Quick MTB overnighter

hiraethus · **on:** June 14, 2015, 11:25:19 AM

Had the chance to get out on my mtb for a quick wild camping trip in the Elan Valley in Mid Wales last night - left at 8 after my son has gone to bed, 10 easy miles on a flat cycle track to begin with then a 300m climb up out of the valley to find a midge-free camp spot. No pics from last night as I was in a bit of a hurry but I snapped a couple this morning:

Out of bed at 7, an easy ride back to the top of one of the best descents in the area, hooned down the hill into town and back for breakfast by 8.

Smashie · **Reply #1 on:** June 14, 2015, 11:33:34 AM

Lovely place to wake up mate

Sparky415 · **Reply #2 on:** June 14, 2015, 11:46:32 AM

Wow thats a view to have with your first coffee of the day

Mike, Lord of the Spammers! · **Reply #3 on:** June 14, 2015, 11:51:30 AM

That's my idea of the perfect weekend mate!

I'm really envious to say the least!

I hate being a responsible adult

Sent from my K013 using Tapatalk

kirk13 · **Reply #4 on:** June 14, 2015, 11:56:42 AM

Brilliant Chris,count me as jealous!

AimlessWanderer · **Reply #5 on:** June 14, 2015, 11:58:07 AM

Another jealous bod here. Thanks for the pics

Grathr · **Reply #6 on:** June 14, 2015, 12:03:06 PM

That looks fantastic!

Sent from a device made from star dust using tapatalk

zoidberg · **Reply #7 on:** June 14, 2015, 12:07:17 PM

Great looking spot.

Syncop8r · **Reply #8 on:** June 14, 2015, 12:50:29 PM

Awesome, great time management.

I imagine it could get windy there.

ducttapetech · **Reply #9 on:** June 14, 2015, 03:14:23 PM

Beautiful area! Nice set up too!

Nate
That's us mobile

Aloha · **Reply #10 on:** June 14, 2015, 04:32:56 PM

Now that's a lovely spot to awake.

sawman · **Reply #11 on:** June 14, 2015, 04:37:00 PM

I miss camping. Looks like a terrific spot

hiraethus · **Reply #12 on:** June 14, 2015, 10:42:28 PM

Thanks all.

It was a pretty good choice of spot - a nice breeze blowing up the valley kept the midges at bay and I was facing the sunrise.

Quote from: Syncop8r on June 14, 2015, 12:50:29 PM

Awesome, great time management.
I imagine it could get windy there.

Just a little. There's no way I'd be up there (500m, no tree cover and very little shelter) unless the weather was good.

Felt great to be out, even of it was only a few hours. My first camping trip since last summer.

I should have taken some shots of my bike with the gear on, but the camera on my phone crashed just after I took the pics above.

zoidberg · **Reply #13 on:** June 19, 2015, 12:53:26 PM

And the answer is yes.

hiraethus · **Reply #14 on:** June 19, 2015, 01:04:42 PM

Hooray. I'm Campin.

shark_za · **Reply #15 on:** July 05, 2015, 08:35:35 PM

I remember the UK summer last year, it was a Wednesday.

Good going man, would be interesting to see what kit you carry on the bike,

hiraethus · **Reply #16 on:** July 05, 2015, 11:11:05 PM

We've done a little better this year, we've had two days of it so far.

Here's a pic of my old bike with a setup similar to what I'm using now - though I try to carry less stuff than in this photo.

Now I use an 8L drybag strapped to the bars for sleeping bag and clothes and a smaller one in a harness behind the saddle for tarp, bivvy bag, sleeping mat and stove. Partial frame bag for tools, food, lights and wash kit. Top tube bag for snacks. Backpack for water, food, riding clothes, camera and other stuff I need to get to quickly.

styx · **Reply #17 on:** July 06, 2015, 10:38:32 AM

Care to share a bit more specific details of that setup? Which tarp, bivy, etc. are you using?

hiraethus · **Reply #18 on:** July 06, 2015, 11:12:35 AM

No problem.

Tarp: Integral Designs SilTarp 1 2.2x1.5m, 0.2kg
http://www.integraldesigns.com/product_detail.cfm?id=726
I use a mix of Ti and Al pegs - the bigger Al ones for highly loaded guylines, the Ti ones where I don't need as much strength. 3mm Dyneema cord for guylines, with a bowline loop at one end and a tautline hitch at the other for adjustment.
Three-piece 1.15m aluminium pole at the head end: http://www.ultralightoutdoorgear.co.uk/equipment-c3/accessories-c10/tent-pegs-poles-c11/lightweight-aluminium-tent-pole-p540
Single section of pole (about 0.4m long) at the foot, salvaged from an old tent.

Bivvy bag: Alpkit Hunka
https://www.alpkit.com/products/hunka
Great value but not that light and not perfectly waterproof so needs to be used with a tarp if it looks like rain. Ok on wet ground, just doesn't like prolonged exposure to rain.

Sleeping bag: PHD Minim 300
this a bag that PHD only seem to sell in the their sales. Closest I can find now is the Minimus http://www.phdesigns.co.uk/minimus-down-sleeping-bag. No zip for light weight and not very much down in there either so 2 seasons use only. I also carry a PHD down vest (http://www.phdesigns.co.uk/minimus-down-vest) - great added warmth and can be used to 'top up' the sleeping bag if it's cold - and a woolly hat too.

Sleeping mat: Karrimor inflatable
http://www.karrimor.com/karrimor-6-tube-nylon-sleeping-mat-782174?colcode=78217490
Very light and packs down small but fragile and not very warm. When it craps out I'll go back to my old 3/4 length Thermarests.

Cooking gear: Stove is a Primus ETA Express with built in Piezo lighter, small 100g canisters, Primus aluminium non-stick pot/lid and a Ti mug with DIY pot cosy and lid. I carry a Clipper lighter and a plastic Spork too. I've got a tiny meths/alcohol stove that I haven't got to grips with yet - needs care and a windshield to function properly but is 1/4 the size of the Primus.

styx · **Reply #19 on:** July 06, 2015, 12:18:26 PM

Thanks. you really went all the way with this explanation

hiraethus · **Reply #20 on:** July 06, 2015, 01:29:04 PM

Always good to chat about gear. Even better if someone actually wants to hear what I've got to say.

styx · **Reply #21 on:** July 06, 2015, 05:14:14 PM

Well I'm slowly embracing that whole ultra light approach, but some habits are just hard to kick

Zed · **Reply #22 on:** July 06, 2015, 05:51:14 PM

I missed this

great pics mate,wish we lived closer as could get out on some rides

im planning a night out soon ,just need too find somewhere to camp

cool set up you have

hiraethus · **Reply #23 on:** July 07, 2015, 02:34:55 PM

Quote from: styx on July 06, 2015, 05:14:14 PM

Well I'm slowly embracing that whole ultra light approach, but some habits are just hard to kick

It's totally worth it, IMO. Less gear and weight means you can travel further and faster.

hiraethus · **Reply #24 on:** July 07, 2015, 02:38:32 PM

Quote from: Zed on July 06, 2015, 05:51:14 PM

I missed this great pics mate,wish we lived closer as could get out on some rides im planning a night out soon ,just need too find somewhere to camp cool set up you have

Must be a whole bunch of good spots near you, Zed. Was chatting with a mate from Blandford the other day about possible spots out on Purbeck. Would be a nice little ride out - hop on the ferry, then up the hill for a pastie and pint at the Square and Compass before bed near Swyre Head.

Zed · **Reply #25 on:** July 07, 2015, 03:01:06 PM

Quote from: hiraethus on July 07, 2015, 02:38:32 PM

Quote from: Zed on July 06, 2015, 05:51:14 PM
I missed this great pics mate,wish we lived closer as could get out on some rides im planning a night out soon ,just need too find somewhere to camp cool set up you have

Must be a whole bunch of good spots near you, Zed. Was chatting with a mate from Blandford the other day about possible spots out on Purbeck. Would be a nice little ride out - hop on the ferry, then up the hill for a pastie and pint at the Square and Compass before bed near Swyre Head.

i ride over the purbecks now and then,there are many nice spots but also lots of dog walkers,im after something remote,there are loads of beautiful rides here but close to local paths and roads,ill check my map and see as really need a night out soon

styx · **Reply #26 on:** July 07, 2015, 06:03:19 PM

Quote from: hiraethus on July 07, 2015, 02:34:55 PM

Quote from: styx on July 06, 2015, 05:14:14 PM
Well I'm slowly embracing that whole ultra light approach, but some habits are just hard to kick

It's totally worth it, IMO. Less gear and weight means you can travel further and faster.

When it comes to shelter, sleeping system, stoves and some other things I agree. Packs on the other hand, I'm concerned because I am not the most careful person in the world. The big issue is that I don't need 300 different tools, knives, pots and pans. But I like them

ducttapetech · **Reply #27 on:** July 07, 2015, 06:22:02 PM

I like some of the light weight gear, and some of it, not so much. It may take me an extra day or so to hike a trail, but hey, an extra day or two in the bush is a win in my book.
Now form the MTB point of view, I can see wanting all light as possible gear. Bike would get a little heavy to peddle after awhile.

Nate
That's us mobile

ToolJoe · **Reply #28 on:** July 07, 2015, 09:10:53 PM

All killer no filler in a trip!

hiraethus · **Reply #29 on:** July 08, 2015, 10:40:17 AM

Quote from: ducttapetech on July 07, 2015, 06:22:02 PM

I like some of the light weight gear, and some of it, not so much. It may take me an extra day or so to hike a trail, but hey, an extra day or two in the bush is a win in my book.
Now form the MTB point of view, I can see wanting all light as possible gear. Bike would get a little heavy to peddle after awhile.

Nate
That's us mobile

I usually don't have an extra day or two - normally I have a limited amount of time available and need to make the most of it. Going light helps me in that respect, though I agree about the durability of the gear. My setup definitely isn't what might be classed as ultralight - my emphasis is on cost effective gear reduction, not out and out weight reduction.

Hello Lurker! Remove this ad and much more by logging in.

Quick MTB overnighter

Donations

Community Links