The new G4 looks very similar to the older G3, but there are some worthwhile updates.

A new motor, built into the front wheel, promises more torque, a quicker response from low speed, and quieter running. A lightweight carbon mid-frame and a redesigned front fork reduce weight, and there are some thoughtful features like the USB port in the handlebars that allows the rider to charge their phone on the go.

There are three models in the range; the basic G4, the G4i, and the G4i+. We've been riding the entry-level model, although with a price tag of £3,399 it certainly isn't cheap.

All three models share the same 250-watt motor, but the G4i and G4i+ have a larger battery to increase the claimed range from 40 to 50 miles. The top-two bikes also have predictive gear-changing and daytime running lights, while the + model has lightweight carbon wheels. Priced at £3,999 and £4,999 respectively, these are considerably more expensive than the G4.

We wouldn't rush to spend the extra, as the regular G4 is very capable. To get the most from it, it pays to pair the bike to your smartphone, which then acts as a control and dashboard for the bike, showing the battery's state of charge and the riding mode selected. Choose from Eco, City, City+, On-Demand and Custom modes. Eco mode maximises range, while the City modes give more assistance. The Custom setting allows the rider to choose how much assistance they get, while On-Demand supplies power at the push of a button on the handlebar. Whichever setting is chosen, assistance cuts out at 15.5mph to stay the right side of the law.

We thought we might struggle to match the claimed 40-mile range, but after a 20-mile cycle using the Eco mode and On-Demand assistance on hills we still had 80% battery charge remaining. There are just three gears, but with so much help from the electric motor we didn't want for more.

The GoCycle proved great fun, with a comfortable ride from its wide tyres, and a nippy, nimble approach to corners. Thanks to the huge range of adjustment to the seat post, this one-size fits all bike suits short and tall riders alike.

At the end of each ride, the G4 is easy to fold. GoCycle says the whole process takes just 10 seconds, and while it will need a bit of practice to be that quick, it's certainly not a time-consuming process. A Brompton Electric will fold down to a smaller size, but having ridden both we prefer the GoCycle's more comfortable and assured ride.

For transport in a car boot or a motorhome garage, we'd be inclined to put the GoCycle in a bag to protect against scuffs and scratches. GoCycle sells one for £229, along with a range of other accessories including lights, locks, and mudguards.

You can buy much more affordable electric folders that will do the same job, but if the price doesn't put you off the GoCycle is an exceptional e-bike.

Throw in also being comfortable enough to wear on a long day’s hike and the Myth Backpack from the Australian company STM seems to fit the bill.

It comes in 28- or 18-litre form (28L or 18L, £119.95 and £99.95 respectively) and according to a young 20-something friend, it’s smart enough to be worn on the Tube crossing London, which I’m told is unusual for most camping day sacks.

The Myth has been designed with the gadget lover in mind, with a padded space to take a 16in laptop. And not just any padded space, it’s designed with a sling to hold its precious cargo away from the edges of the pack, where it’s most likely to get damaged.

There are almost innumerable pockets, but it still manages to be comfortable enough to wear for a long day’s hiking. The straps spread the load well and the back panel allows air to circulate. I didn’t get overheated while carrying it, even on one of the hottest days in May this year. It even boasts a fleece-lined pocket for spectacles.

At the other end of the weather scale, the fabric has a good durable water repellent (DWR) coating and the zips have the teeth inside, to keep most water and dirt out.

My only quibble is the number of sections in the Myth. I’ve already ‘lost’ my purse on more than one occasion as I’ve searched in vain in the wrong pocket, but the longer I use this backpack the more I fall in love with it. And I can’t often say that about products I test.

It was designed by Scott Gant, a true outdoor enthusiast from California. He decided he needed a decent light for use when out wild camping. But not just as a standard camping torch - something that could double up as a photography or videography lamp as well.

The LitraTorch 2.0 is the second generation of his baby lamp. It comes complete with mounts for a DSLR camera, GoPro-style video camera and smartphone. There’s also a belt clip and a translucent flexible diffuser to make the light a little less harsh.

I’ve been using the LitraTorch for the last six months or so and it’s been invaluable in my photography kit. It’s tiny (a 1.5in cube) so fits in my pocket, a single USB charge lasts for ages and it will fill a tent with light of an evening so you don’t need to take any extra torches or lamps if you’re travelling light.

It also works very well for photography in compact spaces such as the caravan washrooms I regularly need to photograph (doesn’t everyone?!). It will tuck away out of sight but illuminate everything in its path. I have also mounted it on my Manfrotto monopod to provide extra lighting for an impromptu portrait session or two.

If you’re interested in the technical specs, the LitraTorch 2.0 has 16 LEDs with 90+CRI at 5700 daylight temperature. The sales pitch says it “the quality of light meets the premium standards that photographers and videographers look for in continuous lighting”, which is easy to believe as it provides 800 lumen of continuous, high quality light.

Add the fact that it’s waterproof and rugged enough to survive the many drops it’s already encountered (its small size means it’s remarkably easy to drop) and the features go a long way to making up for the fairly steep price. It’s not something you’d use to replace a basic camping lantern, but if you enjoy taking photographs or video on your travels and occasionally think “what a shame I can’t carry a proper lamp out here” then the LitraTorch may be just what you’re looking for.

 

Each small tablet dissolves rapidly in hot water with much fizzing. It then gently removes all the limescale and other muck that tends to accumulate inside your water bottle, mugs or other kit.
We tried it on a couple of not-too-hygienic office coffee mugs and within ten minutes it had cleaned one, which simply needed rinsing. The other had some tougher stains but these came off easily with the rub of a dishcloth after using the Bottle Bright solution.

The tablets contain a mixture of traditional cleaning substances including citric acid and sodium bicarbonate.

I also tried them in my home teapot. The tea staining inside had begun to block the holes leading to the spout. Soaking for a few hours cleaned the inside of the teapot remarkably well and the tea poured more easily after the treatment.

There is one big downside to the product, though. The tablets are individually wrapped and look a little too much like sweets for comfort. We were a little concerned children might be tempted by them.

But as long as you are able to keep them safely out of the reach of youngsters, Bottle Bright could be a useful addition to your camping cleaning kit.

 

Choosing a mechanical security device can be a bit vexing, as can understanding what you should expect from a particular one. Firstly, unfortunately no security device will stop a determined thief, its main aim is to slow things down or cause plenty of noise so your caravan seems too high a risk to attempt to steal.

If you store your caravan on a remote location, such as a farm with no people nearby, then thieves can take all the time they want as no one is likely to disturb them.

At the Club we generally only recommend Sold Secure mechanical security devices as these have been attack tested using the types of tools your typical thief might have in his kit. There are other testing houses around, but we find Sold Secure has the most consistent and widest leisure industry support. You could improve your chances against the thief by fitting more than one type of device as he would have to use a different method of attack for each one, increasing the time he’s likely to be spotted. I don’t just mean hitch locks and wheel locks, having different locks on different wheels can be a great deterrent.

It is common for caravanners to use the AL-KO Secure wheel lock, which prevents the wheel from rotating. It is Diamond rated by Sold Secure, however it can be difficult to fit as it needs the wheel to be well aligned with the space between the spokes and the fixed receiver on the brake back plate. However, a new kid on the block is the Milenco Wraith. This has a Sold Secure Gold rating and is easier to fit than some but still provides a good level of security.  

The Wraith uses a high-quality low-mass replacement wheel bolt and security bar that goes through the alloy wheel. Both items are connected to a high-grade steel lock body. Where the lock touches the wheel there are foam-covered areas for protection and there is a plastic outer cover on the body. <DSC_Wraith wheel lock 1 6289IH or images 2 or 3> Once the lock has been set-up, by screwing the barrel in or out and then securing with a grub screw, the fit and removal should only take seconds. The Wraith comes with three keys, a carry case and a five-year warranty.

We would recommend using this on the opposite wheel to your standard wheel lock while in storage, in addition to any specific security devices required by your insurance provider. While touring it’s easy to fit to the caravan when you stop for a break and it’s useful when pitching on a sloping pitch where alignment can be difficult for the AL-KO Secure lock.

It’s important to point out there are other products on the market that may look and function in a similar way but the quality of the Milenco product seems very good and it has an approval standard we and many insurers recognise.

Verdict: A good quality lock that is easy to fit and remove while still providing Sold Secure Gold level security