The WRT has moved. If you're looking for info, entries or anything else bikepacking related try Bear Bones Bikepacking, the Bear Bones blog or the Bear Bones forum - ta.

Yea, yea, yea, but what is it?

The WRT is a 3 day and perhaps more importantly 2 night ride through and around mid Wales. You'll be expected to be self sufficient, carrying everything you need and sleeping out in or under whatever you think best. It's not elitist, entry is open to anyone who wants to try it. All the money raised by the WRT goes to the Wales Air Ambulance charity ... an organisation I hope you'll never need.

Friday, January 21, 2011

*Dirty deeds done dirt cheap.

It's all too easy to get caught up in the whole uber lightweight thing when it comes to bikepacking. Now, I haven't got anything against cutting the handle off my underpants or only wearing one sock, nor have I got anything against buying kit ... I'm at least as guilty as everyone else. The trouble is the expense, once the bug bites then no matter how hard you try, you will be seduced by shiny titanium goodness and the mention of 900 fill power down will make you drool ... honest.

When you're new to it or only plan on a couple of overnighters a year, then it can seem a little mad to throw loads of money at stuff you'll hardly use. This got me thinking about how much you could kit yourself out for. Nothing exotic, just basic and functional kit that should see you through a few summers ... I've a budget of £100 in my mind, so lets see what we can do. We'll start with keeping the elements at bay.

First up and possibly the first item people tend to buy ... a bivvy bag. This is the cheapest bag I could find that claims to be fully waterproof and breathable and it costs less than £20!


Now, I know a tarp isn't something you 'need' but it is nice to have. A well erected tarp will keep off a surprising amount of rain and sometimes it's just nice to have that 'feeling' of shelter. There are cheaper tarps out there but they're designed for a slightly different job ... yes, they will keep the rain off but there'll be a hugh weight penalty, best to leave them at home covering your log store or trailer. This on the other hand is designed for sleeping under, it'll also double as a poncho so you can ditch the waterproofs if you wanted to save a bit of weight. As long as you don't mind grade 1 forces issue, it'll cost you under £22.


Right then, we've £58 left, which isn't a vast amount but I reckon we've a chance of getting everything we need.

*Apologies to AC/DC or any fans.
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3 comments:

  1. PaulJanuary 22, 2011 at 6:02 AM

    What about save weight, loose the sleeping bag and bivvy bag and just go with a Adventure Medical Thermal Bivvy for about £35? I'll use my BMC card so it's £31.50, so £68.50 to spend!

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  2. BearbonesnormJanuary 22, 2011 at 10:43 AM

    Good thinking Paul ... are they warm enough? I've never tried one.

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  3. markenduroJanuary 25, 2011 at 1:25 PM

    I ended up with one of these for a tarp, they are much lighter when you ditch the poles and come in at £19.99 and are a bit bigger than the one in the article

    http://www.decathlon.co.uk/EN/tarp-3243880/

    My alpkit titanium knife/fork/spoon set turned up today as well, very nice and weight 9/10ths of sod all but they are a bit darker than my bike frame so might have to polish them up a bit....

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