Advice needed

[Lynx]

Theres some good reads around, bearbones website, the bikepacking thread on STW etc.

Personally I'd also go with a tent, unless you're wedded to the open air theme, they can easily be the lighter option (eg zeph 2). If the weather suits, you can always open the fly for the view. Last year I overnighted at afan, Welsh midges ate me alive, i was bloody glad to get inside a something with a mesh.

Thanks for the advice. What's STW?

 

[Lynx]

id take a tent , m8 .
iv done good bit of bike touring , and some times a few trees are hard to come by . you may end up with your tarp hanging off a farmers gate , and you lay under it ,

iv been over the top from manchester to bala then on to portmadog

what ever you do have a good time ,

i take 5 tubes cant be arsed to patch on the move , patch later when camp is set up , or when your back home

bike problems .. best thing i can say is go over the bike each day be4 you set of , panneirs / bolts tend to work free , so nip them up each day ,
and have a few x bolts to replace if you lose one , i


ps i take tent and tarp , on the one bike , two bikes , lol kitchen sink .

Thanks. Some useful tips here.

 

[Inky]

I think exped do something similar might be more available here. I got my eno stuff direct from them, well worth it I'd say. Simply on the size/weight/ease of set up, I don't think they can be best

 

[rik_uk3]

I'd certainly take a tent. I'd also search for camp sites along your route http://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/sites/county.asp?region=Wales Break your journey up, have a hot shower, maybe wash some clothes. Don't dismiss camp sites, its not always easy or possible to find a 'wild' pitch for the night and if your found you may not receive a 'welcome in the hillside' more a boot up your bum and told to move on. Also keep at least one days food with you.

Have a great journey.

 

[kaiAnderson]

I did lands end to john ogroats and started out in a tent but quickly moved to b+bs as cycling all day then sleeping in a tent wasn't great. a hammock would have been better. just make sure you have loadsa water and a gel seat. 2weeks in the saddle can really screw up your gouch.

 

[ebt.]

singletrackworld, theres a bikepacking thread on there thats nearly at 80 pages. lots of ideas/kit storage stuff there. Like it or hate, theres plenty of it

 

[Lynx]

singletrackworld, theres a bikepacking thread on there thats nearly at 80 pages. lots of ideas/kit storage stuff there. Like it or hate, theres plenty of it

Thanks. I'll check it out.

 

[Jammylodger]

Hi,
this sounds like a very interesting trip you are doing. I to am doing a trip in the summer, but as yet not sure of the route.
If you are looking at the Bivi bag route? a friend of mine has 2 of these that he is looking to sell also in grade 1 condition. (i think he's looking for £25 + postage)

Having looked through this thread I can't really offer you any amazing new advice, as there is some very sound advice already, but would like to say: take sufficient funds in case of emergency. i.e a bail-out.
I've done trips of this nature on a motorcycle across Europe, and have been lucky in the respect that nothing has gone wrong, but have always planned for the worst in each case.
As we always went in a group, we split the load equally.
Doing what you are doing you will never be too far from civilization, so you should be fine.
My guess is you'll take far more gear than you actually need, I was guilty of the same, but with experience and confidence you soon learn exactly what is vital, and what isn't.