So I'm going to shortly embark on my first cycle camping weekend(s).
I already have a decent bike, rack & panniers (Ultra Galaxy, Tubus Cargo rack & Ortlieb back rollers).
Got a cheap tent - Vango Alpha 200 (Might eventually upgrade if I enjoy it and venture further afield for longer than a weekend).
I'm now looking at sleeping mats and stove / cooking utensils.
Mats
What's the score with these self inflating matresses? When Mr Plax and I went tent shopping most places seemed to stock loads of self inflating mattresses and hardly any or none of the traditional foam mats. Some were surprisingly light but surely not easy to repack and how do you use them more than once?
Stoves
What is considered a decent weight for one of these?
I've seem this;
http://www.winwood-outdoor.co.uk/acatalog/Coleman_F1_Lite_ultra_lightweight_camping_stove.html
77kg, but then I expect you'll have to consider carrying a few gas cartridges. I expect I'll be using it for tea, soup, beans, porridge, super noodles etc
Pans/cooking utensils
Again what is considered a decent weight for these?
http://www.winwood-outdoor.co.uk/acatalog/Campingaz_5_Peice_Camping_Cook_Set.html
Although I expect 1 pot and a kettle would be more my forte.
Any advice welcomed. I'll be staying 1 night in Harlech in a few weeks with my old man who has a tent the size of a house and all the gear so I shan't suffer too much if I forget anything and he is the BBQ king so I'll not need to lug any food with me (I'll be cycling down to join him, only about 30 miles from mine so thought it would be a good trial run).
I'll then be going to the Welsh Festival of Cycling end of July. 2 nights there and I'll be driving down Fri after work so will have the car then.
Finally I'll be going to Bala for the weekend, cycling down, will be just under 50 miles from mine. So a few "mini tours" to get myself settled.
PS I have an old 2 season mummy bag that weighs 1.5kg so that will also have to do for now, I expect you can get much lighter sleeping bags nowadays.
I already have a decent bike, rack & panniers (Ultra Galaxy, Tubus Cargo rack & Ortlieb back rollers).
Got a cheap tent - Vango Alpha 200 (Might eventually upgrade if I enjoy it and venture further afield for longer than a weekend).
I'm now looking at sleeping mats and stove / cooking utensils.
Mats
What's the score with these self inflating matresses? When Mr Plax and I went tent shopping most places seemed to stock loads of self inflating mattresses and hardly any or none of the traditional foam mats. Some were surprisingly light but surely not easy to repack and how do you use them more than once?
Stoves
What is considered a decent weight for one of these?
I've seem this;
http://www.winwood-outdoor.co.uk/acatalog/Coleman_F1_Lite_ultra_lightweight_camping_stove.html
77kg, but then I expect you'll have to consider carrying a few gas cartridges. I expect I'll be using it for tea, soup, beans, porridge, super noodles etc
Pans/cooking utensils
Again what is considered a decent weight for these?
http://www.winwood-outdoor.co.uk/acatalog/Campingaz_5_Peice_Camping_Cook_Set.html
Although I expect 1 pot and a kettle would be more my forte.
Any advice welcomed. I'll be staying 1 night in Harlech in a few weeks with my old man who has a tent the size of a house and all the gear so I shan't suffer too much if I forget anything and he is the BBQ king so I'll not need to lug any food with me (I'll be cycling down to join him, only about 30 miles from mine so thought it would be a good trial run).
I'll then be going to the Welsh Festival of Cycling end of July. 2 nights there and I'll be driving down Fri after work so will have the car then.
Finally I'll be going to Bala for the weekend, cycling down, will be just under 50 miles from mine. So a few "mini tours" to get myself settled.
PS I have an old 2 season mummy bag that weighs 1.5kg so that will also have to do for now, I expect you can get much lighter sleeping bags nowadays.