Wear Gortex waterproof bike gear, otherwise once you are wet you’ll stay wet! Waterproofs take time to put on (if the pack stops and waits for you that is!) are uncomfortable and bulky. Good bike gear is the secret to a happy life!

If your boots aren’t waterproof take a spare pair of shoes/boots. Wet feet make you cold & uncomfortable all weekend and take a week to dry out!

Line all your panniers/bags with dustbin bags and seal the end, this ensures your gear stays dry. If it gets wet it will stay wet all weekend!

Just because your tent is packed in a specific bag don’t worry about repacking it to suit your luggage or panniers. Know how to put it up in advance, in the dark, in the rain and in the wind, it will happen at some point!

Take a sleeping bag packed in a compression sack and a foam roll mat or Therma-rest style mattress. Make sure your sleeping bag is in a waterproof outer, VERY IMPORTANT! If it gets wet it will stay wet all weekend!

Take a plastic mug, a small gas stove is handy if you have the room.

Take a spare bungee someone always wants one even if you don’t!

Don’t take loads of clothes, a clean T-shirt and one set of underwear per day is all you’ll need! Take something cosy & warm for outdoor evenings and also Factor 20 suncream.

Take a pillow, either the inflatable kind or a small normal one packed in a roll top "shrink wrap" bag this is also waterproof.

Take a plastic side stand support.

Take a small torch and a small knife and keep them with you.

Get a lightweight super absorbent mini camping towel from Millets!

Take a shower gel that doubles as shampoo also don’t forget a toothbrush & toothpaste & the other basic essentials!

A pair of flip flops are useful if you need a wee during the night and also in the showers / changing room to save your clean feet getting wet and dirty again.

Take some bottled water. But, don’t worry if you forget stuff, you can buy anything more or less anywhere nowadays! 

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