From experience we all know what it is like to get a few miles down the road or even to be at the camp site only to notice that you have forgotten some vital piece of kit. To ensure you never have this problem again CheapTents has drawn up a checklist of equipment and supplies, essential to all families going camping this summer.

Where You Sleep

• Tent(s) – including pegs, ground sheet & mallet.
  Check our guide to choosing a perfect family tent.
• Sleeping Bags
• Roll Matt or Air Bed (with pump)
• Blankets, Sheets & Pillows should be considered

Explorer First Aid Kit - £19.79

The Basics Camping Equipment

• First Aid Kit
• Torches & Lamps
• Fold-Up Chairs
• Matches & Lighter – take both
• Multi-use Tool / Handy Knife
• Spare Rope
• Map / GPS

Camp site Cooking

• Camp Stove & Fuel
• Cooler / Cold Box
• Pots, Pans, Cooking Utensils, Plates, Cutlery & Glasses (plastic is best)
• Tin Opener & Sharp Knife
• Thermos Flask(s)
• Bin Bags
• Washing Up Bowl & Liquid (plus cloth/sponge)
• Food & Drink Supplies

Personal Care / Camping Hygiene

• Soap & Shampoo
• Toothbrush & Toothpaste
• Towel(s)
• Toilet Roll
• Antiseptic Wipes
• Any medications

Clothing

• Waterproof Clothing – Jackets, Trousers etc.
• Walking/Hiking Shoes & Boots
• Summers & Winter Hats (plus gloves)
• Normal Clothes (of course)
• Underwear
• Beach Wear (also stops embarrassing shower moments)

Miscellaneous Camping Gear

• Mobile Phone (plus solar charger)
• Spare Batteries
• Toys & Games
• Pen and Paper
• Safety Pins & Sewing Kit
• Duct Tape
• Cash (there is never a cash point when you need one)
• Midge Repellent
• Sun tan lotion
• Travel Clock

So, if you and your family are going camping this summer don’t forget a thing. Use our checklist and have a fantastic holiday.

Tell Us about your camping holidays
Have you been camping this year? let us know about it, where you went, what you did, would you recommend it etc … To tell us about your camping adventure simply leave a comment below.

• What time of year will you be going?
• What are anticipated weather conditions?
• What is duration of trip?
• Where will you sleep overnight?
• Will you be visiting a bird sanctuary?
• Will you be using in a hide?

A suitable pair of binoculars are essential birdwatching gear. Source: Flickr by CarbonNYC

It will also depend upon how seriously you take ornithology and the bird watching element of your trip. Will you be on the look out for birds in a general sense, or perhaps you will be hoping to spot a specific species or individual even if it means waiting in the same spot for several hours.

The equipment that you need can be broken down into two categories. Gear that is specific to birdwatching and gear that is not specific to birdwatching.

Gear Specific to Bird Watching

Choosing Bird Watching Binoculars

There is a vast array of binoculars available, but which are the best for bird watching?

Magnification for Birdwatching Binoculars

Binoculars are usually specified by two numbers, for example 8×40.
The first number denotes the magnification of the binoculars. The higher the magnification the more detail that can be seen. For general birdwatching low magnification (low power) binoculars are usually preferred, since they are easier to hold steady. Typically the magnification should be 7x, 8x or 10x, with a higher magnification recommended for use in hides or for viewing at estuaries and reservoirs. The combination of a telescope and a pair of lower magnification binoculars is often a good combination.

Objective for Birding Binoculars

The second of the two numbers used to specify binoculars is the objective, which gives an indication of image quality and image brightness. The objective is the diameter of the large lens. Birdwatchers recommend an objective of between 30 to 40 as being the best for birdwatching.

Birdwatching Binoculars Field of View

Another important feature of binoculars is the field of view. Binoculars with a wide field of view are especially suitable for scanning large areas. It is often easy to locate the bird in the sky with your eyes only, however once you start looking through the binoculars it can be difficult to find the right patch of sky. Also, when a bird is flying across the sky it can be difficult to follow its flight path. Binoculars with a wide field of view make locating the bird easier. However, having a wide field of view is not as important a feature in birding binoculars as good image quality.

Other Important Features for Choosing Binoculars for Birdwatching

Binoculars with a large exit pupil deliver more light to your eye. If you will be birdwatching when the visibility is quite low, for example at dawn or dusk a large exit pupil can make all the difference. The same is true if you are observing a bird that is perched in the shadows.

The weight is also quite important. If the binoculars are heavy you will not be able to hold them steady. And remember, you will probably need to carry them out to the hide or on your walk.

The ability to focus quickly using a centre focus is advantageous when tracking a bird in flight

Your birding binoculars should have multi-coated lenses. These lens coatings can increase light transmission and therefore make the image brighter.

Since you never know what the weather might do, your binoculars should be waterproof and fogproof.

Popular binocular manufacturers include Leica, Nikon, Olympus, Opticron, Swarovski and Viking.

Birdwatching Telescope / Spotting Scope

A combination of low power binoculars and a spotting scope will enable you to observe birds across a wider range of distances and habitats than having a single pair of high power binoculars.

The recommended specification for a general observation birding telescope is a compact 60mm spotting scope which has a wide-angled eyepiece with 20x or 22x magnification.

Many modern telescopes have interchangeable eyepieces allowing for a greater range of magnification from a single scope. For general observation wide-angled eyepieces of 20x to 30x are ideal, whilst 40x magnification enables you to make longer distance observations.

Capturing great pictures of birds is an essential part of birdwatching. Source geograph.co.uk. © Copyright sylvia duckworth and licensed for reuse under the Creative Commons Licence.

Other Gear for Birding

For most birders taking a snapshot of bird in action is an essential, but by no means easy task. With the ability to rapidly take many shots, a digital camera increases the chance of getting that perfect shot, when compared to using the old-fashioned film camera. Of course, patience and luck have a lot to do with it too! A detailed discussion about digital cameras is outside the scope of this article. However, it is worth mentioning that the quality of the lens, pixels and processor should be considered when choosing a digital camera. The number of pixels is commonly used to assess the quality of a camera and whilst this does matter, having a high number of pixels merely indicates that you can print out your photograph on a large sheet of paper.

A particularly useful bit of gear for birdwatching is a Digiscope or Digital Camera Adaptor (DCA). The purpose of this device is to connect a digital camera to a telescope, enabling you to take close up shots over a long distance.

A tripod, monopod or hide clamp can be used to keep your telescope steady and save your arms from aching! If you are planning to take photographs via your scope the use of a support will help ensure that your photograph does not come out blurred.

Most birds limit their flying activities to the day time, however some birds do fly at night, for example, owls and geese. For bird watching after dark you can use night vision goggles.

With all the optical equipment needed for birding, an organiser bag
will keep your gear organised and help prevent it from becoming accidentally damaged. A mircofibre lens cleaning cloth should be used to clean any dust or smears from the lenses of your binoculars, spotting scope or camera.

A Birding Vest, Gillet or Jacket with lots of pockets is an asset when bird watching. The pockets are ideal for keeping safe your lens covers and having quick access to your essential bird identification book and bird log.

The annual BirdFair at Rutland water provides an excellent opportunity for purchasing bird watching equipment. Many specialist birding retailers exhibit at BirdFair so all the latest and classic gear will be on sale.

Outdoor Gear Not Specific to Birdwatching

Whether you are going bird watching for a couple of hours or for a couple of days or weeks, you will want to stay warm, dry and comfortable. If you are blessed with good weather you will want to stay cool and may even need to protect yourself from sunburn.

Outdoor Clothing for Birding

You are likely to be motionless for long periods of time whilst birdwatching and so you could easily become cold. Therefore clothing with a high degree of thermal insulation will be vital if you are to keep warm.

To provide warmth and flexibility of controlling your body temperature wear several layers made up from a base layer, mid layer, outer layer and waterproof layer.

The most suitable mid- and outer-layers are fleeces. Tops and jackets made from fleece material provide thermal insulation and will keep you warm. For when the weather is really cold, a down jacket or synthetic insulated jacket will ensure that you stay warm whilst you are bird watching. Even during the summer it can be surprisingly cold at night, especially on hot days when there are no clouds. If you have had to hike a long way to your chosen bird watching site you are also likely to become cold after burning up all your energy.

A lot of your warmth can be retained by wearing a hat and a scarf.

Fast drying, moisture wicking walking trousers such as Craghopper’s Kiwi Trousers are comfortable and are highly recommended for hiking, birding and general use.

Waterproof Jacket and Trousers

If you get wet, your bird watching trip is likely to be a cold and miserable one, even if you do spot a rare species. If the weather looks good when you set out, it could still rain later. Therefore it is always worth taking a waterproof jacket and over trousers. The most comfortable waterproofs are made from fabric that allows you to breathe, such as Gore-Tex, eVent and Gelanots. Manufacturers that use these fabrics include The North Face, Berghaus and Sprayway. If you go walking and birding during the summer, lightweight waterproofs are best. For all year round birding, 3 layer waterproofs are worth considering since they are more durable.

Most waterproof jackets have a hood, which obviously helps to keep your head dry and prevents water dripping down the back of your neck. However these hoods do not tend to have any insulation, so it is worth taking a warm hat too. Also hoods can restrict your vision, so they are not always suitable when bird watching.

As mentioned above, a jacket with lots of pockets can help keep you organised and prevent you from losing small items such as lens covers.

If you do decide to buy breathable waterproofs, their life can be prolonged by following good fabric care advice.

Walking Boots

When going out bird watching you are likely to be walking at least a short distance. RSPB nature reserves can have several miles of footpaths which you can explore. These footpaths tend to be well maintained so sensible shoes or trainers will be adequate.

If you are planning to walk or hike further off the beaten track then you will need some stout walking boots. These will help keep you feet warm and dry, as well as protecting them from rough uneven surfaces. Hiking boots with ankle support will help to prevent you from twisting your ankle. Choosing a pair that fits well is important, so it is worth reading our walking boot advice page. For maximum comfort and to help prevent blisters, wear both a thin and a thick pair of walking socks.

Tent / Bivi Bag

The early bird catches the worm and the early rising bird watcher sees the bird! Sleeping in a tent or bivi bag makes it much easier to get up at sunrise in order to see birds that are active first thing in the morning. If you go wild camping in remote areas you should be able to see birds that do not venture into villages, towns or cities. The most suitable types of tent for bird watching will depend upon the exact terrain and time of year that you are making your trip. An ultralight tent or bivi bag would be particularly suitable for wild camping.

If you are camping you will need a sleeping bag and camping mat or Therm-A-Rest inflatable mattress.

Other Outdoor Gear and Accessories

If you hiking to a particular location then you will need a map, compass, emergency whistle. You could also take a GPS unit.

Canada Geese at the RSPB's Leighton Moss Reserve. Source: Flickr by Gidzy.

Other useful gear includes a sitmat, survival bag, insect repellent, anti-bacterial hand wash, sun glasses, sun lotion, sun hat and waterproof hat. More information about general walking and camping equipment can be found on our camping gear advice page.

If you are hiking remember that anything you take will add weight to your rucksack. Your birdwatching gear will add to the weight too, so it is best not take any unnecessary items!

Birdwatchers’ Code

When you are out birdwatching or twitching, always remember the birdwatchers’ code:

1. Avoid disturbing birds and their habitats – the birds’ interests should always come first
2. Be an ambassador for birdwatching
3. Know the law and the rules for visiting the countryside, and follow them
4. Send your sightings to the County Bird Recorder and the Birdtrack website
5. Think about the interests of wildlife and local people before passing on news of a rare bird, especially during the breeding season

Share Your Bird Watching Log

When out on hiking trips we often see grouse, buzzards, skylarks and lapwings to name a few. If you have sighted any birds whilst out hiking or camping please let us know. Use the comments link below to tell us what you have seen and where! There is an excellent bird identification guide on the RSPB website.

The RSPB are currently campaigning to protect birds of prey, so we would be particularly interested if you have seen any birds of prey.

They are usually made from lightweight, waterproof, ripstop fabric and are secured around your rucksack with elasticated drawcord. When not in use they can be packed away into their own little stuff sack.

Trekmates Backpack Covers are available in small, medium and large to fit different sizes of rucksacks. Small fits 20-45 litre rucksacks, medium fits 45-65 litre rucksacks and large fits 65+ litre rucksacks.

Do I Need a Rucksack Cover?

The purpose of rucksack / Backpack covers is to protect your rucksack from the rain, but are they really necessary?

A wet rucksack is heavier than a dry rucksack, so the rain cover will help keep your rucksack lightweight. It will keep most of your backpack bone dry, although it does not cover the shoulder straps or hip belt. If you have been out all day hiking in the rain, bringing a soaking wet rucksack into your tent can make the rest of your outdoor gear damp. If you are staying at a hotel or guest house, or simply going home you will still need to dry out your rucksack if it is soaking wet. The rain cover will dry out much faster than a rucksack.

When packing a rucksack most people would use a rucksack liner, Mountain Equipment Wet & Dry Stuffsack or plastic bags to keep their outdoor gear dry. Therefore the rucksack protector is normally unlikely to keep your kit much drier than it would otherwise be. However, water does have a knack of finding its way into places, so if you are on a long hike and unfortunate to be in constant bad weather, the rain cover might be the difference between damp or dry camping gear. Camping can be bad enough in the rain, without having a soggy sleeping bag!

One thing to watch out for is that since the cover does not form a watertight seal, water can get inside the rain cover where it collects in a puddle at the bottom.

Rucksack covers do not only protect your rucksack from rain. If you are cycling with a rucksack, the cover will provide protection from mud on splattered up from your bike’s rear wheel.

If your rucksack has garish colour that is just too bright, then a black rain cover can be used to keep your back pack looking more sombre.

One of the cons of using a rucksack protector is that they are a hindrance if you want to carry things on outside of rucksack. Items like sleeping mats do not fit easily underneath rain covers.

In high winds the rucksack cover can get blown off. Therefore, after putting the cover over your rucksack and pulling the drawcord tight, it is worth tying the drawcord to the rucksack’s grab handle. Then if the wind blows the cover off, at least your cover won’t blow away down the mountainside.

In my experience, using a rucksack protector is worthwhile, but they are not everybody’s cup of tea.

Rucksacks with Built-In Covers

Some rucksacks have the covers built into them, for example, some Lowe Alpine and Berghaus rucksacks have built in rain covers. The raincover is normally zipped away in a pocket. When it starts to rain the cover can be pulled over the rucksack and is normally held in place with elastic. These covers are a much better fit that the generic rucksack covers since they are designed to fit a specific rucksack. They also have the benefit that they will not get blown off your rucksack in high winds.

Rucksack Covers for Travelling

If you are travelling a Life Venture Combi Transporter Rucksack Cover would be useful. This type of cover is not only a rain cover but also a transporter cover. It keeps all of your rucksack’s straps tidied away, preventing them from getting snagged and broken during flights or train travel.

Another worthwhile product if you are going travelling with a rucksack is a Pacsafe Luggage Protector. This is a wire mesh which prevents thieves gain access to your rucksack by slashing it open with a knife.

Review a Rucksack Rain Cover!

What is your opinion of rucksack rain covers? Are the worth the bother or are they your kit’s saviour from the rain? Let us know, click on comments below!

Sleep at night on your cycle tour, with these handy hints
Image by Greg Williams

Bicycle Touring is an exciting, healthy way to spend your free time, either on your own, with friends or even your family! In my previous article An Introduction to Bicyle Touring the main forms of touring were defined. For most Cycle Tours the gear needed will essentially the same, although it will depend upon how much each individual cyclist is prepared to carry, what they view as essential items, what level of comfort is required, what terrain and distance the tour will cover and whether there are any support vehicles to carry equipment.

The following information is a guide to some of the kit you may need and questions to ask yourself. In this post shelter and sleeping are examined, the next post on this subject will examine clothing.

Shelter When Bicycle Touring

Tents

If you decide to camp then it is a good idea to use a tent that has a large porch so you can have separate spaces for your bike, your gear and for sleeping.  Ideal lightweight tents include the Mountain Equipment Dragon Fly 2XT, Wild Country Duolite Tourer or Vango Spirit 200+. All three weigh under 3kgs, are two person tents and have extended porches. The component parts of the tent, i.e. flysheet, inner, poles and pegs, can be distributed into different panniers to help balance out the weight across your bike. If you are cycling with together with a partner the components of the tent can be shared across two bikes.

For vehicle supported tours where weight is not an issue, a larger three season tent such as The North Face Trailhead 8 or Vaude Division Dome gives a combination of ample storage and spacious living quarters. Offering berths for 8 and 5 respectively; these allow the whole family to come, or for smaller parties have a little bit of privacy where you can zip up that internal door and relax.

Tents, Not For You?

You could always push the boat out and take a camper van for that extra comfort and the feel of home. If you are hiring a camper van or mobile home you will find that prices depend upon the season and the berth. Make sure that it is well maintained and roadworthy and that you are aware of any terms and conditions such as mileage quotas and insurance stipulations.

If you are going to stay in a hotel or B&B, there are many ways in which you can find somewhere to stay and shelter your bikes. The Internet is an obvious place to look for accommodation with many sites offering the ability to compare and contrast accommodation. Local Tourist Information Centres should be able to recommend places to stay and there are also organisations that use the various rating systems to look at. As with camp sites prices for accommodation depend on the season, rating, location, number of people and number of nights your going to stay, so do your research.

Book Ahead Or Take A Chance?

Booking accommodation or campsites in advance removes some of the flexibility of Cycle Touring, as you will have to plan and stick to a route in order to have a roof over your head. You can of course book accommodation as you move along and take the chance that you will get shelter, but in areas where accommodation is limited you may need to cycle a lot further than planned in order to find a place stay. Booking as you go along is not for everyone so think carefully before you do. If you have a large party, children or are touring in high season then it is best to book ahead.

A Peaceful Nights Sleep

Sleeping Bags

The Cumulus Quantum 200 packs down to 11 x 11 x 25 cm. Which is ideal since space in your panniers will be at a premium. It is a full size bag weighing only 495g, with 870 fill power and comfort temperature rating of 0°C.

Rest rebuilds your energy for the next stage of your journey, therefore sleeping arrangements are worth paying attention to. On a self supported tour weight is a concern, down sleeping bags whilst more expensive, are lighter and pack down smaller than synthetic ones. Using a sleeping bag liner will provide additional warmth and prolong the life of your bag.

Sleeping Mats

There are a wide range of sleeping mats to choose from. But why use a sleeping mat? Sleeping mats reduce heat loss, provide insulation and are much more comfortable then lying directly on the ground. So which ones are best? The answer again depends upon how much you want to pay, how heavy you want the mattress to be, whether you want self inflating or blow up your self and so on.

For ultralight weight and small size the best option is the is the Therm-a-rest NeoAir.

More traditional Therm-a-rests provide insulation and are self inflating, less expensive but heavier than NeoAir. the range has many variables including length, thickness and warmth. For the budget minded traveller Mulitmat have a range of inflatable sleeping mats, that are cheaper but generally heavier than Therm-a-rests.

ZZZZZZzzzzzz WAKE UP!

I did not realise all this talk of tents, sleeping bags and mattresses would send you to sleep . Unfortunately I probably will not be invited on your cycle tour, so you cannot rely upon me to send you to sleep every night! It is probably a good idea for you to think about the equipment you need from this post, so you can rest and relax whilst on that tour!

Please see the next post for clothing hints and tips.

Happy Cycle Touring!

Want to be more lightweight than this? Source - Flickr - Mrfrosted

The 3 big opportunities to save lots of weight are with your rucksack, tent and sleeping bag. Its worth investing money on these to purchase good ultralight versions. The only option for a lightweight sleeping bags is down, which will provide superior warmth to weight when compared with a synthetic bag. When it comes to rucksacks look for something light that will comfortably hold all your gear. Massive weight savings can be made when choosing a tent so consider your choices carefully and look for the lightest possible that is suitable for your needs or you could always consider just using a bivvy bag.

Weigh all your gear

Dig out the kitchen scales and get weighing. Weigh all your current hiking gear and keep a note of what it actually weighs. (Remember to take manufacturers figures with a pinch of salt as they can sometimes be very optimistic.) Knowing exactly how much everything weighs lets you easily consider how much of a luxury an item is and helps you identify ways to save weight.

Look for ways to modify your gear

If you look at any ultralight backpacker you’ll see that most of their gear has been adapted. Most gear can easily be modified to shave off a few grams. Good places to start to look are cutting excess webbing from rucksacks, shortening handles on toothbrushes, cutting off labels from clothing etc. The possibilities are endless and it is strangely addictive especially when you find a way to get rid of another few grams.

Bring hiking and camping gear that has more than one purpose

Being able to reuse the same piece of kit for another purpose is a great way to save weight. Why bring a separate plate, bowl and cup when almost any meal can be eaten from the pot, and it saves on the washing up too! Other good multipurpose items include using a water bottle as a mug or duct tape for just about anything! As you start to go lightweight backpacking more often you’ll start to see hundreds of uses for a single item.

Take only what you need

This may sound obvious but it is a really easy way to save weight. Only bring the gear you need. If you keep track of the gear you bring out with you versus the gear you actually use you can easily save lots of weight. It’s very easy to overestimate how many clothes you actually need for a weekend. The same thing applies to food and other consumables. Repack just what you actually need from the originally packaging into smaller containers.

Sleep with layers on

You can often get away with using a sleeping bag rated for lower comfort temperatures if you sleep at night with extra layers on. A down jacket is another useful consideration here as it will provide you with a warm layer for during the day as well as helping you save weight on the sleeping bag during the night. As i said before think carefully about using gear for more than one purpose.

Buy lightweight hiking boots

This may not seem like an obvious way to reduce your pack weight but since every gram on your foot is equivalent to 5 grams on your back you could easily have a massive improvement by moving from a pair of heavy boots to some lightweight trail running shoes. Just make sure that your footwear is still suitable for the terrain.

Other tips.

• You can use foil takeaway containers as a lightweight alternative to a pot if you only plan to cook using boiling water.
• Fill a stuff sack with clothes at night to create a pillow.
• Do you really need a full set of cutlery? You can probably use just a spork or even titanium chopsticks if you’re feeling exotic.
• Clean out your wallet – If you need to bring one only carry what money you need and don’t take lots of change.
• Leave your spare tent pegs at home, consider removing unnecessary guy lines and look at replacing your standard pegs with ultralight tent pegs
• Keep track of exactly how much fuel you use over a few trips , this will then let you better estimate how much to carry although don’t forget to bring some extra in case of an emergency.
• Water is another big source of weight,  if you plan your trip so that you can pick up water on route you will easily save pounds.

Have you got any favourite tips for lightening your load when backpacking? Comment below and share them with us.

Bicycle Touring

This short post is an introduction to a pass time enjoyed by millions around the world, but if you thought that it was just a case of stapping your tent to your bike and cycling into the sunset then think again, cycle touring requires planning and preparation. This can be done independently, by groups of cyclists or commercial holiday companies, there are many questions to consider such as;

Preparation is vital, so its a good idea to check the weather forecast. Image By Dr Marcus Gossler

• Where are you going to go?
• Are you going to explore off the beaten track, or stick to Cycle routes?
• Who are you going to go with?
• For how long are you going to go away for?
• How far will you ride each day and how Fast?
• Are you healthy enough to do this?
• What do you need to take with you?

A Good Starting Point

So, you have decided your going away and taking your bike? However, as with any form of exercise it is advisable to see your GP who can asses your fitness, advise you on your limitations and help you make realistic goals.

There is very little point planning a cycle tour and buying equipment if your bike will take you round the world, but your legs wont take you round the corner!

Before embarking on your first adventure John Houseago of cycletourer.co.uk advises that it is essential to have a short trial run, so you can get an idea as to what you may experience on a longer trip.

Types of Bicycle Touring

There are different types of Cycle Tours, the three that follow is not an exhaustive list and there is a great deal of overlap but it will give you an idea.

Lightweight Touring

The rider carries the minimum of equipment they need such as clothes and essentials, accommodation and food is bought as they travel.

Self-Supported Touring

The cyclist carries everything they will need for their break, including food, cooking equipment, clothes and a tent for camping.

Supported Touring

A motor vehicle carries most of the rider’s equipment meaning greater distances can be travelled and more home comforts can be taken, and if your feeling lazy strap the bike to the van and put your feet up!

Each form of touring has its own advantages and disadvantages, and is a personal choice as to the experience you may want to undergo. It is also a point of argument as what may be lightweight or Self-Supporting. To me lifes essentials are a four poster bed, flush toilet, Sky Sports and they may not be to someone else! Although Im not sure if Therm-A-Rest have released the roll up four poster bed, maybe next year.

Stating The Obvious – A Bike Is Needed

Without stating the obvious a bike is pretty important in a cycling holiday. The type of tour you undertake may mean you need to think about the type of bike you use, if for example you were doing a Supported Tour an ordinary road bike will be fine as you will not be carrying a lot of weight on your bike, the more weight you carry the sturdier the bike needed, so on a Self-Supported Tour it is recommended to use a Touring Bike and fit it with panniers, this is something that your local cycling store should be able to help you with or log onto Why Cycle for information about bike types.

Touring Bikes are sturdy and more sutied for Self-Supported Tours Source Ron Divine

Safety is vitally important when cycling, it goes without saying that you should wear a helmet and take protection against the sun as the wind will cools, but you will still burn, SPF clothing is a very good idea as it protects is stylish and versatile.

And Finally For Now

We all have different wants and needs so there can not be a one cap fits all approach, at Cheaptents.com we hope to provide you with some useful information, in this, and forthcoming posts, to make your choices easier, and take a little trepidation out of Bicycle Touring.

In the next post I will examine some of the questions associated with Touring and in particular Self Supported Touring, namely, shelter, sleeping equipment, clothing and accessories.

Midge close up: source imarsman - flickr

The term Midge doesn’t refer to a specific insect it is a general term for very small (about 3mm) flies. There are about 40 midge species in the UK but very few which bite humans. The most common of these biting midges is the Culicoides Impunctatus or the infamous highland midge.

In the case of the Culicoides Impunctatus both the female and the male are vegetarians, until the female becomes pregnant and then like many human females she develops cravings, in this case for blood. The female must get a blood meal two to five days after being fertilised to give the offspring a good chance of survival.

Midge Repellents

Repellents protect you in two ways. The repel them from a distance by masking the smell of your body so that midges can’t find you so easily. The second way they protect is by changing taste of the skin to make you seem like a much less tasty snack. A good repellent should provide both these types of protection.

Chemical Midge Repellents

DEET (diethyl-meta-toluamide) is one of the most popular and effective chemicals used in midge repellent however some people experience irritation or an allergic reaction to the chemical. If swallowed DEET is toxic you should careful when applying to the hands or face.

DEET enters your bloodstream through the skin. In some rare cases people will suffer side effects from the chemical ranging from rashes to severe muscle twitching. As a precaution manufacturers recommend that DEET should not be applied to areas of broken skin or around the eyes.
DEET is an effective solvent and may dissolve some plastics, rayon, spandex, other synthetic fabrics and leather so make sure to take care when applying the repellent to your new waterproof jacket.

Natural Midge Repellents

Natural midge repellents use various essential oils like Eucalyptus, lavender and lemon to achieve the same aim. Peoples results with these generally vary although the main benefit is that they are much less likely to cause a reaction or any long term damage. The final plus point is that they make you smell nice, which is always a plus after a few days hiking.

Midges at sunset : source mavska - flickr

Other ways to avoid midge bites

Aside from commercial insect repellents, there are 100s of ways that people claim will prevent the midge from attacking. I’ve listed some of my favourite below, although some may be more effective than others.

• Cover up bare skin. Long sleeved shirts and trousers will help. Insects can bite through tight fitting clothing so wear loose garments. It has been shown that dark colours attract biting insects much more than light colours.
• Avoid being out around dawn and dusk as this is when midges are at their most active.
• Many people claim that Avon’s Skin So Soft Body Oil is a very effective repellant and there have been stories in the past citing its use by large numbers of the British army.
• Eating Marmite before and during your time near midges is also meant to repel them although I’d personally rather take my chances with the midges than have to eat Marmite.

How does everyone else keep midges at bay, leave a comment and let us know

The latest Irish bouldering guide contains 1500 problems, 200 maps and topos. Source: Geograph. © Copyright Richard Smith and licensed for reuse under the Creative Commons Licence.

This guide is intended to be reasonably definitive but just because something has been climbed doesn’t mean it is worth documenting so I haven’t detailed every variation, elimate, lowball sitstart or squeezed in micro line. From a personal point of view I attach the highest value to logical, independent lines with good moves and good landings and every problem that fits this criteria is described. Though I welcome other opinions on omissions and inclusions.

The bouldering in Ireland is generally found near the coasts. Granite is commonplace being found in Dublin, Wicklow, Galway, Down and Donegal ergo the bouldering style tends to focus on technical moves on rounded holds.

Some of the best Irish bouldering is in popular tourist spots such as Glendalough in Wicklow, the Aran Islands, and Connemara. This makes it easy to do a wee bit of bouldering whilst on a “normal” holiday especially if your other half isn’t a fan of getting out on the rock.

The best destination for a short bouldering trip to Ireland is probably Wicklow.  Glendalough and Glenmacnass are both excellent and there are plenty of other smaller areas nearby. Access is easy as well with Wicklow only being about an hour south of Dublin.

The guide contains lots of great routes all over Ireland.  You can download the guide from The Short Span

Remember when you’re out bouldering it’s good practice to stick by the following guidelines.

Bouldering Guidelines

• Don’t use pof/resin.
• Don’t chip out holds.
• Don’t use a wire brush as they ruin the rock, a nylon one will be fine.
• Avoid removing vegetation.
• Try not to use too much chalk and brush marks off after wards.
• Place your crash mat carefully to avoid damaging any vegetation.

Essentially just don’t do anything that would damage the rock or the environment and have fun.

If you enjoyed this then you might be interested in our interview with Daniel Woods, a professional boulderer

Tent Weight

Normally with tents you want the lightest possible. With a family tent this is not really an issue as you will most likely be able to drive right up to the campsite and simply lift the tent out.  It might be worth considering the weight if you know that you might have to carry the tent for short distances, but it’s definitely not a major consideration.

Tent Size

In this case size does matter, ideally you want plenty of room to store all your gear as well as having plenty of room to sleep. Tents are rated according to how many people they can sleep eg 4 man. Its also worth considering the height when choosing a family tent as more head room makes it much easy to move around and helps with getting dressed.

Packed Tent Size

This is how big the tent is when packed up, again not too big a consideration for  family tents but useful to take note of, especially if you have a small car.

Tent Season Rating

The season rating reflects what sort of performance that can be expected from a tent of item of outdoor gear. For example, a 4 Season Rating indicates a high enough specification for the tent to be used all year round, while a 1 Season Rating indicates that it will perform best during the summer only. This is of course subjective and with family tents most likely being used on a lowland campsite a 3 season would probably preform adequately all year round.

Ease of Setup / Pitching Your Tent

Obviously the easier to set up the better, the last thing you want is to have to spend an hour trying to work out which guy line to tie where, when you are trying to relax and enjoy your holiday.  Fewer poles allow faster setups / tent pitching. It’s also easier to attach poles to clips than it is to thread them through “continuous” pole sleeves. However this shouldn’t be a problem as most modern tents are extremely simple to erect and do come with good instructions in the event you do get confused.

Privacy

Family tent - The north face trailhead 6

This comes down to personal preference and how much you and your family value their privacy.  If it is an important factor then look for tents like the north face trailhead 6  which have  separate rooms. It may also be worth considering a separate smaller tent, especially if you have teenagers.

Ease of Access

How many doors does the tent have? What shape are they? How easy are they to open? Its important to consider all these things when choosing a family tent as there will be lots of people looking to get in and out (probably in a hurry if it starts to rain).

Tent Porch / Vestibule

In my mind this can be one of the most important features to look for when choosing a family tent. A large porch or vestibule can be used to store gear (especially useful for wet and dirty gear),  as well as providing a separate living area.

Groundsheet Protector

A groundsheet protector is a polyurethane or nylon sheet that goes under the base of your tent. A tent footprint costs less to replace than the tent itself so for a family tent that gets lots of use and abuse this is especially useful.

See my recent article on groundsheet protectors for more information.

I hope this will help you all get out this summer and get camping with your families. Remember a good family tent is an investment and will last you for years if you look after it properly.

Blisters generally occur from friction on the skin from your socks or shoes this repeated friction causes the outer layer of the skin to separate from the fiber layer. The resulting “pocket” then fills up with a clear fluid (serum) and forms a blister.

Some Bad Blisters. Source : Jason Cartwright - Flickr

How to Avoid Blisters

• Make sure you have a pair of boots that are a good fit and be sure to break them in well.
• Wear socks made from a synthetic material which wick the moisture away from your feet.
• Do not wear socks that are too worn as they will have thin areas and holes which will lead to blisters.
• Always carry a spare pair of socks and change them if your feet become wet or get very sweaty.
• Keep your feet dry, some people put talcum powder inside their socks to help with this.
• Wear a thin liner sock that will absorb sweat, wear a thicker heavier pair on top of these. The liners provide a protective layer for the outer socks to rub against causing the friction to be between the 2 socks rather than your skin.
• Cover areas that you know are prone to blisters with tape, moleskin, or a plaster before you start walking. If you feel a blister started to form then stop and cover it up in the same manner.
• Some people claim that rubbing surgical spirit on your feet for a few weeks will harden the skin and prevent blisters. I personally have never tried it but know many people who swear by it.

Treating Blisters

If you follow all the tips above you should avoid getting a blister altogether but what should you do if you do get one? The first main decision is whether to pop or not. This really depends on where the blister is, although if you can avoid having to drain it then this is the best course of action as the skin provides natural protection. If it is small then just cover it up with a plaster or some moleskin.

If the blister is very large, signs of infection start to develop or you are unsure about anything then you should contact a medical professional immediately. Diabetics should take special care when dealing with blisters and always seek professional medical advice.

If the blister does need to be drained the follow the steps below.

1. Clean the area around the blister thoroughly with alcohol or antiseptic soap.
2. Push a steralised needle gently into the base of the blister.
3. Apply pressure gently to allow the fluid to drain out.
4. Apply an antibiotic cream to the area.
5. Cover the area with an absorbent, non-stick bandage. This should be changed frequently.

Draining a blister. Source: icopythat - flickr

In my opinion there is no miracle way to avoid blisters except for staying at home, lying down on the sofa and watching TV all day. If however you do want to get out on the hills and still avoid blisters then make sure you have good socks, a good pair of boots and look after your feet.

Have a look at our walking boot advice page for more information on choosing a pair of boots.