Camping and LEJOG

[BroomWagon]

I'm probably going to ride LEJOG staying in B&Bs but Willy once mentioned getting a small tent and doing it that way. Thinking about it that would give me a bit more freedom not having to be at a set B&B at the end of every day.

Having never done any camping - what would I need to take with me other than a tent. I'd want to carry as little as possible. Also can anyone recommend a small tent.

Thanks

[Gully001]

I have a north face mountain.
Marathon 1man tent very light ideal quick put up time compact when stored

[PhilBixby]

Sleeping bag; no ideas on which are best but SimonW and the mountaineering crew might have some recommendations on lightweight stuff. I'm a comfort lover and reckon the ground can feel unpleasantly hard however knackered you are so I'd recommend a sleeping mat - Thermarest (self-inflating jobbies) are the bestest of the best. Apart from that, use clothes as pillow, and take insect repellent!

[Arthur]

I'm probably going to ride LEJOG staying in B&Bs but Willy once mentioned getting a small tent and doing it that way. Thinking about it that would give me a bit more freedom not having to be at a set B&B at the end of every day.

For most of the ride, it'll just mean having to be at a set campsite each night instead. Wild camping is hard in most of England.

[MichaelCarter]

I did LEJOG 3 years ago, mixture of camping, B and Bs and friends houses. I remember saying at the time that if I ever did it again I would avoid camping but I am a light sleeper. I've got a paper back book which I used as a route guide. I could try and dig out for you if you haven't got one? I could also pass on details of B and Bs and campsites I used if you like?

Oh, and one other thing, don't schedule your trip to finish after 5 on a sunday... I was mightlity p***ed off to get to Jon O Groats to find they'd taken the sign down for the evening!

Michael

[BroomWagon]

I remember saying at the time that if I ever did it again I would avoid camping

Michael[/quote]


Hmmm maybe camping's not the best option.

[MichaelCarter]

"Hmmm maybe camping's not the best option."

Don't let me put you off! I'd just (personally) try and sort out a bed wherever possible. If you have an option of cycling an extra few miles to a friends who is slightly off route then it's worth doing for the bed!

It helped me psychologically when I was on the bike too knowing I had a bed at the end of a hard day! Other things I found myself doing were counting pedal revolutions and talking to sheep!

Michael