Wildcat Gear over in the UK make a bag for Jones Loops.

http://www.wildcatgear.co.uk/shop/handlebar-systems/tom-cat/

Review on Bear Bones.

http://bearbonesbikepacking.blogspot.co.uk/2015/01/thumb-over-grip-togs-review.html

Might be of interest.

http://bearbonesbikepacking.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/myo-eco-friendly-sustainable-renewable.html

Great looking trip ... you got any bigger pictures?

Although not free, I seem to remember that people over at the Bearbonesbikepacking forum had found some incredibly cheap 1:50000 OS mapping for sale on the web somewhere.

Here's the link for the SD mapping cards Alan mentions above. Worked fine riding sections of the HTR last week.

http://gb.ioffer.com/i/2012-garmin-gb-discoverer-1-50k-full-coverage-127349741

I've got an AlpKit bag, well made, good attention to detail and a reasonable price.

http://bearbonesbikepacking.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/alpkit-stingray-frame-bag-first-look.html

2013 will be the third year for the Bear Bones 200 in the UK.

October 12th/13th.

 http://www.bearbonesbikepacking.co.uk/

CCB I know what you mean about wood. Have you tried a wood stove that uses the 'wood gas' effect? It certainly reduces the amount of soot and smoke produced.

If anyone's interested in putting together a lightweight cooking system, we've three different alcohol stoves available here -http://www.bearbonesbikepacking.co.uk/

The smallest/lightest was designed for use with a 450ml mug and weighs just 8g. There's two versions of the larger stove, the 'normal' one weighs 22g and is ideal for bigger pots. There's also a Remote Feed version of the 22g stove which allows an infinite burn time ... if there's fuel in the bottle, it'll keep burning



All three come with a fuel bottle and instructions. The 8g also includes a template to make tapered windshield.

I'd forget the fleece and get a lightweight down (or maybe synthetic) jacket or vest. Chances are it'll weigh less and pack smaller than a fleece ... perhaps something like a RAB Microlight.

Flanagaj if you're in the UK then I'd second D45yth's suggestion of PHD. If your pockets aren't that deep, then in all honesty you won't go wrong with an AlpKit PD 400 or PD 600 depending on how cold/warm you sleep.

IMO TN stuff does tend to demand a slightly inflated price due to it saying TN on the label.

Six Moon Designs Lunar Solo would be worth a look too. Requires one pole and six pegs, offers plenty of room, you can sit up properly and there's a good sized 'porch' to store your gear out of the rain.

Freeload review here - http://bearbonesbikepacking.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/freeload-rack-review.html

Hope posting this here isn't bad of me ... if it is, I'm sorry.

Andy, have a look at the Bear Bones forum - http://bearbonesbikepacking.co.uk/phpBB3/index.php?sid=7b2015e39f5801457bc585d274ab1c39

It's UK based so you might be able to hook yourself up with some gear or buddies to venture out with.

Possibly a bit UKcentric but you never know. Might make more sense to anyone who reads XXC Mag as the WRT and the Bear Bones 200 have both appeared.

http://bearbonesbikepacking.blogspot.com/

Old WRT blog from 2010/2011 but some interesting stuff.

http://welshridething.blogspot.com/

If one of you fellas wants to drop me an email, I might just be able to help you out with something ... first come first served.
stuart@bearbonesbikepacking.co.uk

All right Chimp.

The WRT isn't the easiest thing to define but I'll try to give you a brief outline. One month before the 'event' entrants are sent a list of grid reference points, these could be spread over an area of 200/250 square km. They then have the next month to work out a route which passes through as many of these points as possible (or they can be bothered with). The grid references do tend to be located in places which can be linked in numerous ways but always with one eye on some good riding ... and it has to be said, tough climbing at times too.

Riders set off around midday on Sat and return sometime Mon afternoon. The majority will carry whatever they need and spend Sat and Sun night out in the mountains (or pub beer garden!). You can ride solo, pairs or whatever size group you like, there's no prizes for getting back first or visiting the most reference points ... it's about riding and enjoyment. All money raised by the WRT gets donated to the Wales Air Ambulance charity, something which should be pretty close to any riders in the UK who venture off the beaten track.

Besides the WRT there's also the Bear Bones 200 (much more like a race) and Mach' N Back throughout the year. XXC Mag ran a feature on the WRT a couple of issues ago and I believe the next issue will have something about the Bear Bones 200. Anyone interested can keep up to speed with everything at www.bearbonesbikepacking.co.uk the forum there gets pretty busy too.

RAB from the UK make various eVent bivvy bags. I've been using an Assault for a couple of years and it's been fine although big and a little heavy. Some of their Alpine eVent bags should fit what you're looking for without a weight penalty.

Really sorry to hear that Aidan ... my mum will be so upset.

Hopefully you'll get something sorted out sharpish and get underway.

Good luck, Stuart

For anyone who's interested, here's a link to a mini questions and answers with Aidan Harding from the WRT blog.

http://welshridething.blogspot.com/2011/04/10-questions-aidan-harding.html

It might just give people a little insight into one of the racers.