Nice one Josh, great video. I'm so close to try a proper bikepacking event. Grewat tips and its good to hear from someone who's actually done this stuff.
Usual insightful debrief for us to learn from. How do you think the sleeping bag would have changed the packing arrangements, slightly bigger bar roll (the one used looked pretty full)?
Originally I did actually have the sleeping bag packed. It fitted in the front roll and some of the extra layers went in my frame bag so it pretty much remained the same in terms of pack size. However I decided to take more food and take a risk with just a silk liner ( which didn't really pay off). I could have got away with less food and probably would have benefitted more from a few warm sleeps in my sleeping bag.
A less learnt, never dream of leaving the sleeping bag at home. I learnt my own lesson, don't leave legs warmers - and ended up covering my legs with arm warmers, buying some cheap kitchen towels and holding them in place with a rain jacket over the top, 😅
Very helpful, and you've answered my questions I put up on your vid about your kit for the race. Like you, I shivvered at night but I did have a sleeping bag and a goretex bivvy. I'm wondering if i can get a frame bag small enough for my (medium) Cotic frame. It's very similar to your bike 's geometry, just a size or 2 smaller. I had a large bag behind the saddle and on the SDW was on and off lots of times for gates. Had a funny crash swinging my leg over and catching the bag! I see why you don't use one🤣🤣🤣
Thanks for posting always love a kit debrief. I used dotwatcher for the first time following you and Sofianne , despite the weather looked an unrelenting fast pace from the leaders . Kit wise all in including the water what was your total kit weight out of interest , looks a minimal weight setup 👍🙂
I didn't actually weigh the bike before the race, however I just chucked it on the scales as it is in the video without food or water and it came out at 19.6kg. It would have been 2-3kg heavier on the start line with the extra food and bottle of water.
Awesome content as usual Josh, thanks for this! Question: What would be your thoughts on a dynamo hub for this route? My hardtail has a SON28 and I typically run a K-Lite front light off that. It works quite well even at surprisingly low speeds to provide a base level of light while night riding. Is this route too slow to warrant a dynamo in your opinion? Thanks!
I’ve done it with a Dynamo and with out. I tend to stick with battery lights as a preference as I can get round with out needing a recharge and they aren’t affected by the slower speeds on the tougher sections. Having said that if you have a decent helmet light and a Dynamo you will also be fine. There is actually quite a lot of fast rolling sections in between the slow parts.
Any opinions on backpacks in this context? Maybe more core fatigue but would have thought it might make it easier with bike handling Also without stem bags, how do you manage to keep fueling without faffing through snack stashes?
Personally I prefer to keep minimal weight on my back so favour a hydration vest rather than a backpack. The Tailfin front pack has a large mesh pocket which takes the place of the food pouches without affecting the steering.
I'd suggest the ass saver win-wing as it's positioned to stop all splashes from the rear tyre while the one you had only saves your legs and a bit of the back, but you likely got some splash
I do actually use the win-wing on my road and gravel bike, however decided it would probably be a bit delicate for this particular route given the particularly rough and rocky nature of the route. I'll certainly test it more over winter though.
Comforting in a way that even a guy with as much experience as Josh gets his kit wrong. You live and learn. Vulcanising solution over the tyre plug for protection is a pro tip.
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Thanks for posting Josh. Always appreciate the detail you go into and the reasons for your choice of equipment, clothes etc.
Many thanks Josh! Alwas really enjoying your in depth gear videos!
Yes please-more equipment and race details.
Nice one Josh, great video. I'm so close to try a proper bikepacking event. Grewat tips and its good to hear from someone who's actually done this stuff.
That Tailfin frame bag looks so neat! The fit etc is perfect!
Thanks for posting .
Usual insightful debrief for us to learn from. How do you think the sleeping bag would have changed the packing arrangements, slightly bigger bar roll (the one used looked pretty full)?
Originally I did actually have the sleeping bag packed. It fitted in the front roll and some of the extra layers went in my frame bag so it pretty much remained the same in terms of pack size. However I decided to take more food and take a risk with just a silk liner ( which didn't really pay off). I could have got away with less food and probably would have benefitted more from a few warm sleeps in my sleeping bag.
I shall have to watch properly and catch up. I was at the Great British Escapades myself and a week earlier All Points North. 😅
great setup!
A less learnt, never dream of leaving the sleeping bag at home. I learnt my own lesson, don't leave legs warmers - and ended up covering my legs with arm warmers, buying some cheap kitchen towels and holding them in place with a rain jacket over the top, 😅
Very helpful, and you've answered my questions I put up on your vid about your kit for the race. Like you, I shivvered at night but I did have a sleeping bag and a goretex bivvy. I'm wondering if i can get a frame bag small enough for my (medium) Cotic frame. It's very similar to your bike 's geometry, just a size or 2 smaller. I had a large bag behind the saddle and on the SDW was on and off lots of times for gates. Had a funny crash swinging my leg over and catching the bag! I see why you don't use one🤣🤣🤣
I honestly thought you said "shimano's scented brake pads". Now I want that to exist.
Thanks for posting always love a kit debrief. I used dotwatcher for the first time following you and Sofianne , despite the weather looked an unrelenting fast pace from the leaders .
Kit wise all in including the water what was your total kit weight out of interest , looks a minimal weight setup 👍🙂
I didn't actually weigh the bike before the race, however I just chucked it on the scales as it is in the video without food or water and it came out at 19.6kg. It would have been 2-3kg heavier on the start line with the extra food and bottle of water.
Thanks for reply , interesting to know what your bike plus setup weighs , cheers
Awesome content as usual Josh, thanks for this! Question: What would be your thoughts on a dynamo hub for this route? My hardtail has a SON28 and I typically run a K-Lite front light off that. It works quite well even at surprisingly low speeds to provide a base level of light while night riding. Is this route too slow to warrant a dynamo in your opinion? Thanks!
I’ve done it with a Dynamo and with out. I tend to stick with battery lights as a preference as I can get round with out needing a recharge and they aren’t affected by the slower speeds on the tougher sections. Having said that if you have a decent helmet light and a Dynamo you will also be fine. There is actually quite a lot of fast rolling sections in between the slow parts.
Any opinions on backpacks in this context? Maybe more core fatigue but would have thought it might make it easier with bike handling
Also without stem bags, how do you manage to keep fueling without faffing through snack stashes?
Personally I prefer to keep minimal weight on my back so favour a hydration vest rather than a backpack. The Tailfin front pack has a large mesh pocket which takes the place of the food pouches without affecting the steering.
I'd suggest the ass saver win-wing as it's positioned to stop all splashes from the rear tyre while the one you had only saves your legs and a bit of the back, but you likely got some splash
I do actually use the win-wing on my road and gravel bike, however decided it would probably be a bit delicate for this particular route given the particularly rough and rocky nature of the route. I'll certainly test it more over winter though.
Win wing is for 60mm tires, less than 29x2.4. I like the proguard choice. Win wing is better for gravel.
Good point, it might be too narrow if going wider
Comforting in a way that even a guy with as much experience as Josh gets his kit wrong. You live and learn. Vulcanising solution over the tyre plug for protection is a pro tip.
Frame update? No rust after 2+ years?
No rust but has just had a strip down and respray