Giving Motocamping a go.

[Bobsyeruncle]

Thanks for the pics. They look good.....

[Phild]

I put the Vango Galaxy 300 up in the garden today. I didn’t peg out all the ropes, and if I was on a camp site I’d have made it a little tidier…. but I’m very happy so far.

It’s exactly what I wanted in a base tent.

LOADS of room for me and my kit on my own. Easily big enough for two, but you’d have to be really friendly to fit three people in it…… unless the three of you are small.

I’ll be able to take everything off my bike and store it in the tent…. easily.

I was able to put it up on my own, and with a little more practice I probably would be able to put it up in about 30 minutes. Two people would be able get it up nearer to the 18 minutes Vango claim.

If you want a quick throw up tent or go stealth wild camping, this isn’t the tent for you. However, if you’re after a good amount of space and be able to stand to get dressed, it’s one to look at.

Obviously, I haven’t been camping with it yet, but all the signs are positive for my requirements.

I’ve attached a couple of photographs just in case anyone is interested. I do have more in various stages of build.

The ground sheets / footprints were well worth the £13 each I paid for them.

[MilozFolly]

You know what that looks brilliamt.  That's a lot of tent for it's pack size.  Nice buy 

[Rusty Nuts]

Not so much a tunnel tent, more of a funnel tent.

[Phild]

Yep.

You could have a party in the porch!😁….. and it easily fits on my bike. 👍

[NeilM]

The Galaxy looks good, two of my motocamping buddies have them.

When you are ready for your first trip.... do a try out first.

By that I mean, go somewhere not too far from home and camp for one or two nights using all your new kit. This will highlight anything that does not suit.

In my case I rode down the A39 to Bude, camped there overnight and then went to Lands End (commercial dump that it is) the next day. That trip highlighted that my self inflating sleep mat was a very uncomfortable thing, so I changed it for a lightweight inflatable mat and the next trip was seven days in Scotland.

[Phild]

Thanks Neil.

I’ve been researching a couple of sites in the Exmoor area and mid-Wales. Far enough for a reasonable ride, but close enough to arrive early and check out all my kit.

I’ve got an Exped blow up bed…. It’s got a built in hand pump. I got it for a great price, along with an Exped ultralight blow up pillow.

Pubs with a campsite attached look great to me.😁

[mr_diver]

Nice pub with campsite attached - stayed there a few times when out exploring the plains
https://brucearms.co.uk/

Either having somewhere to eat close by or to be able to cook your meals in any weather is also an important factor I found with camping, even just being able to boil water for a cuppa in the morning I find important in case you've had a rather cold night.

We've used various stoves and cook sets, petrol Coleman stoves, those nasty square gas things and have settled on the good old Trangia stove.
Nearly everything comes inside the cook-set, keeping pack size small, meths is available most petrol stations and supermarkets if you run out of fuel, but I prefer to use ether Bio-ethanol or the optional gas burner.

I've looked at the Vango Galaxy a few times, and they look impressive for the size of tent and living space you get vs pack size.
I tent to swap and change tents/kit depending on what facilities the site has and the forecast weather.
Some will say I have too many tents, and far to much camping gear.... it's a good job my daughter (currently 4 years old) has also developed the camping bug and has even made me camp out in the garden. 

I still like to use my Vango Banshee 200 or 300 (300 for longer stays or if I know the weather is going to be less than perfect)
I also have the gear store, to add a bit of extra space and a larger built in canopy to cook under.
I can just about sit up in either of them, but getting dressed is either lay down inside or show the whole world outside.

My old Vango Spirit 200+ may get an outing next year as I've seam sealed it after some of the tape started to peal off after 13 years.
it's got a nice size porch, and spacious for one person, snug for two, but you're still lying down really to get dressed, though getting in and out is a bit easier than the banshees.

[Phild]

I came across The Bruce Arms on YouTube, and it’s on my list.

A bloke called The Camping Biker put a review there.

I’ve looked at a number of his reviews, and I’ve started to collate my own list from various sources.👍

[Phild]

I’m open to other recommendations from people.👍

I’ll be paying The Bike Campsite a visit at sometime.

[crump]

There's a pub at Trewern near Welshpool that used to take camping. Last time I went past it was all campervans though so not sure of they still do. The Green Dragon I think.

[NeilM]

I've never tried the pub camping thing.

I like peace and quiet and pubs that the quiet don't stay in business long.

As an alternative 'close to home' I went down to Verwood in the spring to try out a new (to me) tent and then went to the Sammy Miller museum the following day, had an outstanding breakfast (for lunch) and then rode home via Salisbury.

As for the ability to cook 'indoors', this was one of the factors in buying the Scafell 300+, as I can easily sit in the vestibule and have my cooker in the doorway. Tea brewed this way first thing is a real delight.

I may well treat myself to a Trangia with gas burner at some point, as at present I carry a bit of plywood, to avoid scorching the grass and a wind shield to wrap around my little gas stove.

[Bobsyeruncle]

I'll second the trangia. It's a great bit of kit.
I have an OEX Heiro fast boil that I bought for making a quick hot drink at the side of the road etc purely because it's small and quick and I pack it where it's easily accessible. I use the gas trangia for all my main cooking etc and it's great.

[Brockett]

I recommend a pub with a campsite. Then leave all the camping stuff at home and stay in the pub.
It's cheaper than having buy all that stuff you need for living like a homeless person.