Cycling UK Forum

Cowsham wrote:Normally at this time of year I'd be checking my camping kit inventory but this year everything is on hold for now, so I'm taking this opportunity to reassess my list of stuff I usually pack.

I thought it would be a good thing to find out what handy stuff other cyclists pack before a cycle camping trip. This could be from a new gadget to something very simple not normally be associated with camping.

I'll start with a simple one ;

Cut a 3" square of Scotch-Brite pad and pack with your dishes for cleaning after each meal. Unlike a cloth it's light when wet, won't need drying out, cleans much faster than a cloth and should last the whole trip.

mercalia wrote:hammock. These can be got quite cheaply if so called parachute silk and great for lounging around a campsite ( as long as there are some trees. )

Tangled Metal wrote:

Cowsham wrote:Normally at this time of year I'd be checking my camping kit inventory but this year everything is on hold for now, so I'm taking this opportunity to reassess my list of stuff I usually pack.

I thought it would be a good thing to find out what handy stuff other cyclists pack before a cycle camping trip. This could be from a new gadget to something very simple not normally be associated with camping.

I'll start with a simple one ;

Cut a 3" square of Scotch-Brite pad and pack with your dishes for cleaning after each meal. Unlike a cloth it's light when wet, won't need drying out, cleans much faster than a cloth and should last the whole trip.

We cut a cheapo, scratchpads sponge scouring pad in half and keep with some washing up liquid. Is that the same as scotch brite?

Yes but I find the cheapo versions we see round here wear out too soon and break down into bits
It's one squeeze and the water goes out of it.

We're a touring family so our kit tricks won't be what most on here would be interested in!!!!

Mike Sales wrote:I like to buy a paper daily.
It often comes in handy for mopping jobs in the camp and can be a welcome ground insulation.
It biodegrades, and of course you can read it.

Tangled Metal wrote:Anti histamine bite/sting cream plus germalene. Easter last year our son managed to get all of his forearm covered in nettle stings. It took anti histamine cream followed by the anaesthetic qualities of germalene plus Calpol for the sting to die down. I've never seen so many nettle stings since I ran through a shoulder high stand of nettles as a kid of primary school age without a t-shirt on. Then had to go back through it as there was no other way out!!! I know just how bad belt nettle stings can be for a kid. That's before you get bad insect bite reactions. You never know if your body is going to over react to bites from the bugs and midges in a new area until they have done their worst.

This isn't really camping stuff but I've seen people with really comprehensive first aid kits who can't do anything for you if you have a bite or sting reaction. Seriously people who could practically sew you back together or glue your broken tooth but nothing for common midge bite reaction.

For camping gear I would simply be boring; I'd say different types of pegs and a pole repair tube with duct tape. It's saved our first camping tour in a very wet Scotland after a brand new tent had a snapped pole early in the first week. Seriously, it snapped while our son was playing football away from the tent and we were sat outside. It just snapped about 2 hours after pitching it. No cause for it other than the pole cracked where the peg was fixed into the end of one pole. Without the sleeve and duct tape we'd have had to seek accommodation for the night followed by a long cycle to the ferry the next day. End of holiday issue.