Ok, let me clarify a little more on this pillow set up I use. Firstly, yes I've tried various methods of wrapping different types of clothing up that weren't particularly successful or comfortable. What I now use - you've seen the roll-top waterproof bags I spoke of? I keep clothing, electrical items etc in them usually. So, I take one of those, and carefully fold up a Primaloft jacket inside. If I want it a bit thicker, I can fold up some other clothing underneath it in the bag. It's not all just scrunched up in there. The bag allows me to trap more or less air inside too, so it's even adjustable. Primaloft is almost as soft as down, with the advantage that it doesn't "migrate", so you don't wake up with it all stuffed in one end of the pillow. Then, I wrap, again neatly, a thin fleece pullover around the whole thing. Fleece doesn't absorb much moisture, so it remains pretty dry, unlike a cotton cover would. I promise you, this is a very comfortable set up, and means I don't have to take an extra item of kit (this is me I'm talking about - the shorter the kit list, the less likely I am going to forget something ).So really, it's just a suggestion. It took me a few trips to discover that this works well, and is very comfortable. I DO appreciate that others have their methods, this is just another. But that was my intention when I started this thread, to get as many variations and suggestions from as many people as possible, so anyone can pick and choose what works for them, give some alternatives to consider.My experience, as I have said, largely comes from backpacking in the hills, where you have to be a bit merciless about every piece of kit you take - weight and bulk are far more important than being able to just pile it all up on a bike. Multi-use items allow you to do this. For my Lake District kit, I weighed EVERYTHING and spent much time agonising over what I could leave behind, and still have a combination that worked for all likely scenarios. Do I leave the tent inner behind? Do I take a bivvy bag too? Do I really need that extra cooking pan? I looked at all the combinations of stoves and cookware, checked their weights, read reviews about their efficiency, and so on, and so forth. In 2 months, I faced every kind of weather from snow and freezing, howling winds, to hot summery days where the air was quite still.This attitude came from walking for 2 weeks on the South West Coast Path - up and down 200ft combes in Devon, one after another, carrying heavy, cheap kit. I still wanted to do long distance backpacking, but had to face that this particular one, often in hot sunshine, just killed me, and I needed to go MUCH lighter.You don't have to do all this when camping with the bike. God knows, I've done the luxury camping method (as far as that's possible on a bike ) - big, 3 man tent, foldable table and chair etc etc. I've enjoyed both methods. Both have something to recommend them, as does tent and sleeping bag in bin liners and f**k off.Didn't mean to start a pillow fight! Gassit, I did not mistreat my Pacific Outdoor mattress. Again, I looked at all the available alternatives when I chose it, and it seemed like a great, lightweight option. I did read of others having problems with them puncturing easily, including Chris Townsend writing for TGO magazine, who also used one, on his walk of, I think it was the Pacific Crest Trail in the USA. Maybe he and I were just unlucky. As I said, the 2nd puncture was near a seam and couldn't be repaired so it would hold. But I would only use one again on a backpacking trip where weight is the supreme consideration. For bike camping, I now use something a little more sturdy. That's just my experience.
My favourite bit of kit is my self inflating mattress
my soft pannier caught fire on the M4 last year.
Hey chis what paniers will you use on your peugeot? haha
Quote from: bri h on 26 January 2014, 09:35:49 pmmy soft pannier caught fire on the M4 last year.
Quote from: ChristoT on 26 January 2014, 09:36:59 pmQuote from: bri h on 26 January 2014, 09:35:49 pmmy soft pannier caught fire on the M4 last year. Think Christo has found his next crash. turned corner in to a burning saddlebag
Quote from: midden on 26 January 2014, 10:11:42 pmQuote from: ChristoT on 26 January 2014, 09:36:59 pmQuote from: bri h on 26 January 2014, 09:35:49 pmmy soft pannier caught fire on the M4 last year. Think Christo has found his next crash. turned corner in to a burning saddlebagim waiting for the day he forgets he is in his car, and tries to filter in the peugeot
wouldnt feel bad about that mate. Im the same as Midden, a couple of times ive forgotten I was in the car and reacted to things like i was on the bike
Quote from: mickvp on 26 January 2014, 10:26:52 pmwouldnt feel bad about that mate. Im the same as Midden, a couple of times ive forgotten I was in the car and reacted to things like i was on the bike Yeah, but you guys still have bikes.... Back to the OP.Camping. Bad for your health. Cold & miserable. Support the B&B trade!!
Quote from: mickvp on 26 January 2014, 10:26:52 pmwouldnt feel bad about that mate. Im the same as Midden, a couple of times ive forgotten I was in the car and reacted to things like i was on the bike Yeah, but you guys still have bikes....
Quote from: ChristoT on 26 January 2014, 10:36:36 pmQuote from: mickvp on 26 January 2014, 10:26:52 pmwouldnt feel bad about that mate. Im the same as Midden, a couple of times ive forgotten I was in the car and reacted to things like i was on the bike Yeah, but you guys still have bikes.... You do still have a bike... its completely worthless and doesn't run, but that's besides the point I haven't ever had the urge, or even reacted to trying to filter whilst driving... but I do occasionally clip corners a bit closer than I probably should whilst driving sometimes...
@ Christo. CAMPING. GTFO!