This time it was on camping gear... here's an overview:
1 - 2 person tent: Terra Nova Superlight Solar 2.2
This is a 2 person, 3-season geodesic tent, with an inner tent + outer vestibule combination, that is reasonably spacious for 2 people (216 cm x 275 cm x 98 cm) and weighs approx. 2 kilograms. The tent should do quite well against wet, freezing, and windy conditions. On my own, the tent will be a palace.. (my bicycle will almost fit under the vestibule!) But I also wanted to have a tent that will be comfortable if/when I have a visitor along on NL-based training rides! (Now accepting applications for cycle camping partners!) ;-)
You can read a review of the tent (and view photos) at these two links:
- http://www.andyhowell.info/trek-blog/2007/05/30/review-terra-nova-superlight-solar-22/
- http://www.pbase.com/john28july/solar22
2 - Thermarest Toughskin Self-Inflating Sleeping Pad
To make things a bit more comfortable on uneven surfaces, I also purchased a self-inflating sleeping pad that advertises itself as being comfortable, rugged, and puncture resistant. The dimensions are 51 x 183 cm, 3.8 cm thick, and it weighs 1140 grams.
You can read reviews of the sleeping pad here:
- http://www.trailspace.com/gear/therm-a-rest/toughskin/
- http://www.amazon.com/Therm-a-Rest-Toughskin-Sleeping-Pad-Regular/dp/B000JNRSNA
I already have a sleeping bag.. which means one thing:
I'm now ready to do a trial run of bicycle camping here in the Netherlands!!! :-)
I'm now making plans to go on a "maiden voyage" 2-day cycling trip with my friend and colleague Philip Homburg (who also purchased a sleeping bag today, for the purpose.) I'll post updates once these plans materialize! :-)
For the rest, there's one more update regarding the date of the TransAm cycle trip. I have decided to push back the departure date by one month. (I'm busy setting up a company in the Netherlands, and I'll need some extra time "in town" to finish the paperwork.)
So the cycle trip is now planned for June through August (exact dates for airplane ticket T.B.D.) This necessitates taking a 1-week conference break during the last week of July. (For the RFID Guardian launch.) But for the rest... the date change shouldn't affect my plans much!
(And yes.. my boss at the VU has approved the new dates!)
Cheers!
Melanie
