Getting the kit together

[Holdsworth]

Okay so I have been cycling for just over a year now and I now have bike that I will be able carrying camping equipment on (Revolution Country Traveller). I think that instead of a full blown multi-day tour I will be cycling the 100 miles, preferably in a day, to my regular campsite in North Wales and staying for the week and then cycling back. It's not a massive undertaking I know but I would really like to do it for once. I just need to get the right kit that will be suitable for hauling about on the bike.

1. Tent: I have a Vango Zetes 200 at the moment which is the lightest tent I own. It weighs 3.5kg according to the bag. I haven't a clue whether this would be too heavy or bulky with it being 56x16x17cm when packed in it's bag. Could this be taken on a rear rack or should I be looking at something more lightweight or compact for cycling?
2. Sleeping bag: Another item I think I need upgrading. I have a rather bulky Eurohike 3 season bag which packs down to a 1 foot cube (27l) so I really feel that something that packs down smaller is a must. That bag would be way over the limit of a single pannier, mine are 20l each.
3. Lights: At the moment I haven't any lights to speak of apart from some cheap battery LED lights, I think it might be wise to take some form of light with me even on a short tour like mine. I haven't the money to get a hub dynamo fitted so it'll have to be a bottle one instead. I have heard mixed thoughts about them and I wouldn't know which to go for so some advice would be appreciated.

I think that it is all but if I think of anything else I'll be sure to add it to the list and as always I am thankful any advice offered

 

[corshamjim]

I can certainly recommend a bottle dynamo. They range in price widely. Mine, the Nordlicht 2000 is mid-priced and seems to do the job very well. Of course you'll need a lamp to go with it - B&M are a good brand to go for, and they have a good range in different prices - make sure you go for a LED one as the bulb lamps tend not to be anything like as bright. Personally I didn't bother powering my rear lamp from the dynamo as the batteries on the rear last me a month even during the winter commuting anyway.

When mounting a bottle dynamo, you need to take care that the axis of the dynamo lines up with the axle of the wheel so that the dynamo wheel will rotate against the tyre with as little friction as possible.

 

[Dayvo]

With regards to sleeping/resting, I wouldn't go cheap to sacrifice comfort.

Tent: 3.5 kg is quite heavy, but if you have a rack to strap the tent to between two panniers, you'll be OK. For solo trips I use a http://www.xxl.no/villmarksliv/telt-lavvu/telt/nordmarka-2-telt-1037133 and with the missus a http://www.outdoorkit.co.uk/product.php?product_id=5530&gclid=CPeyuLie9KkCFYQXzQodlTrIaQ

Sleeping bag: there are plenty of of small lightweight bags - it just depends on your budget and when you travel. You could also use silk sheets for extra warmth (and they fold up very small).

Mattress: I use and thoroughly recommend the Exped range. My preferred choice is the http://www.simplyhike.co.uk/products/Exped/DownMat7Pump.aspx which is warm, very comfortable and folds up pretty small.

And I have a small pillow http://www.sleepingbagshop.co.uk/mammut-ajungilak-air-pillow.html

After a hard day's riding, I really look forward to a good night's kip!

 

[chris-s]

I've been equipping myself for a short tour next week and depending on your budget you can go much lighter and more compact.

I went with a small vango helium tent weighing in at 1kg, a vango sleeping bag at something like 600grams and a lightweight thermorest neoair bed plus a small pillow. It was more than I wanted to spend but I had nothing else suitable so decided to bite the bullet and save the weight, as a result everything taking, including the baggage, weighs less than 9 kilos.

Shop around and you can save quite a bit. I got a 100% silk liner off eBay from Vietnam for £11.

I dare say what you've got will be fine for what you have in mind, but if you want to replace something look at replacing the heaviest items first.
Chris

I

 

[Arch]

Okay so I have been cycling for just over a year now and I now have bike that I will be able carrying camping equipment on (Revolution Country Traveller). I think that instead of a full blown multi-day tour I will be cycling the 100 miles, preferably in a day, to my regular campsite in North Wales and staying for the week and then cycling back. It's not a massive undertaking I know but I would really like to do it for once. I just need to get the right kit that will be suitable for hauling about on the bike.

1. Tent: I have a Vango Zetes 200 at the moment which is the lightest tent I own. It weighs 3.5kg according to the bag. I haven't a clue whether this would be too heavy or bulky with it being 56x16x17cm when packed in it's bag. Could this be taken on a rear rack or should I be looking at something more lightweight or compact for cycling?

You could carry it on the rack, but it's probably needlessly heavy. For cycle camping, I use an Argos Pro-Action one man (woman!) tent. Cheap, but works fine for non-extreme conditions. Not always available, but there are similar tents out there.

http://reviews.argos.co.uk/1493-en_gb/3400779/reviews.htm

Mine's about 1.7kg, quick to pitch, fairly easy to pack up again. Not hugely roomy, but enough for me and my bags.

Sleeping bag: Another item I think I need upgrading. I have a rather bulky Eurohike 3 season bag which packs down to a 1 foot cube (27l) so I really feel that something that packs down smaller is a must. That bag would be way over the limit of a single pannier, mine are 20l each.

A down filled bag will cost more, but pack down smaller. But have you tried your bag in an extra compression sack (a bag with built in straps that can be tightened gradually). My down bag is bulky in the simple bag it came in, in the compression bag, I can get it to half the volume.

Lights: At the moment I haven't any lights to speak of apart from some cheap battery LED lights, I think it might be wise to take some form of light with me even on a short tour like mine. I haven't the money to get a hub dynamo fitted so it'll have to be a bottle one instead. I have heard mixed thoughts about them and I wouldn't know which to go for so some advice would be appreciated.I think that it is all but if I think of anything else I'll be sure to add it to the list and as always I am thankful any advice offered

Bottle dynamos work fine, if set up properly. But I think adding a dynamo would be at the bottom of my list for touring - I wouldn't intend to be riding in the dark. With LEDs, you can get some decent lighting for relatively little cost. Plus, your front light becomes your torch inside the tent. In fact you can get some good front light with pretty cheap LED torches, found in Millets or even discount and poundshops, and ziptied to your handlebars. (and rear light, if you stick some red stuff over the lens.) (I've nothing against dynamos, but for me their benefit is for year round commuting, when I need the reliable light every day.)

If you're on a budget, do you have a branch of Wilkinsons nearby? They have some camping stuff at the moment. My other half got a mat, bag, and little pillow, all of which worked fine, and while they weren't ultra light or small, they weren't huge and heavy either.

If you're not on a budget, have a look at Alpkit. I gather from the in-crowd that you're no one until you have a titanium spork. Or Chopsticks!

http://www.alpkit.com/shop/cart.php?target=category&category_id=253

(yes, I succumbed to the spork. I also got a 3/4 mat from them which felt very good when I lay on it, and packs nice and small - not used it 'in the field' yet...)

 

[andym]

Decathlon is a good place to go for tents and sleeping bags - you can get lighter but only by spending a lot more.

I don't think you need a dynamo (but don't let me stop you). I'd carry a headlight that doubles as a flashing light plus a decent cateye rear light. Alternatively I've been quite impressed by the wind-up LED lights. Lights are useful to have for emergencies, but unless you are planning to tour in winter you'll need lights more for ensuring you are visible at twilight etc rather than to see where you are going.

EDIT: looks like Arch beat me to it.

 

[willem]

The biggest weight savings come from not needing front panniers and a front rack: 2-2.5 kg empty. This is only possible if your sleep system is compact. So that is where I would spend a limited budget (plus what you save from not having to buy front panniers and a rack). The Exped Synmat Basic (not the Pump model) is the best budget mattress that is also light (720 grams), warm and comfortable. There is also a Basic UL, at 420 grams, but that is not as warm. The Alpkit Pipedream 400 is a good budget sleeping bag with a temperature range that should be fine in most conditions.
The tent is heavy, but it does not matter that much for now. You can strap it on top of the rack. As for lights, it is nice to have them to get back from the pub. I like generator lights, and a cheap bottle like the Axa HR is fine if the budget is tight (about 16 euro). The B&M Lumotec round is the cheapest (10 euro) good headlight. I would prefer a generator taillight as these are more reliable (some 10 euro for a basic B&M model). Buy this stuff from a German web store or from Roseversand UK. If you want to spend more, there is the B&M bottle, the B&M Lyt headlight, and the B&M Line taillight). A truly minimalist and not quite legal alternative would be a rack mounted B&M battery taillight and a Petzl Tikkina torch/headlight. Only for very occasional use, I would say.
Willem

 

[Ticktockmy]

Okay so I have been cycling for just over a year now and I now have bike that I will be able carrying camping equipment on (Revolution Country Traveller). I think that instead of a full blown multi-day tour I will be cycling the 100 miles, preferably in a day, to my regular campsite in North Wales and staying for the week and then cycling back. It's not a massive undertaking I know but I would really like to do it for once. I just need to get the right kit that will be suitable for hauling about on the bike.

1. Tent: I have a Vango Zetes 200 at the moment which is the lightest tent I own. It weighs 3.5kg according to the bag. I haven't a clue whether this would be too heavy or bulky with it being 56x16x17cm when packed in it's bag. Could this be taken on a rear rack or should I be looking at something more lightweight or compact for cycling?
2. Sleeping bag: Another item I think I need upgrading. I have a rather bulky Eurohike 3 season bag which packs down to a 1 foot cube (27l) so I really feel that something that packs down smaller is a must. That bag would be way over the limit of a single pannier, mine are 20l each.
3. Lights: At the moment I haven't any lights to speak of apart from some cheap battery LED lights, I think it might be wise to take some form of light with me even on a short tour like mine. I haven't the money to get a hub dynamo fitted so it'll have to be a bottle one instead. I have heard mixed thoughts about them and I wouldn't know which to go for so some advice would be appreciated.

I think that it is all but if I think of anything else I'll be sure to add it to the list and as always I am thankful any advice offered

I think in this day and age of super lightwieght camping equipment,we tend forget not so many years ago your camping equipment would be considered to be Lightwieght. I guess that if your bike is as spec. still, it will have a rear rack which is able to haul 20 kg,s at least. So your spare clothes and food and cooking equipment can go in your panniers, buy a suitable waterproof stuff bag for your Sleeping bag, then the tent and sleeping bag can be strapped across the rear panniers and rack.
As for lights, at this time of year either buy a headlight which come in at cheapo to expensive depending on your budget.

For your trip you really will not need a front rack or panniers, althought there are those who say it spreads the load, They are just something more to manhandle.

 

[Holdsworth]

Well I can manage for now with the tent I have at the moment, heavy though it may be but what you say is true TickTock. I a sure it will be fine strapped across the rack on the rack. Sleeping equipment-wise I have found a good looking sleeping bag for sale in my local wilkos for £25, it comes in a very compact compression sack that will fit in nicely I think. I already have a foam roll mat for sleeping on so no need to invest anything there as it can strap across the rack parallel to the tent.

I don't have plans to attach a front rack to the bike, it isn't really needed with the amount of kit I am planning on carrying this year. Maybe next year but not yet.

 

[Dayvo]

I already have a foam roll mat for sleeping on so no need to invest anything there as it can strap across the rack parallel to the tent.

I'd think again, if I were you.

Those mats are unnecessarily bulky and at under an inch thick, offer no comfort at all: with sleep and rest being of the utmost importance, I'd get something decent.

 

[hubbike]

I'd think again, if I were you.

Those mats are unnecessarily bulky and at under an inch thick, offer no comfort at all: with sleep and rest being of the utmost importance, I'd get something decent.

They may be bulkier but are generally much lighter, warmer than any thermarest and much cheaper and don't get punctures. I slept on one of those mats for a year and slept like a log.

 

[Brains]

Rather than do 100 miles in a day, I'd do 2 x 50 miles and make a 'tour' of it.

Whilst the tent is big and heavy by today's standards, when I first toured, we did it with a Force10 which must have weighed in at twice that and poly fill sleeping bags that you struggled to get into a bin liner
So touring 'heavy' by today's standards is 'superlite' by yesterdays standards.

I'd go as you are, you will learn as you go along, but we used to think 40 miles in a day was good enough and 60 miles in a day a rare achievement.

 

[tbtb]

You may not need those lights very much, given it's dark for only 8 or 9 hours at the moment. I'd go with cheap, light led lights. Can dynamo lights be unclipped and used as required in the tent through the night?

The tent's heavy but you're in it for a week without having to move it throughthe week and it's pretty big, so that's good. Just avoid carrying too much water when you're carrying the tent - try to carry 500ml and replace as required rather than putting a 2l bottle onboard for the whole day!

 

[J-Lo]

For solo trips I use a http://www.xxl.no/vi...-2-telt-1037133

That is a lovely looking tent - practical too.. How much did you pay for that (in gbp?) I wonder if they ship to UK lol

 

[Holdsworth]

I have managed to get a tent sorted at the other end, it is being provided by a member of the group of people I stay with who drive down from Warrington. She is also letting me use a spare airbed so no need to carry the mat with me.

I bought a nice and compact 2 season sleeping bag from Millets today, it was on offer at £15 so I couldn't resist as it was a tenner less than a similar one from Wilko's.

I will be setting off on Wednesday and aiming to do the entire 95 miles in under 7 1/2 hours if possible. I should be alright doing that distance as I have lost a large amount of the load. Unfortunately the weather doesn't look good for Wednesday, high chance of rain and thunderstorms. I will make a concrete decision sooner to the date when the weather maps become more accurate.