Mini Tour
- Thread starter F70100
- Start date
Page may contain affiliate links. Please see terms for details.
Matt-g
Senior Member
Hi just a couple of quick questions, as I'm considering a small starter trip myself...
What sleeping bag do you use?
What about a sleeping mat, which one?
Finally, which tent? (I'm 6' tall and struggle with a lot of backpacking tents)
How do you rate all of the above ?
Thanks in advance
What sleeping bag do you use?
What about a sleeping mat, which one?
Finally, which tent? (I'm 6' tall and struggle with a lot of backpacking tents)
How do you rate all of the above ?
Thanks in advance
OP
OP
F70100
Who, me ?
Sleeping bag is a Vango Ultralite 600. (Widely available). Rated at a comfort temperature of +5; I first tried it at home on a night when the forecast was for a minimum temp of +5 but woke up cold at about 2am. I was using the sleeping mat (more below) but the bag was the only insulation around me (no jimjams for me
). Decided to go back indoors and found a thin layer of frost on the outside of the tent... I'm happy with the bag - I don't really intend to use it in temperatures as low as this.The sleeping mat I got is an Exped SynMat Ultralite 7. (I got mine from Facewest). I got the MW size (short and thick?). Very impressed with this. I chose the Exped rather than a Thermarest because I believe their argument that the longitudinal tube construction with slightly bigger outer tubes stops you rolling off it in the night. Seems to have worked so far. One thing I have struggled with is a satisfactory pillow. I have been using the sleeping bag stuff sack with my fleece inside it but it keeps slipping off the top of the mat. I've put a neck pillow (the ones folks use for sleeping in aeroplane seats) with my kit to try next time.
My tent is a Vango Banshee 200. I'm 5'8" (173cm) and the Banshee has a published inner length of 225cm. It's fine for me. The Banshee 300 is listed at 228cm. I'm currently in two minds as to whether I got the right tent (200 or 300). There's 0.5kgs difference but bags more room in the 300. For cycling (and motorcycling) the 300 would probably be better but I might use it for backpacking (West Highland Way, Cumbria Way etc) and I think I'll be glad not to have that extra half kilo then! Either way, I think Vango represent excellent value for money.
Douggie954
Well-Known Member
I've got the 300 and I think it is worth the extra weight.
midliferider
Guru
- Location
- Northampton
What exactly is the bike?
Canondale what model?
Canondale what model?
OP
OP
F70100
Who, me ?
Synapse Aluminium 105 (2014).
I'm not sure if it's entirely suitable for this sort of thing but it is the bike that I've got. It seemed stable enough with the weight on the back but I'm not sure sure it would stand up to an extended (2-3 weeks) tour.
midliferider
Guru
- Location
- Northampton
I have done a week tour, just under 500km in B Twin Triban 3 road bike with 26 c tyres. It was in Portugal. But I only carry just about 8kg in a small overnight bag on a seat post luggage rack. I am too lazy to camp and find cheap b and b.
- Location
- The TerrorVortex
Chapeau!
I've done a couple of overnight tours, and in terms of bang-per-buck it's hard to beat them. Cheap b&b, pub meal and a few pints, and you've got a nice trip and still some weekend left. And you can get a bit further afield than you might in a day.
I've done a couple of overnight tours, and in terms of bang-per-buck it's hard to beat them. Cheap b&b, pub meal and a few pints, and you've got a nice trip and still some weekend left. And you can get a bit further afield than you might in a day.
Ticktockmy
Guru
- Location
- Crawley, West Sussex
Its so nice to see a neat touring setup, so often you see peeps touring with stuff piled high in a cumbersome heap on the back rack. with no clue where anything has been stowed.
OP
OP
F70100
Who, me ?
http://www.edwardstonewhitehorse.co.uk
Anyone fancy a group ride there? There's some holiday cottage type accommodation there too if anyone prefers that sort of thing.
Anyone fancy a group ride there? There's some holiday cottage type accommodation there too if anyone prefers that sort of thing.
Bodhbh
Guru
It looks a really good pitstop for an overnight trip, but as I'm in Salisbury it's out my range!
