Skokloster by pushbike

As years go 2020 was one of those where bold plans got overtaken by life. A combination of Covid and a persistent foot problem put paid to plans for a summer long hike. But hej. Plans change... 

So I dusted off my bike, bought a saddle bag and tried something new. Cycle touring. Or is it called bike packing these days?  A three day weekend trip visiting Skokloster - one of the nearly local stately homes that litter the landscape in Mälardalen, the hinterland behind Stockholm. 

The first day was a brilliant sunny day and around 40km along forest trails and quietish country roads, doing my best not to wander into a big firing range and get shot at. I'd picked out a quiet spot in a nature reserve at Sandviksåsen to camp over. It's a glacial ridge on the shore of Lake Mälaren. It was, as hoped, really quiet and undisturbed, but the path through the woods was basically full of chunky round stones and not to be recommended with a bike loaded with packing.  The reward though was a lovely still glade looking out onto the lake and an evening to my self with just the odd angler drifting by. 

The second day was a day of two halves, meandering up through the countryside to reach Skokloster for a bit of touristing and lunch and then starting the homeward leg back via Sigtuna. 

Skokloster is nice, and I was there early with time to idle, take a coffee and ogle the big old American cars rolling in for an owners rally. But... 

Once there I got the tools out to try and adjust a squeaky brake and discovered two bolts missing from the luggage rack! And the other two loose....

Not good.  50kms from home and the somewhat loaded luggage rack was falling off. 

After some head scratching and some good fortune I took the mounting bolts out from the unused bottle holder spot and Yes! The right size! Trip saved. 

Lunch in the sun, and then I retraced my steps until I hit the road for Sigtuna. After idling my way along the waterfront at Sigtuna and indulging in ice cream I made it to my next overnight spot, near a picnic spot on the edge of some woods. I made some dinner and left pitching the tarp until near sundown when passing day trippers and trail runners had given up for the day. 

A pity then that it started to pour down just at the wrong moment... And the ground was like concrete, bending a couple of pegs trying to get them in. But.. the rain went over and soon it was just me and the barking of the foxes. 

And the last day.. cycling south on Mälardalsleden. Enjoying being out in the countryside, and then meandering in the suburbs until finally, glad to be home. 

It has its charm this cycling mullarky. :) 

Going to ground - shelter talk.

During Covid times there's not much happening in overnight stops for me - but there's plenty of time for browsing and thinking around gear choices. What works and what could be done differently?

Right now my thoughts are on shelters....

My basic configuration right now is a Hilleberg Tarp 5 and an Enlightened Equipment Recon bivy - that gives rain coverage, bug protection and splash protection - plus an enclosed space to give a little extra warmth.  Combo weight: 520g + pegs and any extra guys. 

I really like the Hilleberg tarp.  It feels robust and the novel five sided shape gives plenty of flexibility for different set ups - especially in the woods.

The Recon bivy gives a good package. It's not had a lot of use but so far so good.  The only downside is the lack of headroom.  It's a bivy. Once you are in you are in. So I like it, but I want to keep it in shape for longer trips.  For shorter trips then I could add a groundsheet to lower the risk of puncturing the floor,  or take something cheaper I don't mind getting trashed.

For warm weather, and short trips where the forecast is known there are definitely simpler options - the simplest (apart from cowboy camping) being a poncho/tarp plus a groundsheet - plus a mesh layer for the buggy times of year.

Right now my poncho/tarp options are a Sea to Summit Nano or an old Fjällräven Gömsle. The Fjällräven is a bit more coverage (though narrower) at circa 500g. The S2S poncho tarp is 265 x 145 and a miserly 190g (somewhat under the 230g spec). Using it as raingear as well basically gives me a weightless shelter - albeit with less coverage. The Fjällräven is heavier than the Hilleberg tarp but weightwise is about the same if I don't need a rain jacket.

Bugs is another question.  The only alternative I have right now is a headnet which is OK for sitting around but for sleeping out that doesn't seem enough. Mesh tent options are a bit limited to be honest if it's going to be lighter than the EE bivy.

On my list are:

Lixada Ultralight Mesh tent - Mesh tent with built in groundsheet @ 250g for just £21.  It is a tad heavier than my EE but reviews complain it is short and narrow.  (200x65cm)

Zag mesh tent - mesh with no floor - 200g for £15.  Roomier at 220 x 120 with 110 headroom.

S2S nano mesh tent. 82g for around £30 and a spacious 220 x 170.

Groundsheet

Survival emergency bivy -  Foil bivy in camo.  125g for £10

And a bag to pack it in...

I've been working on my packlist for a through hike trip in France. Between Covid and other constraints we'll see if it happens, but my gear list took another step forward with a new backpack, a custom Atom+ from Atompacks.

My original choice was my UD Fastpack 35. It's big enough, just about, for what I need (37L total) has good storage options with pockets up front. The downside for me is the weight distribution. The waistband mostly works to inhibit bouce, not to transfer weight. It's comfy over long distances up to around 8kg. I expect with food and water to be a tad over 10kg. Mindful of my 'not getting any younger' frame it would be nice with a bit more load transfer and support at the waist.

My other option was a Haglöfs Matrix 50. It's a good size and comfy on but at 1,5kg it's quite a bit heavier. It has that trad look with separate lid and zip access into the base. It doesn't though have pockets on the straps or the big stuff pocket on the front. At 50 litres it is also bigger than I want. Too much empty space is just an invite to take too much.

Anyway, to cut a long story short, after due consideration and a lot of surfing I decided on impulse to go for an Atompacks Atom+ at 40l. A bit bigger and heavier  than the UD but not hugely so, and with both a hip belt and a carbon frame hoop in the back. 

Like the UD it has pockets on the shoulder straps - albeit simpler ones - big side pockets and also a pocket on the base. Practical or just a gimmick? Time will tell. 

It's a custom build, which means I got to choose the colours and to add options like a yoke strap at the top and load lifters. It's also custom sized to my back length which I'm hoping translates into a comfortable carry. Atompacks were really helpful and managed to ship it out from the UK ahead of the year end - avoiding any Brexit complications. (Lead times are on their website). 

It turned out that adding load lifters meant extending the collar so this bag is somewhere around 46 litres. A bit more than I was thinking but it will mean I'll comfortably have room for gear plus resupply. 

So far it looks good... but I've yet to try it in anger. Soon...