biking and camping

eddclarke · Brolly Dolly Joined: 10 Jul 2006 Karma :

Hey

After a few successful camping trips with the gf and the bike last year, I want to get some better equipment. I have been looking at the Vango Spirit 300+ tent.

https://www.springfield-camping.co.uk/img/products/Vango/Spirit%20300+%202009/Pine%20-%20Black%20d.png

It is rather light, at 3.5kg ish, but provides plenty of space for two sets of textiles 2 helmets etc.

I got these bowls for xmas

https://cdni.llbean.com/is/image/wim/251002_237_41?wid=330&hei=295

I still need to get a better cookset, possibly Ti to save weight.

Ofcourse being on the bike, we are very limited for space. I have a tank bag, top box and soft panniers.

The one thing that I am struggling to find, is a decent air bed. Last year we just used a cheapo pump up double bed. But this was far too heavy (it weighed more than the tent). It would be nice if I could find a light weight version, because it was very comfy and kept us both off the ground. Most decent camping shops now seem to be selling this sort of this https://www.campmania.co.uk/category-2-36-Sleeping_Mats.aspx but I'm not sure if I will have the space for 2 of these on the bike.

What sort of gear do the rest of you use? Can anyone recommend gear that they use and trust?

Thanks
Ed
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Honda XR125L 06 ----> Yamaha FZ6 05 + ex SAS XR250 --> VFR800 + XR250r

G · The Voice of Reason Joined: 02 Feb 2002 Karma :

The stuff I use isn't really your 'traditional' bike stuff, but I like my 'black out' pop up tent:
https://gees.zenfolio.com/img/v4/p1028700300-3.jpg
Bit more hassle to carry, but not a big issue if you're carrying spare tyres anyway.
Along with that I have a 'Fat Airic' self inflating mat which slots into the bottom of a top-only sleeping bag.

I did get a multi-fuel stove for my last trip, but broke it on the first day before I used it, so just got hot food from cafes etc, which was fine for what I was doing.

eddclarke · Brolly Dolly Joined: 10 Jul 2006 Karma :

The pop up tents are kinda cool, but take up too much space, and when camping there will always be two of us on the bike.

I've been looking at the multi fuel stoves. I like the idea of being able to use the petrol from the bike if needed. How did you break yours so quickly?
____________________
Honda XR125L 06 ----> Yamaha FZ6 05 + ex SAS XR250 --> VFR800 + XR250r

G · The Voice of Reason Joined: 02 Feb 2002 Karma :

I broke the top off the 'pump' bit; my own stupidity really, not a design fault.

colin1 · Captain Safety Joined: 17 Feb 2005 Karma :

eddclarke · Brolly Dolly Joined: 10 Jul 2006 Karma :

G · The Voice of Reason Joined: 02 Feb 2002 Karma :

Mat goes underneath you, fluffy sleeping bag on top. Mat is held with the sleeping bag, so you can't roll off it.

After a bit of googling, I managed to remember the company that makes them - big agnes. This is the one I've got.
I went for a wider one, but I reckon I'd be happy with a narrower one thanks to the design (oddly, normally I feel a bit constricted by narrow ones, but in this case it felt like I could have had a narrower one, despite you being more 'locked in'.)

This explains how they work: https://www.bigagnes.com/Products/SleepingBags .

eddclarke · Brolly Dolly Joined: 10 Jul 2006 Karma :

Looks like a clever idea
____________________
Honda XR125L 06 ----> Yamaha FZ6 05 + ex SAS XR250 --> VFR800 + XR250r

Itchy · Super Spammer Joined: 07 Apr 2005 Karma :

Phoenix · Twisted Firestarter Joined: 01 Aug 2002 Karma :

I've got one of those orange gelert extreme self inflating mattresses, though it needs blowing up a bit doesn't seem to self inflate all that well only a few breaths needed though and it packs up pretty small, a little larger than my compact sleeping bag. It's definately better than an airbed as airbeds are full of cold air that doesn't warm up, the mats are foam and they warm up quickly and stay warm and they're not bouncy.

I also use a coleman sportster multi fuel stove, I run it off petrol as it's quite obviously easy to get hold of and nice to keep running for some heat after you've cooked as it gives off plenty, small bit of rubber hose and you can syphon petrol out as and when needed.

c-m · World Chat Champion Joined: 12 May 2006 Karma :

I use this tent for summers around Europe
https://www.venturesport.co.uk/images/products/product_5335.gif

I also carried two full size self inflating mats. Two self inflating pillows. 90l of luggage, mainly the gf clothes.

Here is a pick of my bike fully loaded.

https://fruitfulthoughts.co.uk/assets/images/featured_images/P6100253.JPG

All the camping gear inc two summer sleeping bags, is in that yellow 40l duffle bag. I think i also had my jacket lining in there too.

salty21 · World Chat Champion Joined: 07 Jun 2006 Karma :

stinkwheel · Bovine Proctologist Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

The vango spirit 200+ is plenty big enough for two people. The porch area is big enough to take all your gear so the sleeping area is just for sleeping in. The 300+ is comfortably huge but I can fit my 200+ into an oxford sports throwover pannier with enough room left over for my brew kit.

Something to remember. You are going on a motorbike, your kit does not need to be lightweight because you aren't having to carry it. What it does need to be is small.

Worth noting that many mummy sleeping bags come with a left or right hand zip. If you get one of each, they'll zip together to make a double.

If you put the rubber mesh stuff you use to stop your luggage rubbing the paintwork on the floor of the tent, your sleeping mats will stay put.

I've used a therm-a-rest thermal mattress for 9 years now (the same one) and I wouldn't go camping without it.

I've had a coleman dual fuel stove for 15 years, still going strong.

A good alternative if you're using a shop-bought stove is a triangia meths burner set. Reasonably bulky but it's all stacked inside itself, pans and kettle included.
____________________
“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

Itchy · Super Spammer Joined: 07 Apr 2005 Karma :

G · The Voice of Reason Joined: 02 Feb 2002 Karma :

eddclarke · Brolly Dolly Joined: 10 Jul 2006 Karma :

I'm with G on this, I like to keep the weight low. I worry I am putting too much weight on the bike (fz6n).

Stinkwheel: I will have a look at the spirit 200+ but the spirit range seem to be getting hard to find now.
____________________
Honda XR125L 06 ----> Yamaha FZ6 05 + ex SAS XR250 --> VFR800 + XR250r

Itchy · Super Spammer Joined: 07 Apr 2005 Karma :

stinkwheel · Bovine Proctologist Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

barnhatter · Nitrous Nuisance Joined: 05 Jan 2005 Karma :

Hi although I go alone here are a few suggestions
I use a backpacking blowup tube matress can be got from Argos or Millets for about £9 it rolls up small about 10 inches long by 2 inch diameter and find it as comfy as most air beds.
I have just got a trangina cooker, mine is for backpacking but they make them larger, Ebay sell ex swedish army sets from £7. The one I have is 6in dia by 2-5 in tall that includes burner saucepan and frying pan, it burns on meths.
Met a bloke on my last tour in france who gave me the idea he used his ex army one for 2. I have not used mine yet except for water, christmas present, but have high hopes for it.
Hope this is helpfull to you.

barnhatter · Nitrous Nuisance Joined: 05 Jan 2005 Karma :

Hi although I go alone here are a few suggestions
I use a backpacking blowup tube matress can be got from Argos or Millets for about £9 it rolls up small about 10 inches long by 2 inch diameter and find it as comfy as most air beds.
I have just got a trangina cooker, mine is for backpacking but they make them larger, Ebay sell ex swedish army sets from £7. The one I have is 6in dia by 2-5 in tall that includes burner saucepan and frying pan, it burns on meths.
Met a bloke on my last tour in france who gave me the idea he used his ex army one for 2. I have not used mine yet except for water, christmas present, but have high hopes for it.
Hope this is helpfull to you.