Cycling UK Forum

snibgo wrote:1. I use a Phoenix Phoxhole. 1kg, Goretex.
2. It depends on the temperatures, and you! For a typical UK summer night, I need a sleeping bag.

I used to use a OR Bivy which weighed about 1 kg. Now I use a two person tent that weighs just 1 kg. It is a solid, well built tent. A tent is much nicer than a bivy in so many ways, so for the same weight...it is a no brainer. https://www.bigagnes.com/Products/Detail/Tent/FlyCreekUL2

I wouldn't go without a sleeping bag even if it was only a 5 C bag which would only weigh about 500 gm. I often bring a silk liner too which can be pretty warm for not much weight.

hufty wrote:I have drop bars. I usually ride on the hoods, often ride on the flats, often ride not holding the bars properly just with loose fists on the foam. I hardly ever ride on the drops. I don't want to ride on the drops. But for a long day's ride I prefer the more natural hand/arm position (without the 90deg twist) that you get from riding on the hoods. I have strong enough hands to brake from the hoods.

My touring bike (Surly LHT) has drops. I think I spend about 50% of the time on the hoods, and almost all of the rest in various positions on the flats. I use the drops very rarely -- pretty much only going downhill, and only sometimes then. Before I knew any better, I did one 10 day tour with only straight handlebars and got numbness, and couldn't grip anything with my right hand for several days. If you go with straight bars, you have to get some sort of bar ends to vary your hand position. (Plus you should wear cycling gloves with padding.)