"I still don't want to sleep in a hedge like a tramp" - It was worth a try

Luckily with sprog #1 on the way I will have, in a few years, someone in the family who will think that sleeping under the stars and getting muddy is fun!

SSP

I'm going to put together a some real tips to encourage girlfriends and wives to try a bit of bikepacking.

Luckily with sprog #1 on the way I will have, in a few years, someone in the family who will think that sleeping under the stars and getting muddy is fun!

SSP, not all children like camping. My grandson who's 6 thinks it's a silly idea.

Any tips on convincing them to try wild camping would be appreciated. We've got as far as bikepacking involving campsites, which is progress as previously she was adamant that car camping was the only way she could camp and have the "essentials". Done 3 trips so far, the furthest afield being Durham to Embleton in Northumbria, 75 miles there along the Coast and Castles route, and 63 miles back (train from Newcastle) which we returned from yesterday, but all have been to proper camp sites and I fancy something a bit less civilised but she's having none of it.

On a side note, for anyone considering the Coast and Castles route, from Cresswell going north, at least as far as Craster, is lovely. Newcastle to Cresswell, however, should be renamed the Broken Glass and Decaying Industry route, and a warning added that if riding it as your return leg when tired, you might be tempted to be done with it and throw yourself at the mercy of the sea.

Tip #1 - get the right girlfriend.

This is a lesson I learnt early on (though not after making a mistake). Though not into cycling, my Mrs is quite happy to take off into the wilds with me for a night or two (or more). Indeed, as campsites have become glampsites, she often prefers the peace of a wild camp.

ScotRoutes wrote:Tip #1 - get the right girlfriend.

Maybe the wife will let me get one of them then...

Don't think I'll bother trying though!

I think people (regardless of gender) are either into the whole idea or their not. My experience says that trying to convince someone that it's great, only leads to 2 people having a bad time ... encouraging someone who quite fancies the idea is a different thing though.

If you're looking for 'something we can do together' try ballroom dancing.

I'm very glad my misses doesn't like MTB or bikepacking. She is into water sports like sailing. Gives us time away doing our own thing and something to talk about when back at base.

More importantly, being beaten up the hills by her would provide a lifetime of taunts.

If you're looking for 'something we can do together' try ballroom dancing.

Dee has just suggested Dogging if ballroom dancing isn't your thing