Newbie question
 

As a total newbie to camping using two wheels, how much would a decent set of panniers cost? I've been looking at the oxford humpback panniers...and they seem decent enough for £90. Also, are there any tents available that fit inside those?

Re: Newbie question
 

Yes, there are a few. Kinesin had one that certainly did and I think if you choose one that pacs square-ish rather than long it will. TBH tho it can be just as easy with it all in a bag strapped on the top, especially a longer tent. I used to cart mine in an Ortlieb dry bag (tent, sleeping bag, thermarest mind you I bought small items. Having said that those panniers are popular.

If I remember correctly Kinesin had full camping gear for two and Tara on the back and a huge quantitiy of hair gel.

I've got Oxford Humpback Panniers and a Tail Pack, seem good so far even though I've only tried them out a couple of times. Never with a tent though - that's going to be a first for me too this year (normally 4x4 and a box trailer!).

If you can wait until the BMF show to get them then I would if I were you. Last year I picked up my set of three for £70. I seem to remember there being a fair bit of bike-friendly camping gear there too so if you put off buying until then I would.

Re: Newbie question
 

His sodding hair gel! cheeky :lol: and as for the tent it was in the oxford paniers so i am told! :roll: plenty of room for everything really i carried a back too with bits and peices but mostly my clothes

As Tara has just said.. I've got humpback panniers (due to high cans) and after a bit of searching got a Roben's Lemon grey tent at my local Blacks.. (it was the last of previous years models) for less than £60.

As me an Tara were two up with very limited space (hair products *need* space!! :lol:) I ended up getting a very lightweight tent that packed very small, a couple of down sleeping bags that are tiny, and pair of 3/4 length self-inflating roll mats.
When buying a tent check the pole lenghts when folded as most are 50cm and iirc the max the panniers take is 43cm, the inner/outer sheets will fold as necessary. It's nicer to get a tent where the outer(waterproof layer) goes up first and the inner can be kept dry. My tent is nice for two people as been bikers there is lots of gear that can be kept in two entances (tank bag, backpack, pannier, lids, boot, leathers) so the space is needed!!
Tara also had a backpack, I did try to keep that empty as possible and it held her waterproofs, 2 pairs of jeans, a t-shirt or two and I think her non-biking footwear and micro towel.
My tankbag had waterproofs, trainers, ipod, camcorder, speakers, oh and I also had a swedish trangier<??> in one of the panniers.
In the end we didn't wear half the gear we took but if we had got wet at anypoint it might have been different.

Photo's of us camping last year here: http://kinesin.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/SVRideout2004/ - Mine is the blue sk1 with the grey tent.

Like i said his hair gel :lol: - but he's right (don't tell him i said that)

Ok we are now 4 weeks away from the ride out can anyone tell us where we can get a B&B or some of us will have to miss out on this 1 and dont want too thanks albert :?

Well there's a travelodge on the site where we're starting from, and there's a small hotel across the road from there too.

Try looking in Google for "B&B in Burford"....

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The Old Bell Foundry
45 Witney Street
Burford
Oxfordshire
OX18 4RX

Contact: Sue Barguss
Tel: +44 (0) 1993 822234
Fax: +44 (0) 1993 824704


Courtlands B&B
6 Courtlands Road
Shipton under Wychwood
OXFORDSHIRE
OX7 6DF

Contact: Jean &John
Tel: +44 (0) 1993 830551


Travelodge Burford Cotswolds
A40
Bury Barn
Burford
Oxfordshire OX8 4JS

0870 701 4444


The Forge
Church Road
Churchill
Chipping Norton
Oxon OX 7 6NJ

Contact: Martin & Debby Rushbrooke
Tel: +44(0)1608 658173


Potters Hill Farm
Leafield
Nr Burford
Oxon. OX8 5QB

Contact: Karen and Joe Stanley
Tel: +44 (0)1993 878018
Mobile: 0411 045 207

All within a mile from Burford