Fab Foodie
hanging-on in quiet desperation ...
- Location
- Kirton, Devon.
I thought I'd start something about reducing weight when touring .... though I'm sure it's been done before, but hey-ho!
In May 2015 I did my first cycle-camp/mini tour since the mid 80s. It was the yacf long Itch camping weeekend. 60 miles from home, lots of helpful people If I cocked-up or forgot anything, a pretty low risk re-entry to holidaying by bike.
Years of various family camping in-between meant I had most of what I needed in terms of bicycle bags, Trangias, sleeping kit etc. and for extra fun decided to take the newly acquired Brompton.
I had 2 large saddlebags that I could fit on the Brompton and packed and re-packed to see what I could squeeze aboard. A new tent was definately on the cards and a Vango Banshee 200 seemed to fit the bill. What's more is I could fit Brommie and all inside. I did need to add a seat-post rack to accommodate tentage however. The resulting load is below:
much to my surprise it worked well! Kit wise It was around 15 kgs from memory. Apart from the Brompton lacking low gearing for lumpy bits it was a super beast of burden and I had a great time!
Cooking by Trangia and Meths, old down bag + Hunka bivvy bag, Gelert inflatable reed bed, clothes, sandles odds and sods.
All was well. Probably carried too much clothing, but a success!
The next opportunity was September and I decided to take the Rourke:
Pretty much the same kit-wise but the Rourke lacking front bags really didn't ride so well. Also in the damp September mornings I was getting cold in the old down bag partly due to the airbed. Also the Trangia was overkill for heating duties. Clothing also needed attention.
Roll on the winter and a bit of thinking....
I missed the May yacf Long Itch trip, but planned for the outer Hebrides in the summer.
This time I decided to lighten the load even though I was going for longer.
I chanced a Bivvy and Tarp with Hostel back-up instead of the tent.
The Trangia was replaced by a pocket-stove, Alpkit Ti Myti mug and Tifoon for eating duties. Esbit fuel taking less weight and space than Meths.
A new Alpkit down bag and 3/4 self inflating mat with an old foam mat replaced the gelert air bed for warmth.
Cycle shoes and sandals were ditched for regular walking shoes and flip-flops
Less cycle-specific clothing and more dual-use kit. Broad rimmed sun-hat hat not cycle caps. The bulky Paramo still came along for foul weather duties.
I don't have the weights, but with the now 12 speed Brompton with a low range gear set, the Outer Nebrides were easily conquered. The new kit worked well, I was warm, dry and had hot food when I needed it.
So now to Long Itch Sept 2016 .... I decided to go with the Rourke again, but as light as possible. In fact less than 10kg including bags and everything.
Instead of the Bivvy and Tarp I took the Banshee flysheet and poles only. Further trimmed my dual-use clothing, cycle shoes and flip-flops and added a small bar bag for the small useful bits. Paramo left behind for tatty old Altura almost-waterproof.
So nowhere near ultralight yet, not cutting handles off toothbrushes .... but getting there!
So what are your weight/volume learnings?
In May 2015 I did my first cycle-camp/mini tour since the mid 80s. It was the yacf long Itch camping weeekend. 60 miles from home, lots of helpful people If I cocked-up or forgot anything, a pretty low risk re-entry to holidaying by bike.
Years of various family camping in-between meant I had most of what I needed in terms of bicycle bags, Trangias, sleeping kit etc. and for extra fun decided to take the newly acquired Brompton.
I had 2 large saddlebags that I could fit on the Brompton and packed and re-packed to see what I could squeeze aboard. A new tent was definately on the cards and a Vango Banshee 200 seemed to fit the bill. What's more is I could fit Brommie and all inside. I did need to add a seat-post rack to accommodate tentage however. The resulting load is below:
much to my surprise it worked well! Kit wise It was around 15 kgs from memory. Apart from the Brompton lacking low gearing for lumpy bits it was a super beast of burden and I had a great time!
Cooking by Trangia and Meths, old down bag + Hunka bivvy bag, Gelert inflatable reed bed, clothes, sandles odds and sods.
All was well. Probably carried too much clothing, but a success!
The next opportunity was September and I decided to take the Rourke:
Pretty much the same kit-wise but the Rourke lacking front bags really didn't ride so well. Also in the damp September mornings I was getting cold in the old down bag partly due to the airbed. Also the Trangia was overkill for heating duties. Clothing also needed attention.
Roll on the winter and a bit of thinking....
I missed the May yacf Long Itch trip, but planned for the outer Hebrides in the summer.
This time I decided to lighten the load even though I was going for longer.
I chanced a Bivvy and Tarp with Hostel back-up instead of the tent.
The Trangia was replaced by a pocket-stove, Alpkit Ti Myti mug and Tifoon for eating duties. Esbit fuel taking less weight and space than Meths.
A new Alpkit down bag and 3/4 self inflating mat with an old foam mat replaced the gelert air bed for warmth.
Cycle shoes and sandals were ditched for regular walking shoes and flip-flops
Less cycle-specific clothing and more dual-use kit. Broad rimmed sun-hat hat not cycle caps. The bulky Paramo still came along for foul weather duties.
I don't have the weights, but with the now 12 speed Brompton with a low range gear set, the Outer Nebrides were easily conquered. The new kit worked well, I was warm, dry and had hot food when I needed it.
So now to Long Itch Sept 2016 .... I decided to go with the Rourke again, but as light as possible. In fact less than 10kg including bags and everything.
Instead of the Bivvy and Tarp I took the Banshee flysheet and poles only. Further trimmed my dual-use clothing, cycle shoes and flip-flops and added a small bar bag for the small useful bits. Paramo left behind for tatty old Altura almost-waterproof.
So nowhere near ultralight yet, not cutting handles off toothbrushes .... but getting there!
So what are your weight/volume learnings?
...not much help to the thread mind.
