Ready to roll ... just need space for the beer

[Geoff Crowther]

Just finished packing for our camping trip next week. We're off up to Killin in Perthshire in our campers (that's me, SWMBO, our two hounds and my pal Hamish in his camper), next Saturday. I like to be ready and organised in good time.

I've done only one bike camping trip before, from home down to Leek and back, as a first-time shakedown trip. I'm experienced in backpacking so the kit's stuff me and the missus already have but it's my first proper cycle trip, including three night's wild camping. Hamish has never done owt like this before and is currently busy experimenting with loading up his Whyte MTB. Should be fun.

Our 145 mile route takes in Loch Tay, a circuit of Loch Rannoch, Loch Tummel, Pitlochry, Aberfeldy, Glen Lyon and Glen Lochay all along quiet roads..

Here's Chrissie, my lovely wife, instructing Hamish in the erection of a Terra Nova Superlight Voyager. We have 2 of these, one newer (and lighter) than t'other.

Here's my Dawes Karakum, ready for the off.

The midge nets and repellant are packed for quick access!

Chrissie's staying in the van and walking with the dogs and we're hoping, having completed our bike trip to give Ben Lawers and, maybe, Schiehallion a go.

The dogs are gettin' in some R&R before the trip.

But my lab Tilly's lookin' a bit pissed off that she can't come with me on the bike.

More on here when we're back.
Cheers all,
Geoff

 

[ScotiaLass]

Good luck! It's a beautiful area

 

[Geoff Crowther]

Good luck! It's a beautiful area

Thank you

 

[ufkacbln]

Simples....
Equip the dogs with panniers so they can carry the tent :

That will free up space on the rear rack for the beer!

Sorted!

 

[Geoff Crowther]

Simples....
Equip the dogs with panniers so they can carry the tent :

That will free up space on the rear rack for the beer!

Sorted!

Good idea but .. bin there ... done that:

Not the beer keg mind.
Cheers

 

[TissoT]

Thought your choc lab would have had a small barrel around his/her neck (beer/whiskey) in the picture above !
Cracking picture thought !

 

[Geoff Crowther]

And here's Hamish's Whyte 809 loaded up:

Despite the look on his face he's actually beside himself with excitement about our trip, being new to this outdoorsy travel stuff. It's strange really because Hamish's enthusiasm for mountain biking is responsible for my return to cycling, and my, in the past twelve months, acquiring a MTB, then a tourer and finally, just this week, a road bike (which regular viewers here will know ALL about). Now it's my turn to fire Hamish with MY enthusiasm for travel of all kinds.

Hamish's bike might look a little clumsy but it rides fine, as I can testify having tootled up and down the cul-de-sac with it. On his new, road-style tyres, it feels very comfy. Can't wait for next weekend .

 

[Ticktockmy]

For touring I dump my clip ons as I find that cycling a full touring set-up it made my feet ache so much, I put it down to the extra weight and effort on the hills and the small area of contact of the sole of my feet

 

[roundisland]

looks like its going to be a great trip....enjoy!

 

[galaxy]

Keep us updated with your trip.

 

[Crackle]

I always have to ask people who walk with Labs how they get them over stiles, they're not the most dextrous of dogs and they're heavy. So far, I've never taken mine for that reason.

 

[Dave 123]

I always have to ask people who walk with Labs how they get them over stiles, they're not the most dextrous of dogs and they're heavy. So far, I've never taken mine for that reason.

In his day my old black lab (a drakeshead) could clear your average stock fence from a sitting position. Our friends had to man handle their athletic chocolate lab over any obstacle like that. Used to make me laugh, I'd just say "up!" To Bruno and he'd be like a jack in the box, it would take over a minute to get Toby over to the other side!

 

[Geoff Crowther]

For touring I dump my clip ons as I find that cycling a full touring set-up it made my feet ache so much, I put it down to the extra weight and effort on the hills and the small area of contact of the sole of my feet

Interesting, but I've not had any problem so far with my Shimano MTB clips an' shoes.

 

[Geoff Crowther]

I always have to ask people who walk with Labs how they get them over stiles, they're not the most dextrous of dogs and they're heavy. So far, I've never taken mine for that reason.

Funny you should ask that cos I've never had any trouble with my choccy lab. She's fit and nimble and bounds over stiles like a nutcase. HOWEVER, of late she's been suffering with a slipped disc and, though she can still "style hop" the specialist's suggested we don't let her (try telling her that though!). She now has Ruffwear harness to enable helping her over obstacles if need be. I might add, she is a good, fit, lean weight. All too easy for labs to get heavy, cos they'll eat owt.
Labs can go anywhere. I have plenty of experience of working with mountain rescue dogs and many are labs, though when I was in this field I chose a border collie ... for ease of training!

 

[Crackle]

Funny you should ask that cos I've never had any trouble with my choccy lab. She's fit and nimble and bounds over stiles like a nutcase. HOWEVER, of late she's been suffering with a slipped disc and, though she can still "style hop" the specialist's suggested we don't let her (try telling her that though!). She now has Ruffwear harness to enable helping her over obstacles if need be. I might add, she is a good, fit, lean weight. All too easy for labs to get heavy, cos they'll eat owt.
Labs can go anywhere. I have plenty of experience of working with mountain rescue dogs and many are labs, though when I was in this field I chose a border collie ... for ease of training!

Slipped disc, poor dog. yes they don't have a half speed button Labs do they. Two speeds, flat out or flat out.

Must just be mine who's slightly phobic. He got stuck at the bottom of a wooden flight of open stairs once and I had to go down, pick him up and carry him. In all other ways he's very agile but there are things he won't do. It once took me a while to coax him over a wooden bridge when we were out mtn biking, he wanted to swim the river but it was flowing too quick.