How to Camp When on the Road

[LowRyter]

Very good point. Several years ago now, I bought one of those battery packs that can recharge stuff. It has come in more handy than I would have imagined. the one I have can be charged either with AC or DC. Some even have solar cells on one side that will recharge them.

John Henry

bring  a bluetooth speaker too

[ozarquebus]

many versatile pitching options
the Winter Hammock Tarp
 I have one that was made by local seamstress from these plans.

Here is a link for poles
https://www.questoutfitters.com/tent_poles.htm

[sidecarnutz]

I tried a Kermit chair once. When I stood up it was still wedged to my butt! I was just glad I didn't break it. They're expensive.

[Gino]

Show me the packable chairs.

I have the classic "umbrella style" but they are long in the bag, need to have it inline with the bike, not across. Also have the style with 2 U shaped rods X style and a material section for the seat. I even have some barkolounger style Umbrellas with recliner style foot rests. But again too long.

Would love an Umbrella style that packs up shorter.

Tom

Look at Helinox chairs, pack down small and light, had ours for around 5 years , plenty long trips. If on soft ground it’s better to put something under the legs to avoid that sinking feeling.
Downside is the cost

Gino

[rudyr]

Yual know I’ve camped a bit on the road.  Back of a little grave yard is quitest. Old men need a tent you can stand up in.  I’ve got low light weight cot (with a pad in it is the best cot I’ve got ) but you must get on the ground to get in or out.  I now use a cot not to high that I can sit on with my feet on the ground and read a book on a rainy day.  Now for cooking I’ve got the smallest so low stove(will burn any thing that’s  bunable)  I drop a alcohol stove down into it.  You can cook turkey with it if it doesn’t take over 15 min. I use Heat you can buy at any auto store for fuel for the stove.  I have a 3 cup SS coffee pot( my stove will boil coffee in 7 min.. That just a few thing I’ve learned over the yearsRudy

[ozarquebus]

Sometimes in the graveyard when camping alone on the windy prairie, it takes me a little longer to fall asleep and sometimes I wake up and listen for things in the middle of the night. Nothing is lonelier or quieter than when you crawl out of the tent in the fog of morning after sleeping in the graveyard.  Sometimes I push the bike to the roadway instead of starting it among the tombstones and breaking the peace. Then I think, maybe there is one guy there that would enjoy hearing it...

Show me the folding cots.

[Canuck750]

Cell phone and a credit card, a clean motel bed and a hot shower is my idea of camping. 😀

[Shorty]

   

[Tom H]

Gino,
Thanks for that. Right style but pricey!!!

Tom

[redhawk47]

Campground reservations are a MUST these days, especially out here in the West.  And make them now!  "Everyone" wants to be outdoors and camping.
We did a four day trip last summer, made reservations two months ahead of time.  Two of the three camp grounds were full that evening.  The other had room for tents but was otherwise full.  For this year's June trip we made reservations four months early - at one campground we got the last site.

For years I used Thermorest sleeping pads, but my hips started hurting - I am a side sleeper.  I almost quit camping.  But I discovered Big Agnes bags and pads.  A three inch air mattress, with some kind of insulation that has no mass when the pad is rolled up, solved that problem.  And the Big Agnes bag has a pocket the mattress fits in, so you don't roll off it in the night.

I use a jet boil, freeze dried backpacker dinners, canned stews, instant oatmeal.  I bring small bottles of apple juice for swallowing my vitamins in the morning.  I like to have a small LED lantern for the tent.  A pee bottle is a must in the tent - i use an old big mouth quart Nalgene, others use a Gatorade bottle.  My tent is a 2+ size so I can have my gear inside.  (and my boots will be coming in the tent too, thanks to a suggestion made above.)  I recommend ROK Straps for securing your bags to the bike - do not use bungee cords!

Dan

[Kane]

Sometimes in the graveyard when camping alone on the windy prairie, it takes me a little longer to fall asleep and sometimes I wake up and listen for things in the middle of the night. Nothing is lonelier or quieter than when you crawl out of the tent in the fog of morning after sleeping in the graveyard.  Sometimes I push the bike to the roadway instead of starting it among the tombstones and breaking the peace. Then I think, maybe there is one guy there that would enjoy hearing it...

Show me the folding cots.

Pretty cool. Very atmospheric! So, is graveyard camping a thing? Never really heard of it, but it sounds like a good place to get a peaceful rest.

[ozarquebus]

 it is not officially a thing.

[tris]

Good thread this,  bravo everyone     

I went on a mission to Wales a couple of years ago and worked out that it would have been better to  base myself in one place afterwards

Just need to find a site where I can walk to eat or buy the ingredients for choice

Stand up tent and pee bottles.  They're on the packing list for next time 

[wavedog]

   From Kane "So, is graveyard camping a thing? Never really heard of it, but it sounds like a good place to get a peaceful rest."

  The first rule of graveyard camping is don't talk about graveyard camping.

[Moparnut72]

Just don't join the current residents.   
kk

[twowheeladdict]

   From Kane "So, is graveyard camping a thing? Never really heard of it, but it sounds like a good place to get a peaceful rest."

  The first rule of graveyard camping is don't talk about graveyard camping.

I would be more concerned with who might go to a graveyard at night.

[rudyr]

I stayed at a camp grounds in Co once (on the inter net it showed grass) well I got their late from ar. I couldn’t fined grass.  Went back to office a told them I couldn’t find grass camp spots.  He laught grass co.  So I left, to late to ride on.  I found grass about 30’ from dump station, couple drinks & Romain noodles it wasn’t to bad.  Just go with what got. Rudy

[ozarquebus]

Has anyone tried one of these wearable sleeping bags?

REI

https://www.rei.com/used/p/selkbag-original-6g-wearable-sleeping-bag/171882

[geoff in almonte]

I would be more concerned with who might go to a graveyard at night.

You meet the nicest people in a graveyard!

My wife grew up in a cemetary.  Her dad was the groundskeeper/gravedigger/crematory operator/etc. and the owners let him live in the old house that was on the grounds. 

They had a h*ll of a time getting pizza delivered!

G

[bobrebos]

They had a h*ll of a time getting pizza delivered!

G

 

[Milosh]

Whoever said bring cans of V8 or whatever, I recommend PediaLyte or a Powerade type drink to pack. Always hydrate.

[mondtster]

Good camping equipment is expensive, but well worth it. Backpacking gear is usually lighter and more compact than the cheaper department store type stuff, which is also very handy for carrying on a motorcycle. I usually carry a sleeping bag, air mattress, two person tent, backpacking stove, and a cook set. Most of my cooking is pretty basic - boiling water or warming some food. I carry a few days worth of food as well but plan on stopping at a grocery or convenience store along the way to supplement what I brought with me. My camping gear usually goes in the saddle bags and I put all my clothes in a dry bag that I strap on the rear seat.

Finding camping spots can be hit or miss. I haven't had much trouble taking trips one day at a time, making reservations in the early afternoon once it is determined how far I'll make it each day. Even last year during the time when there was increased travel/vacationing there wasn't much trouble except in the national parks. I usually stick to established campgrounds for some of the amenities, but it would be even easier and cheaper if that isn't a requirement.

I think riding and camping is one of the cheapest ways to travel and see the country. You can do trips on a shoestring budget; the biggest problem I run into is vacation time.

[rudyr]

One thing ever camper needs when going on the road.  Don’t star laughing tell you try it. Cheetos or Fritos, can start a fire in a rain or with damp wood.  Rudy

[delrod]

One thing ever camper needs when going on the road.  Don’t star laughing tell you try it. Cheetos or Fritos, can start a fire in a rain or with damp wood.  Rudy

Last stop for the day buy a bag of cheap corn chips and canned chili.Use half the bag to build a fire eat the other half of the now hot chili to make a freeto pie. Don't get better than that

[sign216]

This thread prompted me to look into a Kermit chair.  They are sold out. 

I found a look-a-like, the Kanpai Travelchair.  Made of wood + metal just like the Kermit, but it 7 lbs (a little heavier).  They have plenty to sell.  Bad news, you can't disassemble it like the Kermit for packing up.  Although it folds, once, like a normal lawn chair, it doesn't break down completely.  So it's really too big for good motorcycle travel. 

But if you are okay w that, it really does seem like a solid chair, very similar.  I'm returning mine.

Joe

  https://www.backcountry.com/travelchair-kanpai-bamboo-camp-chair

[wrbix]

THE solution to having a camp chair …..been using one for years!
Turns your Thermarest into a chair.
Brilliant. Mine has held up well.
Thermarest Trekker Chair https://www.amazon.com/dp/B078NGRBSF/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_i_9J5WW1TYWENQVW9KBDFM

[dxhall]

I’m waiting for someone to buy this one and give me a review.  Folds to the size of a water bottle.

https://www.cliqproducts.com/products/cliq-chair

[LowRyter]

Buy those bag chairs at WalMArt for $7 and throw them away after the rally.  Prolly broken anyway.

[Tom]

Out West in bear country near National Parks.  Do Not leave food in your tent, on your bike or on a picnic table near your tent.  If you approach someone else's tent in the American Outback, announce yourself.  Many areas allow ccw. 

Kane, you could try some local state campgrounds for test runs. N & S of LA.  Malibu or the one south of San Diego.  Bring quarters for the hot showers.  Tent camping is cheap.

[Kiwi_Roy]

I’m waiting for someone to buy this one and give me a review.  Folds to the size of a water bottle.

https://www.cliqproducts.com/products/cliq-chair

I tried to, managed to add to cart but then I couldn't find the cart to purchase.
I guess they aren't really serious about selling stuff.