Hi all 
Well I'm going to first rally this weekend.  
Camping on the K.  
I have the tent, air mattress. sleeping bag, 
Will be eating at rally or buying food there.
What else do I need to take? 
Is there a list here somewhere ?
I have not been tent camping since son was was in boy scouts several years ago. 
Thanks in advance.
G.

Have you got something to hammer the tent pegs in.

You will also need whatever you remember when you get far enough from home that it just isn't worth going back.

10-ring wrote:Hi all 
Well I'm going to first rally this weekend.  
Camping on the K.  
I have the tent, air mattress. sleeping bag, 
Will be eating at rally or buying food there.
What else do I need to take? 
Is there a list here somewhere ?
I have not been tent camping since son was was in boy scouts several years ago. 
Thanks in advance.
G.

In order of priority.
1. Camera. We want to see photos.
2. A sense of humor. So you can tell us all the good stories.
3. Something to drink. So the photos and stories are funnier and more inappropriate.

Apart from that just give someone you are traveling with or expect to meet an emergency contact number in case of a no show on your part.
Anything else is a luxury.
How big are your bags? Fill em up and you should have enough stuff to last a day or two.

Enjoy the ride and talk long, loud and proud on the virtues of owning a K.

Deep Heat cream for your aching back next morning.
Have fun with the trip.

Pack heavier items as low and as far forward as possible.  Has a huge impact on handling.

I always take a 20 oz. plastic Coke bottle of motor oil with me when touring since K bikes use oil.  I like the Coke bottles because they have never leaked on me.

Beer.

Pump for air mattress

Torch/headlamp, some sort of small camp chair.

Al

Your dog.

If your not taking a dog I would say something under you to insulate you from the cold air in the airbed.
And +1 for a head torch. All the light you need and a cheap led torch as a back up.

Cheers,

Ulrich_Grabau wrote:Beer.

but of coarse !   hic !!

i will be going with a group. the beer will be provied by a local brewery. Have the hammer,light,and camera ready to go.  We are leaving fri around  noon . going to Soilders Grove wi the weather is looking good

Nobody mentioned a tent! Bring a tent  

...pocket knife, bottle opener, insect repellant (for use until the beer kicks in), hat/cap/beanie, sunscreen and your own personal roll of toilet paper (never tour without one - it's handy for more than wiping the obvious!).

Noting that you are not planning on cooking, if you have room it can still be worth taking a small gas stove, pot/kettle and mug for that all important early morning cuppa while waiting for the breakfast bar to open (obviously need small bottle of water and tea/coffee makings and lighter/matches)

and don't forget money/cards and means of charging your phone (I use a USB adapter that fits in my 12V power socket).

Enjoy!

AA LED Maglite.

NiiteIze headband makes it a headlamp.




Take the head off and flip it over for a table lamp:




Hang it in your tent as a ceiling light:

never tour without one - it's handy for more than wiping the obvious!

Yours may be obvious butt I try to keep mine covered. 

I already have the moon floss packed in a zip lock bag.
Also the snake bite med.   
Air matress pump with new batteries and yes a tent

possibly some 1st timers joining in on the Smithy Ride this weekend , the question has been asked " not sure what to take ", besides my K.
having read through many members ride reports , it is only appropriate to put this to those who have ventured to the beyond.
for some , this weekend will be an overnighter , with day time temp at 30-35 degrees, down to a possible 5 degrees at night.
 for myself it will be a 2 nighter , 
 in January , my 11 year old son and I will be heading off on a 14 day tour of Victoria and Tassie, expecting to experience all four seasons in this time.
so what advice can be offered to those wishing to experience the virtues of touring on a K?

Once upon a time, a few years back, when kids and myself were organising our first camping holiday in France I gave them the responsibility of deciding where to go and how we were going it and what they wanted.

We made a list which proved extremely useful but when we got it all sorted I left the stuff stored in boxes so we didn't have to go through the same thing every year. The boxes are sized to fit neatly in the camping trailer. The first thing on return from a trip is to dry off tent and pack the stuff away for next time.

I also did same for the bike camping trips.

This lot might help.

Tent: pitch outer first, one with a decent porch for wet day [and preferably a ground sheet in the porch], or place to store gear, or strip off wet bike gear.
Airbed[s] and pump.
Sleeping bag. 3/4 season but 4 season hot in 30 deg.
Groundsheet to put under the tent when you pitch outer. Thin plastic sheet protects under your groundsheet takes up little room packing.
Some spare pegs.

Stove, if you have kids, the small pocket stove is gem [2 of these fit anywhere, plastic container is small and put a small cigarette lighter in each one, it fits so you don't get caught] Gas available http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MSR-Unisex-Pocket-Rocket-Stove-Serrated-Pot-Supports-Protective-Windclip-Shield-/371085123798?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item566665a0d6 You also get a small windshield for these that you can let the stove gently rest against for more stability. Very powerful.
Cookware: 4 person stainless steel. 2 person are much too small. Don't bother with a kettle, too much space taken up. I also ditch the plastic cups as I hate plastic cups.  http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vango-Stainless-Steel-Cook-Kits-1-2-3-4-and-8-Person-/170555432346?pt=UK_SportingGoods_Camping_Accessories&var=470009760506&hash=item27b5e55d9a
Micro tables: Try these... http://www.amazon.com/GSI-55300-Outdoors-Micro-Table/dp/B0018BPKZU
Packed away somewhere if you like our food: Small containers with some spices/seasonings etc, coffee, tea, sugar.
Melamine plates, but bring extra 1 for food prep.
Stainless steel mugs: http://www.dhgate.com/product/best-100-pcs-lot-stainless-steel-coffee-mug/179389262.html#s1-0-1|1441123177
Small chopping boards for food prep.
Small sharp knife and small serrated knife.
Corkscrew/beer bottle opener.
Eating irons, bring a spare set.
Small plastic container with some wash up liquid, unless you can buy some all in one liquid shampoo/wash up liquid/detergent to wash clothes.
Stainless steel flask: If you have a 1 litre flask, fill it with ICE- put the flask in the freezer for a day or so before you fill with ice. In hot weather its good for 3 days, warm weather 4 days and cool weather 5 days. After that, when you start out somewhere fill it with ice cold water. It will keep you cool during the day in hot weather. On extremely cold days fill with boiling water for tea/coffee. Or buy a chilled white wine and pour it into a cold flask.....it will stay chilled.

Torch LED, flat one fits under the seat. Have two, one to hang inside tent and read by.
A small cool/insulated car boot tidy is useful as a foot store, keep flask in it to keep food cool.

A tarp is also a good idea, only needs one pole but worth getting a big one to keep sun and rain off.
Chair is essential for comfort and if you like a beer. These are cheap and strap on top . http://www.amazon.com/Quik-Chair-Folding-Carrying-Royal/dp/B005MAGUPM/ref=sr_1_3?s=outdoor-recreation&ie=UTF8&qid=1416505125&sr=1-3  
First aid kit.
Some citronella night lights to keep bugs away. If you make a barbecue put some into it after you have done cooking. Very effective.

Spares are funny things but I do bring a few: fuses, bulbs, tools, luggage elastics, tape, cable, all fit in rear ducktail.

I generally fit all that lot in the panniers only, along with some clothes items. I tend to pack clothes loose to fill spaces. Generally all fit in the panniers with the gear.

Tank bag for some underwear changes etc and for phone, papers etc etc

Top box still empty. That gets food and stuff like that on the way. Also a rack to make a bbq. And some light casual footwear. If you have a pillion the top box will carry their stuff. A fold up backpack will be essential to but some shopping in on the way.

Check out some of our Irish Eccentrics camp trips. I have 2 Krauser 42 litre panniers and they know what I fit in them!!

some very helpful info there Olaf,  
I'll be taking the Kart up to Smithy's this weekend , as it was easier just to hitch the towball , instead of trying to decide what to take out and strap to the bike. I'll try and take a few pics of some of the gear prepared for our Tassie venture.

enjoyed this little read as well.

There is some fabulous camp gear out here that is ultra expensive, like the Helinox chair and Thermarest beds. They are brilliant but I just don't justify the money. However if I were given one as a present I would treasure it. They fit inside the K2 panniers.

The list I have is all inexpensive and the links just give examples. 88KE will testify to those stoves and cook pots. I don't use aluminium for any cooking, bad health risk. Those stainless ones are robust and have copper bases. You can git a gas canister into them as well.

The plastic container for the stoves is perfect to include a cigarette lighter and my advice is keep one in it, and in each one if you have 2. I like my food so always have 2 stoves to avoid pot food all the time. I also like my cups of tea but hate the tea you get at the coffee machines. Fusspot really. If you like milk for coffee or stuff best thing is bring a small 500ml stainless steel flask, buy the milk cold in shop and pour it into the flask to keep it cool. The flasks may sound like over the top but in my book are indispensable. Camping with son is to be enjoyed, not endured by way of roughing it. If he likes breakfast cereal this will suit him nicely.

The airbeds do pack away small and take up much less room than 2 camping mats. Again, cheap and easy to patch. I have an electric pump but used at 2am on a camp site it will cost you friends so I stick with the manual pump. Its also no good if the bike is parked away from the tent. In a group you only need one pump. This is a personal preference, lots use the camping mats and I have plenty at home but they are not for me.

The tip about the engine oil is wise too. I keep a 500ml Coke bottle of oil and another of drinking water in the fairing pocket, along with a few other spare items.

I stand over having a decent chair to sit on and enjoy a wine or cool beer. One or two of these will strap on over the top box. The micro table is great for preparing food or having somewhere to put your wine and olives (!) and fits inside panniers. Top box also acts as a table/food store.

If you are camping outback or away from shops that's when some empty space in the top box comes into its own.

My thought about electrical stuff is to hard wire a multiple USB charger under the seat or in the ducktail, switched through the ignition, so that you can charge things like phone etc etc when you are on the move. That's my next move, saves chasing down power outlets. 88KE also has a brilliant power pack for running USB devices that could be charged up like this and then used in tent to charge phone or iThingies.

If you are camping where is isn't a fire ban bring some aluminium foil. A stone ring with a hollow, or an earth mound hollowed in the middle.....lay the foil, put in the charcoal and lay the bbq grill [get one that just fits in bottom of top box, takes no space] on top and you have a home made bbq. My kids go on about how we did that one night and then roasted marsh mallows on it to go with our hot chocolate.

A fun thing to bring is a solar shower, but don't attempt to use it towards evening........you might just become food for bugs. A lot depends on where you are.,

On the tent give a thought to whether you are moving every night or staying put for a few days. I like to fit the poles inside the panniers but if not they will fit with the chairs. I generally don't carry the tent in its original bag but separate the inner and outer to wherever I can fit them, but the outer, pegs and poles go where I can get them easily if its raining when we are pitching. Pitch the outer and then take the panniers inside and do everything else in the dry. Packing is the reverse, pack panniers etc inside in the dry, the only wet stuff is the outer. Light plastic bag for this and use luggage ties to keep it on top of your top box so you have no wet gear!! We got this in France one year with an 8 man tent, torrential rain, put the trailer inside the tent and loaded everything in the dry with no panic at all. Then in swimming trunks took down the outer and poles on my own and packed them into a black bag so nothing was wet. 10 minutes for a shower/change and off we went. The thing with this is that the next place you go you pitch the outer, yep its wet on the outside [if you rolled it lengthways!] but the inner and all your gear is dry.

A spare tent guy rope and pegs makes for a small clothes line to dry some stuff......

As mentioned, weight down low and forward is important. Tank bag is good too and I use it.

I have been camping with 88KE and his son Alex a few times so more feedback will come.

One other item I am going to do after my recent incident is to wire in a man overboard cord on the ignition system so it kills the engine [but not the lights!] if you drop the bike. It also becomes quite a useful little anti theft device. You can make one that looks like a headphone jack, all you then need is a shorted headphone plug to generate the continuity, remove the plug and the engine dies. No one looking at the bike will cop it because it looks like an accessory connection.

Spare cable ties are useful, they can be secured to the bike frame with....cable ties! Just pull one out as needed. The relay box has room for spare bulbs and fuses and of course is secure. Having had a gear lever broken a spare on a cable tie somewhere is a really good idea, but it will fit under the seat too. For parking on softer ground a square plate with a long string is useful, you can use the string to move it around under the side stand before you get off the bike and its also good for picking it up when you are leaving, just hook it over the left handlebar. I use plywood because its easy to make and stand shouldn't slip off it. Fits in fairing box and lives there all the time.

Layers work well, make everything do more than one job. I take out thermal lining, but bring fleece jacket that doubles as thermal lining and to wear off bike. If you get your son a National Geographic subscription you get a free jacket that's worth the price on its own, its perfect. Bike socks are good to keep feet unsweaty and the ones in Aldi or Lidl are good. Although you can get bike boots you might be happy to wear all the time feet don't like it so pair of some sort of other shoes is good. I love the boat deck shoes for comfort, cheap too and comfortable in hot weather. If you have ever got sunburn on the top of your feet [especially left foot] you will know not to wear sandals.......

I swapped the BMW panniers for Krauser K2 panniers so almost forgot this one. BMW panniers leak.....so put the stuff in plastic bags inside the inner bag. And use the inner bags because everything falls out when you open them!!

I know this was posted last year...This year I might head over to this if you are in a near by state and want to camp out? $5 bucks to get in and $5 bucks to camp http://vintagebmw.org/v7/node/11819

Quote Olaf "There is some fabulous camp gear out here that is ultra expensive, like the Helinox chair ( a great investment if you can get one) and Thermarest beds ( I always keep an eye peeled at garage sales and op shops, I recently picked up a good quality Khatmandu sleep mat for $4, works well) . They are brilliant but I just don't justify the money. However if I were given one as a present I would treasure it. They fit inside the K2 panniers. ( I too run a tight budget,  it's surprising to see how many folk go out and spend up big on their first camp trip, to find it's not their type of recreation , then sell it all off as "used once", many bargains just waiting to be grabbed)

The plastic container for the stoves is perfect to include a cigarette lighter and my advice is keep one in it, and in each one if you have 2. I like my food so always have 2 stoves to avoid pot food all the time. I also like my cups of tea but hate the tea you get at the coffee machines. Fusspot really. a lot of the super markets now sell the sachets of coffee, hot chocolate and other frothy beverages , and aren't too bad, check out the Aldi range. no milk needed. If you like milk for coffee or stuff best thing is bring a small 500ml stainless steel flask, buy the milk cold in shop and pour it into the flask to keep it cool. The flasks may sound like over the top but in my book are indispensable. Camping with son is to be enjoyed, not endured by way of roughing it. If he likes breakfast cereal this will suit him nicely. cereal it was, with long life carton milk. we also carried supplies for bush breakfasts consisting of pancakes ,bacon n eggs, toast , spreads etc. just because you are outdoors the meals don't have to be less than normal. you just use a different preparation technique.

The airbeds do pack away small and take up much less room than 2 camping mats. ditto Again, cheap and easy to patch. I have an electric pump but used at 2am on a camp site it will cost you friends so I stick with the manual pump. Its also no good if the bike is parked away from the tent. In a group you only need one pump. This is a personal preference, lots use the camping mats and I have plenty at home but they are not for me. I have never been a follower of airbeds, but used one for the 2 weeks we were out, using the lighter socket in the dash, we were quite comfy at night and refreshed in the mornings.

The tip about the engine oil is wise too. I keep a 500ml Coke bottle of oil and another of drinking water in the fairing pocket, along with a few other spare items. just don't be grabbing the wrong one in the dark!!!

I stand over having a decent chair to sit on and enjoy a wine or cool beer. One or two of these will strap on over the top box. The micro table is great for preparing food or having somewhere to put your wine and olives (!) and fits inside panniers.if not , a lightweight cutting board does the job on your lap, and requires minimal space. Top box also acts as a table/food store.

If you are camping outback or away from shops that's when some empty space in the top box comes into its own. if you line it with a cooler/thermal bag, it serves well as a esky from the bottle shop to the campsite. TIP, sprinkle salt on the ice and it increases the lifespan ( temp decreases)

My thought about electrical stuff is to hard wire a multiple USB charger under the seat or in the ducktail, switched through the ignition, so that you can charge things like phone etc etc when you are on the move. +1 there , a great help in Tassie, especially the GPS and phone charging. That's my next move, saves chasing down power outlets. 88KE also has a brilliant power pack for running USB devices that could be charged up like this and then used in tent to charge phone or iThingies.

If you are camping where is isn't a fire ban bring some aluminium foil. A stone ring with a hollow, or an earth mound hollowed in the middle.....lay the foil, put in the charcoal and lay the bbq grill [get one that just fits in bottom of top box, takes no space] on top and you have a home made bbq. My kids go on about how we did that one night and then roasted marsh mallows on it to go with our hot chocolate. a bag of self lighting heatbeads come in handy , we have used them for making sKones and roasts in the camp oven.

A fun thing to bring is a solar shower, but don't attempt to use it towards evening........you might just become food for bugs. A lot depends on where you are.,
 I've not yet seen the solar version , but the 12v ones work well also, just need a collapsible bucket and water
On the tent give a thought to whether you are moving every night or staying put for a few days. some of the Oz guys use small single tents , which are great spacesavers, I noticed Tom had a 4 man dome tent at RT's , carried on his K75, I had the same type but in a trailer, well done Tom. Swags are popular in Oz as well, good for the overnight weekender.

A spare tent guy rope and pegs makes for a small clothes line to dry some stuff......or elastic clothesline , rolls up tight and snug.


I swapped the BMW panniers for Krauser K2 panniers so almost forgot this one. BMW panniers leak.....so put the stuff in plastic bags inside the inner bag. And use the inner bags because everything falls out when you open them!!" be wary , if using only plastic bags to keep everything dry , you may experience the "shrink wrap "effect caused by the exhaust. not very pleasant.


Marty, check your camp gear is in readiness and pop your ride in the ride section , hope you get a few takers . enjoy!

That's a really excellent comment.

I got a few smiles.

I forgot to mention I do have a cooler bag that fits inside the topbox.

I also forgot to mention in the fairing pocket with the Coke bottle of oil and the water.....my reason for the Coke bottle is the shape in the dark and because its not used is kept at the bottom, the top one is the water and is in a different bottle because fusspot here likes sparkling water.

Air beds, mats, whatever is really a personal preference.  
 
Long life milk is an interesting one. I travel miles for the fresh stuff, we get long life here too but I don't like it and it makes awful tea. Ireland of all places has the highest tea consumption per head in the world and we don't even grow the stuff at all. So, the flask will keep milk for a few days. I also have a stainless steel 1 litre flask and fill it with ice. Flask a few days in the freezer, quickly fill with ice and put back in for 24 hours. Wrap in newspaper and put in a plastic bag in the cool bag in the top box with the other stuff. Keeps it cool and you have ice for a few days. I get 5 days out of it here, in real hot it lasts 3 days. Just make sure its a good double skin stainless steel one. If you think the flask is a pain in the butt, think of a nice cool 7UP with ice in it sitting outback in 32c!!!!!.

Bring a load of the coffee sachets, like latte, cappuccino or whatever.

First rule....eat well, just cook differently as Ed has put it. If anything because of increased activity you need to eat more than at home.

So, over the winter in preparation for more camping my sole acquisition for camping was a big tarp about 4.50m square, partly for keeping sun off in France but more for our erratic weather so we can position tents around it and have a decent place to sit in etc at night.  Is this what you refer to as a swag, just some things don't translate well. Like 'Irish coffee'.....

Last night I ordered some bits from Motorworks and this included the USB outlet mentioned.

At Christmas I got a 50,000mA powerbank and its been tested and is good for a week of charging my phone before needing recharge. Cost me £13 from Amazon. Extremely useful but being 50,000mA its 50A and charging from a USB outlet which is 2.1A takes 24 hours for a full charge from empty. For a few days it is 100% ideal.

Go enjoy the camping trip too.

On the bike I usually travel light, compact and cheap.  If you are just heating up water for your coffee, dehydrated meals or stew out of a can, this little butane stove is less than $7 delivered to your door and works just as well as a $50 MSR Rocket.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Portable-Outdoor-Picnic-Gas-Burner-Foldable-Camping-Mini-Steel-Stove-Case-New-/231282527309?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item35d9834c4d

You match that up with this little anodized aluminum cook pot where you store your stove, wash cloth, coffee  and lighter, you have a very compact, cheap and light system.  I use this for backpacking and it works great.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Cookware-Outdoor-Pan-Camping-Hiking-Backpacking-Cooking-Picnic-Bowl-Pot-SU-/381042400340?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item58b7e59c54

I'm convinced that health concerns over using an aluminum pot occasionally are very overblown.

Your biggest weight and bulk will be with your tent and sleeping bag.  Spend your money there and save with the smaller things, like this stove and pot.

Darrin

That

That stove you posted is exactly the one we use, in the plastic container and it has room inside for a cigarette lighter down the side.

The issue with aluminium applies to unanodised ware. The pot you posted is for anodised one and looks good for making tea or drinks ok. We have them here too and they are excellent but the size wouldn't suit a healthy Irishman with a normal appetite....I use a 4 person cookset just for cooking for myself, only cost me about €20. In case you are building pictures of Arnold Schwarzenegger I am 90k kitted out in helmet boots and in bike gear!!!!

martyman wrote:I know this was posted last year...This year I might head over to this if you are in a near by state and want to camp out? $5 bucks to get in and $5 bucks to camp http://vintagebmw.org/v7/node/11819

Marty, I won't be able attend your event, but the week after this is the gathering/ camping event I like to attend.  Hope to see you there: http://www.bcbmwclub.com/rally.htm

Anyone looking for a compact camp chair , Aldi will have a generic version of these ( chair one) little critters on the shelf 4th July. Catalogue says they are rated up to 120kg and selling for $29.99. As some of the aussies already know , they are very handy camp gear when out on your K. Not sure how well they fit in to a pannier?

I lashed out and bought one of these Helinox Chair One units (A$98 at the time) prior to the Karuah Rally early this year. It's a great little chair, could be slightly higher but that would compromise the compact design. To answer groverK, yes they do fit in a BMW touring pannier.

If you can get a clone for under $30 - go for it!

Gaz80 wrote:I lashed out and bought one of these Helinox Chair One units (A$98 at the time) prior to the Karuah Rally early this year. It's a great little chair, could be slightly higher but that would compromise the compact design. To answer groverK, yes they do fit in a BMW touring pannier.

If you can get a clone for under $30 - go for it!

I've got the Helinox chair one, its great but as you say a bit low.

The good news is they are now making higher chairs also.  There are 2, the camp chair and the sunset chair.  I had a sit in someones camp chair at the Alpine, just about perfect for me. The main difference appears to be the height of the back, the seat height is the same. http://www.helinox.com.au/helinox-camp-chair.php

I'm tempted by the Cot one by Helinox but it's $$$

I'll check out the Aldi knockoof when it hits the shelves.

Al

groverK wrote:"So, over the winter in preparation for more camping my sole acquisition for camping was a big tarp about 4.50m square, partly for keeping sun off in France but more for our erratic weather so we can position tents around it and have a decent place to sit in etc at night.  Is this what you refer to as a swag, just some things don't translate well. Like 'Irish coffee'....."


also known as a bed roll , though one brickrider at FarKairn , likened it to a "coffin".

We brought this tarp to France for the trip and it really proved its worth...at providing shelter from some rain the first time we used it and thereafter provided some well needed shade from the sun. Won't go camping again without it.

I've had a Helinox 'Chair One' for a couple of years, but this year I found a Chinese version with extending legs (£30), making it a couple of inches higher. 

As it's identical to the Helinox apart from the legs and bottom lug, I've combined the two to make what looks like a genuine Helinox with extending legs. 



Of course, being me, I've added some support bars to compensate for the extra load on the bottom lugs imposed by having longer legs: made in titanium.

Paul.

GroverK wrote:"So, over the winter in preparation for more camping my sole acquisition for camping was a big tarp about 4.50m square, partly for keeping sun off in France but more for our erratic weather so we can position tents around it and have a decent place to sit in etc at night.  Is this what you refer to as a swag, just some things don't translate well. Like 'Irish coffee'....."


also known as a bed roll , though one brickrider at FarKairn , likened it to a "coffin".

Well I'm now without the Kart , so my Kamping style will change . 
I picked myself up a swag or " Koffin " last weekend , for upcoming rides including the Far Kairn and Karuah rallies. 
It comes with a built in mattress , however given the thickness , or should I say thinness of it , I'll add a slim self inflating mat into it . 
Only issue will be where to put all of my riding gear , regardless of weather.
I'm thinking this will be for the one-nighters only .
Then I'll have to see how the tent sizes up . I had the tent and sundries on board with Ol' Blue for the Far Kairn in 2013. All stashed in a duffle bag .
I will carry a small 1.80 x 2.40 HD tarp to use over the top . 
The tent may eventually prove better , but I'm always keen to try alternatives. 





This morning it was an early up and go to Aldi for some more camping gear . The queue was not too bad , gets hectic when the bike gear is out for sale though.
Hope Nigel fared OK on this sale today .
Some of the big buy this morning included
 a lightweight " helinox " style chair , with an alloy frame . $29.95Aud .
  
 Gaz mentioned there would be no worries fitting it in the panniers , and with the ample sized top box on Smurfette , I'll be able to fit more on than I could with Ol" Blue .



 A headlight as used by Gaz on his many adventures $4.99.

 A solar powered " glow " jar , for use as a night lite, and doubles as a storage container. $4.99Aud
It won't stop my snoring , I just like the warm glow . I bought the blue one of course.
They are collapsible as well. and NO , it doesn't hold liquids. 
 
Took my son to see the movie "BFG" last night , apparently this ere thing is what olds yer dreams .

• Flexible waterproof body, perfect for protecting valuables    Solar powered or USB charging     Built-in LED for use as a lantern      Runtime: high 5 hours, low 12 hours
  
  
• 3.7V lithium battery     Light modes: high, low and flashing         Includes USB cable             Assorted colours
  
  

A comination power socket , 
Rosskko has already fitted a double cigarette lighter on the inside of the front fairing, so this adaptor will be mounted in the top box for security and weather protection . I can leave things in there whilst travelling and charge at the same time . We did this quite a bit as we travelled Tassie last year .

• 
  
  
• Adaptor with 2 sockets    12-24V and 3 USB ports for charging multiple accessories at one time           Simply plug into your cigarette lighter        Includes adhesive strip for easy attachment
  
  
• Cable with velcro 70 x 10mm                 Including overload safety fuse protection               USB port usable for smartphones, tablets and MP3/4 players
  
  

So I am now armed with a few extra luxuries for those important "business trips" I keep telling my wife I must attend .

Hey Ed. Nice score at Aldi today. I picked up a waterproof duffle bag as well.

I looked at getting one of those swags myself last year but I think they're just too big and bulky for the bike. One of the brands has a smaller version made for bikers. I went for a 2 man hiking tent. Quick and easy to put up and light and compact. I ditched my self inflating mattress for a blow-up because it packs down flat and doesn't take up much room. More comfortable as well.

Cheers

I faced the tent size debate due to our erratic weather and the obvious limits of amount you can carry on 2 wheels.

As a teenager I cycled and a small 2 man ridge tent did the job very well but the issue of a load of wet motorcycle gear and stuff did not arise so space was fine.

On 2 wheels a few years back I tried a very small 2 man tent with minimal porch and it doesn't work in the wet. Porch too small for all the gear even before adding wet bike gear and sleeping area not a good idea to fill with wet gear. My ideal solution for me was a decent size 2 man tunnel tent that has a porch that will take all the gear and the wet gear if needed. Cost me all of €75. Sleeping area will take all the dry gear, clothes etc etc. In bad weather porch area can be used for cooking and sitting in. Its a quick set up procedure and works fine for one knighting because simply take panniers into the porch without unpacking them.

One change I made was t do away with the air bed and get a self inflating mat. Where the air bed went in the panniers this doesn't but the time saved on overnight stops is enormous. Very much worth it despite the extra volume but it just straps on.

Like Ed I have a tarp and find it invaluable, don't travel without it. It will work with a smaller tent but if there's much wind the tarp won't do the job unless you have been able to tie it to trees and even then will flap like mad. It has worked very well in rain and in sunny France. So easy to put up and down but don't be too tempted to use your bike as one of the tie down points. Its the size of a bloody good spinnaker and will happily pull a few bikes over.

Holister wrote:Hey Ed. Nice score at Aldi today. I picked up a waterproof duffle bag as well.

I looked at getting one of those swags myself last year but I think they're just too big and bulky for the bike. One of the brands has a smaller version made for bikers. I went for a 2 man hiking tent. Quick and easy to put up and light and compact. I ditched my self inflating mattress for a blow-up because it packs down flat and doesn't take up much room. More comfortable as well.

Cheers 

Well done , 
I debated over the duffle bag as I have alternatives , but the urge was there as the quality appeared good .
I think it was Supercheap who had a bike swag in one of their sales , picked mine up very cheap , so I'll battle with the size for now . If it becomes too much , I'll palm it off to my son for school camps, and go back to my tent, we have plenty of small ones on hand , I understand where you are coming from Olaf ,I'm always keen to investigate the alternatives on the market and be the test guinea pig .
 and as the "blow up " has not yet let me down , and as you say provides much comfort , that could be the way to go .
I'd only use the self inflating mat to soften the swag on the ground .
You should be right now for the next Krew Kampout.