TN laser user here. I don't find it cramped at all (I had a gelert solo, that was cramped), there's plenty of room to get changed for my 5'8" and there's oodles of porch space. It's amazingly light and quick and easy to pitch.
I've maybe had a few drops in the inner The only condensation problem I've had is it forming under the fly, but I got into the habit of wiping away as much as I could from the fly and dried it out when I had the opportunity. It's a great tent for me. I've not had it in any gales but I'm sure it's quite sturdy.
Search found 19 matches
- 7 Sep 2012, 11:14am
- Forum: Cycle Camping sub-forum
- Topic: A question for Atko, TN Laser et al users
- Replies: 22
- Views: 2860
- 28 Jun 2012, 3:36pm
- Forum: Touring & Expedition
- Topic: Touring shoes
- Replies: 16
- Views: 11878
Re: Touring shoes
I've used a pair of Shimano MT33 shoes. They take spds but the recesses have screw on covers that basically turn it into a normal sole that's good for walking.
- 24 Jun 2012, 12:55pm
- Forum: Cycle Camping sub-forum
- Topic: Tent for tall person advice !
- Replies: 8
- Views: 6380
Re: Tent for tall person advice !
Wild Country Zephyros 1 are around the £100 mark. It looks the same as the terra nova laser comp 1 which I got as an upgrade from the Solo, but made with different materials.
On paper the inner of the Solo is longer but on the WC Z the ends of the inner are supported so they're pretty much verticle and squared off so it makes maximum use of the available space, unlike the Solo.
I'm 5'8" and I get an inch or two of headroom and can get changed easily, the Solo was ok as a budget lightweight tent but had plenty of drawbacks.
On paper the inner of the Solo is longer but on the WC Z the ends of the inner are supported so they're pretty much verticle and squared off so it makes maximum use of the available space, unlike the Solo.
I'm 5'8" and I get an inch or two of headroom and can get changed easily, the Solo was ok as a budget lightweight tent but had plenty of drawbacks.
- 16 Jun 2012, 2:59am
- Forum: On the road
- Topic: Run in with a twerp
- Replies: 14
- Views: 4487
Re: Run in with a twerp
i don't think you did anything wrong, he sounds just like an impatient prat. You know the road so know what is best practice, I have a section on my regular route where I take the lane from about a similar distance out into slight traffic. It never seems to bother anyone but then I can get a good speed up most days with a slight downhill, going around the speed bumps and a favourable wind.
Most people would take into account that there would most likely be a wait at the junction so there would be little advantage, never mind the danger aspect.
Most people would take into account that there would most likely be a wait at the junction so there would be little advantage, never mind the danger aspect.
- 11 Jun 2012, 11:30am
- Forum: Cycle Camping sub-forum
- Topic: Tarp Recommendations
- Replies: 5
- Views: 3748
Re: Tarp Recommendations
http://www.decathlon.co.uk/tarp-khaki-s ... 63223.html
I have this on tour. It comes with poles so you don't always need to find any trees. I also have the DD 3x4.5m tarp but I haven't used that yet apart from in the garden (it's more for groups).
I have this on tour. It comes with poles so you don't always need to find any trees. I also have the DD 3x4.5m tarp but I haven't used that yet apart from in the garden (it's more for groups).
- 2 Jun 2012, 2:26pm
- Forum: On the road
- Topic: guttersnipe
- Replies: 120
- Views: 11799
Re: safest cycling.
Is this a lost chapter from Finnegan's Wake?
- 24 May 2012, 12:47pm
- Forum: Cycle Camping sub-forum
- Topic: Booking campsites ahead on tour - or not
- Replies: 8
- Views: 1314
Re: Booking campsites ahead on tour - or not
I tend to plan my routes by where I can stay. http://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/ I find is very helpful. Not the most user friendly of sites but their database is vast and the map search feature and user reviews are very helpful in finding me a site that suits me.
I tend not to bother booking as I don't think bike campers get turned away very much. We don't turn up in big groups and don't have cars cluttering up the place. Only if it's very busy would I imagine a problem, but I think I'd rather have a crack at wild camping.
I tend not to bother booking as I don't think bike campers get turned away very much. We don't turn up in big groups and don't have cars cluttering up the place. Only if it's very busy would I imagine a problem, but I think I'd rather have a crack at wild camping.
- 22 May 2012, 11:00pm
- Forum: Cycle Camping sub-forum
- Topic: Very Cheap Terra Nova Laser Comp at F&T
- Replies: 20
- Views: 3729
Re: Very Cheap Terra Nova Laser Comp at F&T
I've just had 3 nights in derbyshire in the laser and it's a dream compared to the old Gelert solo, which my brother had to save him carrying a 5kg Vango. He wasn't impressed by the lack of space but I managed to get most of his stuff in my porch area.
Easy to pitch and to pack and enough room inside for me, my stuff and for me to do whatever I need to do. I even tested the pole's flexibility by falling on it in the night, forming a worrying S-shape which resulted in a slightly bent section. A little gentle bending got it back to looking a bit more normal.
It's by far the best tent I've ever had, but then all I've ever had is rubbish tents.
Easy to pitch and to pack and enough room inside for me, my stuff and for me to do whatever I need to do. I even tested the pole's flexibility by falling on it in the night, forming a worrying S-shape which resulted in a slightly bent section. A little gentle bending got it back to looking a bit more normal.
It's by far the best tent I've ever had, but then all I've ever had is rubbish tents.
- 16 May 2012, 4:18pm
- Forum: Touring & Expedition
- Topic: iPhone apps useful on a bike tour (e.g. good GPS?)
- Replies: 34
- Views: 15329
Re: iPhone apps useful on a bike tour (e.g. good GPS?)
Backcountry Navigator. You can download map tiles to the phone (OS, OCM, Google etc). I have it as a backup to my handlebar mounted GPS as that can be a little vague and the maps aren't the clearest. Good for walks and checking out the local area as well.
- 12 May 2012, 12:45am
- Forum: Cycle Camping sub-forum
- Topic: Very Cheap Terra Nova Laser Comp at F&T
- Replies: 20
- Views: 3729
Re: Very Cheap Terra Nova Laser Comp at F&T
Some good mods to consider, I'll refrain from taking sharp implements to it for now though. The lack of a roof loop is a little annoying, I would've taken the hit it terms of weight for that.
I've had it up in the garden a couple of times, today in a bit of a gusty wind and it seems easy to pitch quickly, but for a bit of fiddling with the pole cover. All-in-one pitching is a luxury I've missed from other tents I've had. I can't wait to get it in action.
I've had it up in the garden a couple of times, today in a bit of a gusty wind and it seems easy to pitch quickly, but for a bit of fiddling with the pole cover. All-in-one pitching is a luxury I've missed from other tents I've had. I can't wait to get it in action.
- 10 May 2012, 11:11am
- Forum: Cycle Camping sub-forum
- Topic: Very Cheap Terra Nova Laser Comp at F&T
- Replies: 20
- Views: 3729
Re: Very Cheap Terra Nova Laser Comp at F&T
Got mine the other day an I'm well pleased with it. A grand upgrade from my Gelert solo, light as a feather and bags of room. With free delivery and a free mug it's a quality bargain and I'm glad I held off from buying something else.
- 5 May 2012, 12:42am
- Forum: Touring & Expedition
- Topic: The Value of cycle tourism
- Replies: 25
- Views: 6724
Re: The Value of cycle tourism
I've found that bike campers are always welcome and they generally admire you for making your way there under your own steam and are glad of your custom. And I always like to sample the local pubs.
I'd like to echo the points made about trains as well. I've had the privilege of riding with my bike in the guard's van (?) about 10 years ago due to the kindness of the conductor. I've no idea if these still exist or if they still do it but the stupid little spaces they have on long distance services like Virgin are a joke.
I'd like to echo the points made about trains as well. I've had the privilege of riding with my bike in the guard's van (?) about 10 years ago due to the kindness of the conductor. I've no idea if these still exist or if they still do it but the stupid little spaces they have on long distance services like Virgin are a joke.
- 4 May 2012, 11:07pm
- Forum: Cycle Camping sub-forum
- Topic: Very Cheap Terra Nova Laser Comp at F&T
- Replies: 20
- Views: 3729
Re: Very Cheap Terra Nova Laser Comp at F&T
Good spot! I've been looking at that for ages but the roundabout £250 cost has always put me off.
- 18 Mar 2012, 11:25pm
- Forum: Cycle Camping sub-forum
- Topic: What makes a good camp site?
- Replies: 7
- Views: 873
Re: What makes a good camp site?
toilet, tap, pub within 30 min walk.
Showers are a lovely bonus and I don't mind paying if they're clean and warm. I've been in some places who leave the sheep to cut the grass so they get annoying spiky weeds, which makes finding a decent pitch a bit more tricky. Anything else is a bonus, especially if it's a pub garden table.
Showers are a lovely bonus and I don't mind paying if they're clean and warm. I've been in some places who leave the sheep to cut the grass so they get annoying spiky weeds, which makes finding a decent pitch a bit more tricky. Anything else is a bonus, especially if it's a pub garden table.
- 5 Mar 2012, 8:33pm
- Forum: Cycle Camping sub-forum
- Topic: Lightweight/fold-away sleeping mat
- Replies: 36
- Views: 6355
Re: Lightweight/fold-away sleeping mat
I use this http://www.amazon.co.uk/HIGHLANDER-ALUM ... 032&sr=1-1
Yeah, you don't get much cushioning but the idea is to reflect heat back at you. It's ultralight and will pack just about anywhere. backpackinglight.co.uk have a range of lightweight inflatable mats but expect to pay £60+
Yeah, you don't get much cushioning but the idea is to reflect heat back at you. It's ultralight and will pack just about anywhere. backpackinglight.co.uk have a range of lightweight inflatable mats but expect to pay £60+