newish bikers 1st trip - kit list check *mini writeup &p

[stonedrose81]

Evening all,

So I'm heading off to the lakes for a few days (3 nights freeish camping) on my cg 125 on Monday and am starting to get my gear together. Input apprectiated and of course if anyone wants to come along/meet up on the way or can can suggest real ale pubs that might ley me pitch a tent etc.

Bike Kit - Other than the std toolkit from under the seat (all the important spanners/alan keys/levers etc are there) I'm taking a spare inner tube, gaff tape and a few nuts and bolts. Just done a decent service and it's not as if I'm doing the dakar - Is there anything else you think I reallly need?

My kit - I lived 18 months out of a 60 litre back pack so this is not gonna be big. 1 man tent (need to pitch it to check its all there (will post a review of the tent if it gets a good enough test. Sleeping bag (same). My homemade tuna tin wax stove (These are cool as fuck - I'll post photos of how to make one and in use). Waterproofs, riding gear, dry gear, hip flask(full of single malt) water bottle, Cambodian krama - the ultimate 100 use tea towel and thats about it. If you think I've missed owt, let me know.

Cheers
____________________
96 cg125 - Sold with regret
FZR 600 Genesis.

[stonedrose81]

Sorry - just to add, phone + charger, toothbrush, cigs, lighter, petrol/beer money!
____________________
96 cg125 - Sold with regret
FZR 600 Genesis.

[Rogerborg]

Strong wire. Recommended by that Che Guevara before he went all Planet of the Apes commie.

What are you intending to use to blow up that inner tube?

What kind of single malt?
____________________
Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

[Marmalade]

Torch or 12v light on a wire you can plug into bike battery
____________________
Nobby the Bastard: How yo tell the difference between the actual japanese and her just screaming because she's had live fish stuck up her arse? [url=https://www.nicks-shop.co.uk/bcf-goodies-15-c.aspGet BCF stickers and things here[/url] Reflective helmet stickers - Legal requirement in france - Clicky

[Parp]

Puncture repair kit. A tiny little first aid kit, more for camping than bike injuries!

I would love to see photos of a tuna tin stove

[stonedrose81]

cheers for the replys guys,

Yeah I did miss a few things of the list

Head torch
Opinel 3" knife
a bit of dry food but gonna eat in cafes/pubs most of the time
few sachets of that coffee, white with one
1st aid kit - roll of plasters (for more than just cuts) tea tree oil (antiseptic) pain killers.
Haven't got a spare innertube yet so will just make do with the repair kit - no way to pump it up myself so would involve a walk/hitch to the nearest petrol station.

The scotch is Balvenie signature 12 YO - very nice

Went digging around in the basement for my existing tuna tin stove but seems to have got lost in the move so will make another tonight and post pics - also a tent peg stand to put a pan over it (basically 4 pegs bent at 90 degrees about an inch from the top)

Oh yeah, I wanted to ask about charging kits/power provider and how to rig one up and where to fit it but I'm sure if I do a search on here I will be enlightened!
____________________
96 cg125 - Sold with regret
FZR 600 Genesis.

[Parp]

I got a wind up torch from Woolworths that had a bit you could plug in your mobile and recharge that too. It fitted my mobile, but maybe not all types. There are wind up everything and you could google for something that would work.

I would take a little disc lock that would fit in your pocket.

[pepperami]

Pictures and write up upon your return or we`ll send Warped round your house
____________________
I am the sum total of my own existence, what went before makes me who I am now!

[willis1337]

gaffa tape.

[Rogerborg]

Screw the bike, spill about the Balvenie. Aroma, smoothness, taste, aftertaste.
____________________
Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

[stonedrose81]

Ha, v smooth, light gold in colour, slightly nutty with vanilla creme on the finish. In fact I just finish this newcy brown and have a little nightcap!
____________________
96 cg125 - Sold with regret
FZR 600 Genesis.

[stonedrose81]

It's on offer in Tescos for £25 (normally £30-£35) If you can recommend any other light gold single malts let me know. Gonna try the Islay one next - anyone had it? Taste, aroma finish etc.
____________________
96 cg125 - Sold with regret
FZR 600 Genesis.

[Rogerborg]

If you haven't sampled Ardbeg yet, I'd recommend giving it a try. It's like they've bottled the aroma of a warm smouldering peat fire.

It's not for everyone; it's the Marmite of malts, except in the sense of being the total utter opposite of that minging jar of fetid crap.
____________________
Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

[stonedrose81]

wasn't sold until i read the last part of your post - thank god i don't suffer from a vitamin B deficiency as like you say "jarred, fetid crap"!

Will look out for it but will be after the Islay. I owe my neighbour (bike mechanic) a good drink after he helped me out with buying my bike and fixing the puncture I got within 100 miles and he's from the Isle of Skye so want to give him a taste of home - think Islay is a Skye one?
____________________
96 cg125 - Sold with regret
FZR 600 Genesis.

[Marmalade]

[stonedrose81]

Trip postponed due to football fixtures. Now going Sunday through Tuesday if anyone fancies meeting up somewhere along the way. Pics and a short write up will be done on return as will a few pics of the tuna tin stove in the making and in use.
____________________
96 cg125 - Sold with regret
FZR 600 Genesis.

[Scotsman37]

If you're parking your bike on soft ground then I would suggest taking a hard disc or piece of wood to put under where your sidestand would be touching the ground because it just stops it from sinking into the earth otherwise your bike may tip over during the night!

[stonedrose81]

Finally I'm off tomorrow for a couple of nights. Done a bit of a service today but really not much to do. Chain tension, fine. Tyre pressures, fine. Oil, slight top up but still clean - i'll check again on the trip and on return. Adjusted brakes slightly. There was a bit of an issue with the neutral light and a sticky speedo but now sorted and thats about it. Bought a new ten last week (gelert solo £25) so put that up today to see if all the bits were there - all good. Made a new tuna tin stove as my trusty old one must of got lost in the house move. If you want to make one you need an empty tuna tin or similar, corrugated card cut into strips across the corregations and some old candle wax. It's a good idea to take a couple of those little tea lights with you to use top it up too. If you use a mess tin whilst on tour then a sardine tin (or two) works well but as i just use a big metal mug to heat things up in then a tuna tin style is perfect. Pics attached..
____________________
96 cg125 - Sold with regret
FZR 600 Genesis.

[MinhDinh]

Water proof bag for spare clothes incase you get wet. I hated beig wet when I went camping.

Get a lamp from Argos. There is one that is green and has a giod rating. i have one and it lasted so many hours! Really bright too !

Insect spray is good, but not sure if there are any around now.
____________________
Hit the G spot.

[Beelzebob]

[stonedrose81]

So back in one piece with a big smile on my face and a brain full of ideas of where to go next. South Wales anyone? Thought I'd do a quick run through of the trip and mention a few things that I will be changing for the next trip. Also attached a few pics but as my good camera froze there's just a few off the iphone.

Loaded up the little bike and set of with a rough route through Skipton and Kirby Lonsdale to ogle over the bikes I might be on once i get this test sorted. Some nice twisties and a bacon roll later got my first view of Windemere. I've lived in the north most of my life but never been before for some reason. Spent a few hours just pootling around enjoying the views before thinking about camping somewhere. Hadn't planned anywhere but found a nice site with restraunt and bar so settled on that. Rode into the spot for tents and got chatting to a fella on a KTM 950, v nice and a bit jealous. Quickly pitched the tent and met him in the bar. No real ale on so had to settle on guinness before spying a bottle of Glen Morangie behind the bar. Not a bad way to spend a day really!

Woke up with a head like it had been in a vice all night, freezing and with an empty wallet - 1st lesson learnt, go steady on the pop! Pissed it down in the night and what with the hangover an' all, really couldn't be arsed packing up a wet tent so paid the £10 for another night. I had also decided to leave my ground mat at home with the view to finding some cardboard when i camped but totally forgot - 2nd lesson learnt, you lose x4 the heat to the ground as you do to air when just in a sleeping bag. Couple of mates had come up for the day in the car so met them and had a snooze in the back as the rove around for a bit. The mist meant you couldn't see the views much anyway so didn't really miss much. Nice dinner in a chinese and an early night (on top of some cardboard this time) ready for an early start.

Packed up and set off for a fat lads breakfast before heading back with a view of going through the trough of Bowland for some more twisties but must of took a wrong turn as I ended up on a similar route to the one i took North. Visited some family on the way back before getting back home looking forward to a hot bath and my own bed.

Did about 300 miles in all, getting 110mpg. Total cost < £100. Bike never missed a beat, tent (gelert solo) kept me bone dry and served its purpose, stove did the trick. Only thing that let me down was my own drinking ability (or my failure to say no more!)

Great first little outing, can't wait for the next. Few pics attached
____________________
96 cg125 - Sold with regret
FZR 600 Genesis.

[stonedrose81]

@ beelzibob - of course they are, silly me! Just tried the Bowmore Islay one. It's not my favourite, like it can't make it's mind up if it is a full blown peaty one or not.
____________________
96 cg125 - Sold with regret
FZR 600 Genesis.

[pepperami]

Good little write up & pics Go the tiddler tourers of this world
____________________
I am the sum total of my own existence, what went before makes me who I am now!