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Is a tent neccessary? Is a tent neccessary?
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Camping Equipment and all Clothing Tents, sleeping bags, stoves etc. Riding clothing, boots, helmets, what to wear when not riding, etc.
Photo by Marc Gibaud, Clouds on Tres Cerros and Mount Fitzroy, Argentinian Patagonia

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Photo by Marc Gibaud,
Clouds on Tres Cerros and
Mount Fitzroy, Argentinian Patagonia




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  #1  
Old 18 Jan 2008
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I'd say you won't need camping equipment if you do not intend to camp.

Accomodation is available anywhere along your route and even in case you get caught up, somebody will most probably invite you for a night or so.

I'd take an inner linen though, some beds will be dirty. Depending on season maybe a sleeping bag, too. And maybe a pillow case.

Lars
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  #2  
Old 18 Jan 2008
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Lars View Post
I'd say you won't need camping equipment if you do not intend to camp.

Accomodation is available anywhere along your route and even in case you get caught up, somebody will most probably invite you for a night or so.

I'd take an inner linen though, some beds will be dirty. Depending on season maybe a sleeping bag, too. And maybe a pillow case.

Lars
That's pretty much on the line of what I was about to type when Lars' post popped up!

You could consider:-
Take a bivvy bag in place of a tent, as an emergency overnight stop facility + a light weight sleeping bag that folds up really small - for rough camping you just climb into that bag, wearing all of the clothing that you are carrying in any case.

Post it home when you decide that you don't want it any longer!
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  #3  
Old 18 Jan 2008
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I'd second the bivi bag option, I've used them for years, I started with a cheap green one, and then bought a Goretex which I've had for so long I can't find it on the net now, but it's similar to THIS.



I went for one with the single hoop at the opening, as it's much easier to get into in the rain, you've got a bit of room to get in and out of clothes without mooning at everyone, and I personally hated the "body-bag" feel of those without. It also comes in handy if you really can't face laying on that dubious sheet in that dodgy hotel and for a siesta in either the pouring rain or the boiling sun. I usually leave my sleeping bag inside it and roll the whole lot up together unless it's too damp. The only thing I'd do to improve it (and I've never seen it done) would be to have an inflatable mattress built in, so I had a true modern version of my dad's aussie bed roll.

One thing though, choose your colour wisely. Green is great if you want to stick it behind a hedge in a farmer's field and not be noticed, red is better if you're on a camp site and don't want to come back from the showers to find some clod in a campervan's driven straight over the top without noticing (and that's a thought that does stick in your head a bit as you bed down for the night, so park your bike close).
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Old 18 Jan 2008
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If you decide to go with the Bivy bag option I know a great place to get a British Army one from - British Military Surplus

Or this one -
British Military Surplus


I have bought 4 water containers from them and got them 2 days later.
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  #5  
Old 18 Jan 2008
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bag it!
Take a bag for sure, smaller, lighter and I found sleeping in a tent on my own next to my bike very disconcerting indeed, especially when your'e in somewhere the FCO told you not to go etc. If you hear a noise or similar you cant see, in a bag you just open your eyes, you can get up quickly and defend yourself/bike if necessary. Thank god this has only happened to me once, and once I stood up the would-be bike thieves (just opportunists who had seen the bike from somewhere I think) buggered off....
Bags are cheaper too,have used two old plastic sand bags before - admittedly the rain they kept off was matched by the sweat they kept in....
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Old 18 Jan 2008
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I always travel with my SnugPak [Travelpak Xtreme] bag, which can be compressed all the way down to no more than the size of a large['ish] coffee tin. This, together with my self-inflating Thermarest [Prolite 3 Compact] mattress is all I need if I find myself in jam and can't get a motel or B&B room for the night. In addition, acquaintances are often more likely to take you in once they learn that you don't need their bed linen, etc. The combo is good for theirs, or anyone else's floor too! .. AND also if you end-up finding yourself in a campsite wood cabin* or a rented tent* (both are very cheap overnight options).

Lars suggestion of a pillowcase is a good one, as often the rented cabin/tent* options come with a grubby pillow but no outer case. A pillowcase could also double-up for stowage purposes from time-to-time. I like this idea - and I don't why I haven't taken a pillowcase with me in the past[?] - I will from now on though ..
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Old 18 Jan 2008
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The bivouac sac is a good backup if you dont find cheap hotels, or simply want to sleep out in a beautiful area.
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  #8  
Old 18 Jan 2008
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I would not want stuff a dirty pillow into my (reasonably) clean pillowcase and put my head really close to dirt of others - I just put my fleece in to a small pillowcase (30x30xm). Great pillow. And at least it's my dirt I'm smelling
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