Ducati Sporting Club UK > DesmoDue Race Series > DesmoDue - General Questions and Chat > Sleeping arrangements...

[steeevvvooo]

trying to weigh up camping vs van vs B&B.

Camping pros and cons are obvious (pretty crap when it's cold/wet) but cheap

Van is more tricky for me, as I'm subject to London Low Emissions Zone, so a cheap van is out of the question, and there's the whole "is it a campervan on the V5?" problem with the insurance.

B&B might be cheaper than a van, and warmer than a tent, but misses out on the evening banter I would guess?

Anyway, please vote above (if my poll works) what you plan to do, or did last year, so I can figure out what the score is and learn from peoples valuable experience Comments also welcome...

[skidlids]

I'll be using my Van again, started racing in 1998 towing the bike on a trailer and camping. Soon got fed up with that so went for a cheap Van.
This year I'm looking at arriving on Thursday and departing Sunday so that's 3 nights in the back of a van. Got to be better than 3 nights in a Tent and doesn't have the hassle of packing up each evening to head off to a B&B and then returning each morning

Last Year Hugh was using the Streetvan (Now Zipvan) system they have in London
http://www.zipvan.com

[Gbyte666]

Best thing I ever bought for racing was my van. Makes it so much easier the whole weekend. Having said that a couple of times at the end of the day we went to a hotel a few times and if you got the money its the way to go for sure. Nice hot bath/meal/bed.

Craig

[dunlop0_1]

Originally Posted by Gbyte666

Best thing I ever bought for racing was my van. Makes it so much easier the whole weekend. Having said that a couple of times at the end of the day we went to a hotel a few times and if you got the money its the way to go for sure. Nice hot bath/meal/bed.

Craig

Ditto.

but don't buy just one air mattress, I know.

[Chaz]

I like to rough it

[bradders]

combination on trailer, tent or hotel for me - in that order

if circumstances were different, I'd have a van and use that

or if you can afford it, motorhome and tow the bike. Reckon that would work out cheaper than hotels - they dont depreciate that much or cost huge sums to run - just 000's to buy in the first place

[Jolley]

Depends on money to an extent. The natural order if money is no object is:

Camper
Hotel (miss some of the craic)
Van (properly converted)
Tent

Note: if you are in a normal van on a cold night, it will be colder than a tent.

[bradders]

Originally Posted by Jolley

Note: if you are in a normal van on a cold night, it will be colder than a tent.

yes it bloomin is!! Get it ply lined at least and covering with carpet or similar will help, anything to keep the heat in. Having slept in both, laying naked in a field is probably warmer than a van which is bare!

[steeevvvooo]

Cheers guys. I’m thinking start with B+B and see what happens. In fact, Brands in only about 30 mins from my place so I’ll probably sleep in my own bed for the first meeting, and take it from there. A couple of B+Bs maybe, then decide whether to get a van. Plus, that gives me more chance to scope out other people’s set ups.

Given I don’t use a van (or even a car) for work, a van would be extra purchase cost, tax, insurance, maintenance… probably more expensive on fuel than my diesel car… starting to think B+B and tents for the summer months might be a good shout.

Although… getting a van would mean I can chop the car in for a nice little sports car if I don’t need to practicality anymore! hmmmmmm

[bradders]

maybe hire a van instead