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Quote: Originally posted by splendidisolation on 21/8/2013

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Hankacampa, can I ask what lights you have above the door? They look like big lightbulbs?!

Snappy dragon, how do you get on with the Helinox chair? I ummed and aghhed(?!) and decided to go for a cheaper option...but the pack size of them is so very small, still tempted if/when the price drops a little.

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Quote: Originally posted by fran1000 on 24/8/2013

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We've done 2 night stays with just:

small dome tent
2 x sims
2 sleeping bags
2 pillow cases (fold up fleece, stuff in pillow case, instant pillow)
2 chairs
Kelly kettle
2 mugs
10 or so tea bags in a plastic bag
small container of coffee
sweeteners
one microfibre towel that we shared
stuff sack with 2 clean tops, 2 changes of underwear and socks each
minimal toiletries (toothbrush, paste, shower gel, deodorant, plus a tiny bottle of cleanser and weeny bit of moisturiser decanted into a very small jar)
Kindle
torch that doubled as a lantern
headlamp

We lashed the chairs to the rack of a borrowed Pan European, and stuck the tent and rolled sims on top. We turned cramming into an extreme sport and managed to get one sleeping bag in each pannier. After we'd done that we were almost too tired to go.
-/snip/-
Getting on the bike was a nightmare. I have trouble getting my leg over at the best of times, and with all the stuff on the back it was well nigh impossible.

Actually, it WAS impossible with the rucksack on. I had to take it off, give it to OH to hold between his legs, clamber on with my dodgy knees, then try and get the rucksack in between the piled up stuff on the rack and my back. We thought we were going to have to ask the next-door neighbour to help.

It wasn't the most comfortable trip. I really missed my pillow and if OH gets the urge to go motor bike camping when he gets his much longed-for touring bike, I'm going to see if I can get a pillow in a vacuum bag under my bike jacket. I also hated only having one pair of shoes with me. We got too hot on the way to the New Forest because we were wearing our fleeces under our jackets, and I was cold at night with nothing under the sim (and no pyjamas!)

And I missed the dogs terribly. OH refuses to countenance a bike with a sidecar to put them in!

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Quote: Originally posted by geoffprinter on 23/8/2013

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Hanka. Its alright taking one of everything. But what if Jelboy comes a calling. You cant even offer him a cup of tea.

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Quote: Originally posted by snappydragon on 24/8/2013

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LOL, oh dear, sorry to laugh, I had though the Pan Euro would be good for two touring
trial and test for most bike camping stuff - I can recommend the Ventura luggage system for your new touring bike, and I found airbeds and pump take less room than my SIM, wear pyjamas under your bike gear? (not as hot as a fleece) ;) I don't travel with a pillion, but I do have a 3berth frame/ridge tall enough to stand in

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Quote: Originally posted by fran1000 on 24/8/2013

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-//-
but I'm allergic to down and feathers. Maybe compression bags would help.

Interesting that you found airbeds took up less room than a sim. Our airbed is a double and doesn't fold up small at all.

Does the Ventura system have panniers big enough to hold a helmet? That's another requirement we have. I really don't want to have to carry a helmet round all day if we go somewhere on the bike and OH doesn't trust helmet locks.