Touring Kit Advice

[severs]

Hmmm. Interesting idea. Now I have a motivation for replacing the Canon Ixus that I dropped on the floor (concrete pavement) in Berlin last year, smashing it to bits.

[chris1201]

Hello James

I don't know what your travel plans are regarding destination, duration etc. but here's what happened to me on a previous trip. I sincerely hope it doesn't happen to you!

I used to camp a lot when I was a kid and teenager and loved every minute of it. Sadly my years have passed all too rapidly and it has been years since I did any of it. I have also made a few trips on the bike to Europe before but I always stayed in hotels or B&B's. Then I decided to do the "camping thing" because I thought I wanted the adventure of it all. I was in France and found a lovely campsite. Out came my tent, sleeping bag, self-inflating air mattress, wind-up radio, camping light etc (all new and quite expensive kit too!)....and that's when the horrors began! I had the worst night's sleep of my life, it was bloody cold, the campsite wasn't near a pub, I was chased by a rabid dog () and it rained all night too. I needed no convincing the next night to find proper accomodation and I ended up ditching the kit as I couldn't even be bothered to cart it around. In the end I stayed in hotels etc. for the rest of my trip and it was fantastic.....just like every other year.

So my advice is this........borrow a tent and sleeping bag if you dont have one and try it for a night or two close to home. If you like it then go and buy yourself new stuff, but if you don't then it's better to find out sooner rather than later. I have no doubt that if you can suffer the discomforts of camping then it can be an amazing trip and you'll meet some great people wherever you go. Many people swear by it too, not just because of the cost but also because of the biking/camping camaraderie too. It really is a "horses for courses" dilemma and in fairness I do wish I could have adjusted to it. What a pity my bones are now so old!!!
But if you don't enjoy it then it'll be the longest night of your life!!

Have a go James, see how you get on and the best of Norn Irish luck to you old chum!

Chris

[Hobbo]

If traveling alone I highly recommend Decathlons T2 ULTRALIGHT. If traveling with someone why not share a tent. Two of us use a QUECHUA T4.2 again from Decathlon. I carry the poles and my mate the canvas. This has many advantages, comfort, storeage but a biggy is you only pay to pitch one tent not two. Self inflating mats are bulky and pants. Take an airbed. If touring in a hot country I only take four sets of cloths and some washing liquid to hand wash. Most sites abroad have washing machines also. OH yes a chair is a must have.

[Dee Duble Yuh]

... Self inflating mates are bulky and pants. Take an airbed...

I think there must be a spelling mistake in there somewhere, but I'm not quite sure.