basic touring questions?

[iand]

Basic touring questions:

1) Can you just rock up and put your tent up wherever you like? (either abroad or in the uk)
2) How much does a tent pitch cost at a campsite? (roughly)
3) What kit do you take? Eg spares and everything (I guess a lot of this depends on where and how far your going.

For example if you went touring in france for a week or so would you take any spares? Would you tent or youth hostel? How much money do you reckon it would cost doing it on a budget?

Bit vauge I know but would any help would be gatefully received.

[stinkwheel]

You can 'free camp' in Scotland, not in England and Wales. Don't know about the continent. Camping is usually around £5 per pitch, depending on the facilities.

Tools wise, take some sort of puncture repair outfit (either a can of foam or those plug things), chain lube, enough tools to adjust your chain and consider taking a cable repair kit and some spare fuses.

If you are doing a larger distance, check that there is enough wear left on your tyres, brakepads and chain to go the distance.

[doggone]

You need to be careful with "camping sauvage" as they call it in France -and most other countries really
A lot of country folks are very keen on shooting and such and might not approve of you stopping in there forest.

There's a degree of security for your kit left in a wardened site too.

The ideal scenario for camping in Europe (and here really) is a quiet campsite on the edge of a small town where you can arrive about 5pm, wander into town - or ride if lazy like me - have a meal, a drink, a look around, then next morning maybe go back in and stock up with picnic snack for the rest of the day.

[stinkwheel]

Here's a link to the Scottish outdoor access code.
https://www.outdooraccess-scotland.com/default.asp

[Gpz 900R]

Can't remember the name of it but if you search there are plenty of sites showing biker freindly sites, not all sites will allow bikes on, if you go speed ferries cost about £30.00 return to france, the municipal sites over there are cheap and usually in a town, spares wise i always take an indicator and clutch/brake lever along with what has already been said, make sure you have european breakdown cover and your insurance will cover you. Stay off the motorways in France as much as possible tolls can get expensive, there are some fantastic roads which run almost parallel to them. Look in WH Smiths or Waterstones they have books showing campsites across europe which you can also check out on the web.

[colin1]

one thing to be careful with, is that wet grass on camp sites is very slippy. Dont even think about using the front brake, and take it very carefully.

After a long ride, and arriving at the camp site, you can think the concentrating is over, and make a silly mistake.

Not that im admitting to anything...

[Gpz 900R]

Good point Colin, also remember to take something to put under your stand as your bike can quite easily fall over on the soft ground.

Don't ask me how i know

[Whosthedaddy]

[PsychoHippy]

[stinkwheel]

[Itchy]

Stink you should put up that pic of you camping infront of a no camping sign.
____________________
Spain 2008France 2007Big one 2009 We all die. The goal isn't to live forever, the goal is to create something that will. In the end, your life will flash before your eyes. Make sure it is worth watching.

[stinkwheel]

[Whosthedaddy]

[colin1]

not if you brought along a pre-emptied can...

[stinkwheel]

Amateurs!

When you buy your beer, you put one can in your tank bag. When you stop, you get the beer out, neck it, flatten the can, place it under the stand THEN get off the bike.

[PsychoHippy]