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Post by Jake on Mar 28, 2008 3:50:41 GMT -5
I may go camping in the Lake District in a couple of weeks time. The campsite I usually go to is Castelrigg Farm overlooking the Derwent in Keswick, though it’s becoming a bit too commercial for my taste, with a new Café etc. www.castleriggfarm.com/cafe.php Must admit though, that I’m getting a bit old for the usual palaver of setting up camp. Don’t mind unpacking and setting the tent up so much…. But when it’s time to go it’s the usual business of climbing into the bike gear and packing the tent and sleeping bag etc., then strapping it on to the back of the bike…. There’s no doubt I’m getting a bit lazy and have started to consider B&B or possibly even Youth Hostels….  Are any of you guys into camping, and if so are there any favourite (preferably cheap) sites in the Lakes that you can recommend including B&B? Also, I’m thinking about buying a single-pole tent or one that I can set up and pack away really fast…. At the moment I’m using the Wild Country Illanos II which is pretty good in terms of weight and space etc. www.springfield-camping.co.uk/Wild+Country/New+Ilanos/pBut I’m looking for an option with reasonable headroom that I can pack away (and erect) without much trouble (lazy swine)…..  |
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Post by buzzin on Mar 29, 2008 7:19:06 GMT -5
Well, I am going to experiment with it this year....so can't help you yet. But, Fast setup: pop-up tents  You know, the ones that look like to giant pringles when unfolded and a nice flat circle pack when folded.....only disadvantage, the size when folded can be something like 75 cm diameter. I just bought a khyam tent....which they stopped selling shortly after...it has two poles not crossing eachother. ehm...I'll try finding a pic... They had a single pole version as well, big advantage of both tent: very small packsize...fits in my paniers Disadvantage....they stopped selling the tents  oww..wait..here's a uk site www.penroseoutdoors.co.uk/acatalog/Khyam_Compact.htmland this is the one I have www.outdoorcampingstore.co.uk/product.asp?productID=265Price here was almost the same for both tents....so I took the luxury of the larger one I have to put my panier somewhere right?  |
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Post by Jake on Mar 31, 2008 4:06:13 GMT -5
Cheers Buzzin, I like the look of these Khyam tents…… If there are any left, then at this price I might actually buy the single pole tent. I’ve even considered the pop-up tents but like you say a 75cm diameter would be awkward to pack. I’ve got soft luggage panniers but I usually pack all my gear into a single hold-all bag which I strap to the pillion with 2 straps and a cargo-net….. But judging by the response, there aren’t many members of the NTV forum that are into camping these days. Could be more a ‘Continental’ habit. Maybe the guys on the Dutch or German forums are more into camping? Might be nice, at some point though, to start a thread on Touring generally.....  |
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Post by buzzin on Apr 1, 2008 8:46:19 GMT -5
the awkward size is also why I choose a pole tent, it has to fit on my bike Well, when deciding which one to take, keep in mind that the larger one, only has a slightly bigger footprint, but alot more 'inside' space in the inner tent. Biggest differences are the pack size and weight...42cm/4,1 kg vs. 38cm/3,1 kg By the way, I have never erected my tent yet....got it a few months ago, never used it. So I can't tell you when the exact quality is yet. (But I have read good reports on it) Don't know how brits feel about camping in tents, but I noticed when I was in scotland that most 'campsites' are caravan sites that allow tents  (stuffing a complete dome tent in your backpack and still fit your clothes for 3 weeks....and getting that through customs at the airport....a real challenge ) It's considered relatively normal here if you go camping, meaning a tent. But mostly by younger people. Once you get older, people either take up caravaning (or a hybrid, folding caravans...they're horrible) of start looking for hotels... I still want to travel with a tent on my bike...gives me more freedom....if I get sick of it, I can always find a B&B ;D I'll try to write about the weekend I am going to do with people from the dutch motor forum to get the topic started |
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Post by rj2para on Apr 1, 2008 14:39:50 GMT -5
LOL I have a Caravan, and a Volvo! how sad is that That said i will be riding to our group Scout camp to camp with about 100 kids so that must prove brits camp, at least occasionally. The Caravan is good when it rains though. Have to say i do like summer camping better. fellow camper. R. |
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Post by norfolknchance on Apr 1, 2008 15:00:56 GMT -5
i go camping every year
do a few rallies every year & a camping holiday
last year we did 11 days down south, this year its 11 days in scotland
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Post by Jake on Apr 2, 2008 2:43:20 GMT -5
‘I'll try to write about the weekend I am going to do with people from the dutch motor forum to get the topic started….’Great idea, Buzzin…. It’s always nice to know whats going on in other forums. Try and post some pictures if you can…. And like I say, a thread on Touring would be great. ;D It would be nice to know what Campsites people favour, though…. What are the best campsites in Scotland for example? And what gear do people use? Obviously, depending on what bike you ride, (eg NTV or Pan European) camping from a motorcycle means that so far as tents, sleeping bags, stoves and ground mats are concerned, weight and pack size is important…. But yeah, ‘genuine’ campsites with less caravans and more tents, is a good place to start….(no offense to caravan owners). |
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Post by jonsan on Apr 18, 2008 13:31:50 GMT -5
Hi Jake, I've used this site several times in the past, and is far enough away from the Keswick and Windermere tourist magnets to be enjoyable, on the edge of Hawkshead village, it has caravans, but the camping field is for just that. www.hawkshead-croft.com/campsite.htmlbest regards Jonsan just browsed their website, looks like they ve diversifed a bit was about 5yrs ago when I was last there. |
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Post by sheekbiker on Apr 18, 2008 17:20:56 GMT -5
The bit about getting older is right at 69 I find that a B&B is better for me so my camping days are over, after a nights kip at ground level I recon I would have to crawl out of the tent and ask somebody to help me up. Then there is the old mans curse of wanting to pee at least twice a night, oh to have a young mans bladder again ( no offers please )  So it's off to Scotland in a couple of weeks time the expensive way, but the huge breakfasts will make up for it a bit. Sheekbiker. |
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Post by Jake on Apr 20, 2008 4:32:57 GMT -5
Cheers Jonsan, looks like a good site, might give it a try next time I’m up there (soon I hope. I need a break from work). Sheekbiker like yourself I’m looking at B&B these days …. But if I’m going camping, lacking a young mans bladder I’d recommend an empty lucozade bottle…. |
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Post by jaz66 on Jul 15, 2008 17:24:17 GMT -5
Hi looking at camping with bike at some point but pretty clueless about tents and kit. Did find this guy on another site who made pitching a tent pretty clear to camping novice like me...  maybe it will help some else looking for that outdoor experience... www.bikechatforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=151251Any pointers or recommendations about kit you have tried and like or even tried and hated would be great for people like me. All the best Jaz |
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Post by Jake on Jul 16, 2008 4:41:11 GMT -5
Excellent link, Jaz…. ;D
It basically tells you all you need to know about camping if you’re new to camping with a bike.
I pack all my gear into a single hold-all which I strap to the back seat.
You can actually buy adjustable straps from camping shops, or use straps, bungee cords and a cargo net etc., but using a single bag keeps things nice and compact. I used to use thowover panniers, but now I don’t bother. If you can’t get it into a single bag don’t bother taking it…. too much gear is too much trouble!!
I like a tent that’s light and has a small pack size, but is big enough so that you can kneel up inside it once it’s erected without your head hitting the roof: e.g. internal height of around 110cm I think. I also prefer semi-geodesic or self-supporting tents because once they’re up, you can actually move them around to an alternative piece of ground (or move them away from noisy campsite neighbours) without dismantling them. I also like quiet, simple, rural campsites with only basic facilities. I hate campsites which are more like holiday camps e.g. Butlins.
A campsite near a good, local Pub where you can buy a meal is also a good idea! It saves cooking onsite if you’re not inclined. But a tent with a small porch gives an area where you can stow your cooking gear and boots etc.
I’m still thinking of buying a single-pole tent, because you can erect them really fast and they’d also be useful for ‘wild camping’ or free camping in areas outside of appointed campsites, which I’ve never done. I understand you can do this in certain areas in Scotland for example.
So far as gear is concerned then:
Tent, sleeping bag (3 season), camping stove and kettle, water bag, and ground mat (self-inflating) are the basic essentials. Plus toilet-bag, matches or lighter, tea and coffee and maybe some dehydrated food.
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Post by jaz66 on Jul 16, 2008 5:51:54 GMT -5
Cheers jake Yeah the post was nice and simple but covered all i needed to know about pitching a tent. (amazing how hard that information was to find on camping sites.. ) have to agreet that a quiet site would suit me better as well. the thought of a packed site ala Butlin........AAgghhhh! Excellent idea................ ;D Tent. ok Sleeping bag....3 season ? Q.What do you prefer, a Square or mummy style. are Liners any use? Water bag.? ..Like in water bottle..  And finally....Toilet bag for shower etc or something more inventive... ;D Best regards jaz |
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Post by Jake on Jul 16, 2008 6:42:28 GMT -5
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Post by jaz66 on Jul 16, 2008 17:24:18 GMT -5
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