Re: Retro MTB Touring.
For a single night then it's obviously worth considering the pros and cons of camping, but there is a very satisfying feeling about pitching up after a day in the saddle.
You generally don't get the sense of freedom in most of the UK that you'll get on the continent and in Scotland, due to the fact you often have to book ahead when camping in this country.
It can also be disproportionately expensive to camp here too.
Anyway, the Coleman tent you are looking at will be more than adequate, although a little heavy in my opinion. I have a lovely Terra Nova tent which is bigger than that one and weighs just 1kg. It did cost six times as much though.
I did also pick up a Coleman one man tent a few years ago for £60, which looks about the same size as the one you are looking at. It's a single skin tent though and weighs just under 900 grammes. Good quality and fine for a single night, but you get fed up of the condensation build up the second time you sit up and get an inpromptu face wash.
Avoid those 'clever' tents which use you bike instead of tent poles. They are heavy, expensive and they leak.
For the ultimate lightweight option, just get a lightweight nylon tarp, some para cord and make a bivvy shelter between a couple of trees.
The thing about bike camping is you take as much kit for one night as you would do for several weeks.
There's a good thread on touring here: -->
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=90767
It also features my tried and tested touring kit list which I've included below...
drystonepaul":1a2a191i said:
Touring Kit
Luggage:
Ortlieb Back Roller Plus panniers (40 litres pair)
Ortlieb Compact 5 bar bag (5 litres)
Ortlieb dry bag (13 litres)
Ortlieb dry bag (5 litres for quick access food. Doubles up as water carrier/washing bowl if needed)
Custom made bungee straps
Tent:
Terra Nova Laser (1kg)
Sleeping:
Khyham 800 sleeping bag (synthetic)
Therm-a-rest Lite3 short
Outwell Inflatable pillow
Cooking:
MSR Windpro stove with small gas bottle
1 litre stainless steel pot
0.6 litre Triangia kettle
Coffee percolator
Light my Fire plastic bowl kit with plastic spork
Titanium Spork
Matches/Lighter
0.8 litre water bottle and
Camelbak (3 litre bladder strapped to pannier or worn. Can also be used as a shower)
Clothes – base layers (Warm conditions):
2 short sleeve jerseys (one merino – one synthetic)
2 pairs lycra shorts
1 pair ¾ lycra bib knickers
Clothes – mid layers (Cold conditions):
1 Long sleeve jersey (merino)
2 pair ¾ baggy shorts (Endura - for riding and/evenings)
Lycra thermal arm warmers
Lycra thermal leg warmers
Clothes – outer layers (Cold/Wet conditions):
Gilet
Lightweight pertex shower/windproof
Waterproof jacket
Waterproof trousers
Fleece (evening use)
Clothes – other:
Full finger gloves
Gel mitts
SPD riding shoes
2 pairs socks
2 pairs underpants (evening use)
Cotton T-shirt (evening use)
Sandals/Flip-flops
Bike maintenance essentials:
2 presta inner tubes
Blackburn Mammoth Mountain Pump
3 Tyre levers
Puncture repair kit
Chain lube
Tools and spares:
Park ASW-9 Folding Multi-tool
• 4mm, 5mm, and 6mm hex wrenches plus a Phillips and standard screwdriver
Topeak Alien 2 Folding Multi-tool
• 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 5, 6 & 8mm Allen wrenches
• 8, 9 & 10mm hex bolt wrenches (each 2pcs)
• Mini pedal wrench
• Phillips and flat screw drivers
• Universal chain tool
• Spoke wrenches for 14g & 15g
• 2 tyre levers
• Stainless knife
• Bottle opener
• T25 Torx wrench for disc brakes
• 10mm Allen socket
Folding Pliers
• 2” Knife
• Metal file
• Philips and slot head screwdrivers
Spare bike parts
• Brake pads
• M5 and M6 bolts and washers
• Chain links
• Rear brake cable
• Rear gear cable
• 2 spokes
• 2 chain-ring bolts
• Zip-ties
First Aid:
Ortlieb first aid kit
• 10 x Plasters
• 2 x Large self-adhesive dressings
• 1 x 10cm x 10cm dressing
• 2 x medium gauze bandages
• 1 x large gauze bandage
• Roll of medical tape
• 2 x Tampons (for use as field dressings)
• 1 x Condom (used to protect large abrasion wounds)
• Elastoplast Second Skin liquid dressing (Surgical glue)
Nail Scissors
Sam Splint
Foil survival blanket
Wash Kit: (all items travel size)
Deodorant
Shampoo
Conditioner
Original Source Mint shower gel
Anti bacterial shower gel/fabric cleaner
Toothpaste
Toothbrush
Travel towel
Wet wipes
Tissues
Medicines, Vitamins & Supplements
Ventolin inhaler (with spare gas)
Ibuprofen gel and tablets
Multibionta
Cod Liver Oil and Glucosamine Sulphate
Iron
Echinacea
Rehydration Sachets
Vaseline
Assos Chamoise Creme (Minty Arse Lard)
Sudocreme
Anusol (because you never know)
Tea-Tree Oil
Factor 30 sun block
Personal items & Other Stuff:
Passport
Maps
Compass
Digital Camera
Cash & credit cards
MP3 Player
Spare batteries
Mobile phone
Energy Gels (emergency use)
Front Cateye LED light
Rear Cateye LED light
Petzl Tikka Plus headtorch
Backupz red LED light
Zip-lock plastic bags
