Hi
Let’s get one thing straight.
I love camping.
And lightweight camping off the back of a lightweight adventure motorcycle is the cherry on the cake.
If you’ve been out on a multi-day TET adventure recently you know what I’m talking about.
But…
Maybe I’m getting soft in my old age, there are times that even I admit that a warm dry bed would be my preferred choice over a wet soggy tent.
It doesn’t have to be fancy, we’re not talking about 5 star luxury, I’m with a bunch of friends covered in wet muddy gear after all, just somewhere to spread out, dry out, and get a good nights sleep.
Here in the UK the answer to this conundrum is the humble Youth Hostel.
I’ve had two great YHA experiences this year that really upped the enjoyment level of the adventure.
Firstly at YHA Hawkshead in Cumbria with Rupert and Chris. We were out making this film and testing the new waterproof gear including the recently launched Singletrack Pant.
Not 5 star, but warm, dry and spacious.
Hotter than a sauna!
The point of the trip was to get wet, and I figured that if we couldn’t dry out it was going to be a grim three days on the bike.
We booked a dorm room with bunk beds, used the huge (very hot!) drying room in the cellar and enjoyed simple, affordable food (and ale) in the on site canteen. No one batted an eyelid at the state of our attire (filthy and wet) and we hit the road the next day well slept and dry.
The second YHA experience was at Wooler YHA, Northumberland with Gary, Chris and Ryan.
This hostel was much smaller than Hawkshead, but the upshot is we received a more personal touch from Cindy and Carl who run the place.
Again, simple bunk rooms, affordable food and the holy grail, a drying room which was essential after the many river crossings that litter the TET Borderlands route in the UK.
Wet boots guaranteed.
Hold your nose.
A wonderful warm breakfast.
Wooler Youth Hostel for the win.
Summer is the time for long days in the saddle, dry dusty trails and pitching up a tent wherever you end up.
Autumn is the time for rain, mud, more challenging trails and a little more overnight comfort. The multi-day trips with friends don’t need to end, you just need to change it up.
If you are in the UK give the Youth Hostel Association a go.
And if you’re not in the UK but have access to something like the YHA, I’d love it if you could let me know what it is.
Happy not-camping this Autumn.
⛺️🤔🏠
Greg Villalobos
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