My touring gear

 This page records the kit I use for camping.  When I get around to it I will delete this sentence and put a link to a little YouTube video. The kit was built up over time, and should give a good indication of what you would need to outlay if you were starting from scratch. I have put links that you can follow to purchase on Amazon and other sites.

First step is to set up a tarp.  This then means any unpacked kit can be kept dry.  Mine is a £22 EuroHike tarp.  I toyed with buying the OEX tarp that goes with the Bobcat tent, but this was 3X the price and actually gave you less of a useable area.  The OEX tarp also has to be set up AFTER the tent and so removes a lot of the benefits.  My tarp is the first thing to be put up and the last thing to be taken down.

If you want one then please follow this link to buy :  Click to buy tarp on Amazon or scan QR code / click for quick link to Ebay

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Step 2 for me is to put groundsheet down and put the OEX Bobcat tent in position.  I place this so it is under the tarp completely, but if there is more than one of you to share the tarp you can set it up just off set to the back.  You have to be careful with the groundsheet or you may actually create a reservoir for standing water in heavy rain.  However, the benefits are much less cleaning needed in the morning and a swift pack up. The groundsheet can be bought anywhere, and I bought an oversized one and cut down to match the exact footprint of the Bobcat.

click here for a link to purchase.on Amazon, or scan / click QR code for link to Ebay

The picture below is before I cut it to size.

The Bobcat is an OEX tent and is great.  I have used it in March for the great Tommy sleep out with ice outside and I was as warm as toast (obviously bag and base play a part here).  In August it gave good airflow and also stayed dry in the heavy downpours I slept through.  It packs into a small bag and is easy to forget exactly where it is packed it is so small and light.  Some people say you need to buy a 2/3 man tent, I disagree and think this is a great set up. The image above shows the edge of the groundsheet, so you can see the space for kit in front of the main compartment. With tarp it is a good size.

Link to purchase

or click the QR code below

The black bag you see in the porch (and strapped over the pillion seat above) is a Lomo. My experience is that this bag is 100% waterproof. I have ridden over the mountain road to Rhayader from Aberystwyth and the Elan Valley road in torrential and horizontal rain. I initially bought the 100L bag. Then I realized that I could ride the bike into it and still have space to sleep. So I sent it back to Amazon and got the 60L bag the next day with Prime. The bag is a perfect fit for the BMW R1200 GSA 2014 with Vario panniers. It sits on the pillion seat and allows me to access the panniers without any fuss. I secure it with a couple of bungees, but I am researching some other strap systems. If you know any good ones, please drop a comment to me or use the contact form.

If you want to buy the Lomo 60L bag then : Click to buy Lomo 60L drybag on Amazon, or scan / click QR code for quick Ebay link.

First trip on the bike and I didn’t take a chair.  Big mistake.  Second trip I took a camping chair from my normal camping kit.  Too bulky.  So I bought one of the URPRO chairs at an astonishing value price of £24.  The link maybe slightly more or less now.  All the  poles join together and you just hold it out and rotate and they all click into place, then add the one pice fabric and it suddenly becomes incredibly secure.  It has a rating for 145 KG.  I don’t doubt it, and at 81Kg myself I am well within the limit.

A very comfy relax after a hard day riding 🙂

This image is me camping in March for the Great Tommy Sleepout.

If you want to buy one then :  Click to buy URPRO chair on Amazon, or scan / click QR code for quick Ebay link. free postage on some.