A run down of my kit:
VANGO GALAXY 300 TENT:
This is the best tent I have ever owned for motorcycle touring.
It is a 3 person ( two comfortably ) with a whopping 5000mm rated hydrostatic head meaning you are not going to get wet. It also as powerflex aluminium poles. The vestibule you can stand up in easily.
The first time pitching you will need to clip the sleeping pod and ground sheet in place but once done they can remain in place. The only poor thing is that when its windy the sides of the tents vestibule / porch can blow inwards over the ground sheet and if wet leave a few puddles but this is easily rectified by clipping some tarp clips on the sides and using short pieces of guy line then peg them down. I also partly fold my groundsheet inwards to place muddy boots on the grass part If its really wet. The front door can also act as an awning , you just need to get yourself two cheap long enough tent poles. The beauty of this tent is that it packs up really small and weighs just 5.5 kgs and after the first time of putting up can be erected easily in 10/15 minutes solo.
Review
VANGO GALAXY
SLEEPING MAT
EXPED Sim mat 7 LW.
Not cheap but packs up really small and has a built in hand pump but I use a small 12v air bed inflator. LW stands for Long Wide and the number 7 for 7cm thick. I don’t think Exped do this exact mat anymore but have replaced it with something even better. Their down feather versions are insulated down to something like minus 16 and the Sim down to about minus 7 so you are not going to get cold through the ground.
Heres a link to the 9cm version.
EXPED MAT
EXPED MAIN SITE
SLEEPING.
I use a Vango 2 Season large rectangle shape bag which I actually use as a duvet. I take a full size pillow from home and also have one of those memory foam travel neck pillows , also I take a fleece blanket which goes over me first and I pop the Exped mat inside of a silk sleeping bag liner and I always carry a hot water bottle for if it gets really cold ( rare )
SEATING.
Again expensive but I use a Helinox Sunset chair with the footprint ( birthday present ) The sunset again packs away small and is extremely light and is high off the ground and has a high back ( great for me with arthritis ). Two of mates went out and got them after sitting in mine.
HELINOX
TABLE.
A simple Spike table as seen in my photos. The two parts that go together to make the single spike snap into the back of the table when packing it away.
COOKING.
I have several stoves but always take my Trangia set with me ( 1 litre kettle + 2 pans 1 large 1 small and all goes together like Russian dolls ) I also purchased their pan drainer come chopping board that fits over the top of the pans when packing away . I have the all aluminium set, I use this with the extra gas burner rather than the meths burner ( makes life a lot easier ) I also ditched their frying pan and purchased a small non stick Tefal pan and removed the handle. Word of warning ! If you are thinking about buying their non stick set DON‘T ! Unless they have altered their non stick formula ? But the older coatings came off if mixing instant mash potato and stirring with a wooden spoon !
I also have a Coleman 533 petrol stove and a vintage Optimus Hunter 8R petrol stove but I usually leave these at home but the optimus is very small just like a jet boil and brilliant !
TRANGIA
ANCILLARIES
I use one of my Hein Gericke pannier bags with things like cutlery ,a small sharp knife, tin opener, bottle opener, small plastic spatula, mug,plate,bowl,beer glass,tea towel, towel, washing bag with usual stuff in it, first aid stuff,spray cooking oil,salt n pepper, phone charger,petzl head torch etc etc…..And most important a 4 pint plastic milk bottle for in the night !
Then I put food and drink in a carrier bag and this all fits very nicely under the Burgmans seat and I can also put quite a bit more under there like shoes and a jacket but of course you can always go out once set up to get important supplies like Cider and Beer 🍺 😈
All my equipment that doesn’t go under the seat goes into a 60 litre Lomo 100% water proof roll bag .
My tent sits on top of the bag and is secured onto the back seat of the Burgman with two Rok straps.
I have just purchased a Givi Maxia 4 V56nn top box and hope to fit it after xmas so will make life even better !
LOMO
, then ,, tents😖
