x3 tarp too big for solo

[Mitomaniac]

I'm planning on bike packing next year and impulse purchased a bargain DD 3x3 tarp is this possibly a bit large for a solo person I didn't realise the packsize was as big as it is.

Cookware wise I'm sorted as I have some gear from camping and such.

I have a basic bivvy bag and a alpkit lumo or Numo whichever it is

Sleeping bag wise I'd appreciate advise on a cost effective 3 season bag with decent packsize and doesn't mind a bit of damp.

And then luggage options for the bike too and water carrying what's a good amount to aim to get on the bike

I'm happy to make AliExpress purchase to keep costs down and have a go at making some bags or altering bags to suit a new purpose just looking for recommendations and advice

[Bearbonesnorm]

I'm planning on bike packing next year and impulse purchased a bargain DD 3x3 tarp is this possibly a bit large for a solo person I didn't realise the packsize was as big as it is.

Yes and no. It will obviously offer greater coverage but it will also be more difficult to set-up in some instances. My advice would simply be to have a practice and see how you get on.

I have a basic bivvy bag

How basic? Some cheap bags really don't breath well, so condensation becomes quite a problem.

Sleeping bag wise I'd appreciate advise on a cost effective 3 season bag with decent packsize and doesn't mind a bit of damp.

Cost effective and damp ... synthetic could be the way forward. The Mountain Hardware 'Lamina' range of bags are well worth a look and can be had for reasonable money with some shopping about. HyperLamina Spark half price here: https://www.sportsshoes.com/product/mot ... lsrc=aw.ds

And then luggage options for the bike too and water carrying what's a good amount to aim to get on the bike

Recently playing with the POD luggage from PlanetX and it's very good for the money.

[whitestone]

Nice can of worms you've opened there

The Alpkit R-i-g3.5 is plenty big enough (and packs small enough) for one, we used it for the two of us for quite a while. See the reviews section from the main site on here for tips on how to set it up.

Water: as little as possible Get something like an MSR TrailShot water filter to let you fill up at any available source. I usually just take one 750ml water bottle.

Down is fine for sleeping bags even in our damp climate, you just have to take a bit of care. Note that sleeping bags have an upper comfort limit so a three season bag might be too hot in summer, you might be better getting a summer bag then look at something as a wrapper to augment it when things get cooler. I use a PHD Minim 200 and a Cumulus 150 quilt in this manner. Not cheap but no worse than a quality 3 season bag.

Bags to put it all in. Look at Alpkit, Wildcat, Apidura, Revelate amongst others. You'd probably want/need a handlebar harness & bag and a seat harness and bag and some form of frame bag. It's all very much a voyage of discovery finding out what works for you for any particular season/trip.

Edit: See this recent thread about bags http://bearbonesbikepacking.co.uk/phpBB ... =7&t=13712 I posted some shots of the various configurations I use. As an update here's what I used for a three day trip around Kielder Forest. In the list below I didn't use the items marked with an asterisk.



Wildcat Lion harness with Revelate Saltyroll bag: R-i-g7 tarp*, pole for tarp*; Exped inflatable mat; Borah Gear bivy bag*; PHD Minim 200 bag; Cumulus 150 quilt; a day's dried food; pan.
Alpkit stem cell: car key, Xmas cake; Alpkit MyTiMug 650 containing pop can stove, matches, tea bags, porage oats.
Revelate Feed bag: trail food (and more Xmas cake)
Alpkit top tube bag: wallet; phone; pegs for tarp; batteries; various leads; toothbrush and paste.
Beerbabe downtube bag: tools and spares*; firelighters; Meths for stove
Wildcat Tiger seat harness with Wildcat tapered dry bag: 2 sets spare socks; spare gloves; medium microfibre towel*; thermals for sleeping; PHD duvet; buff*.

[Mitomaniac]

Excellent info thanks

[ScotRoutes]

Consider the tarp and bivvy bag to be part of a system, A smaller tarp provides less cover from the elements and might require a heavier, waterproof, bivvy bag. Wind-blown rain can find its way round most tarp pitches. A larger tarp provides more cover and pitching options so you can get away with a much lighter bivvy bag - or not use one at all.

I was using a Siltarp 1 (1.5 x 2.4m) until recently, paired up with a Rab Event bivvy bag. I now have a Trekkertent DCF tarp (1.8 x 2.7m) and a TiGoat Kestrel. I shaved off quite a bit of weight and packsize with that relatively small increase in coverage (at a cost it has to be said).
.

[metalheart]

I started off with a 3x3 alpkit number but picked up a Rab siltarp1 for £24 in a sale almost 2 years ago and not bothered with the alpkit since.

The larger tarp can be rigged up more like a tent but to me this removes the ‘fun’ of a tarp (being exposed to the night sky) and I now pitch the smaller tarp in a flying whatever (vee?) config. I always twin it up with a bivvy bag (well I live in Scotland, it’s either too wet or the bloody midgies are out....)

As already worked out the 3x3 takes up a fair amount of (packed) space.

Gear wise (as per the other bags thread) I’m a convert to the harness/holster set up. As Backcountry.scot (the uk importer) is only a 45 minute drive away it’s no brainer that I favour Revelate gear. Wildcat is good kit too though.

Start with the basics and see how that goes. A seat pack/handlebar pack/toptube frame bag supplemented with a (small) rucksack will see you all right for your first half dozen outings. Workout if you need the other bits and bobs thereafter?

[Mitomaniac]

Brilliant information thanks I'll probably sell the DD on and get something packing smaller. I have a military bivi bag which should do the job nicely even considering the AliExpress tents

I'm struggling with a sleeping bag I have a good summer bag and a Vango ultralite but its A older bag and packs quite large a d not really 3 season as such weight too... I was also looking at the AliExpress bags but not so sure of them

I live in the lakes so midges are a issue at times too

[whitestone]

See the thread about Lakes temperatures for a sleeping bag/quilt discussion.

[Mitomaniac]

See the thread about Lakes temperatures for a sleeping bag/quilt discussion.

On it thanks