Here Goes My First (Big) Trip, can't wait (Hints Tips Appreciiated)
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Here Goes My First (Big) Trip, can't wait (Hints Tips Appreciiated)
by Snowcat on Thu Feb 02, 2012 3:24 pm
First topic message reminder :
I thought as Mr Nutt & Anna's trip appeared to go so well and he did a great write up I've decided to do the same. As some of you may already be aware on Friday 10th Feb myself and a few friends will be heading off to Swallow Falls, Betws-y-Coed for a two day camping trip. I must point out at this point I only passed my test 3 months ago and have NEVER been camping in my life so all in all should be an eye opener.
Most of you will be thinking "camping in North Wales in Feb [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.] " and yes probably not one of my best decisions but the boys were adament, after this one things can only get better, plus if I don't go onthis one they wont let me go on the others.
Anyway I've got some luggage as a stop gap as my Ventura Bracket still hasn't turned up (ordered it in December) [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.] and I've got Ventura Pack Racks, grab handles and Eurobags sat cluttering up the conservatory, (good job I have understanding wife!!)
Anyway I've started looking at what I physically need to get on the bike and the luggage I have and have come to the conclusions that none of the important stuff will fit into any of the luggage. (Oxford Lifetime Panniers & Tailpack) so need a little help working it out. I'm guessing I'll be able to squeeze my airbed into one of the panniers and all of my other equipment (pump, pillow, light, stove, gas bottle, torch etc) into the other side. My clothes etc will fit in my tail pack leaving my tent and sleeping bag.
I'm guessing bags, gaffer tape and bungee straps are the way forward but so far I'm flumoxed as to how to fit it all on, especially as I went for quite a chunky sleeping bag considering the weather we can expect. At a pinch the tent would probably fit in a back pack but to be honest I don't relish the idea (weight & safety) of wearing a pack whilst keeping a bike upright for over 100 miles on some pretty exposed roads.
Also given that I'm a virtual virgin rider and camper the I'm loathed to ask the other lads for any advice as they'll either fill my head with stupid ideas then take the p*ss when I do it or just generally take the p*ss for me being a newb!!
Either way can't win but I really want to turn up and them say, "hey this guy did it on his own and he did okay"!!
I want to sort this out by this weekend as my plan is to load the bike up and go out for a test ride just for practise as I am aware that the handling etc will chage with luggage.
P.S Before anyone questions the integretiy of the lads I'm going with they are a great bunch who would never do anything to put me in danger, they are just serial p*ss takers and comedians which hurts just as much [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]
Any help appreciated as ever, In fact if anyone has any pictures of their bikes heavily laden that might help
I thought as Mr Nutt & Anna's trip appeared to go so well and he did a great write up I've decided to do the same. As some of you may already be aware on Friday 10th Feb myself and a few friends will be heading off to Swallow Falls, Betws-y-Coed for a two day camping trip. I must point out at this point I only passed my test 3 months ago and have NEVER been camping in my life so all in all should be an eye opener.
Most of you will be thinking "camping in North Wales in Feb [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.] " and yes probably not one of my best decisions but the boys were adament, after this one things can only get better, plus if I don't go onthis one they wont let me go on the others.
Anyway I've got some luggage as a stop gap as my Ventura Bracket still hasn't turned up (ordered it in December) [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.] and I've got Ventura Pack Racks, grab handles and Eurobags sat cluttering up the conservatory, (good job I have understanding wife!!)
Anyway I've started looking at what I physically need to get on the bike and the luggage I have and have come to the conclusions that none of the important stuff will fit into any of the luggage. (Oxford Lifetime Panniers & Tailpack) so need a little help working it out. I'm guessing I'll be able to squeeze my airbed into one of the panniers and all of my other equipment (pump, pillow, light, stove, gas bottle, torch etc) into the other side. My clothes etc will fit in my tail pack leaving my tent and sleeping bag.
I'm guessing bags, gaffer tape and bungee straps are the way forward but so far I'm flumoxed as to how to fit it all on, especially as I went for quite a chunky sleeping bag considering the weather we can expect. At a pinch the tent would probably fit in a back pack but to be honest I don't relish the idea (weight & safety) of wearing a pack whilst keeping a bike upright for over 100 miles on some pretty exposed roads.
Also given that I'm a virtual virgin rider and camper the I'm loathed to ask the other lads for any advice as they'll either fill my head with stupid ideas then take the p*ss when I do it or just generally take the p*ss for me being a newb!!
Either way can't win but I really want to turn up and them say, "hey this guy did it on his own and he did okay"!!I want to sort this out by this weekend as my plan is to load the bike up and go out for a test ride just for practise as I am aware that the handling etc will chage with luggage.
P.S Before anyone questions the integretiy of the lads I'm going with they are a great bunch who would never do anything to put me in danger, they are just serial p*ss takers and comedians which hurts just as much [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]
Any help appreciated as ever, In fact if anyone has any pictures of their bikes heavily laden that might help
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Re: Here Goes My First (Big) Trip, can't wait (Hints Tips Appreciiated)
by Wooster on Sat Feb 04, 2012 8:26 pm
You probably want to follow the same general principle of expedition camping on foot as you will on the bike. i.e. keeping everything as minimal, lightweight and compact as possible.
Personally I'd ditch the airbed and pump combo and buy 3/4 size self inflating mats.
Pick some thick, level grassy ground to camp on and stomp around to find an area big enough for the tent with no hidden rocks...most people take this at face value and don't notice until it's too late.
Keep the dry sack for clothing, electronics and sleeping bag, the tent doesn't need to go in there since it's waterproof anyway.
(You can also use the dry sac as a pillow if you wrap a towel over it)
Take plenty of dry socks and under layers.
Maybe bung a fleece Balaclava in there as well, they're ideal headwear for sleeping in. *
Choose a three season sarcophagus type sleeping bag (with stuff bag) and put on the under layers for the next day (four season is overkill imho, I've slept on the Cairngorm plateau in winter in a three season).
If you also buy a sleeping bag large enough, you can put any damp gear down you plan on wearing again at your feet inside the bag and chances are it'll be dry again in the morning...or at least less damp than it was.
(If you have room, you can also wrap your boots in a poly bag and stick them down there as well. That way they won't freeze solid if it's baltic and they'll also be a bit drier than they were the night before.)
I'd probably also take a basic first aid kit (even if it's just some plasters, elastic bandage and safety pins) and throw in a pile of snickers/mars bars for emergency rations.
..I'd throw a bog roll in a poly bag in there as well, we all have to shit and there's nothing worse than finding there's no comfybum paper available at the facilities...if said facilities are even available.
*I had a bit of a shock one morning when camping out in the mountains in winter.
I'd set my watch alarm for daybreak to get an early start and woke up to find I'd gone snow blind...or so I thought.
(It was early in the morning, so my wits weren't about me..
)
It transpired that my balaclava had rotated 180° and the face hole was on the back of my head.
Personally I'd ditch the airbed and pump combo and buy 3/4 size self inflating mats.
Pick some thick, level grassy ground to camp on and stomp around to find an area big enough for the tent with no hidden rocks...most people take this at face value and don't notice until it's too late.
Keep the dry sack for clothing, electronics and sleeping bag, the tent doesn't need to go in there since it's waterproof anyway.
(You can also use the dry sac as a pillow if you wrap a towel over it)
Take plenty of dry socks and under layers.
Maybe bung a fleece Balaclava in there as well, they're ideal headwear for sleeping in. *
Choose a three season sarcophagus type sleeping bag (with stuff bag) and put on the under layers for the next day (four season is overkill imho, I've slept on the Cairngorm plateau in winter in a three season).
If you also buy a sleeping bag large enough, you can put any damp gear down you plan on wearing again at your feet inside the bag and chances are it'll be dry again in the morning...or at least less damp than it was.
(If you have room, you can also wrap your boots in a poly bag and stick them down there as well. That way they won't freeze solid if it's baltic and they'll also be a bit drier than they were the night before.)
I'd probably also take a basic first aid kit (even if it's just some plasters, elastic bandage and safety pins) and throw in a pile of snickers/mars bars for emergency rations.
..I'd throw a bog roll in a poly bag in there as well, we all have to shit and there's nothing worse than finding there's no comfybum paper available at the facilities...if said facilities are even available.
*I had a bit of a shock one morning when camping out in the mountains in winter.
I'd set my watch alarm for daybreak to get an early start and woke up to find I'd gone snow blind...or so I thought.
(It was early in the morning, so my wits weren't about me..
)It transpired that my balaclava had rotated 180° and the face hole was on the back of my head.
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Re: Here Goes My First (Big) Trip, can't wait (Hints Tips Appreciiated)
by Snowcat on Sat Feb 04, 2012 10:35 pm
Nice write up Wooster, appreciate it, though looking out the window might need to get the arctic gear out at this rate!!
Trip to Hein Gericke and Maplins in the morning, bungee straps and terminals to connect my pump and phone charger to the optimiser lead, finish putting my bike back together and hav a trial run at fitting the luggage.
One positive note is my Ventura L bracket flies in from New Zealand on sunday night so might have it by Wednesday!! That'll save a lot of
Headaches
Trip to Hein Gericke and Maplins in the morning, bungee straps and terminals to connect my pump and phone charger to the optimiser lead, finish putting my bike back together and hav a trial run at fitting the luggage.
One positive note is my Ventura L bracket flies in from New Zealand on sunday night so might have it by Wednesday!! That'll save a lot of
Headaches
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Re: Here Goes My First (Big) Trip, can't wait (Hints Tips Appreciiated)
by Rosco on Sat Feb 04, 2012 11:00 pm
It transpired that my balaclava had rotated 180° and the face hole was on the back of my head.
Brilliant!!!
Brilliant!!!
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Re: Here Goes My First (Big) Trip, can't wait (Hints Tips Appreciiated)
by billyw on Sun Feb 05, 2012 9:14 am
I know Brecon Beacons is not North Wales however..........
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Re: Here Goes My First (Big) Trip, can't wait (Hints Tips Appreciiated)
by Dirt Bike Dave on Sun Feb 05, 2012 10:31 am
Any help appreciated as ever, In fact if anyone has any pictures of their bikes heavily laden that might help
Here is my old fireblade loaded up for a 10 day trip in the Pyranees..
We were camping too so i had tent,sleeping bag, cooking utensils..etc..
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Or you could do a Rosco and buy a huge cargo net and just stuff everything under it..
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Re: Here Goes My First (Big) Trip, can't wait (Hints Tips Appreciiated)
by Snowcat on Sun Feb 05, 2012 10:51 am
It looks like Rosco was involved in one of them 80's style police chases and rode down a back alley with hung out washing lines full of clothes!! 
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Re: Here Goes My First (Big) Trip, can't wait (Hints Tips Appreciiated)
by Wooster on Sun Feb 05, 2012 12:23 pm
billyw wrote:I know Brecon Beacons is not North Wales however..........
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That looks a bit more fun than this was.
(I'm the poor bugger at the front)
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Re: Here Goes My First (Big) Trip, can't wait (Hints Tips Appreciiated)
by Snowcat on Tue Feb 07, 2012 3:00 pm
Well 3 days to go and just had notification that my Ventura L bracket will be in my sticky paws tomorrow afternoon so I can fit that tomorrow night 
That's a big weight off my mind as I now know the packing configuration will be a damn sight easier.
Taking the euro delta pack & Oxford 1st time panniers, this will hold my air bed and all my ancillary stuff.. You know stove, gas, pump, lights, torch, kettle, provisions leaving plenty of room in the delta pack for plenty of thermals/base layers and huge padded coat for walking. Tent and sleeping bag will be bungee strapped to the back of the pack rack with the bag forward facing on the seat.
Picture will follow of rack fitted and bike fully loaded prior to me setting off on Friday.
Wish me luck!!
That's a big weight off my mind as I now know the packing configuration will be a damn sight easier.Taking the euro delta pack & Oxford 1st time panniers, this will hold my air bed and all my ancillary stuff.. You know stove, gas, pump, lights, torch, kettle, provisions leaving plenty of room in the delta pack for plenty of thermals/base layers and huge padded coat for walking. Tent and sleeping bag will be bungee strapped to the back of the pack rack with the bag forward facing on the seat.
Picture will follow of rack fitted and bike fully loaded prior to me setting off on Friday.
Wish me luck!!
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Re: Here Goes My First (Big) Trip, can't wait (Hints Tips Appreciiated)
by Snowcat on Tue Feb 07, 2012 3:02 pm
And I'll be taking plenty of pictures and updating the blog on as regular basis as possible (and level of anebriation allows)!! 
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Re: Here Goes My First (Big) Trip, can't wait (Hints Tips Appreciiated)
by SteveCat on Tue Feb 07, 2012 3:10 pm
I think you're query certifiable 
but all the best, enjoy. I think you're doing the right thing there by consuming plenty of anti-freeze 
I'm a terrible camper, but a tip I learnt - don't pitch your tent on a slope even a gentle one, especially facing downwards. Might wake up finding you've 'slipped' out of the tent
but all the best, enjoy. I think you're doing the right thing there by consuming plenty of anti-freeze I'm a terrible camper, but a tip I learnt - don't pitch your tent on a slope even a gentle one, especially facing downwards. Might wake up finding you've 'slipped' out of the tent
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Re: Here Goes My First (Big) Trip, can't wait (Hints Tips Appreciiated)
by Snowcat on Tue Feb 07, 2012 3:16 pm
SteveCat wrote: don't pitch your tent on a slope even a gentle one, especially facing downwards. Might wake up finding you've 'slipped' out of the tent
Dewly noted
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Re: Here Goes My First (Big) Trip, can't wait (Hints Tips Appreciiated)
by billyw on Tue Feb 07, 2012 6:51 pm
don't pitch your tent on a slope even a gentle one, especially facing downwards. Might wake up finding you've 'slipped' out of the tent .
Oh and don't eat yellow snow!
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Re: Here Goes My First (Big) Trip, can't wait (Hints Tips Appreciiated)
by Snowcat on Wed Feb 08, 2012 11:33 am
Just had the latest forecast and "significant snow" is on the cards for Thursday and i have a stinking cold. Are the gods conspiring to say "don't do it"?? I'm not put off yet but options currently being considered
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Re: Here Goes My First (Big) Trip, can't wait (Hints Tips Appreciiated)
by past-it on Wed Feb 08, 2012 1:31 pm
"significant snow" and a cold? sorry that brings back the image of the bike scene from Dumb and Dumber 
The fresh air might do you good but the snow is a bit off putting, try it you can always turn around and come back. Enjoy.
The fresh air might do you good but the snow is a bit off putting, try it you can always turn around and come back. Enjoy.
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Re: Here Goes My First (Big) Trip, can't wait (Hints Tips Appreciiated)
by 0ldcat on Wed Feb 08, 2012 1:53 pm
CoooWeeeeee Steve ? Come out come out where-ever you are 
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Re: Here Goes My First (Big) Trip, can't wait (Hints Tips Appreciiated)
by greencat on Wed Feb 08, 2012 2:01 pm
I'm afraid the forecast is not helpful! 
You'll need balls of steel. If they stay on the 'brass monkey' (ie you!) I'll be surprised. Brrrrrrr
But it'll be a great tale to tell if you do go ahead
You'll need balls of steel. If they stay on the 'brass monkey' (ie you!) I'll be surprised. Brrrrrrr
But it'll be a great tale to tell if you do go ahead
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