I've done my first bike camping this year and had some great adventures.
Started off with a dry run on a campsite down in Suffolk, then progressed to my semi-wild camping adventure up west coast of Scotland, then back down to Suffolk for the wedding of the friends I made during my first visit.
It went pretty well, I suppose main things I learnt were:
- Travel light, I went too heavy, some stuff I didn't need, and I need more compact kit, in particular the sleeping bag. Compact is good, just make sure it's up to the job.
- If wild camping or even finding accommodation as you go then dont plan so long a ride that you're exhausted, allow plenty of time and start looking for a place to bed down early.
- Be comfortable with your touring/riding kit, different people favour different approaches, ive found a higgley piggely approach which works for me. Just make sure your comfy, warm, safe and waterproof. Don't let variable weather ruin a trip, be kitted out and don't be too soft. Where possible use kit that doubles up as both riding gear and camping/evening wear.
I'm very much looking forward to more bike camping adventures next year. Definitely Scotland again, probably further afield too.
The only downside is my usual riding group won't camp, too soft, so I find myself alone, which I'm fine with, fairly independent type, but adventures are best when shared. I'm really interested in many of the group trips proposed on here over recent weeks, but haven't been able to commit to anything yet as am changing job in new year and so need to let dust settle.
I completely agree that a tent you can sit up in is a good idea, you need somewhere to relax but be a little out of the elements. Mine is good in that respect, but the flip side is that I get a bit stressed in windy conditions that it's going to fly away. Is that a real concern or am I just being paranoid?
Andy
Started off with a dry run on a campsite down in Suffolk, then progressed to my semi-wild camping adventure up west coast of Scotland, then back down to Suffolk for the wedding of the friends I made during my first visit.
It went pretty well, I suppose main things I learnt were:
- Travel light, I went too heavy, some stuff I didn't need, and I need more compact kit, in particular the sleeping bag. Compact is good, just make sure it's up to the job.
- If wild camping or even finding accommodation as you go then dont plan so long a ride that you're exhausted, allow plenty of time and start looking for a place to bed down early.
- Be comfortable with your touring/riding kit, different people favour different approaches, ive found a higgley piggely approach which works for me. Just make sure your comfy, warm, safe and waterproof. Don't let variable weather ruin a trip, be kitted out and don't be too soft. Where possible use kit that doubles up as both riding gear and camping/evening wear.
I'm very much looking forward to more bike camping adventures next year. Definitely Scotland again, probably further afield too.
The only downside is my usual riding group won't camp, too soft, so I find myself alone, which I'm fine with, fairly independent type, but adventures are best when shared. I'm really interested in many of the group trips proposed on here over recent weeks, but haven't been able to commit to anything yet as am changing job in new year and so need to let dust settle.
I completely agree that a tent you can sit up in is a good idea, you need somewhere to relax but be a little out of the elements. Mine is good in that respect, but the flip side is that I get a bit stressed in windy conditions that it's going to fly away. Is that a real concern or am I just being paranoid?
Andy