Help! Packing for two up camping trip.

[Warthog]

OK.

I've seen a few pics showing bikes to illustrate a set-up that worked. Here are mine. These are all from our trip around Argentina. We started out with more than when we got back: a lot of stuff got posted back along the way and we learnt what was needed and what was not.

That may not seem relevant, but I can tell you that we packed pretty much the same things we'd learnt that we did need in Argentina as on one week away in Scotland. The things we did not take with us to Scotland, and that were overkill in Argentina, were the 5 litre jerry can, the D-SLR with loads of bits, the folding stools. I also cut back on the masses of tools I had in South America.

However, apart from this the list for both trips was pretty much the same (and will be the next time we suit-up for a week or a year away)!

The pictures a re roughly at the beginning, middle and 3/4s of the way through.

Do these really look much more loaded than some of the others considering it was for 2-up mileage?

[Grey alp]

If done a lot off traveling the past 25 years ,starting backpacking ,later on my pushbike and since a few years with my motorbike ,all mostly camping.
Therefore I can hereby give you my view on life on the road.
The point is that whether you are going camping for one night or a half year you need to have some basic things with you. Tent, sleeping bag, mattress and if your making your own meals some cooking gear.
Also reserve things and tools for the bike.
- Clothing ,start with old things that you can leave behind and buy cheap replacements on your way. A sweater and pants that you can unzip to shorts are handy. Invest in good waterproof riding gear ,gloves and boots ,believe me being wet for a longer period is hell. Its nice to have some sandals along ,takes little place and your feet will appriciate the air after a long ride.
- Tent ,i consider a tent as a shelter ,not a home. Meaning i only spend time in there for sleeping. If I encounter or expeckt bad weather for a longer period I leave that area if possible or check in a cheap Hotel/motel.
- Cooking, if you really want to cook you need a set of pots. Buy a burner that may fit inside the potset, saves place and the burner is safely stored.
Esbit is a good option if you just want the heat up something or make some tea/coffee. You have two types, the mini grill (bring your own pot along) or one with a small pot included. Both are small ,inexpensive and space saving.
Takes time to heat up something but hey your camping so nothing goes fast ,enjoy the free time.
- Chairs ,i did try a tripod witch is good for about a half houre ,then you get backpains. If using a inflatable matras get thermarest stool convertersso you can use the matras as a chair.
- Light ,get the dynamo type ,10 min off twisting makes one houre off light.
- A fuelbottle can get you the last miles/km's to the next fuelstation.
- Pacsafe for rollbag is good but expensive ,i made my own copy 1/3 for the retail price.
- Install or get a 12DC socket ,always usefull.
- Tools ,just enough for handling the major bolts and nuts including adjusting the chain. WD40 ,chain spray ,ductape ,tie wraps and extra long straps are handy. I also take spare inner tubes so 1 ,that i'am sure the right ones go in at a tyre center and 2 ,i'don't have to wait houres or days when not available. Minicompressor same reason ,you can help your self untill reaching a tyre center.
That's it on tools or spares for me. As long as you remain in the civilized world there is always a shop or garage not to far away. Going into the desert or desolate areas where you will be alone for days than you need major maintenance and spare items. Otherwise they take in place and weight.
- With or without topbox. I prefer the topbox because its lockable. In fact i always leave place inside to put my helmet when leaving the bike. Rollbag is also good ,you can reduce it for just the space you need.
- Fuel at supermarkets is cheaper than on highways.
- So far i always could use my VISA card in France ,unattend or not.

Most important ,take your time and remember your on vacation. When camping there's no deadline to make ,you can alter the destination or stay longer at a good place.

Enjoy

[Dr Green]

Hello Jose,

Easily done,

Me and the other half got back from a week in France last weekend.

We stayed in Hotels for four days, and spent four days camping.

Covered between 1100 & 1200 miles,

We had 2 man Tent, sleeping bags, cooker, fuel for cooker, tools, clothes, towels, food and other things too. Trainers aswell each to enjoy walking around without bike boots on. (Hence mx boots on topbox in photo)

Both Zega panniers are of the smaller type too, both 29 litres.

We even organised how everything was packed on last night to fit six bottles of wine in the topbox as well!

[dieseldog1]

Just a thought, pack the tent and sleeping bags, plan your itinerary and either post your clothes for about £1.50 per day to your campsite and then "bin" after use or find a carrefour/walmart/asda and buy new cheapies for about £1 a day, why spend hundreds on stuff that you will only use once/twice a year? I have a mate who does the IOM on this principle and does Europe as well. If you want to take designer gear then do what he does and pays for it to be washed and posted back to him in uk and still cheaper than buying luggage!

[davsato]

We came back still friends so it can be done (& we'd never even camped before!). Enjoy!

you know when its all gone right

One other thing which really helped us , although it rankled with wifey as she hates waste.
Visit George/Tesco's/Sainsburys. Buy cheap (really cheap) plain colour tops , you know three 't' shirts for 2 pound etc ...
Then take them with you , and once worn, discard them in French Campsite bins! . You can also buy similarly cheap clothes in french supermarkets, so if you are adventurous , bring two days clothes with you and buy what you need as you travel from town to town.

It really goes against both Wifey and My grain to suggest such a wasteful thing , however when tops are so cheap , ...... and this really , really cuts down on packing and washing. If you are really brave you can also do this with your undergarments ......

or you could put a different slant on it.
we seem to always get rid of clothes that still have some life left in them, so whenever you are about to chuck out any clothes at home, wash them and keep them in a bag under the bed or whatever, and go and buy the new one you were going to anyway. i started doing this when i needed clothes for decorating or getting covered in ****e under the bonnet of the car, that way you can ruin your old stuff carefree and bin it. but realised i could do it for holidays too. dont buy new clothes for hols, take old but servicable stuff and just dont bother to bring it back.
"today's teeshirt is tomorrow's towel"

[Jose]

Thanks everyone for the replies. I've had to postpone the trip this month because of partner's ill health. Hope to take a shorter one in October which will not involve camping.
Loved your packing list Xander. I will keep this. Like many of you I understand the value of a large waterproof bag but appreciate the practicality of a lockable topbox when travelling. Also partner loves the secure feeling of backrest behind. I'm thinking of registering for the four day Horizons Unlimited meeting in Ripley next June. This would be a good shake down for a longer trip in the summer months, probably south of France and northern Spain. It will also be a good opportunity to meet fellow travellers and see how they pack.
I want to make the trip as pleasurable as possible and really like the idea of taking a couple of camp chairs like a few of you do. I was in France twice last year and found it more expensive than ever (and not just because of the exchange rate), so camping and self catering is going to be a must.
Once again, thanks for all the advice.

[Snaphappy]

Hi Jose,
you say about the waterproof bag and the topbox,
I store my waterproof rolltop bag in the topbox, when I park up the bag gets strapped to the seat and my helmet Jacket gets locked in the topbox it works for two just as good with the helmets locked out of sight.

And Warthog your the first I've seen with a fire extinquisher got me thinking

[Warthog]

And Warthog your the first I've seen with a fire extinquisher got me thinking

That was one thing I only put on the bike for the trip. I did't think it would be on the bike long if I left it there when commuting to London.

Luckily we never needed it, but I thought "how horrible if you're on the trip you've dreamed of for three years and you some how torch the bike!!", so on it went. I'll probably get one for the Ural, just coz it has the space for bolting bits securely