The bikepacking and cycle touring thread

Possibly 4th August.
Not sure yet, might be a fortnight after.

But I’ll be posting dates on here for @JibberJim and anyone else who’d like to say hello!

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Right, i’ve just been through and tweaked our route. Miles and miles on the Bath Road from London to Newbury in the middle of the night when it’s nice and quiet.

Forecast is 18C in London at midnight next Fri!!! And it’s only dropping to 14C at 4am or so.

Currently a light NE/N breeze as well. We could so easily have had a full on SW in our faces the entire way!

:crossed_fingers: :crossed_fingers: :crossed_fingers: :crossed_fingers: :crossed_fingers: :crossed_fingers: :crossed_fingers:

Just need to pray to the puncture fairy, the mechanicals demon and for the legs to turn up!

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Is the current version on your Komoot profile?

Saddles :face_with_symbols_over_mouth:

I’m having a poor experience with the stock Orro saddle. Which is the first and only time I’ve ever not got on with a saddle :person_shrugging:t3:

Ive got four different saddles on my bikes, using “it’s what they came with” as my reason for owning them.

The Fizik Arione is by far the best I’ve used, but I wonder if it’s suitable for gravel?

Any gravel recommendations, or is it just a case of using a road one?

I would go with what works for you on the road.

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I moved to Brooks once I stopped racing triathlon. A bit heavier than my lightweight SLR but much more comfortable.

I would think something of that type of shape would be good for gravel

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I’d agree with @Doka I use the Spesh Power saddle. Even changed my TT bike to one of those as I know I get on with it. 150km+ a few days running and you’ll soon find out if its a problem or not! :joy:

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By coincidence I also use the Spesh power saddle. I had a Prologo before & never had any saddle discomfort but since the accident it’s been a big issue as I can’t take weight through the knees. Tried a bunch & ended up with the power with the Spesh ability to keep swapping until your happy.

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When on super long days/rides do you guys still connect up to your power meters, or bin that off to save battery? How about HRM? Is there any point in that data for a 12+ hr, steady ride?

Any other tips for garmin management? I’m hoping my edge 530 will survive the ~15 hrs we’re looking at. Cba to take a power bank or anything.

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I still connect both hrm and power, I’d say it’s pretty useful to try not spike the power on climbs which will hurt the legs over a long ride.

I’d make sure you turn your Garmin off at any cafe/lunch stops, easy to forget when you are knackered.

Do you have a watch with basic navigation that you could use as back up?

Ta. :+1:t3:

Yup. Got my route on the forerunner as backup, fully charged. Plus there are 3 of us for further back up.

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I know you said you CBA, but I’d take a small powebank.

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Fair point. But turns out mine is knackered. Might have a random other one somewhere.

I’m getting proper nervous. Got all day to just wait and think as well!

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I don’t have a power meter but do use a HRM but TBH its fine without if your not raising your HR up and down quickly. But as @BenW said its a good way to not over do it on climbs

I’d say it could be touch and go depending on battery condition of the 530. Put it into battery saver mode ie screen turns off and wakes X meters before turn. I’d definitely take a power bank then you can give it a top up at lunch and be certain you aren’t gonna have a problem.

And remember to eat eat eat.

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It will be epic. And remember, it’s the things that go wrong that make it memorable.

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On the final day of my trip round Wales it rained really hard. I had an old phone that wasn’t able to keep charge for a full day and the port got wet as I tried to charge it on the move, there were some blue sparks and the phone died. I literally didn’t have a clue where I was & all the signs consisted of places with too many Ls in their names. If the Garmin had gone at that point, then I might have been in some difficulty!
I didn’t need the powerbank for the Garmin but I’m really glad I had it!

One powerbank between 3 of you will be fine (don’t forget the cable!).

Have fun and take photos :slight_smile:

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About 80km into the first of a 3 day Wales bike packing trip a few weeks ago I realised I’d left my phone at home :person_facepalming:

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You went back for it I presume? :wink:

Lol absolutely not, just relied on the missus :joy:

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Let the fun begin…

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