Test run on camping kit!

[Chaz]

Not to be too put off by the crappy weather forecast last weekend I packed up the bike with the plans to just ride somewhere....anywhere to do a dry run on the new camping stuff!

Unfortunately, I was a little hungover and so didn't get away until early afternoon so I knew I couldn't travel too far afield....so I got to the Green Welly with the plan to head off out towards Kilin and even maybe Perthshire but instead found myself riding up through Glencoeonyack

Riding aimlessly I ended up at a nice wee campsite which I will happily recommend at the head of Loch Leven just as you turn off the A82 onto the B863 for Kinlochleven. The guy charged me £8 for the night, about half a miles walk around the loch to the local pub and breath taking scenery

Taken by iphone unfortunately so not the best quality, probably the one thing I forgot to take

.....wait for it

...cracking sunset

Anyway, like I said this was a dry run and not a bad site for one. The tarp is a great idea but not the quickest to erect if you are travelling alone

Got the trangia out and tried it for the first time too....highly recommended thanks Wully!

Tomatoe soup has to be one of everyone's favourites when suffering from the effects of the night before

Good dry run but was feckin freezing despite a 3 season sleeping bag and a silk liner So once I got into Oban I went straight to the outdoor shop and priced up a new bag for the season.

Mind you SWMBO might do one when it arrives, as there has been an endless stream of packages arriving over the past month or two in preparation of the good weather....wait till the new tent comes too


Oh...first ride report by the way so be gentle

 

[Aidan1150]

Lovely

 

[wully]

Tents... We've got a total of 4 tents and two tarps and are still looking for the ultimate bike tent

Nice we camp site- I Think I might have seen it before somewhere...

 

[roddy]

Tents... We've got a total of 4 tents and two tarps and are still looking for the ultimate bike tent

Nice we camp site- I Think I might have seen it before somewhere...

I've been mulling this over and I think I may have found a good combo

http://www.vango.co.uk/products/tentsInfo.aspx?productid=36&modelid=39&id=21

2 man tunnel tent plenty porch area for your kit if it's wet, tent not too big you won't heat it up so you shold be cosey

http://www.vango.co.uk/products/tentsInfo.aspx?productid=186&modelid=93&id=59

and Vango tarp which looks like it would fit over there tents quite happily giving you added room

just my 2p worth

 

[Stewart H]

Great idea, nice scenery too, I know what you mean about the inadequate bag, awful being cold at night. Is that a decathlon tarp ? it looks like mine.

Stewart

 

[Yodagoat]

I just got an equinox 250, amazing tent for two folk. I'd highly reccommend one.

 

[JKM]

Just recieved my equinox 350, it's bloody massive, maybe should have gone for the 250, however, I do like plenty of room Bought a 'Footprint as well, not the easiest thing to lay down and pitch your tent on if there is a breeze! Reckon the best way is to leave the inner tent off erect outer and attach footprint then attach inner. Advice always welcome.
I do have a decent bag which, as has been said already - makes a big difference. I would be interested to know if that the Vango Tarp shown in a previous thread slots on to the end of the equinox.
Charlie, I'm in the same boat packages arriving daily, my missus starting to get interested in what I'm doing!!

Good phots, looks like you got some decent weather. That reminds me!! Kit list - Camera

 

[Taff]

.... not the easiest thing to lay down and pitch your tent on if there is a breeze! Reckon the best way is to leave the inner tent off erect outer and attach footprint then attach inner. Advice always welcome.

Can you leave the inner tent permanently attached? Makes life a lot easier.

Works for me, but I have a Khyam.

 

[RideTheWind]

I feel motivated now....have a question...why use a tarp over the tent? (you can tell I am just used to bivvies when fishing). I am looking around for a tent at the moment and am curious about the tarp. Is it necessary or a nice to have?

 

[g.s.john]

I feel motivated now....have a question...why use a tarp over the tent? (you can tell I am just used to bivvies when fishing). I am looking around for a tent at the moment and am curious about the tarp. Is it necessary or a nice to have?

the tarp is usefull to sit under if you dont have much headroom in you tent also makes it easyer to pack away the tent in the rain.
i use a kyham biker plus footprint, inner and outer stay together can erect in approx five minutes not the lightest tent at 7.2k but it is conveniant

 

[Deathiance]

I am of the same mind, I think us fishing boys are spoiled with our cars full of luxury stuff, bit different when equiping the bike

I feel motivated now....have a question...why use a tarp over the tent? (you can tell I am just used to bivvies when fishing). I am looking around for a tent at the moment and am curious about the tarp. Is it necessary or a nice to have?

 

[RideTheWind]

the tarp is usefull to sit under if you dont have much headroom in you tent also makes it easyer to pack away the tent in the rain.
i use a kyham biker plus footprint, inner and outer stay together can erect in approx five minutes not the lightest tent at 7.2k but it is conveniant

Thanks for that. I will now consider this watching LWR and eating a bacon bap. Will look through the Kyham range too.

 

[Chaz]

Thanks for the replies everyone The tarp is a decathlon one, a new purchase of £23, its the first bit of kit to erect and the last bit to put away! Ideally you can reverse the back of the bike under the tarp when its up that way you should be putting your tent up and taking your equipment out in the dry and vice versa when putting it away!

Also, you can use one tarp between as many as 4 tents if you position the tents entrances towards the underside of the tarp it acts as a shelter for everyone....and it keeps the majority of the weather off!!! Great buy really...and no i'm not on commission

Ordered a new Vango Spirit 200+, hopefully it'll come before the first trip starts

Tent in photo for sale

 

[Chaz]

More new stuff!

Got my new bag and a new Vango Spirit 200+ tent, may need it when the credit card bill comes in Anyway, here's to a dry and warm season for everyone

 

[THE DOCTOR]

Timely report, thanks.
I'm off camping around the West Coast next month & I'm currently getting all my gear together & writing lists.

Do you recon you could do without your top box?

After last year I'm thinking of going as 'minimal' as possible: toploading metal panniers, 1 dry bag, tank bag.

Last year!

 

[Chaz]

Looks ok to me
Depends on how long you're going for, we're off around Scotland at the end of this week for 7 days and my bike looks pretty much similar to yours

 

[roddy]

Timely report, thanks.
I'm off camping around the West Coast next month & I'm currently getting all my gear together & writing lists.

Do you recon you could do without your top box?

After last year I'm thinking of going as 'minimal' as possible: toploading metal panniers, 1 dry bag, tank bag.

Last year!

The general rule is if you've packed the same things for more than one trip but haven't used something, then you don't need it or could do without it, you'd be surprised by how much you carry thats just not needed.

At the end of the day your not going to the remotest parts of the planet
so if you leave something behind you could always borrow from someone else at a campsite or buy another if it's that desparate.

regarding the topbox I think it would depend on your setup if you plan to eat out and only have minimal cook set/stove them I think you could do without a top box and just use a plate on the back to store the long items (tent/tarp/mat), however if your planning to cook all your food then the topbox is good for all the cooking items

 

[THE DOCTOR]

The general rule is if you've packed the same things for more than one trip but haven't used something, then you don't need it or could do without it, you'd be surprised by how much you carry thats just not needed.

At the end of the day your not going to the remotest parts of the planet
so if you leave something behind you could always borrow from someone else at a campsite or buy another if it's that desparate.

Last year was my 1st camping experience.
This year I've downsized my ample sleeping bag & also bought a bivi bag to add warmth if needed. Both these new items together pack smaller than my old sleeping bag,
Not taking a chair this year but I am taking cooking gear for the 1st time.
I think my new ARD panniers will go a long way to swallow a lot of my gear.

I just fancy this year's photos without an ugly topbox ruining the look of the bike!

Look fwd to your ride reports nuts.

 

[rocks]

Get a better mat..

You loose 2/3rds your body heat through induction to the floor.. you loose 1/3rd to the air. So, before you ditch your sleeping bag, have you considered getting a better sleeping matt?


As for perfect biking tent.. Orion 2, by Exped.. Bloody brilliant.. But I would say that, as I sell them!

I also sell Down and Foam Sleeping Matts.. lol

Looks like a nice spot and some lovely country side up there.. I really need to get back up for a visit soon.

 

[squid]

Agree totally about the sleep mat making a big difference. Also take a snug fitting fleece hat to sleep in. They save a huge amount of body warmth and saves you having to burry your head in the bag.