Having bought the bike and having joined the GWOCGB, the next logical step is to equip myself to attend WingDings and Treffens. First step in this process is to get suitable camping gear and considering the number of years since I last undertook this masochistic(?) way of spending time away from home comforts it is understandable that I can”t remember all the stuff one needs. Fortunately, I have discovered a really nifty website that automates the production of a checklist for motorcycle camping – brilliant! Unsurprisingly, a tent is called for so I took myself along to Cotswold, firstly the Orpington branch where I was told of a tent exhibition at their Maidstone branch where they had a load of tents erected in a field and having decided on one (a Jack Wolfskin Tundra 2)
I was told the last available one was at the Orpington branch.. ah well I got it in the end.
Then of course I practiced putting it up in the garden. I discovered that doing it by oneself in a wind is harder than I anticipated and that what one really needs is a bunch of lead weights to hold the various bags the tent comes in, plus the tent itself down, until the proper pegs have been inserted somewhere suitable. At moments, the designers anatomy seemed to offer several interesting options for the sharp pegs but as this was my first attempt I shall defer any GBH until I have had a couple more goes and if I find out it doesn’t get any easier.
I also got a Therma Rest sleeping pad and I dug out an old sleeping bag that has seen better days but a couple of hours in the sun and it didn’t smell too bad!
What I then discover is that Goldwing is really far too small and perhaps there are more wrinkles to this motorcycle camping lark than I appreciated. Travelling solo, I can pile stuff on the back seat but then if it is strapped down, it makes opening the trunk problematic. If I put the tent in the trunk, there is no room for anything else to speak of.. and what am I going to do with the pots and pans, gas stove etc. etc.?
Plainly more packing practice is called for but I take comfort that once I could get all I needed on a humble bicycle – think I still have the panniers somewhere..