Triumphrat

Tigerbob

After 40+ years I thought I would like to go off camping for the odd night or two.

Can anyone recommend a fold up lightweight tent and sleeping bag that will sit on the back of my Tiger.

Are these 1/2man foldup plastic tents any good.

I don't want to spend hundreds of pounds but wish to remain dry and relatively warm when camping.

What do you take? Bare essentials and rely on washing facilities and the chance there might be a pub open in the morning for breakfast.

Really looking forward to getting away for the odd night.

Can you recommend any half decent biker friendly sites up to 100 miles from Brum

nobby400

There are loads of tents and sleeping bags on the market that are light and fold up small. THis place is worth a look http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/

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http://www.badgerbadgerbadger.com/

boocat

Euro hike tents are good-around £30-40 from millets. Sleeping bag £20 and ground mat(essential as you will feel the planet sucking everylast piece of heat out of you-£6)

Kit

A pub is handy for booze to help you sleep

gas cooker (£20), mess tins £5, lighter 55p, plates and cup.

take camping shop food or tinned curry and boil in the bag rice (and opener). a foldable water canteen £5, bogroll- nick some from work, clothes and toothbrush.

MUST TAKE A PUCK OR CRUSHED COKE CAN FOR SIDESTAND

Torch and candle latern (nice warm camping glow not the cold LED glow)

book of ghost stories and some paranoia about madmen outside.

spare socks and some carrier bags.

Sites : I really like Devils Bridge near Aberystwyth, bike friendly, pub and cafe for breckfast but not too big or commercial. Good sheltered spots so you won't bake in the heat. Work out where the sun rises and make sure you will be in the shade when it does.

Have Fun

B

Dusty

Me too! Camped a lot with the family in the UK and France but fancied heading off on the bike for some solo time. The above advice is spot on. I got a Lichfield Navaho 2 man tent in a sale for a tenner. Buy a 2 man tent or one with a large porch to store your gear. Mine's a single skin design but was fine last weekend in the garden for a rainy night so should be OK for short trips. One person cook set, self-inflating mattress(more comfortable and warmer than a foam pad), small stove, lighter, headtorch, Ortlieb waterproof bag for the tent, mattress and sleeping bag. Spare clothes in poly bags inside soft panniers, sandals/trainers for feet that have been in bike boots all day.A cosy hat is easily packed and can ensure a decent night's sleep in cold weather. I learned this in my winter hillwalking days but it applies to the odd summer night too(at least it does in Scotland, especially for those of us who like the fashionable minimal hair look!)
Tie a length of string to your sidestand puck and keep it in your pocket or tankbag so that you can place and retrieve it easily from the saddle. A lightweight bike cover keeps the seat dry overnight. Enjoy your trips! :wink:

FifeTiger

As above....

Halfords have some surprisingly good value stuff which will be fine if you're a fair weather, irregular camper. Half price at the mo I think and there are some 'packs' which might give you everything you want to start with.

Bit like every hobby, once you've bought some gear you just feel the 'need' for more/better stuff.

If you're not a camp in a field type, then most campsites these days have decent shower facilities and either shop on site or nearby.

Fancy something slightly more comfy and easier to pack, try.... www.wigwamholidays.com

TigerLilly

Having recently been bitten by the same urge and from the praticality of touring and running out of places to stay when they are needed most. I have just made a similar purchase.

I settled on Lightwave T3 trek xt Now it wasn't cheap £350 but as I am going to the Northcape this summer I wanted something that may with stand bad weather. You may also get similar and cheaper by reducing the person capacity - we went for a 3 person tent.

To go with this and allow the kids to camp albeit it in the UK summer we choose this Wynster Merlin 3 for a fifth of the cost. A good tent but it is visibly bulkier and heavier and not half as good strapped to the rear of the bike.

What I could also recommend is Therm-a-rest this is a self-inflating matress and the assocaiated chair is a dandy and not at all bulky to carry on the back of a bike.

I reckon choosing the kit you need like sleep, cook etc then one luxury

All the best

Lil

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You’d lean on the wind when the wind came by,
You’d say to the wind when it took you away:
‘Thats where I wanted to go today!’

robbie

i have just got one of these
only used in the back garden as yet!
tent

nice price for the space.

having a dry place for gear is a must when on a bike

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Robbie and 'Mohan' the original Silver Tiger
TIGER 955i 2003
My Photos

Tigerbob

Thanks everyone, just the sort of info I was looking for. Getting excited now that I have read your comments and looked at a few magazines and websites.

Don't us boys love new hobbies and interests. It gives us the chance to do some investigation, check prices and specs, try a couple of things and then go out and BUY, BUY,BUY. Six months later it will time for an upgrade to a better spec, buy more goodies and add ons. BRILLIANT!!

Now where will I store all this new gear?

I think it will sit nicely along side the Bikes, Cameras, Fishing gear, Golf clubs, 12 bore shotguns, computers, Hi-Fi, C.Ds, L.Ps 8 track players, Betamax video etc etc etc.

BoneyMalloney

I thought i was the only one that went camping on his own, after reading this post it seems that everyone is doing it!

When you choose a tent look for one with a porch outside the sleeping area - you don't want to sleep with your boots and damp jacket! I use a Vango Spirit 200. Buy one of them orange emergency bags to cover the grass/mud in the porch area.

Thermarest is a must! I usually take a summer sleeping bag (folds down small) and a seperate liner. I also take a small gas stove/pan/pot and a small gas lantern. Eat in a pub at night and cook your own breakfast in the morning. Don't forget tea/coffee and a water carrier (camelback).

Fill your panniers and put the rest in a dry bag strapped to the back.

You will probably find that everyone and his dog stops to talk to you and their first question - Is it really a Triumph? I didn't know Triumph still made bikes... A great way to spend the weekend and wake up to fantastic views!

From Birmingham you've got the Peak District, Lakes, North Yorkshire, Wales, just ride around, most campsites can usually squeeze a single bike on, especially if it's late.

Good luck, you can't beat the great outdoors and remember;
There's no such thing as bad weather - just bad clothing...

Chris.

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Chris.