1st Camping Trip - Check List

[92kk k100lt 193214]

Mul001 - thank you for posting your list (thumbs) its very helpful and much appreciated.

I think I might need a bigger bike.. :laugh: but there are a fair few things on it I hadn't even considered which I will need to take.

Don't be alarmed, a lot of things are really small and you can pick them up when you get there. But it is a good list. When I made a list it ran to 9 pages but a lot is common sense, just that they can be forgotten. For a weekend you don't need much spare clothes and you can skip chain lube etc. but on a long trip the lube does become essential. I did all my early camping on a 125 and had quite a bit but a lot I bought at the destination.

You should be in for a good experience, just don't try to push bike or yourself too hard, take time to stop, have a drink when you get petrol, or better still get a bottle and stop in some nice scenic place and spend a few minutes watching the world go by. I reckon one of the nicest things is cooking up a meal when you go away on your own, make it something nice, a book and a beer or whatever, time is your own and enjoy it. Never feel bad about the bike or bike size, many did it on the old Honda 50 and I saw many of them with full panniers and top box spluttering around the countryside ridden by guys who were beaming from ear to ear.

Parking on grass: One thing I keep under the seat in my bike, you may need one. A piece of 1/2" plywood, 6" x 6", hole in one corner, with a long string on it. If I am going camping I have it handy for when I stop, drop it, use the string to move it around on the ground so I can let the side stand down on it so it doesn't sink in the grass and fall over. Loop the end around the left handlebar and when you are leaving use the string to get it up again for another day.

[optimisery]

I reckon packing for the UK is about as hard as it comes because we just never know about the weather, the first trip I did I had enough stuff for a round the world trip because the forecast said sunshine and showers. I've now worked out the trick is to never take anything that doesn't have two uses and that includes clothes.

So now I pull out the thermal lining of my jacket and replace it with a fleece which I can wear off the bike. I've gone for trousers with the zip-off legs to make shorts.

I've got a Phad tent too and haven't taken a footprint because while the fabric is thin it seems tough. But a lot depends on where you put it. I pitched it on grass with thistles and they poked straight through despite being almost invisible. Luckily the fabric seems to have self-healed and doesn't leak, so if you don't take a footprint then do what I didn't and study the ground well.

Food wise I don't think you can beat porridge to start the day and the "Look What We've Found" of bagged meals you can find in supermarkets are good. You can really cheat and buy microwave rice/noodles which you can heat in a pan too. It's quick and easy though.

There's an idea that when you pack you should put the heavy stuff in panniers and as little as possible on the seat, but I'm not sure that's the best way with a 125cc. If you can pack light I think it's better to put as much as possible behind you like you've done with your Lomo bag.

The reason is drag, on my Derbi I had Enduristan throwovers and a small roll bag.

1056448_10153003362315175_1629339296_o_2014-03-13.jpeg

Most of the time I can motor along at 60mph, checking out the scenery, which is what I love but if I run into a headwind it's like throwing a parachute out the back. Admittedly the Derbi is quite wide with its high exhaust, then wider still with my homemade supports and the Enduristans are quite wide too so it might not be the same with your YBR. I think the trick is to try and get the panniers no wider than your legs, not like mine which are as wide as the bars. Test riding will tell you, just stuff your luggage with scrunched up newspaper and go for a test.

Thanks Freeloadeur,

Great tips & info (thumbs) I'm definitely going to use the lining/ fleece idea.

I think I will ditch the tarp, as my Lomo bag is getting to the point of probably not being waterproof as I'm starting to struggle to get it rolled down enough. I did pitch the tent the other day and didn't really consider it to be too thin, but then again I know nothing about tents - I'll see how I go without it this time.

With everyone suggesting I keep it light over the rack, I've packed the Lomo so most of the weight is on the pillion seat and the sleeping bag and other lighter stuff it over the rack. I fitted the panniers yesterday, but havent had chance to fill and test ride them as yet - they don't seem to sit too wide. I think they are 15 litre each side, but I am going to try to not fill them to the brim like the Lomo

I really like your Derbi Adventure. The Adventure was on my wish list before the YBR came along. I will hopefully see it in the flesh at one of the meets this year (thumbs)

[optimisery]

Parking on grass: One thing I keep under the seat in my bike, you may need one. A piece of 1/2" plywood, 6" x 6", hole in one corner, with a long string on it. If I am going camping I have it handy for when I stop, drop it, use the string to move it around on the ground so I can let the side stand down on it so it doesn't sink in the grass and fall over. Loop the end around the left handlebar and when you are leaving use the string to get it up again for another day.

Thanks 92kk k100lt 193214 and thanks for this great tip I'm going to make this today (thumbs)

[yoda]

REAGGREGATESNEWHINODAMAGEN.SDOORANDGRILLEFEB2014.jpg (56.53 KiB) Viewed 1479 times

Handy for confined spaces and small tents :whistle:

[Diesel Pete]

My first ever motorbike tour back in the early 80's was to the Highlands on a Honda MTX 125 with knobbly tyres and my wife (of the time) on pillion. I had two throw over panniers and black bin liners bungee'd to the rack for the tent. It took 3 days to get from Newcastle to Aberdeen!

The handling was interesting but we couldnt go fast enough for it to be an issue and regularly had queues of traffic behind us...... we even got passed by a tractor once .

As for kit, we had a tea towel each for the shower, no soap or anything as we relied on camp sites for that, no shoes so I had to wear Mx boots the whole time so she could fit a pair in. No waterproofs, no sleeping mats (wouldnt do that again lol), a hexamine block and 2 tin mugs for making coffee, a cheap tent and a couple of changes of undies and that was about it

It was brilliant and I still cant help but smile whenever I think about that trip (thumbs)

[92kk k100lt 193214]

So now I pull out the thermal lining of my jacket and replace it with a fleece which I can wear off the bike. I've gone for trousers with the zip-off legs to make shorts

I do that too. Take out a subscription to National Geographic, its very cheap.

http://nationalgeographic-magazine.com/ie/

You get an excellent zip up fleece jacket that is more than respectable off the bike and is just right under the bike jacket. Being fleece its so easy to keep, wash etc. The magazine itself is a joy too.

I use the proverbial deck shoes off the bike, you do really need some footwear.

Like others, unpredictable weather is a problem and over time I found a one piece rainsuit to be a good bet with very light over boot protectors.

Its always amazing how one keeps picking up camping tips and I still find someone always has a good idea to try out. The thing is, don't go outside your comfort zone and also don't be put off if something doesn't go right. There is always a way around a problem.

[optimisery]

REAGGREGATESNEWHINODAMAGEN.SDOORANDGRILLEFEB2014.jpg

Handy for confined spaces and small tents :whistle:

Is this for the essential or luxury list??
I'll have you know I'm a laydee and don't do such things

[optimisery]

Diesel Pete - Great story, made me giggle. (thumbs)

92kk k100lt 193214 - I'm personally all sorted for fleeces but that's a pretty good deal for someone especially with the world map if it's a decent size.

[92kk k100lt 193214]

Well, those fleeces fit me fine and quality is decent enough. The map is decent too.

The fleeces do three things: instead of the jacket lining, useful off bike and also good for sleep in. Or wrap your jeans and spare clothes inside it to a good shape and it becomes your pillow. Easy to wash when you are away too. They sure help the biker image too.

The fart fan is a joke. Never break wind inside a tent........

You will end up wanting an airbed too......ask Diesel Pete. Nothing beats them!.

[Freeloadeur]

It makes you wonder why the thermal inners of motorcycle jackets aren't designed to work as stand alone tops (in fact I might start a thread about that).

Has anyone mentioned a water carrier? It didn't have to be anything fancy, my daughter bought me a folding one from Poundland which works fine.

It's not an essential but there's something nice about not having to go get water to make your first cuppa. Oh and baby wipes are very useful and zip ties, don't forget them.