The 2012 Outlaw Bike Feedstation/Support Thread

Gas - you call *that* an explanation?!? Utterly rubbish my dear boy is what that was!!

Schmunkee - it's ok I understand & won't force you to tell me who it was

But seriously tho, what happens with the provision of said required camping equipment etc etc? I have lots of time to do research at the moment if purchases are required!!

<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #000000;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">We have helped out at the outlaw on one of the bike course feedstations the last couple of years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  It basically involves setting it up at about 7am and being there to hand out drinks, banana’s, gels etc to the competitors as they pass.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  But most importantly giving everyone lots of cheers and supports.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  It’s a really good laugh and a rewarding experience to give something back.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> 

<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; color: #000000; font-size: small;">After the feedstation we’ve hot tailed it back to the run course/finish cheer everyone on.

This year we’ll all be staying on Monday for an afternoon drinking session / post race party and the pirate awards.

You provide your own camping equipment but I've got a spare tinsy tiny one-man tent if you want to borrow it. Its kept me dry in a couple of downpours but I've upgraded to a bigger tent now. And I've never helped at a feed station either. I was about to give it to a charity shop tomorrow but will hang on to it for now just in case.

gastank - I started with a  2man tent but there is only really room for one and lying down only (see above). I use it twice then thought sod this, and bought a 4-man tunnel tent - fact this one  except if you shop around you should be able to get it cheaper. I paid £99 and its been well worth it. I take stove, chair, double douvet, fold up mattress, calor heater, camping light. I didn't take a light first time I camped and now know its essential!

In light of recent events camping wise Soup, be careful of the heater inside the tent! A sleeping bag and duvet would be better!  And don't forget a pillow!  

I don't use the heater in the inner bit and only with the doors fully open in the living space for a short time in the evening, don't worry Siggy. And no I won't forget a pillow. At the Vit last year I took 2 double duvets and was warm as toast but getting it all the car was a challenge. All part of the fun.  

Somewhere I have a Mistral Outbound 4 dome tent. Used a half dozen times. Big enough to sleep 4 or 2 and some luggage. Folds down to small toolbag size. If interested, I'll dig it out and make sure it's OK. Token price to secure, say a score?

Or if rich, I have a 1991 Buccaneer Caravel 4 berth caravan likely to be sold. Around £750.00 Still weatherproof, no delamination, serviced, operational. If you want to know what it looks like, it's the same as the one in the Inbetweeners episode. Including the "I really fancy a curry" upholstery. We've holidayed in it the last 5 years.

I upgraded from a one-man hellish thing to a four man tent - just for me!!!  I can get my double blow up matress in with room round the edges, and can fit all my other crap in the separate living space.  I decided this 'roughing it' malarkey is seriously overated 

I WAS going to rough it, but my bike insisted on a hotel, I just had to agree. 

In my experience the Vango or a tent with a small living area is preferred.  Lightweight is all well and good if youre backpacking but if youve got the car then go for comfort.

Having a small living area helps if its wet as you can change/dry off without getting your sleeping area wet, its also good for storing stuff.  Coolbox, tri gear etc. 

I wouldnt leave my bike in my tent without there being people around, leave it locked in car but even thats not 100%.  If its outside of car make sure you lock it on with a seperate lock as not all bike carrier lock mechanisms are robust.

<can't believe Dusty has outed himself as a caravan owner!!  >  Explains a lot!    <shakes head>  

Gastank I've got the Vango two man - its fine for a weekend away and as Barlo points out, you can store crap (and beers) in the 'living' area. And you can keep yourself well away from these cravan owners!

Although, the amount of trouble you've got yourself in recently, I would have thought there'll be enough Thornton's boxes knocking around for you to sleep under!!

Lee the Pea wrote (see)

Don't mistype and put in waterboarding, or you'll be on the first flight out to Guantanamo....On the plus side you wouldn't need to worry about the tent..

or about Schmunkee and M..eldy