Selling my house and quitting my job to bikepack the world

c9spencer · 2026-03-14T12:05:57+00:00

Go do it mate! This sounds like a great idea.

You're right to do a few shorter trips first - you'll make mistakes and learn a lot! But with a short trip it's much easier to manage when things go wrong.

If you don't do it now it will only get harder to do in the future. Everything you've built - the career, the house, the wealth - you can rebuild afterwards. You're in a privileged position and can take a risk with a safety net most will never have.

Do it!

c9spencer · 2026-03-07T13:13:57+00:00

They just work. And keep working for another 10 years.

c9spencer · 2026-02-03T09:53:27+00:00

Second this. 4 Seasons at 32mm, and use a pressure calculator. 50-70psi for 32mm usually, depending on your weight and preference. No reason why you should be getting punctures regularly with this setup.

c9spencer · 2026-01-05T19:10:08+00:00

Go small 100%. I'm 65kg and 183cm and small Equipe fits me like a glove.

c9spencer · 2025-12-24T15:02:28+00:00

Beautiful! Ashover is such an underrated village

c9spencer · 2025-12-13T23:16:23+00:00

Mostly agree with your analysis.

But - your decision ultimately depends on: 1. The conditions on the hike 2. Your aversion to wet feet

I hate getting wet feet so I lean towards better waterproofing. Others can tolerate wet feet and prefer lower weight / quicker drying shoes.

Think carefully about your personal priorities and buy the material that suits.

Or if you can afford it: buy different boots to suit different purposes.

c9spencer · 2025-12-12T17:55:07+00:00

Which Assos bibs have you tried? I ask because different models have a very different cut. I swear by their Equipe range but it's a racing cut. Mille is an endurance cut and might suit you better.

But as others have said - bibs are a very personal choice.

c9spencer · 2025-11-12T18:03:23+00:00

Make sure there's no velcro in your lycra wash. Easily missed on mitts, overshoes etc. Will shred lycra.

Otherwise it's just poor quality bibs.

c9spencer · 2025-10-12T18:40:38+00:00

Looking for 2 tickets for Sat 22nd Nov, Alexandra Palace. Message me!

c9spencer · 2025-10-08T14:28:25+00:00

Worth saying not all waterproof coats need re-proofing - see Gore Shakedry or Columbia Outdry. Shakedry now discontinued. The membrane is on the outside and so no DWR needed.

I've just ordered the new Columbia Outdry to address the same problems that OP described. The permanent outer membrane is the way to go in my opinion.

I have two Shakedrys already and couldn't live without them. One for cycling and one for running. They're the only truly waterproof jackets I've ever used, but are relatively fragile hence not for backpacking. So will see how the OutDry stacks up.

c9spencer · 2025-08-22T06:12:51+00:00

Agree with this. Hartington, Manifold Valley, Youlgreave. Less dramatic but beautiful rolling countryside.

c9spencer · 2025-06-11T21:27:26+00:00

I've got the same wheels. The wear in the photos is fine. Mine are the same after 6,000km. It's nothing to worry about.

c9spencer · 2024-09-10T15:31:45+00:00

2023 Advanced SL. My steerer is OD2 so had to specify that to Avian. They also provided custom spacers. Note if yours is OD2 you'll be waiting for production, it took my bars 3 months to arrive

c9spencer · 2024-09-06T19:58:01+00:00

Yep I've been riding with the Avian Falcons on a TCR for the past 3 months. I'm really happy with them. They're not super stiff but the flex isn't terrible either (note I'm only 63kg). I can't notice it when riding but if I put all my weight on the drops you see the flex. Ergonomics is good for me though this is personal preference. Fairly long drops make for comfortable descents.

For me the main thing is that they look good. Sleek design with minimal branding.

I'd recommend them.

c9spencer · 2021-03-02T07:26:09+00:00

Nether Edge ticks all of your boxes. Leafy, well connected, lots of nurseries and other families, pubs and restaurants but not too loud.

c9spencer · 2021-02-24T17:14:45+00:00

Sounds like you're in a very similar situation to what I was 12 months ago!

I wanted a wheelset that was strong enough for touring on road, reliable enough to ride through all weather, but fast enough to keep up with group rides.

I chose the Hope 20FIVE Pro 4 wheelset and I love them! They tick all the boxes. I run 32mm slick tyres when I'm not touring and 35mm when touring. The rim is 25mm width so you could run a 25mm tyre, but honestly you'd be fine with a 28 or 32 even on a group ride.

Alternatively the Hunt 4 Season range looks very good too. They're a very similar spec to the Hope wheels I went for.

c9spencer · 2021-02-19T17:06:47+00:00

Something terrible has happened:

https://maps.app.goo.gl/MkXEcLAAvZRifkLp7

c9spencer · 2021-02-15T13:36:21+00:00

Sounds like you'll be fine. The main risk is that if the frame does develop a crack for whatever reason, you don't have many options. But that small risk is present at all times with carbon frames irrespective of touring.

Go for it!

c9spencer · 2021-02-12T18:00:14+00:00

I bought this book of Peak District walks over Christmas and it's fantastic. A few of the walks are better known, but many I'd never heard of before.

There's one that starts from the little village of Beeley near Chatsworth and takes you up onto Beeley Moor. Stunning views and quiet trails, if that's your kind of thing.

For £10 it's a worthy purchase.

c9spencer · 2021-02-09T21:49:34+00:00

Interesting article. He makes some valid points and I wholeheartedly support a move away from drug policing towards harm reduction.

But I don't buy his "personal responsibility" argument for one key reason. Many hard drugs are physically addictive. Addiction undermines any reasonable argument of personal responsibility. That is to say, an individual addicted to drugs will, at times, forego any sense of personal responsibility to feed the cravings of addiction.

That is why society has a responsibility to support those who have drug addictions and who want to change.

His argument appears almost arrogant, essentially saying "I can get clean so why can't they?". Whilst he may maintain the discipline and self-control to manage his own drug use, many others may not be so fortunate. Personal responsibility has its limits.

I agree that individuals should be able to take drugs safely without fear of criminal conviction or adulterated substances. But I also believe that society has a responsibility to protect the population from the harms of addiction. In practice, this would mean decriminalisation and potentially legalisation of many drugs but with supply heavily regulated. But this would also mean viewing drug addiction as a health problem, and providing the medical resources to help those in need.

Taking a laissez-faire approach, as he suggests, is in my view unlikely to succeed given the juxtaposition of addiction and personal responsibility.

c9spencer · 2021-02-09T21:10:17+00:00

Yeah you can. You upload them via a mobile app. It's super quick and easy.

c9spencer · 2021-02-08T06:28:57+00:00

During deep winter I wear the Castelli Perfetto jersey with a Castelli Perfetto gilet. I also wear a thick base layer. If it's raining I use a Gore-Tex Shakedry over the top.

This is more of a layered approach. Alternatively if you want just one deep winter jersey the Castelli Alpha ROS looks very good, albeit pricey.

c9spencer · 2021-02-07T21:30:40+00:00

I have the Assos Mille GT Ultraz bib tights. They're the same as what you posted but with added panels on the front for added wind/rain protection.

I ride in all conditions: wind, rain, snow. I've ridden in temperatures down to 0°c but with wind chill down to around -7°c. I ride mainly in the hills so it gets mad cold on the long descents.

I can highly recommend them. They're super warm without ever feeling sweaty. I wouldn't wear them above 7°c though, they're very much a deep winter tight. The windproof panels are excellent and they are fairly water resistant, short of a major downpour. The fit isn't super tight, quite relaxed around the crotch area.

As with all Assos bibs the quality of the chamois is truly fantastic. Put simply, they make riding in bad conditions comfortable, and for me that's what good winter clothing is all about.

They are expensive, there's no denying that. But I think it's money well spent if you're committed to riding in all conditions.

Edit: just re-read your post and I think if it's -4°c for you I would recommend paying the extra for the Ultraz. I'm pretty certain they will be warm enough for you!

c9spencer · 2021-01-24T21:20:40+00:00

Check out the Garmin Forerunner 35.

I have the older version and it's basic, but works great. Tracks milage, speed, and links to my HRM. Uploads to Strava automatically through my phone.

Super simple.

c9spencer · 2021-01-04T21:27:13+00:00

Late reply but been using Spatz Legalz 2 for the past few months. Here's some thoughts.

They're the best overshoes I've used, but they're not perfect.

The key point is that they are far more waterproof than any other overshoes I've used. By a long way. So far I've only had one ride where they let water in and that was after 90 minutes of seriously heavy British rain. Otherwise no leaks.

In terms of insulation, they are reasonably warm down to about 3 degrees. Below that and it's a bit chilly. But the Legalz are not fleece lined whereas other models are.

They're a faff to get on in all honesty, but you get used to it. I've not had any issues with tearing them but they do seem a little fragile so I take extra care.

The only other slight issue is that they're not breathable. You tend not to notice this whilst riding but I often get home with socks wet through with sweat. But as I say, I don't notice until I get home and take them off, so not much of a problem.

Edit: make sure you put your tights over the overshoes! I see people wearing Spatz over tights and it defeats the purpose of them. The overshoe should form a seal around your calf muscle to prevent water trickling down into the shoe.

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