Kamperen met de motor; slaapuitrusting

Camping with the motorcycle; sleeping gear

 

 

Looking for the ultimate feeling of freedom? Then don't hesitate and go motorcycling through Europe's most beautiful landscapes. And take a tent with you. A tent? Yes, indeed! Camping ensures you are one with nature. But what should you actually pay attention to when camping with a motorcycle?

Roof over your head

There are many types of tents, in many different sizes. It's important that a tent has a compact packed size, so you can easily carry it on your motorcycle. Make sure it's not wider than your motorcycle itself. The tent itself doesn't have to be small, in fact, it's better if it's not. You'll want to be able to keep your motorcycle boots and suit dry. An awning and a sleeping area for 2-3 people is spacious enough. A one-person tent is often just a bit too small. In addition to the packed size, the weight of the tent is also important. A weight of 2 to 5 kg is fine to carry on a motorcycle. To stay dry, it's useful to consider the tent's waterproofness. If the tent has a hydrostatic head of 800 to 5000 mm, it means the tent is waterproof against rain, but it may leak if something is pressed against it. If the hydrostatic head is higher than 5000 mm, the tent is waterproof against rain and various forms of pressure.

With two

Are you travelling with a friend? Then opt for a larger tent with living space, so you can sit dry when it rains. Not all campsites have a canopy where you can take shelter. Tip: Divide the tent components; one takes the tent poles and the other the tent fabric.
Prefer to sleep in your own tent? You can also purchase a tarp. This is a tent sheet that you stretch between two tents, trees, or tent poles. A practical solution for sitting together outdoors, dry or in the shade.

Princess and the pea

To cover safe kilometres during the day, it's important to get a good night's sleep. But what's the best thing to dream on? There are various self-inflating mats on the market. The self-inflating version fills to about 80%, so you still need to blow air into it. Are you going to cold areas? The insulation value of self-inflating mats is usually higher than an air mattress. Self-inflating mats of 3-4 cm thick are reasonably comfortable. With thinner mats, you quickly feel the ground.

Besides self-inflating mats, you also have foam mats. These foam mats are very cheap (± €10). In addition to the price, the advantage is that you don't need to inflate them. The disadvantage is that you still lie on a hard surface. Moreover, the roll remains very wide for on the motorcycle (60-80 cm).

You don't have this problem with an air mattress. The packed size for an air mattress is about 30x20 cm and you can find them from €15. The problem is that you have to bring a pump. Fortunately, there are now air mattresses with an integrated hand or foot pump. These air mattresses are a bit more expensive (from €50), but they can be stored compactly and are wonderfully comfortable. Inflating them takes about 5 minutes.

Under the covers

Besides a mattress, you also need a sleeping bag. You have mummy sleeping bags and blanket sleeping bags. Mummy sleeping bags are narrower at the feet and have a smaller opening at the head, which prevents heat loss. Due to their narrower fit, they warm up faster. The packed size of mummy sleeping bags is lighter and more compact than blanket sleeping bags. Down sleeping bags are lighter and warmer than synthetic sleeping bags, but also considerably more expensive (from €100 to €200). Consider beforehand where and at what temperature you will be camping. For use at a campsite in Southern France, a blanket sleeping bag is often sufficient. Are you going into the mountains? Then I recommend a mummy sleeping bag. The packaging indicates the temperature range for which a sleeping bag is suitable.

Pillows

Is a pillow necessary for camping? This varies per person. The simplest way to create a pillow is to bring a pillowcase and fill it with a sweater before sleeping. Another option is inflatable pillows. These can be stored compactly and often have a soft cover that is comfortable to lie on. As a last option, it is, of course, always possible to bring your own pillow. You will, of course, need the space for this.

Would you like to know more about your camping equipment, such as which burners are available? Read about it in my other blog. 

 

 

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