Weekend bikepacking with the Mrs.

[ootini]

I'll be writing a proper trip report soon, but in a nutshell me and the Mrs decided to packup some kit and ride 18 miles from our house down a valley and up the other side to Pen Y Cloddiau / Moel Y Parc which are basically the two mountains at the northern tip of the Clwyds. Here are a few things I learned:

1. Never rely on a phone for GPS.
2. Never pass up the opportunity to use a flushing toilet.
3. Never under estimate the climb up a mountain.
4. Never argue with the Mrs.
5. Throw the Vango sleeping bag away, it's too big and heavy.
6. The kettle was overkill.
7. Sheep / Cow / Horse poo is sticky.
8. Carry more water.
9. Flapjacks get very samey.

[Bearbonesnorm]

1. Never rely on a phone for GPS.
2. Never pass up the opportunity to use a flushing toilet ... this is true, although a 'wild one' can be a very liberating experience.
3. Never under estimate the climb up a mountain ... I'm saying nowt.
4. Never argue with the Mrs ... again true.
5. Throw the Vango sleeping bag away, it's too big and heavy ... could be said of many synthetic bags that fall within the budget / DoE spectrum.
6. The kettle was overkill ...
7. Sheep / Cow / Horse poo is sticky ... it is but it's only grass in a different form.
8. Carry more water ... why? It's heavy - carry a filter or learn where to source safe water.
9. Flapjacks get very samey ... homemade ones are the food of champions, shop bought aren't generaly up to much after the first couple.

Hope you both had a good time.

[ootini]

We both loved it! Hence the thread asking for advice on getting her a new bike.

Must admit, the climb up the mountain was very, very hard. It was a pretty direct, straight line up the slope, next time I might look for a longer, less direct and hopefully shallower route. Also, with regards to the kettle / pot debacle I'm going to try and source some kind of lid for the 900ml pot, as it may help with boil times* / keeping things tidy in the pot when stored. *To be fair, there wasn't much difference in boiling times between the pot and kettle.

[ootini]

Here's the proper write up. https://bikepackingonabudget.wordpress. ... wn-a-hill/

[Farawayvisions]

Loved this write up Ootini and your number 4 lesson learnt.

[ootini]

Thanks. Glad you liked it.

[whitestone]

I'm sure that there's quite a few (male) heads nodding at number four