Featured Solo-camping Adventure

Depravation = good! Deprivation = bad.

 

Makes a nice change to see somebody planning a North trip without visiting the carbuncle that is John O Groats. Good on ya!

Not much in that corner right enough. There is a motorcycle shop in Wick, but tbh, the guys a Richard Head. Allus found him to be very unhelpful.

One thing I would say, the roads from Tain upwards are getting worse and worse, some epic potholes, lots of loose chippings. Round us they are doing resurfacing work... Yup, in the snow and rain. That's gonna last. Not.

Their fave trick is to just drop a blob of tar in the hole and hope it sticks.... It does stick... To your exhaust.

Apart from that, that's a cool route!

Been a while since I did any bike camping. I used a 2 berth tent, duck down ex army sleeping bag, bed roll, saddle bags, and as little stuff as possible. Trangia stove, spork, a folding kuksa, and a pair of jeans and a couple pairs socks and under crackers. Something to wash with... That's about it. Basic, but fun.

 

Apologies @Duckadiledundee

 

@Duckadiledundee - american translation -
Pants = Trousers
Underpants = Grundies

 

I don’t dissent! My play on words emphasised the capacity for excess in ALL directions.

Depravation is the act ‘in the moment’. Depravity is the enduring condition........

 

Over on the Isle of Wight

 

Well they will if you go camping, 31, my underwear is older than you, you lucky chap

 

@Frecklechops

At Inverness, turn left, head to Nairn then take the road south to Granton-on-Spey. It's a belter and you don't have to go on the A9.
Raced a local along that road, he in a Toyota Saloon, by feck he knew that road well !!!

 

That's good! Enjoy it while it lasts. And don't go breaking any of those bones either. Just because they're young bones doesn't mean they won't break. No fun to be had in that.

 

One of my (many) favorite forum photos, @Vulpes. No castles in the background of pics taken here in the U.S. Unless it's the Cinderella Castle at Disney World.

 

Will do, Ducky! But don't hold your breath--DisneyWorld and Disneyland are fine and all but not high on my particular travel priority list.

 

We are a bit wary of Americans wanting to take up residence in our castles and palaces, marrying the residents then trying to cash in

 

Had to read that twice @Callumity before I got on page

 

I like to do a trip once a year, usually a week to a week and a half. Things to bear in mind ..
1 - you dont need to lug about too many clothes.
2 - dont waste ur time carrying food, camping and fine dining dont mix.
3 - I also use a vango banshee, is it a 2 man or 3 man? A general rule of thumb is if just camping a 2 man is okay for 2 people and no gear. It will fit 1 person and gear but riding a bike means you got bulky riding gear too that might need a bit of air so even though its just you, think 3 man.
4 - Plan to have options if the weather is bad. A couple of years ago did Ireland coast in 7 days and what transpired was Night 1 wild camp, Night 2 camp site, Night 3 hostel (or pub, B&B etc), Night 4 wild camp, Night 5 camp site, Night 6 hostel. We survived the ex-hurricane that hit Ireland the week before the 2018 heat wave which typically started on our last day. This gives you options for drying out gear that might need it. Did the North Coast 500 before that with a similar, wild camp, camp site, accommodation strategy. These days you dont need to book anything too much ahead as you can usually sort something. To be fair the wild camp, site camp, accommodation order / mix depends on the weather and where you end up for the day (eg we didnt plan night 3 in Ireland as a hostel but Night 2 was the hurricane so we found a hostel the next day near where we planned to finish and booked it as we travelled in the morning.
5 - If you fancy wild camping beware it can have its downsides. Wild camped in Wales many years ago (walking holiday). Pitched tents, went to pub, went back, no gear left, just what we were wearing and what we had in our pockets. Trying to get from North Snowdonia back to Bristol in those circumstances (before mobile phones) was trying.
6 - As someone else suggested make a specific bag a "setting up camp bag". That way if the weather is a bit shitty when you stop its quicker to set up as you are only dealing with one bag. I have a 30l roll top that is permanently ready to just go - tent, cooker, sleeping bag, sleeping mat, inflateable pillow (spare room under the bed).
7 - get a warmer sleeping bag, not sleeping because you are cold is just shit.

 

Definitely agree with point 3 & 4 for the following reasons

I like to do a bit of walking and exploring when away so by the time you have bike gear and helmet etc. you need space for storage whilst still getting dressed etc.

If you arrive wet where are you going to put your wet stuff; outside?

If you awake and its raining where are you going to pack?
Inside one of my tents I have a large entrance area under cover. This is ideal for wet days either arriving or departing; choose your tent wisely!

My tent of choice for possible wet trips is one of these -

Vango 200 but I think they do a bigger one (300) as well if you prefer.

https://www.completeoutdoors.co.uk/vango-scafell-200-tent-pamir-green.ir

 

Camping is for mugs... If the person can't plan ahead (experience helps).

Three of us went to the Manx GP with a VW Crafter. Four person tent salvaged from a friends bin pile - use and lose
Empty the van, mostly, add washing line and gas fire - instant drying room with side door ajar for ventilation
One of us, guess who? brings a proper army style ali camp bed - 1 out of the 3 of us slept well, warm and comfortable every night (aided by a bottle of wine one night and oh did he (I) snore apparently ).
A bivvy sheet outside, double Coleman petrol stove with kettle and box of bits - smashing

We even did our good deed for the day at the end. A local camper was saying about the early morning ferry being a rush to get packed up etc so we hatched a deal
We went home, he had our tent with all his gear ready packed inside except for his sleeping bag. The following day he jumps out of bed, packs his bag away, pull the pegs and put our tent away in the skip Magic, everyone happy!!​

Campings not hard or uncomfortable its all about frame of mind and forward thinking.