How to Camp When on the Road

[Kane]

What gear do you all carry on your bike when on the road and camping out? I’d like to start doing some longer rides, maybe make it to some rallies (all seem pretty far away from SoCal) and pitch a tent rather than do hotels. It’s been a long time since my youthful backpacking days, and I need to get new gear. It would be great to hear about what you carry and how you approach and do this!

Thanks! And Happy a Memorial Day!

[Huzo]

Hi Kane.
The first big dividing line is do want to cook or buy your food.
If you’re cooking.
I use a Coleman stove that runs on the same fuel as your bike. At mid afternoon, I go into whatever shop that looks ok, here in Oz it tends to be the local IGA, but you will have your own preference.
I go for a couple of potatoes, raw carrots, a couple of eggs and whatever meat you want..(usually sausages..).
I have a small hot plate that I made and do the meat and eggs on that and boil the veges in the billy.
You seem to have survived this long without starving, so I’m guessing you don’t need any more advice than that.

Sleeping arrangements consist of the very best sleeping bag your wallet can provide and one of those American Ultra Lite cots that take about 5 min to assemble and a self inflating air bed.
The above will mean that if you score a site that’s less than great, you’ll still be able to sleep. I have in the past when travelling in warmer climates, waited ‘till everyone went to bed and thrown the cot up onto the camping table under the camp kitchen roof...
Also handy if it rains, because you are not packing wet stuff away.
Also the best tent that you can afford.
A rubberised bag for your dirty laundry that seals very well, or everything you have ends up smelling like crap....

I allow one full day off when opportunity knocks weather wise at around the 5 day mark or so, to do your laundry.
If you do not and try to start it at 2 pm or so, by the time you get the stuff out to dry it’s too late in the day by far and if you pack it all away anything less than crispy dry, it will grow mushrooms and mould.

My V85 is a tubed model so I made sure I can remove and replace a tyre with basic tools and used only those tools in the shed at home, so I can replicate it all on the road..(breaking the bead is a bit of a thing..).

Just about any problem can be solved with a wallet, mobile and GPS.
In reckon there are a few basic headings.
#1 Currency.  If in a foreign country, a travel money card
#2 Navigation.  Best GPS you can afford..(motorcycle dedicated)
#3 Communication.  International SIM or ability to face time or Skype on Wi Fi

That’s a start anyway.

[bobrebos]

I use a good tent, ground cloth for under the tent, good sleeping bag, a small foldable cot, a light/small sleeping pad, a small foldable camp chair, and a battery charging bank to charge my cell phone, helmet bluetooth communicator (that i use to hear gps directions, music, or whatever) (Sena 10).  I no longer cook in my camp as it was ok when i took the guzzi or goldwing because i had room to pack that stuff, but if i took my old honda chopper i didnt have much room so i cut out cooking at camp, and eat out on the road.  I may pick up some beef jerkey/snacks for camp but thats it.  My splurging is i pack a nice jbl bluetooth speaker (about 8 inches by three inches round) because i like music in my camp.

i use my cell phone flashlight for light and thats about all i pack, other than clothes and a good dry bag, and good rain gear!  I try to pack as light as i can and still be comfortable! 

One thing i would like to get/figure out is a rain tarp to hang up with extendible/foldable poles (LIGHtweight somehow) so i didnt have to sit in my tent whenever it rains.  I havent found a small backpacking size of something like that yet, and it always seems there arent four trees available to tie a tarp to.  But I am thinking of one of those two tree rain fly's.

[Kiwi_Roy]

A good tent, sleeping bag, air mattress,
White spirit stove, pots, mug, plate etc
Small axe, toasting fork
Headlight, USB adapter to charge the phone, Spot to let the family know where I am.
Old I-phone loaded with music and a small speaker for entertainment.
Starbucks coffee 1 serving sachets, Oatmeal, brown sugar is a good starter for the day bagels & cream cheese if you are in a hurry
Baileys Irish Cream is a substitute for milk and won't go off
For the evening meal it's good to have a steak, spud cooked in the embers with a 6 pack to wash it down.
Small pack of butter and milk is nice when you have ice to keep the beer cold.
Camping rough is ok but it's good to find a place with shower and laundry every 2nd or 3rd day.

[twowheeladdict]

Ultralight backpacking gear will pack the smallest, but is also expensive. 

Tents range from a bivy sack to tents that have garages for your bike.

Decide what the coldest temps your willing to sleep in and make sure and get a bag rated at least 20 degrees colder.  Synthetic is better than down if touring in rainy areas, but down packs smaller.

Sleeping pads range from closed cell foam to 2 inch thick self inflating.  What you chose will be based on your ability to sleep on the ground and move without pain the next morning. 

I like the jet boil cooking system.  I do a lot of freeze dried when I camp so instant coffee and oatmeal for breakfast.  Mountain House meal for supper and lunch on the road.

Synthetic travel socks and underwear and T-shirts are easier to maintain, lighter and pack smaller than cotton.  They can be rinsed out and dried quickly.

I like dry bags with D-rings and ROK straps to secure what doesn't fit in luggage. 

Depending on how you like to sit in camp, a tripod stool, low camp chair can be handy. 

I also carry biodegradable soap, quick dry wicking towel, my toiletries, and other essentials in labeled dirty bags so I quickly find what I want.  I also use waterproof roll up bags to organize my gloves, rain gear, extra layers, etc.

Some people have to have a pillow.  Others get away with a zippered pillow case stuffed with the next days clothing.  I had a friend that could sleep in his FF helmet.

If you enjoy a cold beverage in camp, get one of those space age insulated soft coolers in case it is some distance from the store to the final stop for the evening. 

[Texas Turnip]

Lots of good tips. Pack a few cans of V-8 juice or similar in the saddlebag as an emergency when you are desparate for a drink. I carry sardines only if their is not a cafe to eat in. I seldom eat out here in my home town so when I travel part of the trip is enjoying eating at the small town cafes (that are rapidly disappearing.
Micro fiber small towels work wonders.
Don't forget the paper!

Sixty years ago my camping gear was a furniture pad and a 6 pack. No more laying in a tent with the sweat running off me trying to get a few winks.

For the most part I sleep better outside as the night sounds don't bother me. In a motel I hear the car doors slamming and other activity.

Depending on your trip you might need to make camp reservations or get to the campground early (5)

enjoy,
Tex.

[Tiki Joe]

along these same lines....how do you pick a campground?  Do you have one planned and that is your destination for the day or do you ride until your tired and start looking for a campground?

[Guzzistajohn]

I've gotten most of my stuff from REI                  https://www.rei.com/

[delrod]

along these same lines....how do you pick a campground?  Do you have one planned and that is your destination for the day or do you ride until your tired and start looking for a campground?

I used to do the wait and see thing but for the last few years  lots of campgrounds are fully booked months ahead. I still resist making reservations unless a particular campground is THE destination. Traveling alone you can always find a place to lay your head and sometimes that becomes the real adventure

[Guzzistajohn]

I camped next to a cemetery one night out in western Kansas. It was very peaceful! 

[Moparnut72]

I have found that a lot of "campgrounds" are now RVs only and don't allow or cater to real campers.
kk

[Moparnut72]

I should have added that I spent a couple of hours yesterday going over my camping gear in anticipation of the Susanville Rally.
kk

[delrod]

I have found that a lot of "campgrounds" are now RVs only and don't allow or cater to real campers.
kk

I have had two kinds of results at those places. The obvious one and the other is " Oh you're by yourself and just want a place for a tent? Put it wherever and have a good trip "  I've had camp host and management tell me everything from no charge to full Rv rate. It never hurts to ask and travelling alone and being sociable typically helps

[motogoro]

lots of great advice here. 

my advice is at minimum carry a Gore-Tex bivy sack. 
I bought an Army surplus sleeping bag cover for $40 several years ago. 
Keeps you dry if your tent fails.  can be used solo in warm weather or augmenting your sleeping bag in colder temps. 

AND pack your sleeping bag and clothing in waterproof bags. 
I double up.  Clothes are packed in Ziploc bags inside light weight dry bags. 
Sleeping gear packed into light weight dry bags inside a heavy duty dry bag. 

[Dilliw]

I've steadily improved my gear over the years to the point where I haven't added to it in a while.  As an earlier post said you have to decide on food vs. no food and that's a great point.  Food is nice but it adds considerably to your kit.  I'm a no food camper.

My kit stores and rides in a waterproof bag:




Things I like in it:

Klymit Static V Lux pad.  This was recommended by the late Bruce Lawson and it's a great pad for its pack size.  No pump needed; just 25-30 breaths and you are sleeping.

High back camping chair.  I have a no name from Amazon, but Klymit is selling something similar.  They run sales (I got my pad for 50% off) so you have to watch.

Yetti coffee cup.  Ok I'm too cheap to buy a Yetti, but when work gave me one I purposed it into my kit.  Coffee in the morning and hooch at night.  It's very versatile!

Visco Love camping pillow.  It's on Amazon and solved one of my biggest comfort issues.

[ozarquebus]

+1 the idea of having a camping destination figured out each night. I hate assuming a KOA, or other campground, will be available a discovering it is closed or full. This would send me wandering through the night looking for anyplace to camp which usually turns out to be substandard.
 On the other hand, if the area is really wilderness, then I know I can just camp at large wherever it looks good, then I will take my chances at finding a spot at the end of the riding day.
 +1 on a cemetery way out on the prairie.
On food and gear, I just copy-cat the zero impact ultra light backpacking things at REI and Campmoor and DIY things like a large sil nylon catenary tarp. Folding Z-type pads are my pad of choice.  Since the bike can carry more than my backpack and me, I will throw in a stool, an extra tarp, and maybe some luxuries like an extra pair of socks and a little daily fresh food like taters, turnips and tequila. I have never found a cot small enough to put on a bike in my opinion unlike Huzo, but maybe I will start looking at mini cots. Hammocks are great for some, but did not work for me, but you might try some of the cottage industry hammock makers like WARBONNET. Supposedly you can sleep flat instead of making your body assume a 90 degree V.
 I used to like the idea of carrying a little browning buckmark .22 pistol and shoot small game for the campfire, but those days are probably gone.


 

[chuck peterson]

At the end of every trip I’ve taken I could have taken less.

But if I didn’t bring it I would have needed it.

 

I look for a base camp set up. Lug what you want. Park it w all the perks you want for a period of time. Hopefully you’ll pick a spot that has a lot of day rides.

State and city parks w swimming holes, a small decent market..Vermont has open air lean tos, perfect for heavy rain

Not up for big mile days and camping for 4 weeks anymore.

[Huzo]

Ortleib bags are superb.
This one appears in almost every shot. 5 days of constant rain in Northern Europe and still the sleeping bag stayed dry.

[twowheeladdict]

along these same lines....how do you pick a campground?  Do you have one planned and that is your destination for the day or do you ride until your tired and start looking for a campground?

Unless you are near BLM land, you better plan your campgrounds way ahead of time depending on where you are going. 

I've played it by ear and had so squeeze in the tent wherever I could at some places.  If you need electricity to charge things you end up hanging out in front of the shower facilities 

[Huzo]

you end up hanging out in front of the shower facilities 

....so to speak..

[LowRyter]

Marriot Reward Points

Hilton Honors 

sorry that mine have expired

[twowheeladdict]

....so to speak..

 

[geoff in almonte]

For me, there are two scenarios here - touring for an extended period and touring to a rally.

For extended touring I prefer to stay in hotel/motels - Mom & Pop places - and eat in local diners.  I do all the cooking at home - when I'm on vacation, somebody else does the cooking!

For rallies, I have a 3 man Eureka tent - +1 on ZZ and the groundsheet thing.  A good fart sack is essential - synthetic over down - As is an air mattress.  I bought a backpacker air mattress from Mountain Equipment that rolls up smaller than a coffee can and gets me 3 inches off the ground.  For a pillow, I wrap my leathers in my towel.  I pack a Bubba Mug for coffee (there's always coffee at Guzzi rallies) in the AM and whiskey at night.  And a collapsible cooler is a good idea.

And dont forget the Mastercard!!

Cheers!

G

[Huzo]

Realistically, at about 2 pm, I just enter Camping grounds in the points of interest menu en route of my GPS.
You can see up to ten of them ranging from nearest to furthest on a map, with a ‘phone number attached to each one. I do not bother with blue tooth connectivity from my phone but if you did, you can just tap the number and it will dial through.
I just stop and ring.

[Tom H]

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

[Buckturgidson]

 

A quick note about the ground cloth. Used properly, a ground cloth should be about 4 inches smaller than the foot print of the tent. If it sticks out, it will channel water between it and the floor of your tent. I just buy visqueen and cut a chunk the right size. It's cheap and you get plenty to make a new one as needed, but it will last easily for a few seasons. A vapor barrier and floor protector. That rolls up and packs into the tent bag with the tent.

John Henry

That's good stuff, thanks.

[jrt]

Show me the packable chairs.

What about Kermit chairs?  They pack up pretty neatly.  I've used them for years.
I don't know what an 'umbrella' style chair is. 

[Kane]

Thank you for all of this great input. I really appreciate all of the shared experience and experienced advice. You guys are so concrete I can much better imagine what I might deal with and how to look at these things.
I think biking may be the new backpacking for me. Unfortunately, I no longer have backpacking or camping gear, but I think I can manage on the bike more than the 70 lb limit I set for myself when backpacking. Thanks for the informative and illuminating anecdotes......I feel like I know a few a you a bit better! I guess camping on a bike is an extension of ourselves in our most freewheeling form. I’ve been reading of people busting lose on the long haul, from Robert Fulton to Peter Eagan (with his “Big Pink” pump tent), and all you guys. Cheers!

[blu guzz]

I have not read each post so if someone already hit this, ignore.  Try to bring shower shoes (flip flops).  They pack pretty small and will keep you from picking up whatever might be growing in the bottom of some community showers.  Also, if the weather is hot, you can wear them around the camp.

[ozarquebus]

4x6x22 inches packed size of Kermit chair
vs
1.5 x 16 x 26in  for the 'adirondack' folding chair. (pictured below)
I have found this to be the best compromise chair. Light and thin and flat when packed. and can  be used as a 'rack extender' for piling on more stuff.
Downside: hard for old fat guys to get up,
Upshot:  very comfortable and stable and useful for hanging out in the shower line.

What is the smallest packing folding cot?