gazebo or tent for xc outings

Mumontherun

Any1 advice on above, thinking of buying something for xc outings, club doesn't provide anything, mainly a place for taking shelter in extreme weather but also to store sports bags etc. Dont want anything too complicated to erect/dismantle, light but durable, any suggestions??

robinph

The XC league races I've been going to in the last while and most of the clubs tend to have a big tent. Somewhere to keep out of the wind, keep the kit dry, and somewhere to change for the shy. Depending on the is weather though, my club have sometimes been too lazy to bother with taking the tent and we just ended up with a groundsheet to dump stuff on.

multisport

I'd suggest buying a van. Well, you could buy a campervan but you may not get the use out of it to justify the cost. If you buy a van such as a transit/master you can just do a bare-bones kit out and still use it for other stuff when you're not at events. It's much easier for carrying you kit too if you're a cyclist/paddler/surfer/climber etc.

Tents blow away on a windy day in Ireland and if it's a wet day you end up putting it away wet and need somewhere to dry it when you get home.

With a van there's less packing time afterwards, just throw stuff in the back and head home. Any sort of half-decent job and you can comfortably use it for weekends away. If you still want outdoor shelter just put an awning on the side.

my 2cent,

meathcountysec

multisport wrote: »

I'd suggest buying a van. Well, you could buy a campervan but you may not get the use out of it to justify the cost. If you buy a van such as a transit/master you can just do a bare-bones kit out and still use it for other stuff when you're not at events. It's much easier for carrying you kit too if you're a cyclist/paddler/surfer/climber etc.

Tents blow away on a windy day in Ireland and if it's a wet day you end up putting it away wet and need somewhere to dry it when you get home.

With a van there's less packing time afterwards, just throw stuff in the back and head home. Any sort of half-decent job and you can comfortably use it for weekends away. If you still want outdoor shelter just put an awning on the side.

my 2cent,

If you're looking to use it for shelter near the course you might have access difficulties with a vehicle. Lidl do small tents every so often. A basic 2man job should do.

Mumontherun

yeah, van gr8 idea, was hoping to upgrade from an m.p.v. to a mini bus neway, but recession etc. putting that on the long finger. I've been to many an XC outing near and far so I know only too well that a vehicle is not the answer to my question, after the heavy snowfall in Derry :Dthis year (had to use DSD super Gazebo as my landmark for my gear!!) , the heavy rain falls in Munster last year:D it's deffo time to buy protection for 2011, will be keeping my eye on the Lidl offers, keep the suggestions coming. I've no patience whatsoever so a tricky tent is not an option for me, pop up all the way!