22-01-14, 09:49 PM
My general guide for what size tent you want is:
If it says one man = very pokey
two man = one man
three man = two man etc.
Remember if you're camping with the bike, you may well want to keep some of your bike kit in the tent at night too, especially if you don't have a top box/hard panniers.
Fly sheet up first is definitely the way to go. Means you can be in shelter very quickly, fit the inner later when the weather has improved.
The tent I use most is this one:
http://www.vaude.com/en-GB/Products/Gear...green.html
I actually paid less than £300 for mine - I know, still pretty expensive, but I judged it to be the most suitable for what I wanted it for, and it has performed really well. It comes with titanium wire pegs, but I've added some titanium V stakes for good measure. Silnylon, so totally waterproof, lightweight mesh inner, like silk, room enough in the porch bit (just) to cook without setting the tent on fire, and plenty of room to get all my kit, including bike gear, inside at night. I'm 6' 2'' and can stretch out full length in it with space to spare. Very high hydrostatic head on the groundsheet (i.e. very waterproof). The inner goes up in one with the outer, but can be detached to use outer only. The inner can also be tensioned independently from the outer to a degree.
Sleeping bag is this:
http://www.westernmountaineering.com/ind...ntentId=69
I'd say it was a 3 season bag, i.e. warm enough on it's own for everything except winter temps, somewhat too warm for mid summer really, but then I unzip it all the way and use it like a duvet, or use just a silk liner. Goose down, packs down pretty small, much smaller than an equivalent warmth synthetic bag. Pertex equivalent outer shell, water resistant. The downside of down bags (excuse the crappy pun) is that if they do get wet, they take forever to dry out again, but all in all, I prefer them. Don't let them get wet in the first place, is the easy answer!
If it says one man = very pokey
two man = one man
three man = two man etc.
Remember if you're camping with the bike, you may well want to keep some of your bike kit in the tent at night too, especially if you don't have a top box/hard panniers.
Fly sheet up first is definitely the way to go. Means you can be in shelter very quickly, fit the inner later when the weather has improved.
The tent I use most is this one:
http://www.vaude.com/en-GB/Products/Gear...green.html
I actually paid less than £300 for mine - I know, still pretty expensive, but I judged it to be the most suitable for what I wanted it for, and it has performed really well. It comes with titanium wire pegs, but I've added some titanium V stakes for good measure. Silnylon, so totally waterproof, lightweight mesh inner, like silk, room enough in the porch bit (just) to cook without setting the tent on fire, and plenty of room to get all my kit, including bike gear, inside at night. I'm 6' 2'' and can stretch out full length in it with space to spare. Very high hydrostatic head on the groundsheet (i.e. very waterproof). The inner goes up in one with the outer, but can be detached to use outer only. The inner can also be tensioned independently from the outer to a degree.
Sleeping bag is this:
http://www.westernmountaineering.com/ind...ntentId=69
I'd say it was a 3 season bag, i.e. warm enough on it's own for everything except winter temps, somewhat too warm for mid summer really, but then I unzip it all the way and use it like a duvet, or use just a silk liner. Goose down, packs down pretty small, much smaller than an equivalent warmth synthetic bag. Pertex equivalent outer shell, water resistant. The downside of down bags (excuse the crappy pun) is that if they do get wet, they take forever to dry out again, but all in all, I prefer them. Don't let them get wet in the first place, is the easy answer!