Summers over I need a tent!

[onesea]

OK I was pondering my return to the UK in a few weeks...

Having promised myself I would never try carrying camping gear on the bike, cause I like my creature comforts to much.

I have now decided I want to do a bike meet/ rally (if there are any left on a free weekend when I am home), if nothing else the idea of the odd night camping is starting to appeal.

I think I have most of the gear except a tent... Well I have a choice of 2 tents one is 4 berth 2 bedroom thing that can even house the bike as well! the other I think is just to long to fit on the bike.

Seeing as its sales time any recommendations how big should a tent be to fit on a bike. Are there any particular things I should look for???

Any recommendations I guess I am looking for 2 man with enough space to be able to sit up in uncramped...

[Joeman]

Buy a 2man Vango with a small porch area. Don't worry about fitting the bike inside.

[Bonniebird]

We have a 3 berth vango with a largish porch. Fits easily on my bike. It's an eos 350 which I don't think is available any more but there will be something similar.

Porch is particularly useful to keep wet bike gear separate from the sleeping bit.

We also have self inflating roll mats. They are fairly comfortable and don't take up much space

[Throttled]

The Vango Banshee 2 man tent is a minimum. It barely has a porch. I bought one because it fits inside the Givi V35 pannier.

[tPIC]

I also have the Vango Banshee 2 based on it's small size. It's listed as a 2 man but is only really a 1 man by all accounts. Everything that I plan to take away on bike camping trips is going to be as small as possible.

[Rebel Rach]

If you want to be able to sit up dint go for the banshee 200. You can't sit up and pull a t-shirt off over your head.

[Glorian]

I have a banshee 200, it has a very good water resistance rating, its very light (1.8kg) and its roomy enough for one person. It's a tent so you're unlikely to want to stand up anyhow but you can get changed easily enough and store all your kit in there to. You can buy special tents that are large enough to wheel a bike in but.. better off bringing a lightweight cover or just leaving it out.

[onesea]

OK last night I got carried away:

http://www.millets.co.uk/tents-camping/107838-eurohike-tamar-2-man-tent-red.html

A little but cheaper at $30 but its packed length is 60 cm but that is not to much wider than my arse so should be fine..

Next is throw over panniers I saw these and I like:

http://www.bykebitz.co.uk/givi-wp405-waterproof-throwover-panniers.html?gclid=CJLWg7_o0ccCFVdAGwodiKsD0g

Then if I am not careful my misses will stop me buying a second bike for touring