Cycling and Camping

[Holy Warrior]

This is probably already knocking around somewhere but searching didn't throw up what I was after. I'm looking for a thread which contains the definitive list of what you need/ need to be prepared for to do a short cycling holiday. There's great threads like the Touring Tips but as single posts it's a bit boggling!

I want to start light at first and this I think is quite simple; I arrange to be dropped off at a place that I use as my base then do a few days cycling before going home.

If i build it up incrementally from there the next step would be to catch the train out somewhere and follow the above, but the big thing is now I've to carry all my gear with me and here it gets tough. I could pile some stuff in a big backpack, off the top of my head - tent, stove, sleeping back, clothes, bike accessories. I wouldn't know what's essential or a 'luxury' and then I've no idea how much harder it would be to ride with this backpack on. Help for a total C&C noob but who wants to taste the fresh air please!

 

[BigonaBianchi]

If you are just going to put up a tent in a field and ride around each day ...then..if it were me I'd just take the tent, thermorest mat, sleeping bag, inflatable aircraft type pillow, and my cycling clothes. I'd eat in the local pub/café etc and just treat the tent as a place to sleep.

If you are looking to carry stuff on the bike from place to place...different ball game...

Bike should be able to carry a rack and panniers etc..better than a rucksack as the bike takes the weight instead of you...

tent
sleep bag
sleep mat
pillow (someone will tell you to stuff you clothes in your pannier and use that...don't listen lol!)
Bike tools (basic)
Maps
bike light is your torch
Bike clothes
Trangia or gas stove if you insist on cooking
Kitchen sink (leave it at home)

 

[doog]

A rear rack and two panniers will carry all the stuff you need including your clothes, sleeping bag,mat and cooking equipment. Can your bike take a rack ? You dont want to be carrying a heavy, sweaty back pack when you can let your bike take the weight of your stuff.

If you are trying this touring lark out for the first time and are unsure if it will be a hobby worth seriously investing in, get a Blackburn rack or similar and a couple of reasonably priced panniers and the equipment listed by the extremely experience chap above and you will be half way there.

Dont rush, half the enjoyment is researching the equipment you need, you will find numerous threads on every single item on the list above and never ending debates on saving weight etc.

 

[gma]

I just cycled/camped my way across Wales (Shrewsbury to Fishguard) with two rear panniers, two small front panniers, and a bar bag. It was a 4 1/2 day tour.

Before I set off I made a detailed list of everything I took with me, and then when I got back I made a note of the things I took but didn't actually use. I can post that online somewhere if you'd be interested…

 

[Hitchington]

I always take too much gear when I go off touring and camping, but boy, do I like a bit of luxury when I'm in the middle of the Highlands or elsewhere. For me the essential luxuries are: -

1. Folding stool
2. Non stick frying pan
3. Portable DAB radio
4. Pillow

Everything goes in panniers, nothing on my back.

 

[Holy Warrior]

Yeah the first couple of trips I wouldn't mind using somewhere as a base and just taking typical camping gear which may include a stove/ food. Mainly just to see if I enjoy being out there alone, I may not be able to persuade people to join me.

Thankfully, I think I've seen the little eye-hole things near the seat post and above the quick release stuff over my back wheel on my roadie

 

[Sara_H]

Really recomend Panniers rather than a rucksack.

 

[andym]

Different people have different definitions of luxury - for example I put my clothes into a small Muji packing cube and it works fine as a pillow.

Decent tent, sleeping bag, a set of warm dry clothes to change into at the end of the day, something to keep you dry, riding clothes. Set of lights.

If you've never been cycle touring or camping before then you could tip your toe in the water by staying in hostels or B&Bs to start with.

 

[Brandane]

Even if you're not carrying a whole lot of luggage, I would recommend having front panniers as well as rear, if possible. On my first cycle camping trip I didn't have a front rack so crammed everything onto the back - 2 panniers plus a tent strapped onto the top of the rack. The weight distribution (or lack of it) made the bike handle like a dog. On my next and subsequent trips, I had a front rack and panniers and it was a huge improvement. You don't need to fill them; try to keep the weight down in any case, but split what you have between front and rear.

 

[P.H]

I've been cycle camping for a while and still don't have a definitive list, though it is getting better. It depend on all sorts of factors, where, when, what bike, what you have available, how much you want to spend.
The only thing that I can be definitive about is that a poor nights sleep will spoil my day more than carrying an extra couple of kg.

 

[Dave Davenport]

Even if you're not carrying a whole lot of luggage, I would recommend having front panniers as well as rear, if possible. On my first cycle camping trip I didn't have a front rack so crammed everything onto the back - 2 panniers plus a tent strapped onto the top of the rack. The weight distribution (or lack of it) made the bike handle like a dog. On my next and subsequent trips, I had a front rack and panniers and it was a huge improvement. You don't need to fill them; try to keep the weight down in any case, but split what you have between front and rear.

Depends on the bike. I use rear panniers, tent on top of the rack and a bar bag and I've never had a problem, be it off road or 50mph down an alpine descent (good job I didn't need to stop in a hurry mind you).

 

[toomanybikes]

I like to use front and rear panniers for weight distribution, however don't take everything thinking you will need it, you wont. Why not try a night or two on your own without cooking equipment? This is what i did and after a long day in the saddle, a meal and few pints i'm sheeted up by 9pm.

 

[snorri]

Thankfully, I think I've seen the little eye-hole things near the seat post and above the quick release stuff over my back wheel on my roadie

You'll know when you have got all the stuff you need, the frame of your roadie will flex noticeably.
You can do lightweight touring with a roadie, but if you want to do longer tours a touring bike will greatly enhance your touring experience.

 

[vernon]

My first tour was on a roadie adn boy, did the frame flex alarmingly when applying some power through the pedals. It was worrying at first but either my pedalling action improved quickly or I got used to the flex.

A DAwes Galaxy transformed the comfort and the experience of cycle camping.

 

[willem]

I have just come back from a short tour in the Ardennes and Eifel. I only used two front panniers at the rear, plus my tent on top of the rack, plus a bar bag. Luggage included sleeping bag, mattress, warm clothing (including something to be presentable at night), Trangia 27 stove, food for three days (the shops etc would be closed for the holiday). It all fitted inside the small panniers, with just a little spare space (but not much). This was possible thanks to a compact PHD minimus 200 sleeping bag and an Exped Synmat UL. If you take a larger sleeping bag and/or less compact mattress, you will need the larger rear panniers. For me this was an experiment in going even lighter than before because there would be a lot of climbing, and it was surprisingly easy. Go earlier in the season and you will need warmer and more bulky sleeping kit, however. At night it was a few centigrades above freeezing, and that is I think about the comfortable limit of both this sleeping bag and this mattress (I don't believe the mattress' advertised temperature range of minus 4).
If you intend to use a road bike, you really must keep your luggage weight this low.
Willem