Ground sheet protection..any ideas?

Bigtallfatbloke

I mean against sharp objects etc...I was thinking of bubble wrap as it is very lite weight and has some insulating properties and is pretty cheap...and I can throw it away when it tears and get some more.

Any better ideas?

vernonlevy

<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by Bigtallfatbloke</i>

I mean against sharp objects etc...I was thinking of bubble wrap as it is very lite weight and has some insulating properties and is pretty cheap...and I can throw it away when it tears and get some more.

Any better ideas?


<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">

Buy a PVC groundsheet and trim to size.

Bubble wrap isn't that good as a groundsheet protector. The sleeping mat should provide sufficient insulation.

ARCcp

Go to B & Q. They sell a huge poly-woven tarp for under œ5. You just cut the footprint you need from it. There's enough for at least one 2-man & one 3-man tent with a bit left over.

cougie

Dont pitch your tent over sharp objects ?

AndyGates

Buy a stoneproof groundsheet in the first place..?

<font size="1">

---

<b>No longer looking for a pennyfarthing as I've got some powerbocks instead. Casualty here I come!</b>
It is by will alone I set my ride in motion.</font id="size1">

magfos

I used to buy some thin black plastic from a hardware store at the beginning of a tour and trim it to size. This was then discarded at the end of the tour to avoid problems with the Oz quarantine people. Now I'm using a siliconized nylon sheet which is very light, packs small and easily cleaned.

check out our website at www.magfos.com for stories and photos of our trips.
Ride to Live; Live to Ride

Cunobelin

Not being condescending, but setting up a tent is becoming a forgotten art!

The best groundsheet protection is to look at the site and chooses a good area, aand then on hands and knees check the ground for sharp bits, sticks etc before placing the tent.

<b><i>He that buys land buys many stones.
He that buys flesh buys many bones.
He that buys eggs buys many shells,
But he that buys good beer buys nothing else.</b></i>
(Unattributed Trad.)

Crispin Bennett

As Arc says - and leave a bit of extra for the front vestibule.
And then wrap your tent in the sheet as you stow it on the bike to keep it dry.



www.stirlingcycling.org.uk

ut_o_cykla

On tour I always carried one or two large 'woven' plastic sacks. They swallowed panniers on flights, in Youth Hostels adn hotel entrances, closed with a zip tie they prevetned idle pilfering etc (but could be carried away i suppose!). I used them as groundsheet protectors - not waterproof but stone/twig , sharp edge proof.

pousse moi s'il vous plait

Tim Bennet

Yep, ARC is right. Blue tarps from any DIY store cut to size. But as they are very light, don't skimp too much on the size as they are also brill for picnics and general lazing about. Using one will extend the life of the tent irrespective of its quality. You still have to be careful of abrasion rubbing the coating off the inside of the groundsheet on the bits that stick up. If you are planning a long trip camping on gravel or rock, then putting your karrimats between the poly tarp and the tent groundsheet is the only answer.

Just be careful the undertarp is all tucked in under the tent groundsheet without any bits sticking out. Otherwise rain will get between it and the tent groundsheet, and you will have dampness come through even the best groundsheet.

Those who advocate just 'not camping on any sharp bits' need to get out and about a bit more. There are lots of places where clearing away the sharp stones woud result in a hole straight down to the centre of the earth!

Bigtallfatbloke

many thanks chaps!

I will pay B&Q a visit and see if I really can 'DO IT'!

Last night I raided the wife's SUV [:0](Boo Hiss Traitor...yes I know but...) and stole the boot cover/liner and used it under the tent...worked well...I was just about to 'cut it to size' when a left hook sent me flying across the garden[:D]...it's to heavy anyway i told her....so B&Q here I come.[:)]

Bigtallfatbloke

ok siad blue sheet was purchased at just œ3 from B&Q lakeside. It's about 20 times as big as I need so if anybody else wants some just let me know[:D]