What sort of tent?

[guest1188]

On tents, our experience last year was that a three-person tent is needed for two people unless they are extremely friendly all the time and/or the weather is cold. We bought a Blacks Octane 3 for £229, which is the best price we could find for a fairly lightweight tent. We then did 700 miles cycle-camping down through France and into Spain, and the tent was terrific. Huge storm in the shadow of the Pyrenees didn't bother it at all.

We have a Trangia meths stove and I'm not so sure about that. Fuel easily available in Europe but it uses a lot of it. Languid flame - woks need not apply. I also have a terrific Optimus Hunter paraffin pressure stove which reminds me of the highly desirable Mamod steam engine the boy next door had, the bastard. However, the Oppy is heavy, noisy and quite thirsty. People increasingly say get a posh multifuel, it seems.

We have two jolly good 'self-inflating' (huh!) Thermarest mats and OK-ish sleeping bags by Lamina, also a cycle trailer by Carry Freedom, but it probably wouldn't survive a continuous 70 mph without its quickly detachable wheels quickly detaching. Nobody seems to make a motorcycle luggage trailer in the UK. I rather fancy one, if anyone knows of such a thing. No point in half measures - one might as well look completely ridiculous.

Martin

[SteveC#222]

Nobody seems to make a motorcycle luggage trailer in the UK. I rather fancy one, if anyone knows of such a thing. No point in half measures - one might as well look completely ridiculous.

Martin

The best trailer I've ever seen for the solo motorcyclist/camper is the Pav which used to be imported at one time by Jawa/CZ. No longer available new, and expensive when they turn up on Ebay but I'm sure it wouldn't be that hard to make something similar. They track beautifully .

[pigafetta]

There's a UK firm called Mono-Trail making similar trailers. Bloody expensive though!

Here's a linky...

http://www.mono-trail.co.uk/index.html

Dave B

[SteveC#222]

The chassis and hitch are incredibly simple, body could be made from big top box type thingy.  You would need to source an suitable suspension unit and small wheel but I'm sure there is something out there.  Would make a nice little.
 project.

http://www.pav.se/pavinfo-eng.html

[johnr]

modern scooter front wheel would do for one of them

[guest1188]

And make a one-wheeler from an old wheelbarrow. Mind you, I don't see what's wrong with two wheels, myself. Simplifies the tow-hitch no end if it doesn't have to hold the thing up as well. But I'd better shut up now because I've taken us miles off topic.

Martin

[beamer]

hi chippit, a tent i would avoid is the kyham biker.we bought one a couple of years ago and only used it a couple of times.Its awkward to erect,the pack size is huge,and it blows flat in the wind,it also weighs a ton  and it wasnt cheap. As for a stove ive been camping this weekend with the sunbeam boys and used a penny stove all weekend with total success (i hadnt heard of a penny stove until they were discussed on the forum a few months ago) and it cost nothing to make (still took my trangia just incase but didnt need it) hope this information helps     

[sexually oriented]

bivvi bags, the breathable ones that is, dont work inside a tent.

Thats crap as far as im concerned,
they act as another layer in very cold climates very well,i use mine all the time when necessary and would recommend one to everybody

[squirrelciv]

Just bought a Vango Force 10 from ebay. A mk4 nylon outer.

Always wanted one since I was a kid. Chuffed me

[Richard]

Nice find Pat, I've been on the look out for one of those despite having too many tents already.

Richard

[chippit]

That brings back memories, the vango force 10 was used on all the school trips.
I would much rather buy something I know will last. Not too big and heavy for the back of the bike?

Thanks for all advise, I think the penny stove is brilliant and I will look back over the forums to find the bit about stoves.

Regards Christine

[trophydave]

hi chippit, a tent i would avoid is the kyham biker.we bought one a couple of years ago and only used it a couple of times.Its awkward to erect,the pack size is huge,and it blows flat in the wind,it also weighs a ton  and it wasnt cheap.

I agree with you on that one.I bought a Khyam Biker a copule of years ago.I couldn't believe the size and weight of the thing when I got it on the back of the bike.I set it up once in the garden then sold it to a mate.I now have a Vango Tempest 300 which I am pleased with.

[Andy M]

I must say I love my Khyham 3-man dome (not the biker). If I could only have one tent, that would be the one I'd keep. It's a little bigger than the one man Vango coffin thing I use for overnighters, but who wants wet weather pole threading hell when it's snowing. I've just got another Khyham you can stand upright in for family tricks.

I think if you had trouble putting it up you were probably being too subtle. Just grab it and make it go. My first one lasted ten years including two Elefant rallies and countless Dragons/winter camps.

Andy

[squirrelciv]

That brings back memories, the vango force 10 was used on all the school trips.
I would much rather buy something I know will last. Not too big and heavy for the back of the bike?

The nylon outer version packs up OK. Is 7kg dry, but I'm sure the bike can cope. Pitched it in the garden last night, loads of room!  Bring on the rallies!

[guest868]

Ah Force 10s. I had my first menagé in one of them up near Grantown on Spey at the tender age of 17. Good tents and good times