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Jelboy - just a thought, discard it if you like!

There are many villages with a pub, or a farm nearby, where you might be welcome to put up a small tent for the night.  If you are a member of the C+CC or similar there are likely to be certificated sites scattered about.

Might be worth looking at a map, rough out your desired tour, pinpointing likely stopping off places and ringing their pub, farm or certificated site.  A fiver or two pressed into their hands just might be welcome.

Its surprising how many people will say "yes" if asked politely and if you gain their confidence that you won't leave rubbish or make a nuisance of yourself.

Anyway, just a thought.

Ah well, worth a thought.  I'm a keen walker and shanks pony is good for me too.  Guess folding bikes would be the answer if you do want to put your bike on public transport but I do have one and its pretty uncomfortable to ride - its ok for short distances but I wouldn't want to do more than a very few miles on it and the small wheels rattle over every last little bump in the road. 

Francais - your post about pumps made me look at the psi on my tyres for the first time in years.  They say 55, max 65.  I usually just pump them up till they seem "quite hard".  I've been running round on about 40.  So I then pumped them up to 55 (bit nervously - I thought they might burst in my face) and went on a 25 mile jolly.  What a difference!!!   All these years I've been riding on under-inflated tyres!

I also have an old fashioned long stick pump, I couldn't get on with the tiny ones they sell.

Found this post useful, everybody, its certainly taught me something.

Hey folks,

Been away for a few days so have not been able to access T'internet. Loads of information has been given here so i thank everyone for that.

With regards to the type of touring, i will be looking at mainly offroad, forest track type touring where possible. Obviously there will be some stretches of road, but i am hoping that 80% will be offroad.

Plan is for a 2-3 week trip after i have done a few one nighters. Good point regarding the public transport and bikes issue though. I am not planning on using any public transport as i am hoping to bike everywhere.

A question i do have, and hopefully someone would be able to answer is, if i set up a rough camp say a mile or so out of town, and decide to stay for a day or so, and i need to go into town, do you leave your tent pitched and unattended while away, or pack everything up and then re-pitch when you get back?

Thanks for all the info guys.

Scotty.

Thats a good point Rob. If i do fancy a rest day, a site will be the place i will stay. We have been driving past seemingly "empty" tents pitched at the side of the road and we have always wondered about the security aspect of leaving them unattended.

Cheers,
Scotty.

Yeah, it is one i have been pondering over for a while. I even thought about leaving a small radio playing so it sounds like someone is in the tent if i were to nip off into town.

Like you say, it would all depend on the location i suppose and the general feeling of the area.

Thanks guys,

Scotty.