Is my tent too heavy for cycle touring

[Bikerchick]

If this is your first tour, why not ditch the tent, enjoy the cycling and book accommodation as you go along. Much more enjoyable. I never camp, after all I'm going cycling not camping

[willem jongman]

For me the camping is part of the attraction. I spend quite a bit of time in boring business hotels, and the basic simplicity of lightweight camping and 24 hour outdoor life is a welcome change.
Willem

[foxyrider]

now looking at a 3 man vaude tent 6 lbs £150 seems I dont need expedition equipment for summer months,will do the seams with seam sealer and use proofer for extra protection.

If its a Vaude tent you shouldn't need to do the seams my old Taurus Ultralight has never had any retreatment/proofing in a dozen years of use.

I use a Gelert 600 3 season sleeping bag - cost me about £50, weighs @ 400 grams which i supplement with a 100g silk bag liner which i can use on its own if its hot or make the bag an extra season. In a compression bag its about an 8"x4" tube.

[Onwards]

Try one night with what you have before dashing out to buy new gear. Find a campsite at an attainable mileage (the number you think you can do minus 10 miles) cycle out, cook on the stove, sleep under canvas, pack up and cycle home.

You might not enjoy the whole cycling and camping experience and decide nice beds and decent showers (like my husband) the the way to go but if you do enjoy it (like me) do your research and swap kit out over time - you don't have to it all at once.

We learnt loads on our early shake downs.

Em

[pjclinch]

Try one night with what you have before dashing out to buy new gear. Find a campsite at an attainable mileage (the number you think you can do minus 10 miles) cycle out, cook on the stove, sleep under canvas, pack up and cycle home.

A good idea, though I'd actually test things out closer to home. Pack the bike so you know what you would have will fit, and then unload and camp in the garden (if you have one, borrow a friend's otherwise). Much better to realise that you have no tent pegs 2 minutes from where you left them than miles from home, and if you do hate it it's easy to bail with a minimum of tears. You can also add things easily overnight and check there's space to pack them in the morning.

Pete.