Bikepack,
70 nights a year bikepacking, bike and tent only, door to door?
Some of the travellers here do live in tents for part of the year, so I know it can be done; but they are static all the time, 'cept when they move on.
Camping equipment
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jb
Re:Camping equipment
What gear you use is largely down to personal circumstances and experience.
What is good gear for a regular back packer is not necessarily good for some one only doing a one off trip.
Personally I use a Terra Nova solar II which is made in Britain and is a good solid tent for two people, but if I go solo it also does for that. If all I did were solo trips then I’d consider some thing lighter.
Down bags are the ultimate small packsize warm bag but you need to look after them store them loose and only use them in a good tent that wont leak. If its going to be kicked about and mainly used for dossing around, buy a cheap synthetic bag.
Same goes for thermorest mats – fantastic comfy nights on any surface but need to cared for (stored inflated & not used for sledging in deep snow), otherwise stick to the good old reliable Karrimat.
What is good gear for a regular back packer is not necessarily good for some one only doing a one off trip.
Personally I use a Terra Nova solar II which is made in Britain and is a good solid tent for two people, but if I go solo it also does for that. If all I did were solo trips then I’d consider some thing lighter.
Down bags are the ultimate small packsize warm bag but you need to look after them store them loose and only use them in a good tent that wont leak. If its going to be kicked about and mainly used for dossing around, buy a cheap synthetic bag.
Same goes for thermorest mats – fantastic comfy nights on any surface but need to cared for (stored inflated & not used for sledging in deep snow), otherwise stick to the good old reliable Karrimat.
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mel
Re:Camping equipment
It looks like the Terra Nova Tent is British made and the spec for their Laserlite makes it the lightest proper tent around...I think. Has anyone had experience of living in the Laserlite?
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gar
Re:Camping equipment
www.climbersshop.com/SearchResult.aspx?CategoryID=27
Being able to sit up is quite useful, but it is £70 more expensive.
Being able to sit up is quite useful, but it is £70 more expensive.
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mel
Re:Camping equipment
No answer back from R.Saunders yet, but if not made in the UK would being a UK Owned Company be OK? That Laser Lite range looks good but are the quoted weights correct, R.Saunders quoted weights are bang on.
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mel
Re:Camping equipment
By the way gar,
I found out about that Terra Nova tent just by tapping a few keys on the computer, I'd tell my Mom how clever I am but she's been dead for 30 years so I'd have to pray hard.
I found out about that Terra Nova tent just by tapping a few keys on the computer, I'd tell my Mom how clever I am but she's been dead for 30 years so I'd have to pray hard.
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ronyrash
Re:Camping equipment
i do several months bike camping a year its my prefered way ov life.and my camping aquipment over the years as refined to a 2 inch thick piece ov foam ruber,body lenth,rolls up no prob.and a piece of thin polythene sheeting hanging from a bunjee tied between 2 trees if circumstances permit,if not the bike can b used for fixing 1 end what evers on offer for the other.
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biking-geordie
Re:Camping equipment
Done a LOT of biking and backpcking over the last 30 years. Can now say categorcally that modern equipment has made this progressively easier as the years have rolled by. My reccommendatons would be . .
TENT - Terra Nova Laser / Laserlite if you're going it alone and not kipping too high or too exposed to HIGH winds; or Terra Nova Voyager if you are camping high or in very windy conditions - bit heavier but can accommodate 2 so split the weight if you can. NOBODY makes tents as well built, designed and bombproof as Terra Nove. British company (Derbyshire) and their tents don't suffer from the condensation problems which seem to characterise Hillebergs - especially in very cold conditions. Also, if you're cooking in or near the porch of your tent you will get condensation in there. Terra Nova tents shift this quicker than any other tent I've come across. I know you shouldn't cook in a tent, but if it's lashing down with rain outside, you're cold, hungry and camped wild up on the side of a mountain somewhere . . . . you do it - very carefully.
Sleeping Mat: Thermarest ProlIte 3 or 4 3/4 length - no contest for a good nights kip.
Sleeping Bag: Mountain Equipment Dreamcatcher (Down filled). I use the '500' model. Why? COs they have a stretchy elasticated central portion which allows you to move about and bend your knees. I'm 6 ft, can sit cross-legged in it whilst having a brew in the morning before I get out of bed. Ideal.
Stove: Various - for super light I use a canister top MSR Pocket Rocket - not very stable though. For more stability and a bit more weight try a Primus Gravity. Gas again but a lot more stable. For overseas where gas cannisters are a problem use a Primus Onifuel, Burns unleaded Petrol Kerosene, Gas and even diesel if you're stuck.
Happy camping.
TENT - Terra Nova Laser / Laserlite if you're going it alone and not kipping too high or too exposed to HIGH winds; or Terra Nova Voyager if you are camping high or in very windy conditions - bit heavier but can accommodate 2 so split the weight if you can. NOBODY makes tents as well built, designed and bombproof as Terra Nove. British company (Derbyshire) and their tents don't suffer from the condensation problems which seem to characterise Hillebergs - especially in very cold conditions. Also, if you're cooking in or near the porch of your tent you will get condensation in there. Terra Nova tents shift this quicker than any other tent I've come across. I know you shouldn't cook in a tent, but if it's lashing down with rain outside, you're cold, hungry and camped wild up on the side of a mountain somewhere . . . . you do it - very carefully.
Sleeping Mat: Thermarest ProlIte 3 or 4 3/4 length - no contest for a good nights kip.
Sleeping Bag: Mountain Equipment Dreamcatcher (Down filled). I use the '500' model. Why? COs they have a stretchy elasticated central portion which allows you to move about and bend your knees. I'm 6 ft, can sit cross-legged in it whilst having a brew in the morning before I get out of bed. Ideal.
Stove: Various - for super light I use a canister top MSR Pocket Rocket - not very stable though. For more stability and a bit more weight try a Primus Gravity. Gas again but a lot more stable. For overseas where gas cannisters are a problem use a Primus Onifuel, Burns unleaded Petrol Kerosene, Gas and even diesel if you're stuck.
Happy camping.
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gar
Re:Camping equipment
This is a great thread. I have the same prob wiv my Mum, Mel. Trouble is I live in the same house now she did and she keeps on tweaking visitors on the shoulder when she annoyed
Ronny has a great way of life then; do you save out of your pension Rony?
Ronny has a great way of life then; do you save out of your pension Rony?
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bikepacker
Re:Camping equipment
Congratulations Bricycle, you have started a good thread here. Lots of information based on experience. Just what forums need.
Minor amendments, the latest Terra Nova tents such as the Laserlite are also made abroad. Also I had a TN Voyager that suffered worse condensation problems than either of my Hillebergs.
Regarding the comment about gas canisters can I did some research for Fell Club members and posted some info on their website. Look it up on www.fellclub.org.uk/notices.htm
it could be useful to all that use gas.
Also look on the Action Outdoors website at their range of new collapsable dishes and cups. www.actionoutdoors.co.uk
Minor amendments, the latest Terra Nova tents such as the Laserlite are also made abroad. Also I had a TN Voyager that suffered worse condensation problems than either of my Hillebergs.
Regarding the comment about gas canisters can I did some research for Fell Club members and posted some info on their website. Look it up on www.fellclub.org.uk/notices.htm
it could be useful to all that use gas.
Also look on the Action Outdoors website at their range of new collapsable dishes and cups. www.actionoutdoors.co.uk
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Bricycle
Re:Camping equipment
Wow! what a response. Thank you to everyone who posted a message. I appreciate them all, and will find them invaluable for my trips in the coming year.
A very happy Christmas to you all and happy cycling in 2006.
Brian
A very happy Christmas to you all and happy cycling in 2006.
Brian
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mel
Re:Camping equipment
Reply received from R.Saunders:-
Hi - Mel, With the exception of the "Trek" series, and Spacepacker mk. 2.
All our tents are made in Essex, England. Using sewing thread that has a
synthetic core, from Scotland. Webbing and Tape from Derbyshire and Fabrics
and Coatings are from the north of England. The fabrics for the Trek series
was from High Tenacity Ripstop Polyester woven and coated in Japan, and
machined in China. The Chinese fabrics not being acceptable to us in because
of rapid U.V. degradation, but their machining is good. Thank you for your
interest, please refer to: www.robertsaunders.co.uk
Hi - Mel, With the exception of the "Trek" series, and Spacepacker mk. 2.
All our tents are made in Essex, England. Using sewing thread that has a
synthetic core, from Scotland. Webbing and Tape from Derbyshire and Fabrics
and Coatings are from the north of England. The fabrics for the Trek series
was from High Tenacity Ripstop Polyester woven and coated in Japan, and
machined in China. The Chinese fabrics not being acceptable to us in because
of rapid U.V. degradation, but their machining is good. Thank you for your
interest, please refer to: www.robertsaunders.co.uk
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mel
Re:Camping equipment
I once met a Cycle Camper in France who had taken early retirement two years previously, he'd spent those two years cycle camping around europe, he'd been on the site I met him on for 6 weeks (2 quid a night), the only roof he'd had over his head for two years was a Saunders Spacepacker, need a say more?
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ds
Re:Camping equipment
no one has mentioned the macpac microlight tent. mine is is 8m years old and still going strong. its very light, sleeps 2 (at a push) and is, in my view, a bit of a design classic. see macpac.co.nz