Spanky_Ham
Porcinus Slappius
@carpetrunner well done!! The pig is getting itchy hooves..... @stirk let's go
The Epic is only 100mm. I don't think I could have managed the loose climbs without traction from the rear suspension and I would have been beaten up by the descents. All up there was only around 11kg extra on the bike and it was reasonably balanced, I just pumped the shocks up a little - all good-ish. Adding 11kg to a XC racing thoroughbred did make it feel like a sack-o-shit.Question though, does the rear suspension actually work with all that on there? My bike is a bit more of a conventional vertical shock so no chance I'm getting any triangle bag in there. But should be able to make do with your setup minus the triangle bag switched out for a 20L backpack.
There are 2 routes from Endric/Red Ground T junction, straight ahead on the Endrick River firetrail and right on the Red Ground firetrail. The Red Ground firetrail is the AOTB route and was OK apart from being overgrown, no obvious private property, no gates other than the NP bogan gate just before Endric river crossing as you are leaving the park onto Meangora Rd. I hear that the other route, following the Endrick River fire trail to Meanora Rd is more problematic and certainly looks like it traverses a couple of private properties. There's a report on the AOTB facebook group of being lost in a maize of creeks and getting directions from the friendly land holder.Did you encounter any lock gates going through the properties off Braidwood Road at the start of the Endrick? Reason I ask is that entrance has officially been closed for several months and NPWS have only recently renegotiated access with the property owners.
No problem with the bags and the suspension movement - only 100mm anyway. There are frame bags out there for more difficult shock placement. If you can fit one biddon in the triangle, you should be able to get a 3L frame bag, if you can fit 2 bottles then you should get 5 or 6L. The biggest problem for me were tent poles, I guess this is why using the and a tarp is popular.@carpetrunner, I meant the bags getting in the way of the suspension movement. Probably not too bad on a horizontal shock design,
Me too. In the last 4 years I've managed to average a bit more than one bike packing trip a month. The majority have been overnighters with a departure time after work and an early <6am rise to get back before work, but each one of them has felt like a miniature holiday. Very good for the mental health. There is nothing better than riding out, camping on top of a mountain and watching the sun go down with a cold beer and some mates.I'd forgotten all about this thread, really should post some stuff in here one day.
What sections are you thinking about. I did a couple weeks in Northern nsw 5ish years ago. Was well organised but on a bike it can be frustrating that the trail prioritises farmland over the beautiful national parks and state forests next door (this is done to suit the horses the trail was made for). It is good to not have to map it out nd research the trails yourself thoughBicentennial National Trail (BNT) membership, guidebooks and maps - is it worth it?
Who's in BNT and why should I join?
The Trailgator is pretty long.I loved the trail gator, but only on bike paths... on singletrack it often got caught up going over obstacles, or winding around trees.... I would imagine any of those trailer style setups would be similar?
You need to look at the Nemo range. Very very comfy lightweight pillows.I'll put this video here.
More of a record of the ride we just done than an exciting MTB video.
I need to find myself a better hiking pillow as the super lightweight air bag is not cutting it, this is the second trip that its been giving me the shits. Might even take a weight hit and get the Therm-a-rest compressible pillow at around ~400g.
Upgrading and weight-weenie'ing hiking/bikepacking stuff is nearly more expensive than upgrading bike components
Camping each night was between 2°C and 5°C and my 8°C bag worked well with my clothing on, puffa, beanie, trousers and thick socks.
Tent - Black Wolf Mantis 1 = ~1500g
Bag - Mountain Equipment Starlight micro = 600g
Pad - Nordisk Vanna 2.5 = 400g
Pretty happy with the above stuff right now but plenty of room for upgradeitus, just need a different pillow.
Going to have to go down and look at a few. I see there are a couple of stockists in Adelaide.You need to look at the Nemo range. Very very comfy lightweight pillows.
I had an Exped balloon and hated it. Packs into nothing but useless for this fussy canary.Going to have to go down and look at a few. I see there are a couple of stockists in Adelaide.
I reckon anything will be better than my 39g balloon.
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