coopman
New Member
- Location
- Central West Scotland
Did my first tour last week, just a short one, Glasgow to Inverness, 206 miles, but was a good starting point to see how it would be and if I enjoyed it.
Scenery was amazing, followed the Sustrans route mostly.
Weather was a bit wet for 2 of the days, so switched from my tent to hostels (was always part of plan).
Did 65, 50, 55 and 30 miles each day. I think to enjoy it a bit more Id kept distances down to 50 or under each day. I was a lot slower with the gear on bike than I though I would be, and of course Scotland is Hilly!
Here is a list of gear I took in case anyone is fancying a go and not sure what to bring. I pretty much used it all.
Bike - Saracen Venturer 4 hybrid, performed brilliantly
Sleeping bag (one that squished up really small)
3/4 self inflating mattress (from millets)
Tent - Gelert Solo, a budget 1 man tent, but did well in rain and is light, small though.
Extra Groundsheet to put under tent (glad i had this)
Cooking pot small with lid
sponge scourer and small container of fairy
Knife/fork/spoon
Swiss army knife
matches
Camping Gaz stove with small gas cannister
Water purification tabs (for rough camping)
plastic mug/bowl/plate
Bike bottles x 3
Teas/sugar/powdered milk
Hot chocolate sachets
Emergency rations for wild camping (hill walker meals and rice and pasta meals from supermarket)
Cereal Bars x 8
Energy gel sachets x 8
Helmet
Puncture kit, spare tube and misc tools to fit bike
Lock
Pump
Bike lights
Pen and Pad
Compass and maps
Headset torch
Freeloader to charge mobile phone
Pastic bags
3 glow stick to put out side tent at night
Small first aid kit
Insect repellent
Toiletries
Half a kitchen roll
3 cycling t shirts
2 long sleeve cycle tops
4 socks/jocks
Cycling jacket
2 cycling shorts (waterproof altura-baggy)
3 pairs of padded under shorts
cycling gloves water proof and fingerless
1 set casual clothes for eveings
midgie helmet
insect repellent
The only thing I wished I had was neprene overshoes to keep my feet dry!
All fitted in 2 rear pannier, handlebar bag and under seat tool bag, ten on top rear pannier.
Panniers were just halfords specials, but they held out alright in rain, that said i did line them with bin bags. The outside zip pocket let water in.
Killed my mobile with rain in handle bar bag, should of bagged it in a sandwich bag or similiar!
The only things I am tempted to change would be a slightly bigger tent and suffer the extra weight for the comfort when weather is bad.
hers a few pics of the bike laden, me camped and a taste of the scenery you can expect.
Happy trails!
Scenery was amazing, followed the Sustrans route mostly.
Weather was a bit wet for 2 of the days, so switched from my tent to hostels (was always part of plan).
Did 65, 50, 55 and 30 miles each day. I think to enjoy it a bit more Id kept distances down to 50 or under each day. I was a lot slower with the gear on bike than I though I would be, and of course Scotland is Hilly!
Here is a list of gear I took in case anyone is fancying a go and not sure what to bring. I pretty much used it all.
Bike - Saracen Venturer 4 hybrid, performed brilliantly
Sleeping bag (one that squished up really small)
3/4 self inflating mattress (from millets)
Tent - Gelert Solo, a budget 1 man tent, but did well in rain and is light, small though.
Extra Groundsheet to put under tent (glad i had this)
Cooking pot small with lid
sponge scourer and small container of fairy
Knife/fork/spoon
Swiss army knife
matches
Camping Gaz stove with small gas cannister
Water purification tabs (for rough camping)
plastic mug/bowl/plate
Bike bottles x 3
Teas/sugar/powdered milk
Hot chocolate sachets
Emergency rations for wild camping (hill walker meals and rice and pasta meals from supermarket)
Cereal Bars x 8
Energy gel sachets x 8
Helmet
Puncture kit, spare tube and misc tools to fit bike
Lock
Pump
Bike lights
Pen and Pad
Compass and maps
Headset torch
Freeloader to charge mobile phone
Pastic bags
3 glow stick to put out side tent at night
Small first aid kit
Insect repellent
Toiletries
Half a kitchen roll
3 cycling t shirts
2 long sleeve cycle tops
4 socks/jocks
Cycling jacket
2 cycling shorts (waterproof altura-baggy)
3 pairs of padded under shorts
cycling gloves water proof and fingerless
1 set casual clothes for eveings
midgie helmet
insect repellent
The only thing I wished I had was neprene overshoes to keep my feet dry!
All fitted in 2 rear pannier, handlebar bag and under seat tool bag, ten on top rear pannier.
Panniers were just halfords specials, but they held out alright in rain, that said i did line them with bin bags. The outside zip pocket let water in.
Killed my mobile with rain in handle bar bag, should of bagged it in a sandwich bag or similiar!
The only things I am tempted to change would be a slightly bigger tent and suffer the extra weight for the comfort when weather is bad.
hers a few pics of the bike laden, me camped and a taste of the scenery you can expect.
Happy trails!