My First little (potential) tour.

[uphillstruggler]

Thanks! Will do! Can I ask what route you took? Be interesting to see if my provisional plan has any similarities - I'm also due a new casette soon and will be opting for a 32t one this time to help with the hills. I'm fairly competent weekend cyclist (80 miles, 7000ft climbing is very much in my "comfort zone" these days) I think my biggest problem will be pacing. I might keep my heart rate monitor on just as a reminder to keep it steady.

Everyone that's mentioned Tea and Coffee has pretty much sold me on the idea of a stove, so thanks for that!

im looking at one of these at the moment https://www.outdooraction.co.uk/cam...d-anodised-2-person-cook-kit-2015-pd-8753.php

I reckon my home made wood gassifyer will fit no problem into it, along with a lighter, some cotton wool and other bits and bobs.

my route took me from Milton Keynes, Worcester then through to new quay on the coast. if you use a website like cycletravel, you can plot your route and check the profile - which may be a good idea, just be carefull, it really takes you on the quiet roads even though they are vertical -or so it seemed with full kit on

 

[doog]

It's a one off in that I don't have anymore planned, but I suppose that depends how succesful It is! I would certainly like to do more, I think...

I'd be happy spending £150 on a tent. It's one of those things thats just good to have in general really, cycling or otherwise. Who knows when I might be made homeless!

There will be plenty of suggestions. I got one of these http://www.vaude.com/en-GB/Products/Tents/2-Person/Taurus-UL-2P-green.html

There's one on ebay for £170... .http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vaude-Tau...386896?hash=item1c6a3bc790:g:x-8AAOSwRJ9Xgg2W

Like you, first time around I didnt know if I'd tour again however I had a first class tent that could always be sold on....Its been used numerous times since and goes up in 2 minutes.

as stated only a suggestion in a very large subject..this is a decent forum for lightweight stuff btw http://www.outdoorsmagic.com/forum/gear/5.html

 

[raleighnut]

I like my Bikamper but it's not to everyone's taste.

 

[jonny jeez]

I'd aim to spend 10 hours a day in the saddle, to allow plenty of time for "touring" rather than just riding from A to B.

So start at 8.00, finish at 6.00 leaves time for pubs and evening exploits.

Personally though, for a short self supported (mostly) trip, id look at halving that distance on some days and just spending more time, enroute, enjoying the surroundings.

Enjoy

Ps, pack sudocream

 

[mythste]

I'd aim to spend 10 hours a day in the saddle, to allow plenty of time for "touring" rather than just riding from A to B.

So start at 8.00, finish at 6.00 leaves time for pubs and evening exploits.

Personally though, for a short self supported (mostly) trip, id look at halving that distance on some days and just spending more time, enroute, enjoying the surroundings.

Enjoy

Ps, pack sudocream

I think that sounds entirely sensible and very up my street

 

[mythste]

I like my Bikamper but it's not to everyone's taste.

View attachment 138677

I love the idea of those but I'd want just a little outside sheltered area for tea and coffee making facilities!

 

[mythste]

Trying to look at fuel for camp stoves online and getting annoyed no one seems to want to post volatile substances...

What short of fuel should I be looking at and how much? Would it be sensible to get as much as I think I'll need all in one go or plan to get more en route?

 

[ufkacbln]

With the premise that you are NOT camping out in remote areas or bad weather

Have look at "Festival" packages

Most of the retailers will do a tent, sleeping bag and mat at a reasonable price

It will not be the lightest, or smallest package, but certainly manageable

 

[ufkacbln]

I like my Bikamper but it's not to everyone's taste.

View attachment 138677

I was always tempted, but riding a recumbent, and having a penchant for cycling to the pub in the evening, it never ticked ALL the boxes

 

[mythste]

With the premise that you are NOT camping out in remote areas or bad weather

Have look at "Festival" packages

Most of the retailers will do a tent, sleeping bag and mat at a reasonable price

It will not be the lightest, or smallest package, but certainly manageable

This is the UK, such a premise is surely naive

I dont mind buying something half decent that I can use for the forseeable future, whether cycling or otherwise.

 

[ufkacbln]

This is the UK, such a premise is surely naive

I dont mind buying something half decent that I can use for the forseeable future, whether cycling or otherwise.

I was trying to be Optimistic!

Any tourist will tell you the sun always shines!

 

[jonny jeez]

very up my street

The sudocream will be suited to the alley, rather than the street...so to speak

 

[jonny jeez]

Trying to look at fuel for camp stoves online and getting annoyed no one seems to want to post volatile substances...

What short of fuel should I be looking at and how much? Would it be sensible to get as much as I think I'll need all in one go or plan to get more en route?

I've never camped whilst cycling...yet.

But in my walking days I lived by my trangia meths stove...it was bullet proof.

But...i did have a meths bottle fail and had to leave my kit out for it to evaporate.it was a pain and the smell didn't go away...plus I had no hot food that night, or the next morning.
So the lesson I learnt was that I might be tempted to take a little fuel and stop on the way to resupply

 

[uphillstruggler]

I used a trangia copy, along with a tiny fuel tab stove ,(http://www.backpackinglight.co.uk/cookers-and-stoves/RA101.html ) but I reckon the wood gassifyer will go with me next time, it really is fuel efficient and you can collect enough fuel to boil water and cook in about 10 minutes.

I was worried about meths spillage but had no issues, you should be able to buy meths in most hardware stores on your journey, I bought 1/2 litre and it's enough for a couple of days.

 

[raleighnut]

I've never camped whilst cycling...yet.

But in my walking days I lived by my trangia meths stove...it was bullet proof.

But...i did have a meths bottle fail and had to leave my kit out for it to evaporate.it was a pain and the smell didn't go away...plus I had no hot food that night, or the next morning.
So the lesson I learnt was that I might be tempted to take a little fuel and stop on the way to resupply

Meths/solid fuel stoves are great but how do you turn them off. TBH I own the forerunner of the Vango stove I linked to, mine is an Epigas 'Alpine' and it's lasted me for 30yrs and still going strong.