Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Equipment, Travel > Camping Equipment and all Clothing
Camping Equipment and all Clothing Tents, sleeping bags, stoves etc. Riding clothing, boots, helmets, what to wear when not riding, etc.
Photo by George Guille, It's going to be a long 300km... Bolivian Amazon

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by George Guille
It's going to be a long 300km...
Bolivian Amazon




Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 25 Apr 2010
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Tallinn, Estonia
Posts: 1,048
Spontaneous combustion

Camping is a "like it or lump it" pursuit.

It can be warm and dry, or cold, wet and windy.

So in the case of the latter two how do you get your heat source going, be it camp-fire or stove?

Lighter, matches, fire-steel, or a pint of unleaded and a marine flare?

Personally, I pack the matches and a fire-steel, but I'd like to know how others fair.
__________________
Adventure: it's an experience, not a style!
(so ride what you like, but ride it somewhere new!)

Last edited by Warthog; 29 Jun 2010 at 20:24.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 25 Apr 2010
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: King's Lynn UK
Posts: 424
You can still get Swan Vesta match's ... Keep in a self sealer bag ... With another bag in side that one with a few spare ... The just in case game ...
John933
__________________
To buy petrol in Europe. Pull up at station. Wait. Get out a 20 Euro note, then ask someone to fill up the bike. Give person money. Ride away. Simple.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 25 Apr 2010
MikeS's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,187
Cheap, disposable lighters always worked for me.
__________________
Mike


www.singapore-scotland.blogspot.com
www.argentina-alaska.blogspot.com
My little Vid: India/Pakistan

BMW R1150GS
Suzuki DR650 SE: Ride it like ya stole it. Oh, somebody just did...
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 25 Apr 2010
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Oxford UK
Posts: 2,104
Another vote for cheap disposables. One of them has survived 10yrs in my camping stove bag and still has most of the liquid in it. I don't smoke so it only gets used for lighting the stove, but even when the liquid leaks out the spark bit alone will light petrol.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 25 Apr 2010
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: sunny England
Posts: 790
i used to use a disposable but ive changed stove recently. i now light my gas trangia with a firesteel that will work in the rain and wind. i still keep the lighter handy in my pack though
__________________
dave
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 25 Apr 2010
Mr. Ron's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Vancouver, BC, for now...
Posts: 792
I use gas or oil as a fire starter if things are difficult, my camp stove bottle is always a good resource. I also use disposable lighters, but carry a flint with magnesium bar for emergencies. It;s been very handy and well used for the last 5 years or so.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 25 Apr 2010
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Edinburgh
Posts: 762
eat cold food. you get the double bonus of not having to worry about carrying stove/fuel nonsense.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 25 Apr 2010
Super Moderator
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Bellingham, WA, USA
Posts: 3,905
I usually carry two disposables, both left over from the days when I smoked and would never be more than three paces from cigarettes and fire (12 years gone, more or less). I suppose the only reason for carrying two is that one backs up the other. This, too, seemed very important when there was nicotine inhalation at stake.

In serious situations (i.e., survival), I carry something which will start a fire no matter what. On foot, it's a candle stub, firestarting paste, vasoline-soaked cotton, whatever. On a bike, it's the gasoline in my tank.

I eat a lot of cold food, too, but there are times (and company I might want to keep) when Skippy Super Chunk and honey sandwiches just don't quite make it.

Mark

From Parque Nacional da Chapada dos Veadeiros, Brazil, which seems to be closed for some sort of unknown (by me) holiday.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 25 Apr 2010
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Edinburgh
Posts: 762
Quote:
Originally Posted by markharf View Post
I eat a lot of cold food, too, but there are times (and company I might want to keep) when Skippy Super Chunk and honey sandwiches just don't quite make it.
.
ha ha, very posh cold food.

but, yeah, fair comment. always whip out the camping stove on a date... ;-)
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 28 Apr 2010
Big Yellow Tractor's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: England
Posts: 649
Firesteel everytime. Super reliable. If you can't make fire with some petrol and a spark you need to stay at home.

I can do cold food for a while but nothing gets your spirits up like a hot meal and a cup of tea.
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 28 Apr 2010
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Tallinn, Estonia
Posts: 1,048
A slight variation.

Another thing I sometimes carry is a lighter of sorts.

A candle lighter. Basically, a lighter with a long stalk: has been handy for reaching the stove through a gap in the windshield and under a pots!!

Not heavy, nor bulky, but not a pocket accessory: strictly in you luggage!
__________________
Adventure: it's an experience, not a style!
(so ride what you like, but ride it somewhere new!)
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 28 Apr 2010
holodragon's Avatar
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Back in Blighty
Posts: 171
Fire steel

Personally I always carry a disposable lighter but have been seeing a lot of posts regarding FireSteels,How exactly do these things work? Waterproof? Always work etc? Can an idiot such as myself use one?
__________________
Andy L

From the midnight sun to the silk & rhubarb roads, 2014
I am not an adventure rider, just a biker that has adventures.
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 28 Apr 2010
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Lochmaben, Scotland
Posts: 67
yes

Quote:
Originally Posted by holodragon View Post
Personally I always carry a disposable lighter but have been seeing a lot of posts regarding FireSteels,How exactly do these things work? Waterproof? Always work etc? Can an idiot such as myself use one?
SCRATCH AND BURN....... can catch you out when using petrol........WOOOF... ITS VERY GOOD BEEN USING FIRE STEEL AND MAGNESIUM FOR LAST 20 YEARS AND ITS IN MY SURVIVAL TIN AND IN MY POCKET WHERE EVER i GO..
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 29 Apr 2010
Big Yellow Tractor's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: England
Posts: 649
Quote:
Originally Posted by holodragon View Post
Personally I always carry a disposable lighter but have been seeing a lot of posts regarding FireSteels,How exactly do these things work? Waterproof? Always work etc? Can an idiot such as myself use one?
You've got a bit of metal that is about pencil diameter with a little handle. You strike it with the back of a knife (or some come with a striker) and it drops a shower of sparks; easily lighting a petrol stove or your tinder. You can go all "Ray Mears" and use the shavings from the inside-leg of a tree shrew or something but a spoon full of petrol gets most things going without faffing around.

I don't have much luck with other lighters. All the ones I've tried from 10pence to 30 quid give up on me I'm afraid.
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 29 Apr 2010
Mr. Ron's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Vancouver, BC, for now...
Posts: 792
Being a metal fabricator, i was taught early on to never carry a disposable lighter in my pants pocket while welding. The valves in the lighters are prone to leaking slowly, filling the surrounding cloth with gas, which when ignited can have a dangerous consequence. Never seen it happen and i'm not sure if it applies to what we're talking about here, but i thought i would throw it out there.
I carry a bar of magnesium with a rod of flint attached to it. If you don't have any gas, shave off a penny size lump of magnesium and throw in a spark, the flame is white hot and will light even wet tinder.
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now
, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

HU Event and other updates on the HUBB Forum "Traveller's Advisories" thread.
ALL Dates subject to change.

2024:

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

HUBBUK: info

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 22:46.