While grazing through the internet you may have come across the really great bike tents, the ones which allow you standing room, space for gear and somewhere for the bike. Like me you were in acquisition mode until the price was converted into NZ$.
I have an alternative. The Tologa tent sold by the noble red shed is almost identical at less than half the price.
Packed up it sits comfortably on the passenger seat and is narrower than my panniers although it would need to be removed if you want access to them. It’s easy to put up by one person and has over six feet of headroom. It probably wouldn’t do in the arctic or during a hurricane, but lets be honest I wouldn’t be travelling on a motor bike then.
After a miserable night in a bivvy tent at the Cold Kiwi I’ve decided the extra size, space and weather protection is worth the hassle of transporting it on the seat.
How’s the Zongshen going?
I have been thinking about getting some camping gear for biking trips.
Here’s my list, what have I forgotten?
Tent
Sleeping bag
Air bed and pump (I’m old)
Tiny Gas burner
Chair
Some pots and pans
30l roll bag to shove it all in
Thoughts? Bear in mind I’m a newbie not a hardcore adventurer.
https://www.torpedo7.co.nz/products/T7RF2N8FA/title/torpedo7-featherlite-adventure-chair
Can recommend this chair, buy one get one free at the the moment.About the size of a skinny 1’5lt bottle when collapsed
Highly recommend the coleman airbed. Rolls up small, has built in inflation, about 65mm high, and cheap, repeat, cheap…
https://www.huntingandfishing.co.nz/coleman-sleeplite-camp-pad.html
Thanks David – I was looking at this one…
https://www.thewarehouse.co.nz/p/navigator-south-folding-camping-chair-blue/R2220552.html#prefn1=subclassCode&prefv1=Camping+Chairs&start=1
No doubt lesser quality!
Airbed looks good though, thanks @Muzz67
Hi there
Zongie is going really well, I’ve done nearly 5000k’s since March and apart from a new battery shortly after I bought it it has been perfect.
Two weekends ago I completed the Gold Ride Forever course in Palmerston North with riders on a range of much bigger bikes without any problems. There were one or two raised eyebrows, and apart from the rude sod who wanted to know why I didn’t buy a “proper bike” We all had a great day.
Every time I go camping I find something else I can change or improve. The important bit I think is to get out there and do it, especially when the weather is so amazing!
If you plan on camping a lot or in cold conditions, I’d highly recommend a down-filled Exped airbed. They roll up smaller than the average airbed although the suggested Coleman sounds tiny. Although expensive, I’ve never had a bad sleep with mine, even in snowy / freezing (UK) conditions.
http://www.exped.com/new-zealand/en/product-category/mats
‘+1 to this. I have the Exped 9 which is 9cm thick and I got the extra long and wide version and it was a revelation to sleep on after using standard airbeds for years. For the first time I was truly warm because no cold was coming through from the ground, I actually needed less layers because of it.
The 9LW does fill half a pannier bag but it’s worth it when it’s cold.
Thanks @ElleOn2Wheels and @Eddieb, will bear that one in mind. I’m definitely not going to do hardcore camping…. Would think about something like that if I decide I can handle the whole camping thing.
So consensus seems to be I have the minimum list more or less right. Will go from there.
Coleman airbed failed on third night….since replaced!!
Just a heads up that the Torpedo7 featherlite chair is on sale for $37
Last Friday I got an E-Mail, that chair was on special for $29.95, but I couldn’t be bothered driving to Hamilton so close to XMas. Then on Saturday I got another E-Mail telling me about free shipping, so I ordered the chair for $29.95 with free shipping – it arrived Monday! Cheaper than similar chairs ordered from China!
Bugger. I’m guessing Torpedo7 club member? Though I’m still happy at the sale price.
Note the Kathmandu Quest chair (similar) on sale $89.98, retail $149 or thereabouts….
And way better priced (albeit a little heavy) than the Helinox original at AUD138 + shipping.