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I decided to add this thread for those who haven't done a lot of camping. It is just something that may or may not help. everybody has their own opinion so feel free to add or ask questions.
Tents,
millions of them however as these are going to be used every day go for something easy to put up and down. Get one with where the outside goes on first. If it is raining you will be glad of that. If you can afford it look at the Khyam range. They are fantastic. Go to any bike rally and see how many people have them. It takes 25 seconds to get them up and 40 to get them down. They take up more room and cost a lot more but they are worth it. I have had mine for 12 years now. Personally I recommend the Igloo followed by the Highlander. Personally I would not recommend the biker tent but that is personal taste. Bring a small hammer to drive the tent pegs into the ground
Ground sheet,
Bring a ground sheet to cover the base of the tent. This will protect the tent and help you keep it for years. cheaper to replace the ground sheet for a tenner rather than change the tent. Mind you Tesco are selling tents for 20 quid. Use it and bin it afterward.
Seat,
Bring one with a back, after a long day you want to be able to lean back. Do not get a stool, you will regret it.
Food,
Bring some packet rice or something easy to cook maybe a can of stew. This is emergency food, sometimes things go wrong and you want to have something easy to cook if the shop is closed. Least you won't go hungry. Now depending on if you are intending to dine out or cook bring salt pepper and some mixed herbs etc.
Water
Carry a bottle of water. When I have done this before I could drink a litre of water during the day easily. Get one that hasn't got a screw top. You can hold it in the tank bag and drink it as you ride.
Cutlery
Bring a large insulated camping mug with a lid. You can use this for tea in the morning, wine or beer in the evening You could even have your cereal in the morning in it if it is big enough. Make sure it has a screw on top not a push fit. And buy a decent one. Don't bother with one out of the pound shop cos they don't work that well. Pots and pans. Plenty of place sell aluminium one. I personally avoid them because aluminium is very bad for humans. Buy stainless steel or small coated ones. Try to get stuff that fits inside each other for ease of storage.
Cookers,
There are loads of options. I have a coleman, and a meths burner. put the meths on and let it boil the kettle whilst putting the tent up cos it takes time to heat up. The coleman I will cook my dinner on. I generally don't carry gas. Crash and small gas canister could equal large bang. It just scares me so I prefer not to go down that route generally. You can get coleman type product that burn unleaded therefore you have a ready supply of fuel in your neighbours bike. But dont tell him Have a look around the site there is lots of opinions. The coleman I have is a bit bulky there are others that arent.
Plastic doesn't break so bring a plastic plate
Airbeds.
You do not need a lilo style airbed there are plenty of very light style ones that you can use. Get one with a large plug hole. They go up very fast. Don't bother with a foot pump. For a tenner you can buy an electric airpump. Low velocity high volume. Worth their weight in gold. I have one. Wouldn't use anything else.
Anybody else want to add their twopence worth? Any questions and I will try to answer with something sensible. And if I don't there are plenty out there who have done a damn sight more camping than me so I'm sure they will have then answer.
Tents,
millions of them however as these are going to be used every day go for something easy to put up and down. Get one with where the outside goes on first. If it is raining you will be glad of that. If you can afford it look at the Khyam range. They are fantastic. Go to any bike rally and see how many people have them. It takes 25 seconds to get them up and 40 to get them down. They take up more room and cost a lot more but they are worth it. I have had mine for 12 years now. Personally I recommend the Igloo followed by the Highlander. Personally I would not recommend the biker tent but that is personal taste. Bring a small hammer to drive the tent pegs into the ground
Ground sheet,
Bring a ground sheet to cover the base of the tent. This will protect the tent and help you keep it for years. cheaper to replace the ground sheet for a tenner rather than change the tent. Mind you Tesco are selling tents for 20 quid. Use it and bin it afterward.
Seat,
Bring one with a back, after a long day you want to be able to lean back. Do not get a stool, you will regret it.
Food,
Bring some packet rice or something easy to cook maybe a can of stew. This is emergency food, sometimes things go wrong and you want to have something easy to cook if the shop is closed. Least you won't go hungry. Now depending on if you are intending to dine out or cook bring salt pepper and some mixed herbs etc.
Water
Carry a bottle of water. When I have done this before I could drink a litre of water during the day easily. Get one that hasn't got a screw top. You can hold it in the tank bag and drink it as you ride.
Cutlery
Bring a large insulated camping mug with a lid. You can use this for tea in the morning, wine or beer in the evening You could even have your cereal in the morning in it if it is big enough. Make sure it has a screw on top not a push fit. And buy a decent one. Don't bother with one out of the pound shop cos they don't work that well. Pots and pans. Plenty of place sell aluminium one. I personally avoid them because aluminium is very bad for humans. Buy stainless steel or small coated ones. Try to get stuff that fits inside each other for ease of storage.
Cookers,
There are loads of options. I have a coleman, and a meths burner. put the meths on and let it boil the kettle whilst putting the tent up cos it takes time to heat up. The coleman I will cook my dinner on. I generally don't carry gas. Crash and small gas canister could equal large bang. It just scares me so I prefer not to go down that route generally. You can get coleman type product that burn unleaded therefore you have a ready supply of fuel in your neighbours bike. But dont tell him Have a look around the site there is lots of opinions. The coleman I have is a bit bulky there are others that arent.
Plastic doesn't break so bring a plastic plate
Airbeds.
You do not need a lilo style airbed there are plenty of very light style ones that you can use. Get one with a large plug hole. They go up very fast. Don't bother with a foot pump. For a tenner you can buy an electric airpump. Low velocity high volume. Worth their weight in gold. I have one. Wouldn't use anything else.
Anybody else want to add their twopence worth? Any questions and I will try to answer with something sensible. And if I don't there are plenty out there who have done a damn sight more camping than me so I'm sure they will have then answer.