I’ve learned to keep my tent separate from my sleeping bag and down jacket. There were a few mornings that I had to pack a wet tent. I’ve ended up with a wet sleeping bag one to many times.
Indeed - tent was definitely in that state this weekend after I stealth camped through two thunderstorms! I'm with you on the separation.
I store the inner and outer next to each other in separate dry bags within the pronghorn (also trying to keep the inner as dry as possible), and the sleeping bag next to the former (so the pronghorn goes [sleeping bag | tent inner | tent fly]).
I may consider swapping the bag around with a different bit of kit to be safe - just need to think about what else would be ok if it gets wet.
Gear posts always welcome! I'm confused by the details of your ShockStop seatpost. You say it is a "RedShift ShockStop Endurance PRO" with 20mm suspension, but the 20mm ShockStop is the "PRO Race" and the "PRO Endurance" has 35mm suspension. Curious which one you use. (Personally, I think RedShift has confusing names for their ShockStop seatposts. I have one but I can never remember the name of it.)
You're absolutely right - it's 35mm, not 20mm. That's what I get for writing this off the top of my head. I'll fix that in the post now. Thanks for catching that!
Thanks for sharing the set up! Love the bike. I think you nailed the choices. Tough saddle choices. I love the Fizik though but start to really feel it around the 7hr mark. I usually swap it out if I’m going to be in the saddle any longer. My Brooks definitley gets me a little further before it starts to bother me. Worth the extra weight to me on long hauls. What’s the full gear bike weight?
I actually haven't weighed it yet... but I just did 550km on the fully-loaded rig this weekend and it felt good so that's a start! I have another gentle shakedown overnighter in a couple of weeks so will weigh it then.
Would be interested in your approach to socks, shoes and wet feet. Will you use waterproof socks? Also, any potions or strategies you'll go to if/when saddle sores manifest? The saddle conundrum is my big mystery as well. I'm always asking what has worked and what doesn't as it relates to mitigating saddle sores. Good read! Thanks!
I'm planning another post on the rest of my gear, but this is a topic close to my heart as aside from my saddle, my feet are the main other thing I'm worried about - I have poor circulation and some lingering frostbite damage from a ride a few months ago. The short version: I have a pair of sealskin waterproof socks that I'll use when required; a pair of waterproof(ish) overshoes and the extremely high-tech last-gasp approach of a few plastic bags that can go inside my shoes and over my socks in a pinch.
For saddle sores, I have some over-the-counter acne cream that I've been using when saddle sores have reared their head over the training period, and may bring a small container of barrier cream in case things start to flare up.
I’ve learned to keep my tent separate from my sleeping bag and down jacket. There were a few mornings that I had to pack a wet tent. I’ve ended up with a wet sleeping bag one to many times.
Indeed - tent was definitely in that state this weekend after I stealth camped through two thunderstorms! I'm with you on the separation.
I store the inner and outer next to each other in separate dry bags within the pronghorn (also trying to keep the inner as dry as possible), and the sleeping bag next to the former (so the pronghorn goes [sleeping bag | tent inner | tent fly]).
I may consider swapping the bag around with a different bit of kit to be safe - just need to think about what else would be ok if it gets wet.
Gear posts always welcome! I'm confused by the details of your ShockStop seatpost. You say it is a "RedShift ShockStop Endurance PRO" with 20mm suspension, but the 20mm ShockStop is the "PRO Race" and the "PRO Endurance" has 35mm suspension. Curious which one you use. (Personally, I think RedShift has confusing names for their ShockStop seatposts. I have one but I can never remember the name of it.)
You're absolutely right - it's 35mm, not 20mm. That's what I get for writing this off the top of my head. I'll fix that in the post now. Thanks for catching that!
Thanks for sharing the set up! Love the bike. I think you nailed the choices. Tough saddle choices. I love the Fizik though but start to really feel it around the 7hr mark. I usually swap it out if I’m going to be in the saddle any longer. My Brooks definitley gets me a little further before it starts to bother me. Worth the extra weight to me on long hauls. What’s the full gear bike weight?
I actually haven't weighed it yet... but I just did 550km on the fully-loaded rig this weekend and it felt good so that's a start! I have another gentle shakedown overnighter in a couple of weeks so will weigh it then.
Would be interested in your approach to socks, shoes and wet feet. Will you use waterproof socks? Also, any potions or strategies you'll go to if/when saddle sores manifest? The saddle conundrum is my big mystery as well. I'm always asking what has worked and what doesn't as it relates to mitigating saddle sores. Good read! Thanks!
Here’s the full list, as promised! https://open.substack.com/pub/davefleet/p/from-bike-to-bag-my-full-tour-divide
I'm planning another post on the rest of my gear, but this is a topic close to my heart as aside from my saddle, my feet are the main other thing I'm worried about - I have poor circulation and some lingering frostbite damage from a ride a few months ago. The short version: I have a pair of sealskin waterproof socks that I'll use when required; a pair of waterproof(ish) overshoes and the extremely high-tech last-gasp approach of a few plastic bags that can go inside my shoes and over my socks in a pinch.
For saddle sores, I have some over-the-counter acne cream that I've been using when saddle sores have reared their head over the training period, and may bring a small container of barrier cream in case things start to flare up.
I'd welcome any foot tips from your end too!