Ultralight wild camping across western Europe

[hippyonwheels]

doh, just realised how old this original message is, oh well hope it was a good trip!

[Ptolemy]

Use panniers or some sort of carrier. 6 or 7 lbs sounds a little underweight for camping. I have never toured that light except in the UK when I used hostels 95% of the nights, and even in that drought summer it probably was heavier than that. I did a 4,500 mile tour carrying 65 pounds of gear. It was too much and more than I needed and I knew better, but oh well, that's what I did. If you can do it that light, more power to you.

[Ptolemy]

Well, yes, the date. I will have to start reading the fine print. That one is probably over and done. But how could anyone travel that light. A spare tube and necessary tools for punctures and such would be a couple of pounds. Then you have a ground pad, and even a light tarp would be a pound. Then there are clothes, beverages, snacks, pegs for setting up the tarp / tent, etc. Fifteen to twenty pounds might be more like it, I think.

I can cross the continental USA's southern tier of states in winter with about thirty pounds of gear. I have done it a number of times already.

[horizon]

6 or 7 lbs sounds a little underweight for camping.

I agree - but it depends what you mean by "camping". As dougieB said above, you don't need a stove or cooking utensils. You don't need a tent either - just a sheet of plastic to wrap yourself in at night. In fact all you need for cycle "camping" in Europe is a passport, some basic clothing and a bicycle. Until we agree on what we mean by "camping" these discussions about weight are going to be somewhat circular.