More stuff I've bought over the last few months and not been able to use... As Yet, maybe next year!

As I remain off work, I do have to admit that, in a sense, I am not actually bored. I would say I am more numb. I guess in a way, I am having flashbacks to a previous time where I felt like I was in limbo. Man, I just feel like I am going nowhere and time is tick, tick ticking away.

A few months back, after buying yet another bike, I got it in my head, " Right, let's plan for some bivvying and biking adventures". So there I was buying various bits and bobs of new camping kit and whatnot.

Visiting Alpkit, I got myself a Kraku collapsible stove, which only weighs 45g and is tiny. Whilst I was on, I also bought two 100mg gas canisters.

Alpkit Kraku Stove

Tiny little stove

Got a couple of gas cylinders while I was on.

Next on my shopping list was a new tent, and after much research, and having learned my lessons from the past, I wanted something really light and pretty minimalist, so I opted for a one-man Lanshan 3FUL, plus. Bought some 3FUL carbon tent pegs. I just attempted to seal the tent a few weeks ago, and it ended up not going to plan. I later discovered that the tent doesn't like the sealant I bought, so I had to attempt to peel it all off. My new tent now doesn't look new at all, ahh well, live and learn, still will get some use if I ever get over this damn illness.

Lanshan 3FUL one-person Pro tent

Lanshan 3FUL one-person Pro tent

3Ful Carbon tent pegs, proper light these

3Ful Carbon tent pegs, proper light these

Oh, whilst I am on, I just thought of another purchase from Alpkit, I got a Vertex Tarp pole. You see, the Lanshan tent only requires one pole of about as I recall 125 cms to pitch it, so that again saves loads of weight.

Alpkit Vertes tarp pole

Alpkit Vertes carbon tarp pole - Very light

Next on the agenda, a couple of items I had been checking out for some time from a company named Aeroe, this was a Spider rear cradle which attaches to the rear triangle of a bike to carry gear, like in a dry bag, so a tent or sleeping bag, plus mat, etc, oh and a front handlebar Spider cradle.

Aeroe Spider rear cradle

Aeroe Spider rear cradle

Aeroe Spider Handlebar Cradle

Now, if I ever get myself pulled around and manage to get out... I mean, it's going to be next year now, I have got my eye on an Outdoor Research Helium Bivvy Bag. By all accounts, the majority of the reviews I have read say it's a pretty good bag for overnighters. 

Outdoor Research Helium Bivvy Bag

I will put it on the back burner for now as I await getting word when I will start this new treatment, which I am hoping will sort me right out, and then I can get back in shape and enjoy hitting the trails once again.

Just got myself a few bikey tools

I had been looking to lighten my cycling tool kit, especially as now I tend to ride wearing either my CamelBak or Osprey bum bags, or what some may call a fanny pack "Ooh err missus!"

CamelBak Mule bum bag

Osprey bum bag 

I prefer wearing the bag around my waist as it can elevate getting a sore back and shoulders which can occur when wearing a backpack. Plus it can actually prevent saddle sores, due to better weight distribution.

And so to what I enjoy doing, a spot of research and trying to discover the best quality gear, that was both light and at a good price.

After checking out reviews on the likes of YouTube and online bike websites I decided to opt for a few bits of kit.

The first being a Blackburn Switch, which comes with all the essentials I would require should I have a minor mechanical on the trails. The Blackburn tool kit includes a chain breaker, which is pretty handy as some tool kits don't have one, so you then have to keep a separate tool in your tool roll.

Blackburn Switch ratchet tool roll

The next couple of handy items come from Peaty's, and these are a cool. I bought a puncture repair plugger, for tubeless tyres, that comes with a plugger and things I think they call "worms". These are inserted to plug where a potential thorn or other things has caused a puncture. 

Peaty's plugger

Then I purchased something called a "Hole shot" which is a CO2 cylinder, well two actually with a neat adaptor. 

Peaty's Co2 Inflator

These two items should save a lot of time should I encounter any punctures on the trails, and they are pretty light in my bag and I also have more room.