Camping and stuff

[BillyJ]

So I haven't been camping in years since I used to go into the countryside with my parents. My girlfriend and I both want to go out and do some camping, I just passed my driving test but insurance on a car is 10 grand... LOL.

So we want to take my bandit into the country somewhere, park up, start a fire and camp for a night.

Am I dreaming or is this still a thing? Also can I go on the bike, I'm a bit scared of taking a heavy bike, loaded up with loads of stuff to a potentially muddy place! andddd what needs to be brought along?

Tent
Sleeping bags
Food
...
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[Clanger]

[chickenstrip]

Oooh, I love a good camping thread!



Hang on a minute. It's winter isn't it? Where's that badger thing the Shaggy D.A. posted when you need it?
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[BillyJ]

All useful expect for this

[BillyJ]

[FrankGill]

Rucksacks not a good idea on a bike. Get some cheap Oxford soft panniers just to start with maybe a tank bag. Checkout UK Campsite on line to find campsites that still allow open fires. Good luck and enjoy.
P.S The Missus and I have done several trips both home and abroad 2 up on a 500, so any bike can tour if you really want to.

[c-m]

Tent, self inflating mat each (warmer than airbeds), sleeping bags suitable for the weather. If you get a left zip one and a right zip one you can zip them together.

Those are the essentials anything is a bonus.

To carry the stuff get a waterproof roll/duffel type bag. Around 44-60 litres should be fine.

Get some panniers for your clothes and other gear. Oxford lifetime sports ones are good and have a huge capacity but cost about £120, though you can sometimes find them half price.

You can get often get cheapo ones for £30 and they'll do for while.

[The Shaggy D.A.]

[yodagoat]

What C-M says.
Make sure you get a decent self inflating mat. They're not too expensive these days. I dunno about anywhere that's decent near London. If you were to come up here to Scotland I could direct you to loads of places that would tick the box. Some are super remote and others have a pub within walking distance.
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[mentalboy]

[Ste]

Campsites are no good!! They want you to pay money and they don't let you cut trees down to have a bonfire with.

How necessary panniers are and what to take would depend on how long you're going for but a huge top box should be plenty. You'll take lots of stuff the first time you go and then when you get home you'll discover that you've not touched most of it. From then on, your packing skillz improve.

As to "hang on a minute, it's winter isn't it?"... thats why you take a good sleeping bag and thermarest mat. You also need a beer jacket for extra warmth and a suitably large fire.

[nowhere.elysium]

If you want to do the whole 'with training wheels' version of camping for your first go, there's a campsite in Debden (first exit off the M11), which is sufficiently country-flavoured to determine whether or not it's for you.

Of course, fortune favours the brave - do the BCF BBQ as your first one, and see how manly you really are.
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[Matt B]

If I was doing this in the winter then I wouldn't bother with a tent. I would be looking at sites with Camping Pods.

No faffing about carrying a tent, warmer, dryer and you don't have to sod around packing away wet gear. Plus less to carry on a bike that doesn't have panniers.
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[delsol]