Hello, I am a Polaris virgin and would like to know about the water situation on the overnight camp. There's a lot of talk about water in some of the earlier postings but is there a different set up each year? There is a reference in the final instructions about carrying all drink for 2 days cycling. Does this mean we have to carry it all this year for Saturday night and Sunday from the very start? Or will I be able to get some? Which is more recommended, boiling water or puri-tabbing water or is there a chance of a tap?
Jo
PS - If we have to carry the lot but pass somewhere selling water, can we buy water or is that against the rules?

I've heard they have water on the island, though the cats have no tails. Will Norman Wisdom will on start line duty (he lives there you know - "Mr Grimsdale...."). On a more helpful note, there's always water available at the overnight - if not a stream, there'll be a tank supply. If not there'll be canned beer (or is this not allowed to be retailed????)

Against the rules to buy water???, don't think so, In my previous Polaris experiences I have stopped off at cafe's, tea shops, pubs and once even stopped of at a petrol station to jet wash the bikes when it was clear we had blown out all chances of getting in on time.

The question of "outside assistance" has never really been an issue. I can recall that on the first ever PC a team won a "spirit of the event award" for managing to keep going after breaking a pedal and borrowing one off a road bike belonging to the warden of a Youth Hostel they passed (I think that's counted as outside assistance).

Oh yes there is always water of some description at the overnight camp (and beer) but don't forget to boil it (the water not the beer) :o)

The original plan was to use the stream that runs through the camp but this has almost dried up - we haven't had significant rainfall for 6 weeks on the IoM.
There will now be a water bowser on site but you are still advised (as always) to use sterilising tablets. There are a couple of places on the "course" where you could replenish water supplies in streams etc but don't rely on it. As a guide, you should plan to use a full 2.5 litre camelbak plus a bottle on day 1 and just the camelbak on day 2. Don't skimp on water as dehydration is no joke. Use an isotonic drinks mix as well as this increases the amount of fluid retention (i.e. more is absorbed).
Checkpoint 12 has running water!

*thread highjack*

Using the tenuous link of overnight camps...
Are soloists allowed to use bivi bags?
I note they are not allowed for teams of two, but one person carrying a *whole* tent seems a little excessive.

Old question, same answer
No solos cannot use bivvy bags

Sorry to be slow on the up take asking the same old questions, but why exactly?

Isn't a Polaris tent just a big two person bivi bag? (this has probably been raised before too)

Yes of course it is, but it's sold by Polaris so that makes it ok.

And don't forget those waterproof over trousers...we'll be checking the kit!

We seem to be avoiding the question here. Surely a single hooped bivvi bag pegged out properly offer the same level of protection as a polaris tent, but for one person. At what point does a hooped bivvi become a one man tent? and vice versa...

Don't search for the logic here - there isn't any.
But hey, the sun is shining, the trails are dry, gear is packed, and the course looks great.

Now I must book that ferry ticket ......

Oh here we go again........................
Yes it can be argued that a single hooped bivvy tent is similar to the Polaris/Supair tent but that is not the point.
At overnight camp you will be there for up to 17 hours and need shelter for yourself and kit. During inclement weather you will need to cook inside and try to dry out. A bivvy bag does not facilitate this whereas a Polaris/Supair event tent or lightweight backpacking tent does have space for this.
It has nothing to do with Polaris making a tent but with the simple fact that a bivvy bag is what it is a BAG.
The event tents made by Polaris/Supair are a compromise and designed to minimise weight for events such as the KIMM/PC.
The inference that the rules of the PC are written to boost the sale of Polaris kit is unjustified, whether you are a Polaris virgin or not you should have sufficient experience to know that they make sense.
Now should we start the waterproof OT discussion again?

Yep...I found a use for waterproof trousers....oh...I've forgoten...sorry.

Couldn't help noticing that nearly everyone was wearing their overtrousers at the campsite on the IoM to keep the wind out. So they clearly have /some/ use ;-)

told you all that ages ago but will some people listen, will the ****

Thee hee, windproof trousers then?

Waterproof, windproof, call 'em what you will. That morning they were just nice cozy trousers. :-)

Agree with that :-)