Keeping clean/showering when free camping?

Specifically for cycle touring subjects & questions
User avatar
Sweep
Posts: 8444
Joined: 20 Oct 2011, 4:57pm
Location: London

Re: Keeping clean/showering when free camping?

Post by Sweep »

gbnz wrote: 21 Jan 2022, 6:53am
Sweep wrote: 20 Jan 2022, 10:11pm

not entirely sure how serious you are/whether you've done this much to be honest.

Of course I've done it. Last visit/shower was at the Camping and Caravan site at Keswick. It's no different to ensuring people get out of your way on a pavement

ah ok - with you now I think - I think you mean grabbing a free one - don't folk wonder about you getting to the shower with a fully loaded bike - ie if you were actually staying on the camp you would tend to go to the shower in your flipflops carrying minimal stuff.

(must admit I was once tempted to use some campsite facilities near Reedham Ferry after having camped by the side of the road the night before)
Last edited by Sweep on 21 Jan 2022, 11:59am, edited 1 time in total.
Sweep
User avatar
Sweep
Posts: 8444
Joined: 20 Oct 2011, 4:57pm
Location: London

Re: Keeping clean/showering when free camping?

Post by Sweep »

leftpoole wrote: 21 Jan 2022, 9:18am
Sweep wrote: 20 Jan 2022, 7:39pm Kind of self explanatory really.

Top tips please.

(declaration - pondered this when sorting solutions to a recent short-term domestic boiler breakdown. Have freecamped a fair bit (tents/bivi bags) but not for long enough to become a real issue)
Any decent Outdoor retailer can sell you Biodegradable 'wet wipes' which are large enough for an 'in tent' clean. Finding a real toilet is obviously a bonus at times. Wild Camping is supposed to be 'wild'...
A previous thread talked about human waste and what to do with it whilst 'Wild Camping'. I did not make any comment at that time. So here it is. Please read and absorb.
Country Code, outdoor practice states bury human waste, take paper waste (yes) in a poly bag and dispose of in a sanitary place. Please do not bury toilet paper.
There were a number of people whose attitude was and most likely still is, 'ignore the rules and do what you like'. This I think is a typical response of those of lesser intelligence who do not actually Wild Camp.
I can hardly cycle anymore, but I have a Triumph Bonneville motorcycle. I am intending/hoping to go up to Scotland in a few months. Wild Camping is not an offence. I shall be hopefully making the most of it.
Happy days and Happy New year to all!
thanks for the biodegreadable wet-wipe tip (tho am not a great fan of)
in that other thread I don't recall folk saying do what you like at all to be honest.
Have never had that idea of folk on here.
On the toilet paper, opinions (all well meaning) differ I think. No-one of course suggesting just leaving it around.
Sweep
gbnz
Posts: 2554
Joined: 13 Sep 2008, 10:38am

Re: Keeping clean/showering when free camping?

Post by gbnz »

leftpoole wrote: 21 Jan 2022, 9:10am
gbnz wrote: 20 Jan 2022, 9:30pm Suppose it's quite useful to have an assertive manner. Just walk onto a larger campsite, head to the toilet/shower block, have a shower, perhaps a shave and then depart. It's important to ensure you don't try it on an owner occupied/attached to farmhouse type site and obviously have the small towel, discreetly rolled up in a carrier bag.

Whilst obviously issuing a positive smile and "hello, isn't it lovely" comment to those passing by, while bending down to pat the cat :wink: Suppose I've been challenged once in the past three years, needed the toilet passing through Hawes, North Yorkshire
Obviously you are aware that theft is a crime?
Yes, having served in a specialist statutory enforcement role on behalf of HMG, I had noticed. But can't say I'd regard filling a water bottle, having a wash or a shi.....to be theft (Nb. Particularly with the last, as I'll left some of my personal possessions behind. If they want to keep it :wink: )
gbnz
Posts: 2554
Joined: 13 Sep 2008, 10:38am

Re: Keeping clean/showering when free camping?

Post by gbnz »

Sweep wrote: 21 Jan 2022, 10:48am
don't folk wonder about you getting to the shower with a fully loaded bike
[/quote]

Duh.......wouldn't that be rather like asking permission to have a free shower from the owner, or asking if they'd mind if you pitched your tent on the verge outside the campsite and camped FOC overnight, whilst using their facilities?

Lock your bike up 4-5 minutes down the road and wander onto site. Rather like my local town; personally I'd lock up undercover across the road at a choice of two supermarkets or local authority gym, prior to using the facilities at the rugby club caravan site across the road. Or that temporary campsite with the portable toilet bock out of town, 0.75 miles from the nearest building

Personally I wouldn't wander onto that farmers ex garden, with 6 tent pitches under his kitchen window and try to access his farmhouse outbuildings where I presume the facilities may be. You may get caught :shock:
User avatar
Sweep
Posts: 8444
Joined: 20 Oct 2011, 4:57pm
Location: London

Re: Keeping clean/showering when free camping?

Post by Sweep »

gbnz wrote: 21 Jan 2022, 12:03pm
Sweep wrote: 21 Jan 2022, 10:48am

don't folk wonder about you getting to the shower with a fully loaded bike
Duh.......wouldn't that be rather like asking permission to have a free shower from the owner, or asking if they'd mind if you pitched your tent on the verge outside the campsite and camped FOC overnight, whilst using their facilities?

Lock your bike up 4-5 minutes down the road and wander onto site. Rather like my local town; personally I'd lock up undercover across the road at a choice of two supermarkets or local authority gym, prior to using the facilities at the rugby club caravan site across the road. Or that temporary campsite with the portable toilet bock out of town, 0.75 miles from the nearest building

Personally I wouldn't wander onto that farmers ex garden, with 6 tent pitches under his kitchen window and try to access his farmhouse outbuildings where I presume the facilities may be. You may get caught :shock:
no doh/duh about it.
I'm personally not leaving a loaded bike that far from me while i go and have a shower.

i can foresee a doh! moment on returning.
Sweep
User avatar
andrew_s
Posts: 5795
Joined: 7 Jan 2007, 9:29pm
Location: Gloucestershire

Re: Keeping clean/showering when free camping?

Post by andrew_s »

Take your shower with you. Pressurized with your bike pump, and warmed in the sun.
https://www.ultralightoutdoorgear.co.uk ... wer-p13449
User avatar
Sweep
Posts: 8444
Joined: 20 Oct 2011, 4:57pm
Location: London

Re: Keeping clean/showering when free camping?

Post by Sweep »

andrew_s wrote: 22 Jan 2022, 10:44am Take your shower with you. Pressurized with your bike pump, and warmed in the sun.
https://www.ultralightoutdoorgear.co.uk ... wer-p13449
mm - impressive so thanks - tho not entirely convinced :)
Sweep
User avatar
TrevA
Posts: 3551
Joined: 1 Jun 2007, 9:12pm
Location: Nottingham

Re: Keeping clean/showering when free camping?

Post by TrevA »

gbnz wrote: 20 Jan 2022, 9:30pm Suppose it's quite useful to have an assertive manner. Just walk onto a larger campsite, head to the toilet/shower block, have a shower, perhaps a shave and then depart. It's important to ensure you don't try it on an owner occupied/attached to farmhouse type site and obviously have the small towel, discreetly rolled up in a carrier bag.

Whilst obviously issuing a positive smile and "hello, isn't it lovely" comment to those passing by, while bending down to pat the cat :wink: Suppose I've been challenged once in the past three years, needed the toilet passing through Hawes, North Yorkshire
I regularly stay on campsites in my Campervan, many have a door code to the toilet/shower block, that is only disclosed to those who’ve paid for access to the site.

On the other hand, our group does a regular group ride from a car park in Derbyshire. We nearly all drive there. What I do is take a flannel, go to the toilet block in the car park, wet the flannel under the tap (preferably the hot tap if there is one), go into one of the toilet cubicles and have a quick body rub down with the wet flannel, dry off and change clothes. Job done.

I’ve also employed this technique when commuting to a workplace that didn’t have a shower.
Sherwood CC and Notts CTC.
A cart horse trapped in the body of a man.
http://www.jogler2009.blogspot.com
Post Reply