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PA E M ycle 5
G TO PINmagaz
E G ine,
Cycle-camping is a
breath of fresh air, offering
self-sufficient, satisfying,
inexpensive travel. CTC
weighs up what you need
Words and pictures by Cass Gilbert
THE GREAT OUTDOORS
A
tent is an ideal cycle-
touring accessory.
Cycle travel removes
the barriers between
you and your
environment and puts you ‘in the
scene’. Similarly, a tent puts you
in the scenery. Wherever you stop
you’ve got an open window on
the world. And each stop feels
like you’re still travelling, whereas
if you spend a night at a hotel or
B&B you’re plugged back into a
weekday world of televisions and
electric kettles. Best of all, a tent
is a cheap ticket to some of the
most beautiful parts of the planet.
While camping offers back-to-
basics simplicity, the equipment
can be very high tech. Lighter,
stronger and more refined than
ever, it’s a far cry from the leaky
tents and cold sleeping bags of
yesteryear’s school trips. With so
much variety on the market, this
guide should at least show you
where to begin.
TENTS FOR CYCLISTS
The tent itself will be one of your
most expensive and important
pieces of kit. Whether you’re
after a coffin-sized solo or family
condominium, a sanctuary from
a howling force 10 gale or a roof
over your head for a summer’s
night, you need to assess the key
features for you.
Two-man tents are perhaps
the most versatile options for the
cycle tourist in terms of weight,
porch space and pack size, being
cosy for a couple or roomy for the
solo tourist, with plenty of space
for baggage. Aim for the 2.5kg
mark. A few top end 3-4 season
tents weigh in at less than 2kg.
Also worth considering if you
value your porch and living space
are 2-3 man tents; the extra half-
kilo penalty is nominal when split
between two. Solo tents, single
skin tents, bivvy bags and tarps
are more light-footed ways of
camping, but we don’t have space
to cover them in this feature.
Most tents feature a waterproof
outer flysheet and a more
permeable inner sleeping
compartment with mosquito-
and midge-proof mesh panels.
Look for extra storage space
beneath the outer, such as a
02 CYCLE FEBRUARY/MARCH 2005
covered porch at the entrance.
Cyclists have more need of such
porches than other campers,
since bike panniers get dirtier
than rucsacs and need to be
stored out there. The porch may
also be big enough to cook under
in bad weather. (Note that while
most campers do cook in the
porch, at least when its raining,
it’s potentially very dangerous. In
the event of fire you must have a
rear escape route, which is easy
with two-entrances to the tent.
Otherwise keep a sharp knife
handy to slash your way out.
Tents burn very quickly!)
Spread your load
with front panniers Tents either pitch flysheet first
as well as rear or inner first. In the rain it’s nice
to be able to erect and take down
the inner under cover, so flysheet
first is best for wet climates, but it
makes for a slightly heavier or
less roomy tent. Inner first tents
can also be pitched inner-only for
comfort (with insect protection)
on hot, dry nights. So are you
Norway- or Morocco-bound?
Some modern inner-first designs
are so quick and easy to pitch,
however, that they should not be
ignored by those who prefer their
scenery greener than brown!
Although poles still have their
uses, most tents are nowadays
held up by hoops, making either
a dome or a tunnel shape. Dome
tents are more stable, easier to
put up and can be pitched free
standing without pegs. This
makes them suited to deserts,
often pitched inner only – even in
a mosquito-ridden hotel room!
Tunnel tents offer more space per
kilogram and can be pitched
outer first in the event of a storm.
They’re not as stable in a strong
wind, but that’s usually not so
important to cycle-campers. On a
bike – in Europe, at least – it’s
often easy to ride downhill and
find a sheltered spot in a valley.
As ever, price tends to be
dictated by weight, size and
quality. Bear in mind that with
most tents, there’s a balance to
strike. Lighter tents are easier to
carry, but much of the ultra-light
equipment on the market will not
last an extended tour. A tougher
groundsheet and some extra
space may well be worth it.
CHOOSING YOUR TENT
Where will you be camping? For
general use, a 3-season tent is
recommended for versatility, as it
will be fully water resistant and
harder wearing. But if you’re only
intending to camp out the odd
summer weekend, there are
plenty of lighter options (e.g.
Aztec’s Fiesta, £30, 0116 234 4644)
for as little as a third of the price.
Four-season tents are the
toughest of the lot, and only
really necessary if you expect to
encounter high winds or snowfall.
Decide if you want a small tent
for wild camping that can be
easily nestled amongst uneven
ground (e.g. MacPac’s Minaret,
£320, www.macpac.co.nz), or one
with more porch space for
panniers and cooking (e.g.
Vango’s Spirit, £260, 01475
746000, www.vango.co.uk), and
even room for a bike.
Look for plenty of ventilating
mesh if you camp in the summer
or are heading for a hot climate.
The smaller the tent, the warmer
it will be. If you’re tall, make sure
there’s ample length and
headroom. Ask to set the tent up,
try it out and bear in mind that
ultra-light tents are often best
suited to a height of less than 6'.
Inside pockets are good too, to
stash a torch or glasses, while
internal clotheslines are good for
hanging out damp socks…
Fibreglass hoops are fine for short
weekends but if you’re planning
to get a lot of use out of your tent,
choose aluminium.
Top brands to look out for
include Terra Nova, MacPac, The
North Face, Saunders and
Hilleberg. Expect to pay between
£250-£460 for a two-man tent.
More moderately priced
manufacturers include Wild
Country, Vango and Vaude – costs
vary between £100 and £200.
LOOKING AFTER YOUR TENT
Most tents bought in the UK will
be seam-sealed at the factory,
ready for wet weather, although
some specialist manufacturers,
such as Saunders, provide or
recommend a sealant for you to
do it yourself. Tents, particularly
lightweight models, are
susceptible to degradation
through UV rays, as they break
down nylon fabrics. If you plan to
pitch camp for a few days, try to
find a sheltered spot out of the
sun.
Increasingly thin groundsheets
are also susceptible to damage
from abrasion. Your lightweight
tent will most likely benefit from
an additional groundsheet. Either
buy one specific to your tent, or
make one from a thin plastic tarp
available at DIY shops. Cut it in
THE GREAT OUTDOORS
“Two-man the same shape and slightly
tents are smaller than your tent so the TENTS
water doesn’t pool. Groundsheets
perhaps the also keep your tent clean and are WILD COUNTRY ILANOS
most versatile handy to sit on when picnicking. £110
Before packing away your tent for Quality budget
options for a longer period of time, ensure it’s tent that benefits
the cycle dry to prevent mildew building from much of
up. Always clean your tent with Terra Nova’s
tourist in soapy water – detergents can trickle down technology,
terms of destroy the waterproofing. including lightweight poles
weight, porch and pegs, 2.5kg. Contact:
PITCHING YOUR TENT 01773 837373, www.terra-
space and Paying campsites should provide nova.co.uk
pack size” level ground on grass or wood
chippings, and facilities. Smaller VAUDE TAURUS 2
‘mini-campings’ are more suited £150
to cyclists, though caravan parks Roomy 2/3
sometimes have an area assigned man capacity
to tents – www.hiker-biker.co.uk weighs 2.7kg,
has a list of bike friendly with an ultralight version at
campsites around the UK. 1.95kg. Contact: 01165
In many parts of the world, it’s 510660, www.vaude.com
simply a matter of pitching your
tent wherever you see fit. If you VANGO SPIRIT 200
have any security concerns, try to £260
draw as little attention to yourself Roomy hoop
as possible by pitching tent at tent with a big
dusk and out of view from the porch and good
road. In more built up countries, price. Contact: 01475
such as the USA, you may 746000, www.vango.co.uk
struggle to find public land, or
need a permit to bed down for SAUNDERS SPACEPACKER
the night. Be aware of land use £269
laws for the area you’re in and ask Low slung,
first if you’d like to pitch tent in a lightweight
field. Most folks are very single hoop
hospitable and might even invite design and double porch
you in for a cup of tea. makes this a popular tent with
When pitching, consider the cycle tourists, 1.9kg. Contact:
quality of the ground underneath, 020 8500 2447,
exposure to the elements, the www.robertsaunders.co.uk
proximity of a water source and,
of course, the view. Look for a TERRA NOVA
patch of flat ground the size of LASER LARGE 2
your tent, soft enough for pegs to £275
be pushed in with room for guy Ultralight two-
ropes to be pegged out. A slight person tent,
“Increasingly slope is fine and will help drain just 1.8kg.
water – align the tent so your Contact: 01773 837373,
thin ground- head is uphill from your feet. Dry www.terra-nova.co.uk
sheets are riverbeds, narrow valleys and
susceptible to moors can be susceptible to HILLEBERG NALLO 2GT
unexpected floods, so look for £460
damage from higher land. Rolls Royce
abrasion… Keep in mind how exposed you prices, Rolls
are to sun and wind. If you’re on Royce quality,
Either buy or the move, pitching your tent in a just 2.5 kg despite the huge
make an spot that will catch the early sun porch for storage and cooking.
additional is a good idea. If you need more Contact: 0046 63 571550,
shelter, trees provide shade in hot www.hilleberg.com
groundsheet weather and protection from
for your tent” heavy rainfall. Large rocks help
FEBRUARY/MARCH 2005 CYCLE 03
THE GREAT OUTDOORS THE GREAT OUTDOORS

“Getting a block wind and facing the rear of Synthetic bags are cheaper, dry bargain own-brand
SLEEPING good night’s the tent into the wind keeps gusts quicker, and are easier to clean sleeping bag at a STOVES AND
BAGS & MATS sleep is
from coming in the front door.
Most importantly, aim to camp
but are more bulky and heavy.
Down filled bags have a more
camping shop for half
the price. Generally KITCHEN
WILD COUNTRY YUKON
central to near a good water source, as it luxurious, softer feel against the speaking, the more you
TRANGIA 25
makes life a lot easier when skin and offer the best warmth to spend, the lighter it will
SPRING AND AUTUMN enjoying the cooking and cleaning. Of weight ratio. However, they need be, and in the case of £45
£59.99 whole particular importance in remote to be kept bone dry (canoe bags down, better quality fill Low
Budget bag with areas: avoid contamination by or waterproof panniers are best), will be used. maintenance,
a water-resistant camping keeping the camp loo at least 50 though many are now encased in In terms of ratings, a easy to use and
shell and a low experience, metres away. And always carry a hydrophilic shell, to stave off 1 season bag (+15°C) is good in windy conditions.
pack size, 1.6kg weight Contact: 023 9252 8711,
reflects price. Contact:
so it’s worth out all your rubbish. condensation in the tent and help suited to a warm UK
www.trangia.se
Even when it’s cold, two people protect you from tea spills. Down summer evening or
01773 837373, www.terra- investing in a will heat up a tent throughout the bags should be cleaned by a hostelling. A 2 season
nova.co.uk quality night and create condensation, so specialist such as WE Franklin bag (+5°C) will cover UK PRIMUS TECHNOTRAIL
be sure to allow air to circulate – (www.franklingroup.co.uk, 0114 spring to early autumn, £45
VANGO VENOM 300 sleeping bag” most tents have adjustable 268 6161, £30.50 inc postage). while 3 seasons (-5°C) Complete with 1-
£100 ventilation zippers. Peg out the Some bags such as Marmot’s should extend your litre saucepan and
Summer bag, flysheet taut so the inner and Fusion 30 (£110, 01539 739314, camping from early frying pan, or £30
smaller than a loaf outer aren’t touching otherwise www.mountain-works.co.uk) now spring to late autumn. A for stove-only with
of bread and a water will get through, but don’t use a combination of both types 3+ (-10°C) bag is built in igniter. Contact: 023
featherweight 880g. stress the zippers too much. Try of insulation. recommended for all 9252 8711, www.primus.se
Contact: 01475 746000, to clear snowfall from the roof. If Sleeping bags come in a range round UK use, though
www.vango.co.uk you’re camping at high altitude, of shapes and sizes. Cut close to you’ll need extra layers MSR WHISPERLIGHT
be aware of the effects of altitude the body, lightweight mummy for Scotland in the £70
MARMOT WOMEN’S sickness – see www.high-altitude- style bags offer maximum heat depths of winter. 4/4+ (- Multi fuel
ANGEL FIRE medicine.com for more details – retention by trapping and 15/-20°C) bags range system classic
£150 and remember the general advice warming a layer of air, but offer from alpine winters to that’s seen
Well-priced to mountaineers: climb high, less room to wiggle than a altitudes above 6,000m. action the world over.
women specific 3 sleep low. The herbal supplement rectangular bag. The longer the Save your 5 season Contact: 01929 580 484,
season down bag, Ginko Biloba taken a week before zip, the more ventilation the bag Ascent, 01629 580485) will help An extended porch
cocoon bag (-25°C or more) for www.firstascent.co.uk
is a useful area for
1.2kg and rated to –9˚C. departure may help. will allow, but the more bulky it keep your head warm if you’re cooking in those polar explorations…
Contact: 01539 739314, will be. The most versatile using a 3/4 length mat, while This makes a 3+ season bag GSI LEXAN WARE
www.mountain.works.co.uk SLEEPING BAGS AND MATS sleeping bags come with full- sleeping bag liners will boost your rated to around –10°C a good all £3.50
Next: the bedroom. Getting a length left or right hand zips, for bag’s warmth rating by a degree rounder, especially if it has a long Cheap as chips
MOUNTAIN EQUIPMENT good night’s sleep is central to easy access and so a pair can be or two, save wear and keep it zip for ventilation. It’s also the yet light and
LIGHTLINE 550 enjoying the whole camping zipped up together. Women- clean. The most compact are silk ideal bag for Himalayan and highly durable.
£250 experience, and to recharging specific bags have extra width (£35), the warmest are Andean summers, both popular Contact: 023 9252 8711,
Tough and warm your cycling batteries. So it’s through the hips and extra filling microfleece (£30). A handy trick is touring destinations. Nesting two www.rosker.co.uk
expedition down worth investing in a quality round the hood, core and feet. to pull your zipped up waterproof bags together will effectively add
bag with a Drilite sleeping bag. They’re shorter too, which makes around the foot of the bag, an up the insulation – and be that SNOWPEAK SPORK
shell, weighs 1.3kg and rated Sleeping bags fall into two them lighter and less bulky. area that can get wet and cold. much more adaptable than one £9.99
to –12˚C. Contact: 01457 categories: synthetic and down. Most importantly, slip into Sleeping bags come with a stuff heavy winter bag. But bear in Quench a thirst for ti
854424, www.mountain- The main advantage of a your sleeping bag when you’re at sack so as the name suggests, mind that there’s no hard and fast with this ideal pasta
equipment.co.uk synthetic bag is that it will retain your toastiest after a warm meal stuff it rather than rolling it, to way of rating sleeping bags. If eating implement.
around 50% of its insulation and well hydrated, as they can keep the insulation from settling you’re a cold sleeper, invest in a Contact: 001 503 697 3330,
PROLITE 2 SHORT properties when wet, making it a only trap heat, not generate it. whilst on tour. However, always bag one season longer than you www.snowpeak.com
£60 Simple tarps are sensible option for damp Also bear in mind that you’ll lose store sleeping bags loose – expect to use, or wear a set of
Latest and lightest super-light, but climates such as Britain. more heat through the ground hanging is best – for longer thermals. NALGENE BOTTLE
Thermarest on the won’t suit everyone £8.99
than through the air. In all cases, periods of time.
market, just 370g “A 3+ season All purpose, leak-
finding a sheltered camping spot THE CAMP KITCHEN
and very low in and lying on an insulating mat SLEEPING BAG WARMTH bag is Stoves are the means of supplying proof bottle that’s
bulk. Contact: 01629 580 suitable for hot water.
484, www.firstascent.co.uk
are crucial to how warm you’ll be. Price-wise, a 1 season down bag preferable for you with warm, re-energising
Contact: 01929 580
Air mattresses trap heat better will cost around £70-130, and a food after a day on the bike.
and are less bulky than synthetic equivalent will be £40- all round UK Broadly speaking, there are two 484, www.firstascent.co.uk
THERMAREST LITE CHAIR traditional foam mats – though 70. A 2/3 season down bag will set use, though categories: pressurised and non-
£24.99 they’re prone to punctures and you back £110-£150 or £70-140 pressurised. Pressurised stoves ZIP LOCK BAGS
Sleeve that turns you’ll need £3
more expensive. Thermarest’s for synthetic. have the advantage that they
your mat into a Prolite 3 (£60, First Ascent, 01629 Expect to pay upwards of £150- extra layers burn with a fierce flame and work These supermarket
chair. Contact: freezer bags are a
01629 580 484,
580485) is currently the lightest at 250 for a quality 3+ season down for Scotland well at altitude. The easiest and
great way to store
370g but there are plenty cheaper. bag, or £80-150 for a synthetic lightest use self-sealing, threaded
www.firstascent.co.uk A fleece or a pocket pillow such counterpart. If you’re on a tight in the depths gas canisters (250ml £3) – though sugar, muesli, etc.
as Thermarest’s Stuff Sack (8, First budget, you can often pick up a of winter” France uses the non-sealing

04 CYCLE FEBRUARY/MARCH 2005 FEBRUARY/MARCH 2005 CYCLE 05

THE GREAT OUTDOORS Eco friendly soaps
allow al fresco
washing

variety – and are generally a trekking destinations. They’re and regular use but is also a little
ACCESSORIES combination of butane and clean and simple to use, work heavier. The ideal is perhaps
propane, and even feature built well at altitude and in cold stainless/aluminium bi-metallic,
PETZL TIKKA PLUS in igniters. weather. However, canisters are but this can be expensive and
£29.99 Multi Fuel System stoves, such heavy, need to be disposed of hard to find.
Ultra practical, as MSR’s Whisperlight carefully, can’t be transported on When cooking for two, use a
efficient and International (£70, First Ascent, ’planes and there can be 1.5-2L pot. Bowls are more
lightweight LED 01629 580 484), are ideal for compatibility issues. practical than plates. A big mug
headtorch, ideal for touring in remote areas and the Kerosene or paraffin is (e.g. GSI’s Fairshare Mug, £9.99,
cooking, reading developing world where you may available in Asia, Africa and the Rosker 023 9252 8711,
and late night punctures. come by a variety of fuel. They Himalaya (as well as in hardware www.rosker.co.uk) can even
Contact: 01539 625493, work particularly well at altitude stores in Western countries). It’s double up as a bowl. Lexan
www.petzl.com but can be fiddly to use. Of the easy to find in rural areas but it products are cheap, light and
non-pressurised stoves, the also clogs the fuel line. Meths, ultra durable, while Orikaso’s
ORTLIEB SAFE-IT classic Trangias (eg the 25, £45, alcohol or alcool a bruler are range (e.g. Fold Flat Cup, £3.99,
£13 Rosker 023 9252 8711, usually found in Europe and www.flatworld.co.uk) of origami
One of a range of www.rosker.co.uk) are the most North America. It evaporates camping gear is a novel idea for
watertight pouches popular. Fully integrated in an quickly if spilled but is pricey, the minimalist. Sporks (e.g.
to store your accompanying pot-set, they’re burns quickly, produces less heat Snowpeak Ti Spork, £9.99, 001 503
phone, PDA, GPS. stable, foolproof and ideal for and isn’t suited to altitude. Visit 697 3330, www.snowpeak.com)
Contact: 01539 http://www.mark-ju.net/ are a combination of a fork and
625493, www.ortlieb.com juliette/meths.htm for details on spoon. They are a great eating
the availability of meths. tool for the weight conscious.
DR BRONNER’S Stoves can be lethal. Most If you take your camping foods
MAGIC SOAPS outdoor materials are highly to gourmet levels, there are
£4.75 flammable so keep an eye out at plenty of gadgets available,
18 in 1 eco friendly all times, and be aware that many including folding strainers, and
soap. Wash, shave, stoves flare up initially. If you’re salt, pepper and spice dispensers
or brush your teeth cooking in a tent vestibule during – though old film canisters are
with it. Contact: bad weather, ensure there’s a vent just as good. A collapsible
0800 026 0220, open for air to circulate. washing up bowl (e.g. Ortlieb’s
www.21stcenturyhealth.co.uk Important parts on your stove, Folding Bowl, 01539 625493,
such as seals, will need replacing www.ortlieb.com, £18.99) is more
LEATHERMAN so make sure you carry a spares practical and warmer than
MULTI-TOOL kit on longer tours. washing up in a stream. It’s also
£34 Wild camping is windy conditions, but they cook If you’re using meths it can be worth carrying a small scrubber
easier if you pitch
Use it for fruit close to a water slowly with a low flame. When difficult to see the flame so make and some biodegradable washing
peeling, can source buying a stove, look at how stable sure it’s extinguished before re- up liquid. A flat-packing water
opening and both the base and the pan filling it. Burning a fuel is always carrier (e.g. MSR’s 2l Dromedare,
general repairs. Contact: supports are – lightweight models going to have an environmental £18.99, First Ascent, 01629 580
www.leatherman.co.uk may be designed for only a litre impact so give away excess fuel to 484) is good for carting water to
or two of water. Simmer controls a local family or guesthouse, your tent, and while most
AQUAPURE TRAVELLER are a must for those who take rather than pouring it away campsites will have readily
£45 their cooking seriously. where it might contaminate the available drinking water, make
Clean water on environment. Self-sealing sure you ask as different taps
the go, easy to STOVE FUEL AND SAFETY canisters need to be fully emptied have different uses. In more
use and highly
effective. Contact:
Each fuel has its advantages and
disadvantages. Confusingly, many
to be disposed of safely – keep
running them until the flame
remote locales, you may need to
carry some form of purification.
CARRYING YOUR KIT
With all your camping kit, you’ll likely need front and rear panniers if you’re heading for
023 9252 8711, “Stoves can countries have different, even goes out – and take them to a Options include boiling water for colder climates. Lightweight summer tourists may be able to get away with just a rear pair
www.rosker.co.uk conflicting names for the same local camping shop where they several minutes, iodine and
be lethal. thing. Petrol, known also as gas can be recycled. chlorine tablets, and purifiers.
and a bar bag.
Many find it easiest to keep their tent separate from the rest of the kit, for example
Y-FRAME TRAILER Most outdoor and benzine, is easiest to come by Alternatively, you can save a strapped across the top of the rear panniers, in its own bag. If it’s wet in the morning, it
£180 materials are but is a dirty fuel – particularly POTS AND PANS load of weight and work by eating won’t get anything else damp and will be easier to get to if it’s dark or raining when you
Stable and the mixes found in the Titanium pots and pans may be out, and sticking to cold meals pitch again. Smelly fuel likewise is best kept on the outside, so consider mounting a cage
compact, highly developing world. Coleman – or the ultimate in durability and and drinks in camp. In many that fits a fuel bottle, e.g. the Bikebuddy (£12.50, www.bikebuddy.co.uk, 01992
this two- flammable so white gas or benzina blanca – is minimal weight, but a sky-high parts of the developing world, it’s 715003). Pots, pans and stoves are best kept to themselves in one pannier, as soot has a
wheeler will haul the most easily found in the UK, price tag generally puts them out almost as cheap – and local
overflow from tandem
keep an eye North America and increasingly of reach for most campers. cuisine is a vital part of the travel
habit of rubbing onto your clothes. Pack a cable and padlock to tether your bikes to a tree
for overnight security.
and family camping trips. out at all South America. It’s expensive but Aluminium is considerably experience. Tandemists and family cyclists may run into storage problems, likewise those who want
Contact: 0845 456 0928, times – many clean – so you get less sooty pots cheaper, is almost as light and is a to cycle-camp on a bike that won't take panniers. Trailers, such as Carryfreedom’s Y-Frame
www.carryfreedom.com to wash up. Butane and propane great conductor of heat – but it CAMP FOODS or a BOB Yak are one way around this. They’re especially recommended for ‘base-camp’
stoves flare canisters are available in Europe, isn’t as hardwearing as steel. Steel The best aspect about camping is cycling holidays.
up initially” North America and popular is better suited to longer tours that after a day’s ride, even the

06 CYCLE FEBRUARY/MARCH 2005 FEBRUARY/MARCH 2005 CYCLE 07

THE GREAT OUTDOORS

simplest food can take on Altitude sickness

can be an issue if
gourmet status. Ideal camping you camp high up
menus can be cooked in one pot
and perhaps a pan, are low in
bulk and weight, and can survive
being squashed into a pannier.
Go for foods that keep well and
try to avoid heavy and
unnecessary packaging. Porridge
oats make a great, slow burning
breakfast. Lunch usually takes
care of itself on the road, while
dinner provides the most chance
for culinary creativity.
Bear in mind that fast boiling
stoves aren’t known for their “How minimal one-pot recipe. Cous cous is and stats – a great reminder of
gourmet capabilities, while easiest of the lot. Make an extra your trip. Earplugs filter out any
Trangia’s slow, steady flame is you like to be big portion for dinner and store noises that go bump in the night
more suited to pasta making. is very much the leftovers in a Tupperware – and rain too, which can
Readymade camping nosh (e.g. container for lunch. reverberate like popcorn in a pan.
Wayfarer Foods, £3, 01475 74600)
down to you. I Powdered milk is useful for A basic first aid kit will patch
is a foolproof way to get a hot once met a both tea and adding to porridge you up in the event of an
meal but it’s expensive and cycle tourist and cereal. Pitta is a great accident. Bring insect repellent
produces excess waste. alternative to sliced bread as it’s for midge-ridden Scottish rides.
Many supermarkets now sell with a fridge, already flat packed. Nalgene pots DEET based is most effective but
much cheaper dehydrated pasta DVD and TV. (8 and 16 oz) are perfect for also harshest on your skin; a
packets and noodles but they’re decanting honey, peanut butter course of vitamin B12 or garlic
lower on nutritional value.
He’d been on and olive oil – best of all, they tablets before your trip is effective
Powdered soups can be great the road for never leak. Likewise, a stash of too. A multi tool or penknife
sauces if made thick, or add some eight years” reusable, resealable zip-lock comes in handy for fruit peeling
local vegetables to fill it out. Pasta plastic bags are handy to store and impromptu repairs.
is quicker to cook than rice – muesli, nuts and raisins. Everyone has his or her own
although rice will cook slowly in Visit www.camprecipes.com or approach to what you can and
water that’s already heated to read The Backpacker’s Cookbook can’t do without, what adds and
boiling, letting you use the stove by David Coustic and The detracts from the whole outdoors
for the sauce. Risotto is a good Backpacker’s Recipe Book by experience. For some, plastic
Christine Roche for inspiration in wine glasses add a touch of
the kitchen. practical style to the evening. For
GET MORE FROM CTC others, Thermarest’s Chair
CTC is the UK's national cyclists' organisation. CTC ACCESSORIZE! Adaptor (£24.99) is the way to
offers a comprehensive and specialised service for The list of possibilities is long and relax at dinner.
the leisure and commuting cyclist. We provide varied, so here are a few pointers. How minimal you like to be is
technical advice, information, a magazine, cycling An LED headtorch (e.g. Petzl’s very much down to you – after all,
related legal aid, insurance, organised tours, Tikka Plus, £29.99, 01539 625493, you’re the one doing the carrying.
specialist mail order, thousands of cycling events www.petzl.com) is perhaps I once met an American cycle
annually, and the opportunity to be part of the number one on any shopping list. tourist in California who hauled
UK’s largest cycling organisation, with more than Use it for cooking, reading and at four panniers and a trailer, with a
70,000 members and supporters at home and a pinch, an emergency light for time-honed kit list including a
throughout the world. your bike. A small radio that can portable fan, fridge, DVD and TV.
CTC membership costs from just £12 per year. pick up local stations and the He emerged from his tent
Join online at www.ctc.org.uk, or phone CTC’s BBC World Service adds immaculately clad as if for a
Membership Department 0870 873 0061. atmosphere to any campsite far Sunday ride – he’d actually been
Existing members of CTC can obtain additional from home – though increasingly on the road for eight years…
copies of this supplement. Send a large SAE to: battery efficient MP3 players and But if you’re venturing off
The Great Outdoors, CTC, 69 Meadrow, Mini-Discs are popular choices. tarmac, keeping as light as
Godalming, GU7 3HS, quoting your membership Indeed, running all your kit off possible will open up more
number. easy to source or rechargeable AA opportunities for exploring
batteries is a good idea. challenging trails. At the end
This eight-page cycle-camping supplement first appeared in Cycle Nothing beats a good book of the day, the golden rule for
magazine, Feb/Mar 2005. It was published by James Pembroke
Publishing, on behalf of CTC, and the supplement run-ons were read by torchlight from the camping is that the best kit is
printed by St Ives (Plymouth) Ltd. It is copyright CTC, James Pembroke warmth of a sleeping bag, and a also the most versatile, and as
Publishing, and Cass Gilbert. Reproduction in whole or in part without
prior permission is forbidden. diary or PDA is also a chance to long as you use it regularly, it’s
jot down the day’s impressions worth carrying.

08 CYCLE FEBRUARY/MARCH 2005