Hello
I'm looking to do abit of cycling and camping this august
I'm looking for light weight but cheapish equipment I'm thinking of using a hammock rather than a tent any advice
I will be carrying this on my back as no panniers on my bike
Cheers
Malcolm
I have done cycle camping a few times, from Manchester to Annan in Scotland via the Lakes, awesome and so enjoyable at the same time, you will enjoy if you have the right kit, I met many folk who had got it all wrong, mostly due to having to much kit, some even arranging to send kit back home along the way.
First tent I started of with was a Terranova LaserLite, at 1.1kg they don't get much lighter, although I was always concerned that the bike could disappear during the night, paranoia really.
So after a couple of years, I got a Hilleberg Nallo2 GT, at 2.5kg with footprint, is was still quite light, the main benifit was that it had a huge porch were two touring bikes could be stored quite easily and well out of sight.
Neither are cheap tents, but decent kit never is, but I have had both tents for over 12 years now, and they are both still in mint condition.
Are you cycling UK or continent?
I've done a couple of longish biking trips ... Loire valley and North coast of Spain ...
I don't think a hammock is a great idea ... depending on correctly spaced trees might be tricky ... and you can never be certain of weather patterns ... waking up in a small lake wouldn't be much fun!
I'd get a decent, light weight, one man tent and a Trangia cooker.
I did have four panniers and a Bardale ... so a bit more capability for carrying stuff ... but I was away for a month each time.
Good advice from Troon re getting a Rack, they are very easy to fit.
On my current bike I have the Tubus Fly (Stainless Steel) Rack, I say any kind of a Rack is essential for cycle camping.
I find the Rack usefull even for day rides, and it works well with my clip on Ortlieb Trunk Bag which even though is only 8lt it can hold plenty of stuff.
I would agree about getting a rack of some sort to store your gear, more so from a safety point of view as well as weight distribution..
When you say cheapish you should take a look at Ebay and the classified ads for some secondhand equipment.
Not the best time of year to be buying camping/outdoor gear but would certainly be a lot better than the cost of new.
On a low budget I would be looking for something used like a Vango Micro 1 or 2 or a Wild Country Zephyros 1 or 2, also a Blacks Octane 1. All small and lightweight and don't cost the earth.
There are quite a few of similar design and price but are generally snapped up quick unless its an Ebay auction.
Hope that helps you a bit.
------------- It is a wise man who has something to say.
It is a fool who has to say something.
Another "get a rack". Carrying all of your kit in a backpack isn't good. If you have a rack, you can then carry an enormous Army sleeping bag, which is cheap and cosy. Cheap/small/light... you can't have all three!
Hammock+tarp is great in the right conditions, but for flexibility, a small tent would be better. Or look at bivvy bags + tarp for even lighter.
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Topic: Cycling and camping
