Well, we have heard all about it and discussed its merits, but we have not seen enough pictures of the thing itself !
So a couple from me:
One in Venice. Temperature during the day of 35'C and with the sun on the tent it rose to 50'C. Trying to shade it and not using the inner - notice ant powder as sleeping on the floor with bugs and all.
Ordered the replacement MSR which is next to it and arrived from cheaptents uk that morning, the Laser Comp was posted home.
The next one is standard taken in France. The pitch is actually up on a mound and gives the optical illusion that it is bigger than a caravan, ayway the picture gives an idea of the thing in normal use. All good fun
Search found 397 matches
- 24 Mar 2014, 8:03pm
- Forum: Cycle Camping sub-forum
- Topic: Terra Nova Laser Competition 1 Tent - Good choice?
- Replies: 28
- Views: 7342
- 21 Mar 2014, 7:08pm
- Forum: Cycle Camping sub-forum
- Topic: Terra Nova Laser Competition 1 Tent - Good choice?
- Replies: 28
- Views: 7342
Re: Terra Nova Laser Competition 1 Tent - Good choice?
Yes I have. I sold ny Terra Nova Solar 2.2, which is inner first. Given it had two poles to sort out and peg down, before you got the fly sheet over the top, it could take a few minutes in the pouring rain - not ideal
I still have an all mesh inner MSR Hubba which, is quicker to erect, but still would get inner wet in pouring rain.
With the Laser Comp I would just unhook the inner tent and wipe down the condensation, while the outer is all taught and in place, and then clip the inner tent back in place before packing it all up.
To me it is worth the effort to know that if I arrive somewhere in the rain I can unpack something nice and dry to sleep in - arriving somewhere in the rain and unpacking a tent, that was already wet, would cause me consternation !
Anyway, each to their own and I know what you mean.
I still have an all mesh inner MSR Hubba which, is quicker to erect, but still would get inner wet in pouring rain.
With the Laser Comp I would just unhook the inner tent and wipe down the condensation, while the outer is all taught and in place, and then clip the inner tent back in place before packing it all up.
To me it is worth the effort to know that if I arrive somewhere in the rain I can unpack something nice and dry to sleep in - arriving somewhere in the rain and unpacking a tent, that was already wet, would cause me consternation !
Anyway, each to their own and I know what you mean.
- 18 Mar 2014, 10:03pm
- Forum: Cycle Camping sub-forum
- Topic: Terra Nova Laser Competition 1 Tent - Good choice?
- Replies: 28
- Views: 7342
Re: Terra Nova Laser Competition 1 Tent - Good choice?
Personally, I would steer clear of tents that pitch inner first. At least the Laser Comp pitches the correct way, outer first
- 14 Mar 2014, 7:31pm
- Forum: Cycle Camping sub-forum
- Topic: Terra Nova Laser Competition 1 Tent - Good choice?
- Replies: 28
- Views: 7342
Re: Terra Nova Laser Competition 1 Tent - Good choice?
Certainly not good for southern Europe in the summer, I sent mine home from Venice as it was like an oven. It also suffered with condensation, but the thing is quite small so quite easy to wipe it dry before setting off in the morning. Those are its faults really, not enough ventilation causing condensation or roasting hot in the summer.
On the plus side, very easy to pitch even in the wind and rain, and it does the job of keeping you out of the elements. Packs down very small. It is nice tent to use on the whole.
I think I will still keep mine but given the chance again I would probably get the Hilleberg Akto as it has more vents, and I think you can get a mesh inner version for it, for summers in southern Europe.
On the plus side, very easy to pitch even in the wind and rain, and it does the job of keeping you out of the elements. Packs down very small. It is nice tent to use on the whole.
I think I will still keep mine but given the chance again I would probably get the Hilleberg Akto as it has more vents, and I think you can get a mesh inner version for it, for summers in southern Europe.
- 13 Mar 2014, 8:16pm
- Forum: Cycle Camping sub-forum
- Topic: FYI: North Face Blue Kazoo sleeping bag on sale
- Replies: 2
- Views: 1170
Re: FYI: North Face Blue Kazoo sleeping bag on sale
22camels wrote:If anyone is looking for an affordable 3-season down bag for cycle touring, LD Mountain Centre currently have this on sale for 129 quid + free shipping until Monday..
http://www.ldmountaincentre.com/camping ... 2UAtA#2721
If you look around the web, this has been around for donkeys years and has got some great reviews. And I am not amused as I paid the same for a used 10+ year old version on eBay recently.
It has gone up, now £159. So bought one from Blacks instead for £150 delivered to the local store. Spent quite a while looking at other options, like the seemingly unobtainable Alpkit.
Thanks for the pointer on this, and I sure a new version will probably be out next month or so and I will think, Doh, should have waited !
Anyhow - new down sleeping bag on the way, happy bunny !
- 4 Mar 2014, 8:38pm
- Forum: Cycle Camping sub-forum
- Topic: A good nights sleep
- Replies: 36
- Views: 3057
Re: A good nights sleep
Ear plugs are travel esssentials I reckon, not just for camping.
Recommend : HEAROS EAR PLUGS - Extreme Protection Series - highest 33 NRR - Trusted since 1992 !
I have tried lots of different ones over the years and these are among the best. On the downside a lion could be eating your leg and you probably would not hear it; something to bear in mind.
Recommend : HEAROS EAR PLUGS - Extreme Protection Series - highest 33 NRR - Trusted since 1992 !
I have tried lots of different ones over the years and these are among the best. On the downside a lion could be eating your leg and you probably would not hear it; something to bear in mind.
- 31 Jan 2014, 7:12pm
- Forum: Touring & Expedition
- Topic: Aberdeen to Lerwick ferry
- Replies: 16
- Views: 12816
Re: Aberdeen to Lerwick ferry
I reckon sleeping on the floor is better than trying to curl up on those torture chairs:
1. Use your sleeping mat
2. Sleeping bag
3. Ear plugs
4. inflatable pillow if possible
5. something to cover the eyes like a beany or similar neck roll thingy, you can just wrap it round your eyes to keep the light out.
I have not done this on this service but out of Dubrovnik on the night ferry, worked a treat.
Good luck !
1. Use your sleeping mat
2. Sleeping bag
3. Ear plugs
4. inflatable pillow if possible
5. something to cover the eyes like a beany or similar neck roll thingy, you can just wrap it round your eyes to keep the light out.
I have not done this on this service but out of Dubrovnik on the night ferry, worked a treat.
Good luck !
- 20 Jan 2014, 7:45pm
- Forum: Touring & Expedition
- Topic: Siberia Winter Bike Tour
- Replies: 30
- Views: 63971
Re: Siberia Winter Bike Tour
I was watching this docu about the Russians in Antartica, and this guy said that the only food that kept him warm was butter, he would eat pure butter and he said he could feel the warmth radiate out.
It is pure energy, if you think about it, and should be easy to transport in the cold, and it is probably a lot of calories for its size.
(I know I was wrong about the coyotes, but ..... )
Good luck.
It is pure energy, if you think about it, and should be easy to transport in the cold, and it is probably a lot of calories for its size.
(I know I was wrong about the coyotes, but ..... )
Good luck.
- 20 Jan 2014, 7:32pm
- Forum: Touring & Expedition
- Topic: I'm off....(again)
- Replies: 19
- Views: 43831
Re: I'm off....(again)
I thought you were going to be eaten by starving and ravenous Coyotes and we were going to read about it in - The Sun newspaper (strangely !).
Seriously, I think there was a particularly cold snap at that time as it was in the news, all of the US was frozen and we have clients in Canada who were struggling to get to work. I hope you enjoyed the trip though, something out of the ordinary, well done !
Seriously, I think there was a particularly cold snap at that time as it was in the news, all of the US was frozen and we have clients in Canada who were struggling to get to work. I hope you enjoyed the trip though, something out of the ordinary, well done !
- 14 Jan 2014, 8:01pm
- Forum: Touring & Expedition
- Topic: Paris to Amsterdam
- Replies: 13
- Views: 62132
Re: Paris to Amsterdam
How about a trip through France ? if you can manage a trip to Budapest you could choose anything in France.
I have found cycle touring in France to be almost perfect. The country is not too small, and the distances between towns is also about right. Lots of campsites, mostly good roads. The only downside is that some of France's agricultural land can be a bit boring, but it will not last more than a couple of days before something of interest comes along.
I have found cycle touring in France to be almost perfect. The country is not too small, and the distances between towns is also about right. Lots of campsites, mostly good roads. The only downside is that some of France's agricultural land can be a bit boring, but it will not last more than a couple of days before something of interest comes along.
- 13 Jan 2014, 10:08pm
- Forum: Touring & Expedition
- Topic: Paris to Amsterdam
- Replies: 13
- Views: 62132
Re: Paris to Amsterdam
I did St Malo - Paris - Amsterdam about 3 years ago.
From Paris headed east to Chalons en Champagne - Charleville-Mezieres - the Ardennes - then followed the river Meuse round to Liege. Then on to Maastricht - Breda - Amsterdam - flight home.
The land across Champagne was rolling open land that could be a struggle if the wind was against you on the long open roads. The Ardennes was very hilly until I got to the river Meuse and a great trip following the river. It got a bit busy and not so pleasant near Liege. Maastrict was lovely in the sunshine, with everyone out and about, but the road from Liege to there was a bit of a bottleneck, and I was never sure what country I was in as the cars parked in driveways often had both Dutch or Belge registration numbers in the same street. Holland is lovely but small, with very friendly people. I have a Dutch bike and always the Dutch speak to me on campsites.
I took two weeks off work and included a few days sightseeing in Amsterdam staying at the Campsite. Lovely trip. Good luck.
From Paris headed east to Chalons en Champagne - Charleville-Mezieres - the Ardennes - then followed the river Meuse round to Liege. Then on to Maastricht - Breda - Amsterdam - flight home.
The land across Champagne was rolling open land that could be a struggle if the wind was against you on the long open roads. The Ardennes was very hilly until I got to the river Meuse and a great trip following the river. It got a bit busy and not so pleasant near Liege. Maastrict was lovely in the sunshine, with everyone out and about, but the road from Liege to there was a bit of a bottleneck, and I was never sure what country I was in as the cars parked in driveways often had both Dutch or Belge registration numbers in the same street. Holland is lovely but small, with very friendly people. I have a Dutch bike and always the Dutch speak to me on campsites.
I took two weeks off work and included a few days sightseeing in Amsterdam staying at the Campsite. Lovely trip. Good luck.
- 2 Dec 2013, 1:05pm
- Forum: Touring & Expedition
- Topic: I'm off....(again)
- Replies: 19
- Views: 43831
Re: I'm off....(again)
You are probably right, the main danger will be traffic !
But the reason I ask is because I saw a NatGeo program about Coyotes. It seems that normally they are smallish in size and hunt alone, so there is no real issue for an adult human.
However, it seems that in Eastern Canada and US, there is a species of Coyote , the eastern coyote, that is considerably larger than usual, and it has also been found to hunt in pairs. In the national parks they have little fear of humans.
The only recorded adult human death by Coyote predation was recorded in Cape Breton National Park, Nova Scotia in 2009, when singer Taylor Mitchell was attacked and killed.
I do not mean to try and scare anyone away from going, that would be silly. But it might be an idea to find out a bit about these eastern coyotes and what to do if you come across one while out riding.
Have fun !
But the reason I ask is because I saw a NatGeo program about Coyotes. It seems that normally they are smallish in size and hunt alone, so there is no real issue for an adult human.
However, it seems that in Eastern Canada and US, there is a species of Coyote , the eastern coyote, that is considerably larger than usual, and it has also been found to hunt in pairs. In the national parks they have little fear of humans.
The only recorded adult human death by Coyote predation was recorded in Cape Breton National Park, Nova Scotia in 2009, when singer Taylor Mitchell was attacked and killed.
I do not mean to try and scare anyone away from going, that would be silly. But it might be an idea to find out a bit about these eastern coyotes and what to do if you come across one while out riding.
Have fun !
- 1 Dec 2013, 8:36pm
- Forum: Touring & Expedition
- Topic: I'm off....(again)
- Replies: 19
- Views: 43831
Re: I'm off....(again)
So what is the old wildlife situation in that part of Canada - anything with big teeth that you need to worry about ?
- 12 Nov 2013, 7:01pm
- Forum: Touring & Expedition
- Topic: Shetland Islands - Between Christmas and New Year
- Replies: 10
- Views: 24223
Re: Shetland Islands - Between Christmas and New Year
I did this a few years ago - not on a bike but rented a car.
It struck me as how much colder it was than down in the south where I come from. My synthetic woollen jumpers were almost useless. The days were much shorter and you would end up returning from a day's exploring in the pitch dark.
Coming back in the dark I was glad of a GPS because I did not see so many road signs out in the sticks, also with no real visual clues as the scenery was similar all around, and with the sun gone, it was very difficult to see where you were and to work out your way home.
The crossing over was rough, but I had a cabin. I also took sea sick tablets but it was not an issue I slept okay. I was embarrassed suddenly when I asked for an English Breakfast in the cafe in the morning ! but it was okay.
I still have these thick woolen jumpers that I bought there, but they are too warm to wear indoors down here in the Channel Islands !
It was a good trip, thoroughly enjoyed it.
It struck me as how much colder it was than down in the south where I come from. My synthetic woollen jumpers were almost useless. The days were much shorter and you would end up returning from a day's exploring in the pitch dark.
Coming back in the dark I was glad of a GPS because I did not see so many road signs out in the sticks, also with no real visual clues as the scenery was similar all around, and with the sun gone, it was very difficult to see where you were and to work out your way home.
The crossing over was rough, but I had a cabin. I also took sea sick tablets but it was not an issue I slept okay. I was embarrassed suddenly when I asked for an English Breakfast in the cafe in the morning ! but it was okay.
I still have these thick woolen jumpers that I bought there, but they are too warm to wear indoors down here in the Channel Islands !
It was a good trip, thoroughly enjoyed it.
- 4 Nov 2013, 8:45pm
- Forum: Touring & Expedition
- Topic: Any tripod tourists?
- Replies: 19
- Views: 4173
Re: Any tripod tourists?
al_yrpal wrote:My new camera (Panasonic Lumix LF1) has WiFi. When you want a 'self' shot you can mount the camera on its tripod, start the wifi and link to your smartphone. You can then adjust the zoom to frame the shot and control the self timer, white balance, iso and shutter from the phone. This function will no doubt appear in many new cameras soon. If you want to avoid getting a picture of you staring at your phone you must use the self timer!
Al
The above pictue was taken using a Canon 600D with a swivel out screen so you can see yourself (remember to look at the lens and not the screen) so you can see when the coast is clear. Otherwise you have the tail end of cars, white vans, red cars and all sorts of other stuff in the picture. I am holding the small camera remote control in my right hand
(I do not trust others to take pictures for me ; I have a hopeless picture of me standing proudly at the ........ of Good Hope )