Cycling Through Sardinia: Why Our Picnic Blanket Was in Constant Use at Easter

Sardinia at Easter is a real contrast to summer. The island is completely green, everything is in bloom, and the beaches are almost deserted. We were there in April with our bikes – a wonderful time, but you need to know: the ground is often still genuinely wet and damp at that time of year.

We brought the uquip SCOTTY Picnic Blanket in size M for our breaks. Here's my honest verdict after two weeks on the road.

Two weeks bikepacking in Sardinia – every gram of luggage counts.

Space Saver: Size M for Four People?

Technically, the SCOTTY M (150 × 120 cm) is more of a blanket for two. But on a cycling trip, every centimetre of luggage space matters. We used it for four – and it was perfectly fine for breaks. The big advantage is the tiny packed size. It takes up hardly any space and can easily be strapped on top of the panniers, so it's within reach at every stop.

The Reality Check: What It Can Do – and What It Can't

To be honest: a fleece blanket like the SCOTTY is not a thermal mat. When the ground is still really cold at Easter, it won't completely block the cold from below. If you're looking for soft padding against ground frost, you'll need something else.

But where it was unbeatable: moisture. Whether we sat down on a wet mountain meadow or damp coastal sand – nothing came through from underneath. The nylon underside is completely watertight. For us, that was the most important thing – not having to ride on with wet trousers after each stage.

On the damp mountain meadow: nothing came through from below – the fleece surface stayed dry.

Beach Breaks Without the Sand Problem

On the empty beaches, the blanket was our go-to spot. One big plus was how easy it is to clean. Sardinia's fine sand does get into the fleece when you walk on it, but at the end of a break it shakes out effortlessly. We had no sand left in the rest of our luggage – a huge bonus when bikepacking.

Corner loops in action: secured with sticks against the coastal breeze.

Left: break on a deserted beach. Right: unpacking in a fresh breeze – ready to go in seconds thanks to the stuff sack.

My Verdict After Two Weeks

The SCOTTY M was the perfect compromise on our Sardinia trip. It's no miracle worker on ice-cold days, but as protection against moisture and dirt it's simply brilliant. If you're travelling by bike and need to keep weight down, size M is more than enough – even for a small family on the road.

For anyone looking for a compact, waterproof picnic blanket for travel, camping, or the beach – the SCOTTY is available in sizes M, L, and XXL. If you're travelling as a family and need more room, go straight for the SCOTTY L (200 × 150 cm).