Help with UL Bikepacking setup

[Jacob F]

Hi All,

I’m participating in an ultra distance cycling race next year and have decided to make a new sleep set up to service my needs. I’m essentially starting from scratch to match the demands of this type of event.

Some background and a brief.

Most riders in these races simply crawl into an SOL bivy on a park bench or on a public bathroom floor. However, I think for not much more weight and a whole lot more comfort I can make a set up that is superior.

Whilst I want to trim as much weight as feasible, pack size is of great concern on a bike. The race traverses the southern part of Australia’s desert and coast line as well as the Australian “alps”. It starts in March which means temperatures through the desert still go into the 40s celcius (100f) and through the alps there may be snow. I intend on staying in accommodation through the extremes, but would like to devise a system that will allow me to save some money and enhance the “epic adventure” aspect of the experience.

I have settled on a tarp and bivy set up with a synthetic quilt. On most nights that I choose to camp, I will simply use the bivy and add clothing and quilt to suit temperature needs. If it’s/ going to be raining I will pitch the tarp or get a room. I initially considered using a WPB bivy but the thought of getting into a bivy, already hot from riding, and trying to move that sweat through the bag doesn’t sound conducive to a good night’s rest. A tent is too heavy/ bulky/ expensive/ overkill and a tarp alone leaves me too susceptible to Australia’s friendly wildlife. I considered not taking a quilt but feel that it will just be a little too cool on some nights with just a synthetic puffy and leg warmers.

I have made plenty of my own gear before but need some crowdsourced wisdom with each of the items to make sure I get it right.

<span style=”text-decoration: underline;”>Tarp</span>: I’m thinking 5X8 flat tarp will suit my set up and not be too overkill (I’m 5’8″). I will use my bike and a single CF pole to make either an A frame or half mid pitch. I’d like to go with 0.51oz DCF for the weight. However, that dimension is difficult in DCF due to the roll width. Is it best to achieve this by buying 10′, cutting in half, and then bonding the two halves together, or do I need to buy 16′ of DCF, seam them together and then trim the sides? Alternatively, has anyone had experience with a 4.5′ wide tarp with a bivy (thereby meaning no centre/ridge seam)? What is the best way to bond these two together? ( yes I’ve read through many posts but I’m no closer to understanding the best method for a <span style=”text-decoration: underline;”>flat</span> tarp.)

<span style=”text-decoration: underline;”>Bivy</span>: I will use a polycro groundsheet underneath and 0.74oz or 0.51oz DCF for the floor. Because I will likely be riding right up until going to sleep I will generally be still sweating so the bivy top will have to be breathable and have a DWR enough to stand a bit of spray. A few pages back in the MYOG forum there was this very question. However, I’m not entirely sure what the outcome was. (https://backpackinglight.com/forums/topic/107822/ ). Is Argon67 still the best material for an UL bivy top?

<span style=”text-decoration: underline;”>Quilt</span>: I’ve made a few synthetic quilts, but feel APEX 3.6oz should work well for me. I’ve always done a zipper and drawstring footbox but would like to make a closed footbox this time. Does anyone have a link for a closed footbox pattern?

 

Thanks in advance for anyone who is able to lend some help.

[Iago Vazquez]

Great adventure! I like traditional bivies for some situations, but wonder if you be better served by this type of bivy based on breathability, rain protection and protection from crawlies.

https://mountainlaureldesigns.com/product/bug-bivy-2/

The tarp sounds very small, and it may not be an issue, but silpoly seems to pack smaller than cuben for not much more weight. Wondering whether it may be a better choice for the tarp.  It may also allow more flexibility with the size and shape of the tarp.

Best of luck!

[Jacob F]

Thanks for the suggestions iago.

I just immediately thought DCF because I like working with it and it is the lightest. I didn’t even think of silpoly! A much more viable option. Have you had any experience with Rockywoods’ 7D silnylon? It’s very light and might work nicely for a tarp, but I cant find any reviews of how it handles moisture and stretching. Is RSBTR’s membrane silpoly the lightest option?

I had considered a bug bivy (the EE one) but feel like the small amount of extra warmth and wind protection might be useful when I’m pushing the limits. If I intended to always use the tarp I think I’d go that way. I want it to be as simple as possible as I want to be able to just fall off the bike and get to sleep as quickly as possible. The tarp is insurance in case the weather looks grim for the night.

 

 

[Iago Vazquez]

Dear Jacob,

Unfortunately I don’t have a lot of experience with the 7D nylon. I watch my weight but also avoid stuff that is “deemed fragile”, which is what I have heard about these deniers.

As far as packability, my Hammock Gear Cuben fiber Hex tarp is much lighter than my 20D silpoly Warbonnet Superfly, but I would say the latter packs significantly smaller than the Hex, despite being three times the weight and much larger. If you have never handled silpoly, to me it feels very slippery and soft to the touch, whereas some silnylons feel sticky and rough. I really like silpoly.

As to bivies and tarps, I would consider livability, weather and crawlies. If crawlies are a concern, then the bug bivy because of its construction, the way they seal and isolate while giving room to review maps, phone, etc. And it’s 7 oz. They have one with more mesh, but if you are worried about warmth and splash from a small tarp, this one seems to have a good compromise between wind protection and breathability.

Little rain, not worried about crawlies, then I would make a bivy out of Argon 67 (or 90 for more durability). I got one from Dutchware last year that is very nice, although no longer made. Very similar toe this one by MLD. under 3 oz, so significant savings in both cost and weight compared to some commercial offerings. https://mountainlaureldesigns.com/product/mountain-quilt-bag-liner/ For a tarp, how about no tarp if rain is rare? Maybe riding through the rain if you can stay warm enough to no become hypothermic or seeking shelter on those few occasions?

Significant rain, not worried about crawlies, up the size of the tent to possibly 9’x7′. Maybe smaller if no wind driven rain by a foot each dimension. The Argon or some other low denier nylon bivy in the <3 oz range…

I am afraid that ultimately you will have to draw your own conclusions. You seem very experienced and you are asking the right questions, so I am sure you will eventually get to the right setup.

I’m sorry that I don’t have enough direct experience with these lighter materials.

Best of luck! Would love to see a trip report published when done if you feel up to it :)

[William N]

A couple of tips that might help. Spray the outside of your fly and the mesh with permethrin, it’ll poison the crawlies and discourage them. A Sea to Summit sleeping bag liner really extends the temperature range of your quilt, sleeping-bag, or is good on its own. I have a StS Reactor, and usually sleep in it at hostels and even B&Bs. (I’m a cold sleeper.) I haven’t found any fabric, except maybe merino wool, that would work as well for a DIY one of these.  It’s also a layer between you and more difficult to launder materials like your quilt.

I’ve used the no longer available REI Minimalist Bivy for a few years now, with a mid-temp range sleeping bag, the liner and an air mattress and air pillow.   Temperatures from about 30C down to 6-8 C. A fly over it to block the wind and rain and it’s good. I support the fly and a loop on the mesh over my face (otherwise the mesh lays against my face and the bugs can bite), with a hiking pole, you’d  have to do something different. (If you could lock at least one of the wheels on your bike, and put two guy lines on either side, it could give you all the tarp support you need.  Most ‘nice’ bivys are too expensive and weigh as much as a tent. The MLD Bug Bivy, looks good.  The thing about bivys is you don’t need any space in them below your waist. Any space in a bivy condenses your breath. It’s basically a bag, with some area around your upper body and head, some space around your head for personal items (your night table), and as much mesh around your head to quickly vent your moist breath. The Minimalist has no rainfly, mesh facing straight up. Bad in the rain, right? Just turn the bivy to the side away from the rain. You can’t do that with something that’s staked or has poles.

Definitely get an air mattress and air pillow. People who do 3000 km hikes in the US with 8kg of gear, all use them. They cut their toothbrushes in half, but they insist on air mattresses and pillows. (there are workarounds for the pillow, like a dry bag stuffed with clothes. I’ve done it, it works, it’s never as good as an air pillow.)

The tarp I use is longer than a hextarp. I cut the sides off one and sewed them to the ends. I think it’s about 3 meters with about 1 meter high at the poles. Length on a lot of rainflies seems too short, a bit of extra length makes it easier.

For the ground I just have a sheet a bit bigger than my sleeping bag. That might not be enough Australia where everything that crawls is poisonous. Permethrin is good stuff, but follow directions and try it out a few weeks before your trip. A little bit too much, or in the wrong place can make you a bit queasy.

Have fun, but maybe also leave a few options behind with friend or family. I usually find out on the second day of any adventure which gear I didn’t take would’ve been better than the gear I did take.

[Author]

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