Kit list
Brian’s recommendations and experiences
- Best buy: pound shop stool. You can even put spare spokes in the legs!
Just a quick update on the pound shop stool. I obviously haven’t lost enough weight as the stitching on one leg has succumbed to pressure but I think it’s repairable with some needle craft and cable ties!
2) Bio lite camp stove £90 it’s great as long as you don’t mind smelling of bonfires and upsetting fellow campers. It’s brill for annoying kids.
3) MSR hubba hubba tent. £350 A bit pricey but I managed to pick up a green one from eBay half price and never put up!
4) Mud mat is very useful but I haven’t needed ground sheet yet(no wild camping)
5) Head torch from Waltham x market which has a red beam for night cycling. £3 I think it was in £2 pound box but I won’t be going back to complain.
6) Thorn club tour cycle £1300 but I paid £270 inc courier. I love eBay.
7) Tyres. 28×1.25×1.75 continental touring plus. I like these tyres, a lot of people prefer schwalbe but I have only used these since getting the bike.
8) Stanley cooking pot £16.99 Sports Direct .I don’t really like Mike Ashley but money talks.
9) While we are at Sports Direct Karrimore Coleman gas stove £11 brilliant in terms of size and it’s orange box is both sturdy and easy to see and feel in a deep pannier; uses EN417 self sealing gas. Only problem is I have yet to find stockists for Coleman in France.
10) North wave Explorer GTX cycling shoes with a plate to make them walking shoes on a day off. £70 Evans cycles.
11) Okowashi plate set £2 even if you’re not into origami you can use them for chopping boards!
12) Chris Boardman front panniers. I had one break on the first day but Halfords replaced it on the second day for free. (Probably as it’s a discontinued line)
13) Arkle rear pannier. I picked up a used pair on eBay which were a bit worn and tatty but I don’t want to look like I’ve got all the kit and don’t know what I’m doing! So tatty is fine they seem a solid bag. They only have a drawstring top so not waterproof but I purchased two hi viz rucksack covers for when it rains.
14) Smartwool merino top from Millets. About £30 but well worth it for their wicking powers. I’ve worn it 3 days and there were no flies following me so it must work!
15) North face shorts. Great over cycling shorts for those of us that are not ‘proud boys’ dry really quick and are super lightweight. Tk Maxx £11. I’ve also got a long pair for civilised places!
16) iPad. Does what it says on the tin. iPhone 4 old but still works OK even if it needs the odd charge!
17) Topeak bar bag. A bit of a luxury for a single traveller as I don’t think I’ve taken it off the bike much. I tend to put important stuff in my pockets.