Motorcycle Camping

[toompine]

I have always loved to camp, the simpler the better. Unfortunately over the years I have moved from a young man back packing to some 70's motorcyle camping with army surplus gear on a '67 Bonneville to mini motorhome to motor homes to travel trailers with microwaves and a big truck to pull everything any of the family couldpossibly want at any moment.

I am yearning for simplicity again. I have done some camping on the Multistrada but purely campsite next to a parking area kind of thing. The Super Tenere has me dreaming of sites less traveled. I spend an inordinate amount of time on ADV Rider learning from the accumulated knowledge of that group and am know putting together my motorcycle camping farkles. The smallest lightest camp stove, the ultrapackable tent, the soft and supporting but very small pillow. Yes while we are wating for our new Tenrere's I am also Water Mittying about being out off the beaten path. I may not make the Round-The-World thing but there is definately some simple roughing it time coming up.

Dream Time!

 

[Venture]

I say go with the dream. I've only been on a few "domesticated" motorcycle camping trips myself, so I really don't have much to add, except maybe how much fun it is to get new camping gear.

Logically I guess the idea would be to start small and work up, as usual.

 

[spklbuk]

Nuttin' like hangin' in the woods...

 

[switchback]

Frankly I don't camp enough. Beer, Fire, steak; it should be my motto.

 

[Venture]

Frankly I don't camp enough. Beer, Fire, steak; it should be my motto.

I think I just found the tagline for the new Camping board here on the forum. ;D

 

[toompine]

I think I just found the tagline for the new Camping board here on the forum. ;D

Vot for that ;D

 

[switchback]

I think I just found the tagline for the new Camping board here on the forum. ;D

Once in a great while something intelligible comes from my keyboard.

 

[markjenn]

I enjoy motorcycle camping, but it is work to do it well, especially in inclement weather. Even with the lightest gear, carrying a full camping kit (tent, bag, pad, chair, kitchen, etc.) in addition to the usual spares/tools, etc. results in a bike with a lot of weight/bulk. But its all worth it when you and your buds are sitting around the fire after a good meal and the stars come out.

One key thing that I think first-time campers screw up is not allowing extra time for camp setup/teardown. They attempt to do the same daily mileage they do when hoteling and don't realize that 3-4 hours extra every day is missing. When I'm camping, I want to be hitting the grocery for food and working my way to the campground by 4PM or even earlier. A couple hundred daily miles for an backroads adventure tour with camping is PLENTY.

One problem that gets worse for me every year is sleeping comfortably. Thirty years ago I didn't even bother carrying a sleeping pad. If I did the same today, I'd have trouble walking in the morning. I don't scrimp on a good pad/bag these days.

This year, our group is going to do what we're calling "base camping" - trailer into a good riding area with the full camping kit in the car and then day-ride on lightweight bikes without the gear. But I'll miss the "cowboy" feeling where you pack up everything you have each day and hit the road for a new destination.

- Mark

 

[hANNAbONE]

...Big Agnes is your friend...

sleeping bags, pads, tents, etc...

also, mountain hardwear - awesome tents..I have two.

It packs well and it's fairly light....it's the right "tool" for the job in my book..

 

[toompine]

"But I'll miss the "cowboy" feeling where you pack up everything you have each day and hit the road for a new destination."

Yep that is what I am looking for. That old west cowboy on the open range taking care of yourself thing (and your horse of course).

 

[toompine]

One key thing that I think first-time campers screw up is not allowing extra time for camp setup/teardown. They attempt to do the same daily mileage they do when hoteling and don't realize that 3-4 hours extra every day is missing. - Mark

I have been assembling a kit that will allow a quick set up and eat when I am trying to do miles. Hubba tent, small, light and very quick set up (less that three minutes), and backpack freeze dried food. Three minutes to water boil then 10 minutes to begin to eat... out of the bag...no clean up. Heck they even have cocktail mixes and desserts in a bag. Wine bag and or plastic flask with a favoriate libation for after meal. I have the whole thing figured for one 20" x 14" x 5" case that I will use as a "top case"...Tent, pad, sleeping bag, bivy sack if it gets really nasty, pot, fry pan, cup (Snowpeak kit, titanium you know), alcohol stove with a MSR canister stove as back up, and a silnylon tarp for camp cover in the rain. I have been using backpacking as my guide and all in all it comes out pretty light.

I figure the time to set up and eat is less than a motel check-in, baggage unload, go to a restaurant. As long as I am not having to shop I think it may be faster.

Still considering a Big Agnes insulated inflatable. In cold weather the reports are that they are amazing for keeping your bag (and you ) warm. They pack a bit bigger than mine but I stil have room left in my camp case.

Bruce

 

[spklbuk]

One problem that gets worse for me every year is sleeping comfortably. Thirty years ago I didn't even bother carrying a sleeping pad. If I did the same today, I'd have trouble walking in the morning. I don't scrimp on a good pad/bag these days.
- Mark

Consider giving a camping hammock a try. Way more comfortable than ground hogging it. Light, quick setup(with a little practice), and with tarp, under and over quilts as compact as any tent rig will ever be and just as weather proof...maybe even more so when rigged correctly.
Tons of info and lots of willing help here: http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/

 

[ptfjjj]

For some reason, I've never been able to sleep very well in a hammock. I need to be laying flat, or my back will ache all day.

 

[GrahamD]

One key thing that I think first-time campers screw up is not allowing extra time for camp setup/teardown. They attempt to do the same daily mileage they do when hoteling and don't realize that 3-4 hours extra every day is missing. When I'm camping, I want to be hitting the grocery for food and working my way to the campground by 4PM or even earlier. A couple hundred daily miles for an backroads adventure tour with camping is PLENTY.

- Mark

Last time I went out for a five day adventure,
Chopped off 150Km for each day, tick,
Target making camp site by 4PM, tick
Double check all equipment, tick
Allow additional 2 hours a day for son and friend to fart ass around and not help with anything. <--needs review.

So for all you first time campers, if you intend to camp with 10 year old boys, allow about 50km a day max for the trip to be relaxing

Anyway I will start with my favorite camp Stove (for 1 or two person trips)

Cheers
Graham

 

[switchback]

I find that I have trouble making myself slow down, take shorter legs, etc. I have always been too focused on the destination and fail to acknowledge that the journey is the destination. Allowing extra time is essential to experience the journey and camping is part of it.

As for the camping part, things add up in a hurry and can create a bulky situation. In the Horizons Unlimited Achievable Dream DVDs there is a guy who travels round the world using no more than a duffel. It is amazing what you can leave at home and still camp successfully.

 

[spklbuk]

For some reason, I've never been able to sleep very well in a hammock. I need to be laying flat, or my back will ache all day.

Admittedly hammocks are not for everyone. If you lay diagonally to the centerline, head to one side and feet to opposite in a hammock with an assmetrical cut and place something under the back of your knees (small pillow, tank bag, what have you) all will be well. The way the hammock is pitched, amount of sag, is also essential to getting "a good lay." Amount of sag needed is user specific. Many folks with bad backs have given up a bed altogether in favor of a properly setup hammock.

Lots of fiddle factor involved in learning to sleep in a hammock and in the backyard is the place before going out on the road...but it is so worth it (to me). Hang your own hang as your YMMV.

 

[switchback]

Always wanted to try a Hammock but not enough to invest in one yet. I do like the idea of not having a rock in my back.

 

[markjenn]

Consider giving a camping hammock a try.

Tried it. Didn't work. And I prefer the weather protection and privacy of a tent. Also, many areas I camp don't have trees.

But friends swear by them and wouldn't do it any other way.

- Mark

 

[pqsqac]

My family and I do all our camping in a hotel room it's rough but we enjoy it. ;D

 

[toompine]

Consider giving a camping hammock a try. Way more comfortable than ground hogging it. Light, quick setup(with a little practice), and with tarp, under and over quilts as compact as any tent rig will ever be and just as weather proof...maybe even more so when rigged correctly.
Tons of info and lots of willing help here: http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/

Question for hammock owners. Have you ever carried a hammock and a tent in case you had a camping spot with no trees? Ever been left lying on t. he ground instead of in the air?