Search found 51 matches

by Cachao
28 Jun 2011, 9:46pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: What to take on tour = Cut That Kit!
Replies: 83
Views: 110962

Re: Cut That Kit!

Thanks for all the help :D

ossie wrote:Are your straps for the tents ? Use a bunjee each mate. So much easier than straps. I agree about their limited longevity but you arent going around the world. Plus you can hang your wet washing from them, extra things slip under them. I took both on my recent Spain / UK tour and binned the straps in France, they are a pain. It was a 10 second job to bunjee the tent on but a a right pain to put straps on - plus straps dont stretch to stick stuff under...you can also bunjee your bike to the tent at night if you are worried...they stretch so hang washing on them or wet kit.

I took a compass but what a waste of time..even in remote mountain areas I didnt use it. Brake cable / Gear cable? - honestly what are the chances of them going? More chance of your chain snapping on a hill but you arent taking a chain tool. Longs? I took some but put the insect repellent on my legs and didnt need them.

Tape :duct tape dont take the electrical tape- where are your zip ties? - essential

Do you know what the reality will be? You will be super cautious about weight then hit a supermarket on the second day and load yourself down with cakes, biscuits, chocolate, etc etc. By day 3 your panniers will be a mess by day 5 you wont give a monkees about weight- all you will want is food, food and more food :D


Straps: we used bungees last year and bungees and straps this year and straps are far easier and more secure and we're not bothered about hanging wet washing
Compass: we didn't take one on our first tour and have found it indispensable ever sinve
Brake and gear cables, chain tool: They are only 42g so it's worth it - we have old bikes so it's possible - and we have a chain tool on the multi-tool
Duct tape: Any reason not to take electrical tape?
Zip ties: We're taking velcro ties as they can be re-used

I take your point, but since cutting down weight, we've enjoyed the cycling significantly more and we feel every gram when going uphill.

bealer wrote:Your kit list looks about right. An extra kilo or two won't be noticed after the first day.

Having said that I like a lighter bike, purely for the enjoyment of it not feeling like a loaded truck, stuff is less likely to break, you use less energy etc... etc... You could cut some of the individual smaller items, or switch to things like soap. Or drop the cables, but you'd save like 40g. To be honest, the best way to save weight would be to change some of the heavier items you already have. But that means additional expenditure.

If it were me...
- Lighter tent, close to 1.5kg all in for a two or three man
- Lighter down sleeping bags, 500g per bag
- Drop the D-Lock or whatever the heavier lock is. Go with a cable lock, the thicker type with metal casing. They usually weigh nearer 800g.

The above would save you nearly 4kg. Most of that is done via a different tent. That's quite a bit though, I'm carrying 5.5kg in each pannier for my london to oz trip, so 4kg would make a difference.


Tent: This is the tent we have and I'm afraid we don't have the money for another :S
Sleeping bags: Same as above
D-lock: I have to take this one for insurance

bealer wrote:Also forgot to mention. Think about the bike itself. I switched from Schwalbe Marathon 32C to Schwalbe Marathon Supreme 28C. So far they're working well for me, and I'm quite liking 28C. The bonus is the Supreme's saved me 600g for an additional £14. Instead of a rear rack bag which can be heavy-ish I opted for a more simple AlpKit xtra dry bag. The 35L one is around 250g or so, the 20L is probably around 200g. That's typically a saving of around 250-400g on some rack bags I've seen. Both of those changes saved me near a kilo I reckon.

The only thing I haven't been able to get down is the 1700g weight of my Ortlieb back roller plus's. I still find that quite heavy for what they are. Something nearer 1-1.2kg would be more acceptable for me.


I'm buying my panniers now, but I think I'll go for some Altura Drylines so that I can carry a lot if needed - any better suggestions? I'm afraid I have 27" tyres so I have no choice with tyre.

And tonythompson, we are daring and do wild-pees while cycling. I am considering a rear-view mirror, but haven't looked into it (no pun intended); apparently the view with some is obscured by panniers.
by Cachao
20 Jun 2011, 9:24pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Shaving en Tour
Replies: 40
Views: 2434

Re: Shaving en Tour

The electric shaver is not an option either because of its weight - as you can see from my other thread, we have cut a lot of kit so we're not even considering a super-heavy electric shaver. Also taking a mirror, wet wipes or anything vaguely comfortable is not something we would consider, but thanks for the suggestions.

So the BIC single blade seems to be the favourite, but is somehting like Gilette Fusion, or at least something with three blades more comfortable? Does anyone have any suggestions on soap? Ideally we'll just take one type of soap which will wash us, the pans, food and will be good for shaving too.

Thanks
by Cachao
20 Jun 2011, 8:54pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: What to take on tour = Cut That Kit!
Replies: 83
Views: 110962

Re: Cut That Kit!

The Mechanic wrote:Cachao, I can't see on your spreadsheet any mention of saddle bags, panniers or similar to carry your stuff in. What will you be using?


Everything will be taken in waterproof rear panniers
by Cachao
20 Jun 2011, 1:01am
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Is my bike suitable for long tour?
Replies: 17
Views: 2030

Re: Is my bike suitable for long tour?

That doesn't look like much of a touring bike today, but it seems quite similar to the spaghetti tourers of years gone by. Therefore don't expect it to take what true modern tourers will take. I would say it's fine, but I take up to 10kg on my 1980s tourer, and only on the rear pannier. I wouldn't advise taking 20kg, but see what feels comfortable up to that weight.
by Cachao
20 Jun 2011, 12:38am
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: What to take on tour = Cut That Kit!
Replies: 83
Views: 110962

Re: Cut That Kit!

Hello everyone and thank you for the help and comments. After much argument and a 178-mile tour through the Brecons this is our revised kit list. Everything has been re-weighed, but there may still be some antimatter.

Item is first on the left, then OVERALL quantity BETWEEN US is to the right of that, then farthest to the right is the OVERALL weight in grams of the item, for that number of items:

18 7330
Tent 1 2782
Tent poles 1 946
Metal pegs 1 363
Trangia 1 736
Fuel 1 500
Cloths 2 11
"Sporks inc. spatula
" 2 30
Swiss army knife 1 60
Mugs 2 110
Sleeping bags 2 1400
Roll mats 2 230
Head-torches 2 162
32 1683
Cycle tops 4 298
Sunglasses 2 42
Longs* 2 666
Waterproof tops 2 677
Cycle shorts 2 NA
" Helmets
" 2 NA
" Gloves (pairs)
" 2 NA
Shoes (pairs) 2 NA
1031
Socks (pairs) 6 172
Underwear 6 290
Fleece 2 569
4 2662
Water bottles 4 332
" Pump*
" 2 291
Bike Lights 4 NA
Cyclometer 2 NA
Kryptolock 1 1682
Kryptoflex 1 357
78 724
multi tool 1 290
Brake cable 1 30
Gear cable 1 18
Inner tubes* 2 246
Spokes and nipples 3 45
Finish line wet lube 1 30
Puncture repair kit 1 28
Tyre levers 3
Flat spanner 1
Electrical tape 1 17
Velcro ties 2 20
9 957
iPod 1 137
Phones 2 210
BB charger 1 104
Emergency charger 1 37
Spare batteries 2 50
Camera and mount* 1 334
Speakers + charger 1 85
9 362
Toothbrushes 2 30
Toothpaste 1 50
Toilet paper* (ziplock) 1 40
Sun cream 1 25
Shower Gel (ziplock)* 1 100
Razor 1 8
Insect repellent 1 50
First aid pack 1 59
15 629
Maps and Case 2 373
Compass 1 38
Money* 2 60
Notepad 1 75
Pen 1 5
Pencil 1 5
Straps 2 58
Rubble sacks 2
Slide ziplocks
Carrier bags 3 15
165 15378

As we've switched to a spreadsheet, pasting in here is a lot harder to look at, so the full list is here (including our mutterings): https://spreadsheets.google.com/spreads ... pJYL#gid=0

Thanks,

Cachao and crazyferret
by Cachao
20 Jun 2011, 12:22am
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Shaving en Tour
Replies: 40
Views: 2434

Shaving en Tour

I am one of those electric shaver-types who has never dared use a manual razor, but for lejog this summer I will have to brave it.

We are camping and already taking shower-gel as all-purpose soap, but how should I shave? I don't want to take a brush, a mirror or anything other than the absolute minimum.

On a previous thread a bar of soap (Dove moisturiser?) with hot water was suggested, any others? Any particular tips?

Thanks :)

(Going grizzly is NOT an option)
by Cachao
28 May 2011, 4:26pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Brecon Beacons
Replies: 11
Views: 1954

Brecon Beacons

Hello, my friend and I want to do a pretty tough two-day tour, about 90 miles a day, constantly hitting big hills coming from north Bristol in the Brecon Beacons to help prepare for lejog this coming summer.

Does anyone have any ideas about the best hills and (as we also want to enjoy it) most remote and scenic areas? Torpantau pass seems quite good.

Thanks :)
by Cachao
25 Apr 2011, 3:36pm
Forum: Lands End to John O'Groats
Topic: Scotland
Replies: 4
Views: 906

Scotland

My friend and I are doing lejog this august and we need advice on Scotland, what is the most scenic route, without HGVs and heavy traffic?

One route we are looking at is going up towards Fort William, how would that work?

Thank you :)
by Cachao
20 Mar 2011, 9:39pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: What to take on tour = Cut That Kit!
Replies: 83
Views: 110962

Re: Cut That Kit!

DougieB wrote:have you loaded up that lot and done some cycling ? there's no point cutting your kit if the weight doesn't bother you, or you have Mick's trailer. it also depends on what level of comfort you are used to / happy with. if it's only ten days (and you aren't planning on entertaining anyone in your tent) then you can cut down the clothes quite a bit. a razor ? post one on to the friends you're staying at.

if you intend cooking you'll need to add in the weight of, and space for, food and often water if you're not near a clean source. although for ten days of solid riding I wouldn't take any cooking gear, there are plenty of cheap places to get hot food and new conversations.


cheers


Yes, we've done about 750 miles of touring over the last year and last summer we did 583 miles with this kit list, and the weight is a bother (especially now we have tourers from the 80s)
I'm not sure how we could cut down the clothes, unless it was the fiendishly ambiguous 'x2' that muddled things
We hope to always be near a decent source of water, if not we can use our drinking bottles and/or bungee a big one to a rack, food wise we always find space ;)
I see your point about the razor, if we just get people we're staying with halfway to buy one, that should be fine :) Every little helps after all
Cooking gear seems essential as finding places can be difficult at times.

freebooter wrote:Just a few comments. I find it a bit difficult to figure out whether you are taking 2 of an item each or 2 between you.

Firstly your tent plus poles seems quite light but 400gms for pegs is heavy.

I see that others have said to leave the headtorch and use the bike light. I would do the reverse. If you are going in summer you won't be cycling in the dark and hence won't need bike lights. The headtorch will be much more useful in camp.

Please leave the speakers as I assume this means you will be inflicting your music on everyone else at campsites :x Leave the ipods as well, you can survive a couple of weeks without music ;)

The bike lights are essential as when things go belly-up we're often cycling as it gets murky,
We'll have to see about headtorches, it might be worth cutting one
The weights marked are questionable, we'll have to go through them again
The speakers are only very small so no-one else hears and going two weeks without music would drive us more insane than spending 8 hours a day on the road
And x2 means between us

Thanks everyone, excellent help :)
by Cachao
19 Mar 2011, 12:18pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: What to take on tour = Cut That Kit!
Replies: 83
Views: 110962

Re: Cut That Kit!

Thank you everyone,

This is the new list:

Kit for Tour

REVISED 2011

Anything asterisked needs looking at
Quantity must be marked

Camping 5625g

* Tent, Tent poles 975g repair 50g pegs 400g
* Trangia 900g+meths burner and fuel there are no pros or cons about meths or gas as we can’t buy either
* Swiss army knive 300g
* Sporks x2 not much
* mugs x2 100g
* Sleeping bags x2 m825g j1200g
* Roll mats x2 j275g m150g
* *Head torches x2 150g


Clothes

* Cycle Shorts x2
* Normal Shorts x2
* t-shirt x2
* Cycling top (base layer or jersey) x2
* Fleece x2
* Waterproof x2
* Flip flops/crocks x2
* Shoes x2
* *Socks
* *Underwear
* Sunglasses x2
* Helmets x2
* Gloves x2


Food water etc

* Food-mostly bought along the way
* Water bottles x4
* steritabs


Bike kit

* Tool kit essentials pliers, 525g spanner 275g multi 150g cables 25g tubes x2 450g chain tool and spare links, spare spokes, lube,
* Pump x2
* Lights x4
* Locks x2


Electronics 1200g

* iPod
* Phone x2
* Battery power supply we need a smaller, lighter, power supply
* Camera
* Speakers - 120g if I remember correctly


Washing etc 750g

* Toothbrush x2
* Toothpaste
* *Wet wipes
* *Toilet paper (ziplock)
* *Sun cream
* Shower Gel in (ziplock)
* Blister kit
* Razor
* First aid+pain killers etc
* Vaseline
* Travel towel
* Dishcloth/sponge


General

* Maps and case each map is about 150g
* Small drawstring bag x2 one each used for pillow when stuffed with spare clothes
* Money
* Notepad
* Pens



Comments:

* Still needs more cutting
* Are the cables THAT heavy?
* Get rid of wrench
by Cachao
16 Mar 2011, 11:17pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: What to take on tour = Cut That Kit!
Replies: 83
Views: 110962

What to take on tour = Cut That Kit!

Hello, this is the kit list for my lejog this summer, with my friend. Does anyone have any suggestions? Especially on how to reduce weight.

Thanks :)

EDIT: The most recent list is here https://spreadsheets.google.com/spreads ... pJYL#gid=0
and on the fourth page


Kit for Tour

REVISED 2011

All stuff must be packed in waterproof bags.
Quantity must be marked

Camping 5625g

* Tent, Tent poles 975g repair 50g pegs 400g
* Trangia 900g+meths burner and fuel
* Swiss army knive 300g
* Bowls* (only take plates OR bowls, or better still, shallow bowls)
* Sporks x2 not much
* mugs x2 100g
* Sleeping bags x2 m825g j1200g
* Roll mats x2 j275g m150g
* Head torches x2 150g


Clothes

* Shorts x4
* t-shirt x2
* Cycling top (base layer or jersey) x2
* Fleece*
* Waterproof*
* Flip flops/crocks
* Shoes*
* Socks*
* Underwear*
* Sunglasses*
* Helmets*
* Gloves*


Food water etc

* Food-mostly bought along the way
* Water bottles
* steritabs


Bike kit

* Tool kit essentials pliers, 525g spanner 275g multi 150g cables 25g tubes 2 each 450g, ?g chain tool and spare links, spare spokes and nipples, lube,
* Pump x2
* Lights x2
* Locks* 550g they weigh more than this


Electronics 1200g

* iPod
* Phone x2
* Battery power supply we need a smaller, lighter, power supply
* Camera
* Speakers - 120g if I remember correctly


Washing etc 750g

* Toothbrush x2
* Toothpaste
* Wet wipes
* Toilet paper and a ziplock to keep it in
* Sun cream
* Shower Gel in ziplock
* Blister kit
* Shaver
* First aid+pain killers etc
* Vaseline
* Travel towel
* Dishcloth/sponge


General

* Maps and case each map is about 150g
* Small drawstring bag 50g* one each used for pillow when stuffed with spare clothes
* Pack of cards 100g
* Money
by Cachao
16 Jan 2011, 5:25pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Cycling Through France This Summer
Replies: 40
Views: 3978

Re: Cycling Through France This Summer

If anyone can suggest any more diversions and attractions, especially for Paris <-> Nancy leg then it would be much appreciated.
by Cachao
16 Jan 2011, 5:23pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Second hand prices of dawes super galaxy
Replies: 25
Views: 15659

Re: Second hand prices of dawes super galaxy

What do people predict the price range of this to be once it's finished?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Dawes-Galaxy-Tour ... 27b7dc836e

Thanks :)
by Cachao
9 Jan 2011, 2:02pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Cycling Through France This Summer
Replies: 40
Views: 3978

Re: Cycling Through France This Summer

Thanks very much for the response, you've all been very helpful.

So on our route, what other highlights should we visit on the route?

The google map is here:
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps/ms?msa=0& ... F8&t=h&z=6
by Cachao
8 Jan 2011, 3:15pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Cycling Through France This Summer
Replies: 40
Views: 3978

Re: Cycling Through France This Summer

So what is French countryside like in comparison to the British countryside? What highlights would there be on our route?
(reminder of our route: Paris <-> Nancy <->Aix en Provence OR Paris <-> Aix en Provence <-> Nantes <-> Paris - we haven't decided which way round yet though)

Thanks :)