DON'T FORGET THE…
Green Lane Association’s Media Officer Lauren Eaton reveals her ultimate greenlaning kit list
GREENLANING, the activity of driving of unsurfaced public roads, is a way leaving the rat race behind and exploring some of the most remote areas of the UK in your Land Rover. Drivers have legal rights to explore open around 20,000 byways, which are roads in England to all traffic and unclassified county and Wales. retain the Surfaced or not, these ancient routes the same laws as any same rights and are covered by just as the tarmacked road in the country. However, from that found terrain found on them differs hugely it differ from one lane on our major roads so too does to the next. prepared to drive So, what do we need to do to be different lanes? How on these ever changing and very
Heading out on a do we know where to drive legally? adventure, but it does laning trip should be fun and an once your wheels require a bit of preparation, and available to leave the tarmac there are no resources you carry in your you except your own skills and what and explore the Land Rover! Before you head out be on every lanes, let’s take a look at what should greenlaner’s kit list.
1 Green Lane Association membership and Trailwise2
been easier with Sticking to the legal route has never all Green Lane Association Trailwise2. Access is available to of half a tank of fuel! At £44 members for less than the cost and preserve our per year your fee also helps to protect hobby for the future. To join visitglass-uk.org.
2 Recovery kit
While responsible greenlaning carries a relatively low risk of getting stuck, it can and does happen. Especially when conditions change or if you encounter extreme weather. Make sure you learn how to recover vehicles safely and always buy quality gear. For ropes, shackles, and even a bag to keep them all in visit facebook.com/ Ukfrozenropes/. GLASS members get 15 per cent off at Frozen Ropes.
3 First aid kit
low risk hobby, Thankfully laning is a relatively nearest source of but you’ll often be miles from the
Carrying a good help if anything does go wrong.
John’s Ambulance basic first aid kit is vital. The St
£9.50 to £25.50, sells motoring first aid kits from you carry some pain they also sell refills. Make sure with during relief and something to rehydrate on a hot day also extreme heat. Sweet, milky tea does the trick. See sja.org.uk.
4 Food and water
Landy, but don’t forget to fuel It’s easy to remember to fuel the are going, you may not have easy yourself! Depending on where you some snacks, and plenty of liquids. access to shops, so pack a lunch, of unforeseen delays. Such is the Always carry a little extra in case nature of off-roading.
5 Navigation device
to drive, now you need to So you’ve found some legal lanes are many mapping apps that navigate the route. Thankfully there dragged and create a GPX file that can be allow you to plot a route or check legalities. A modern phone and dropped onto Trailwise2 to for something a little do the trick but if you are looking tablet could
Overlander GPS or the Globe Explorer. more advanced try the Garmin
6 Means to deal with a flat tyre
wheel nut key, and knowing A spare wheel, jack, tools, a locking prevent a simple puncture from where your jacking points are can from a location recovery services becoming a big problem when miles a convoy make sure at least one can access. Also if travelling in and a tyre repair kit if doing person has a portable air compressor very remote lanes.
7 Tools
problem, or remove an Being able to fix a minor mechanical moving instead of having to turn overhanging branch can keep you
Mobile Car Maintenance back. The Halfords Advanced 121-Piece bow saw will cover most common Tool Kit (yours for £240) and a eventualities. See halfords.com.
8 Camp cookers
water for al fresco brews or A compact camp cooker for boiling comfort on cold days. a welcome heating up food can be handy and at only £44.99. See alpkit.com. My favourite is the Alpkit Brukit
Sunscreen/insect repellent/ 9 current medication
rural considerable time, often in very You’re going to be outside for a
Nor is being stuck without are no fun. locations. Sunburn and insects have a delay or problem while out essential medication should you need to deal with these potentially and about. So pack what you might uncomfortable situations.
10 Comms device
more so when you can chat Convoy driving is fun, and even many signal may be in short supply in to everyone in the group. Mobile Thunderpole.co.uk and 4x4cb.com areas the greenlanes traverse but members with discounts kindly provide Green Lane Association across their range of CB radio products.
11 Change of footwear/ clothes/ waterproofs
There is nothing worse than being stuck in wet clothing all day! A good set of waterproofs and a spare change of clothing and boots is a welcome relief if the weather isn’t on your side! A sleeping bag if you are going to be driving through heavy snow is also not a bad idea.
12 A camera
Take nothing but memories. We all like to record our adventures to share with others, but cameras can come in handy when it comes to reporting problems upon your return like obstructions and maintenance issues.
13 Trowel and toilet paper
Don’t get caught short! We all need the to go, but when out miles from nearest facilities, we have to prepare for the inevitable and dispose of it responsibly.
14 Rubbish bags
The first rule of any outdoor activity is ‘leave no trace’. We have home ample space to take our rubbish with us in our Land Rovers. Available bag products range from a simple bin in the boot to a purpose made spare wheel mounted external trash bag.
15 Paper maps
Paper maps still come in handy, especially when you can’t connect to the internet, are having tech problems, or are explaining routes to others. GLASS provides leaflets that explain all there is to know about laning and the legalities of laning.