So I’ve done that thing again…
Gone down a rabbit hole of gear reviews, ultralight YouTube videos, and people who say things like “base weight”without irony.
Originally, I was eyeing up those ridiculous £500 super-light tents. Those ones made of optimism and spider silk. The kind of kit where you’re scared to breathe too heavily in case it voids the warranty.
Anyway… reality kicked in.
I’ve compromised… at a very reasonable £80. ( I guess mine is older stock as I have seen them for over twice that price)
Enter: the Naturehike Cloud 2 Pro.
it’s actually a bit of a win:
- Under 2kg (which feels borderline professional in my world)
- Freestanding (translation: I can probably put it up without a full emotional breakdown)
- Looks the part
- Easy(ish) to put up
“Easy(ish) to put up” may be doing a lot of heavy lifting there.
Have a look at my TikTok of me putting it up ( oo-er missus)
The Bike: A bit Frankenstein ( Monster for the geeks)
Next up, the bike.
Or should I say… my “new touring bike”.
Which is, of course, just my old mountain bike in disguise. ( again saving me lots of money that i dont actully have )
But, and this is key, it now has:
- An old Brooks B17 saddle ( nowhere near as shiny as the one in the link) that came out of my big box of bike bitsTM
- My ancient rack and panniers ( from the afformentioned box)
- Fresh Marathon Plus semi-slicks (1.75)
those tyres alone? Game changer.
Gone are the days of dragging myself along on knobbly tyres like I’m cycling through wet cement. These roll. Properly roll. It almost feels like I know what I’m doing.
Almost.
Still to Sort
I’m not fully ready yet… obviously.
Still need:
- Sleeping mat (ideally one that doesn’t feel like lying on a crisp packet)
- Sleeping bag that packs down to something smaller than a family tent
- Cooking kit (purely for that essential morning brew)
- Possibly some more comfortable grips
- Handlebar bag (because stuffing everything into panniers like a squirrel on Molly can only go so far)
- Some sort of multi tool/spare tubes for the inevitable on tip breakdown/p*nct*re
- maybe a little solar panel to keep phome and vlogging kit charged
- If Beeline wants to sponsor me or make me a brand ambassador, I ll get a Velo 2 🙂
The Plan (Loose… Very Loose)
The big idea is the Salisbury to Worcester ride.
A nice, sensible, totally achievable multi-day bikepacking trip. (See Here)
In theory.
In reality:
- Route = not fully nailed down
- Overnight stops = vaguely “somewhere along the way”
- Logistics = vibes-based planning
But that’s kind of the point.
There’s loads of time to sort the details… and let’s be honest, half the fun is in the planning, the tinkering, and convincing yourself you’re about to embark on some grand adventure rather than just… cycling home slowly with extra bags.
Final Thoughts
So , new tent, upgraded bike, a growing pile of gear, and a route that exists mostly in my head.
It’s happening.
Probably.
And worst case?
I’ve got an £80 tent, a comfy saddle, and a very good excuse to stop for a pint or two.
Which, let’s be honest… was always part of the plan anyway.
Stay Haphazard.
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