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Rookie question and I feel stupid asking but for the guys who camp a lot, "where" do you camp? Do you usually pick camp destinations on a trip and drive there and set up and its a typical camping location? Or do you just ride and when you find a secluded area just drive off the beaten path a bit and set up camp there? The latter sounds more fun but the last thing i need is to get hostel-ed by some whacko in the forest haha.
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Feb 29, 2012 21:00
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BotchedLobotomy posted:The latter sounds more fun but the last thing i need is to get hostel-ed by some whacko in the forest haha. Unless you're hopping a fence to setup camp this simply is extremely unlikely to happen. Even then most people are normal and rational and if you're on their private property they may just ask you to leave. If you want/need to stealth camp, setup at dusk and leave at dawn. When I plan a trip I try to string together as many national parks, state parks, national monuments etc as I can, If you're on the part of the map that's green odds are you can camp there, either in a designated campground or wild camping. Most national parks do not allow wild camping just off the road, the notable exceptions are Death Valley (and only off certain roads), The Maze district of Canyonlands, and a handful in Alaska. National Park campgrounds tend to be pricey, but offer good services. I've almost never gone wrong asking a local gas station attendent or local bike (moto or pedal) shop where some good local camping is. Some of them have led me to really spectacular places like the state park just outside of Fort Ross off Hwy 1 or Taylor Park in the heart of the rockies. Loads of state parks allow camping, national grasslands and national forests are cool with people camping off the road but it's always nice to find a quieter road than a US highway to camp off of. AAA maps are covered in little tent icons that indicate a AAA approved campsite, if you're a member these maps are also free. The regional forums on ADV have loads of great local advice, just plan your route get a rough idea of where you want to be at the end of the day and either ask in advance or ask a local. PlasticSun fucked around with this message at 21:17 on Feb 29, 2012 |
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Feb 29, 2012 21:14
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BotchedLobotomy posted:Rookie question and I feel stupid asking but for the guys who camp a lot, "where" do you camp? Do you usually pick camp destinations on a trip and drive there and set up and its a typical camping location? Or do you just ride and when you find a secluded area just drive off the beaten path a bit and set up camp there? We pick a destination in advance. We've only been out 3-4 times, but we generally aim around the 250 mile mark and just look around google maps for an area that looks awesome.
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Feb 29, 2012 21:15
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If you want to camp, you go to parks, and many large parks (esp. national forests) have camping. Camping isn't always practical if you're just touring around on paved roads; you need to plan ahead to find campsites around many metropolitan regions (or most of the country actually; the west is just blessed with many large wilderness areas).
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Feb 29, 2012 21:23
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PlasticSun posted:All this camping talk has got me itching for spring, if any of you find yourselves in CO hit me up I know a handful of great moto-camping spots I'm in Central Texas, but I was considering taking a week or so off and riding up to CO to do some camping probably mid to late spring if there's any interest in organizing something there.
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Feb 29, 2012 21:53
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I have different styles of camping that I do. Most of the time I'm going for state parks/known campgrounds. Sometimes though I want to explore. A lot of offroad trails will have smaller single tracks leading away that were cut by locals or aren't part of the "official" trail. I enjoy exploring these a lot and sometimes they lead to networks of backwoods trails. If I'm exploring these sometimes I will stealth camp. I aim to get fairly deep in the woods at least out of sight of any roads. Another way to find good camping spots is to follow creeks/streams/rivers. A lot of time you can find good clearing that others have used before to camp in. Beware of hobo's though as they also do this, most are nice/cool people but some are batshit crazy. Keep your ride within easy reach and your keys on you @ all times. Use minimal gear when possible and be prepared to bolt/defend yourself if needed. I've only had 1 nasty encounter when travelling off the beaten path and it was only verbal, I was camping in some bum's spot apparently. It ended up all being good in the end after a beer or two and some fishing in the river. I actually ended up giving him my good telescopic rod/reel because he pretty much lived there and had jack squat to his name.
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Feb 29, 2012 22:19
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Korwen posted:I'm in Central Texas, but I was considering taking a week or so off and riding up to CO to do some camping probably mid to late spring if there's any interest in organizing something there. Definitely, I'm out of town from Mid April til early May but otherwise I'm game. BTW the paved passes around here start to clear (lose sand) in mid-may. Anytime after Memorial day is usually pretty clear save for a few in SW CO, just about all of the dirt passes are open by early July save for Perl Pass which remains closed sometimes till August. PlasticSun fucked around with this message at 17:46 on Mar 1, 2012 |
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Mar 1, 2012 05:14
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We should make it a thing. I'd love to see Colorado.
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Mar 1, 2012 06:18
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Depending on how much my life is in order, I might be down too 
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Mar 1, 2012 07:26
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I'll have to wait a while, I burned all my vacation time around xmas. My great Grandma had a stroke...  I'm game for next year though and can probably do a week and a half to two week trip. Company would be awesome if someone wanted to join in or meet along the way.
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Mar 1, 2012 07:57
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You know there's stuff to see in CA too. Carrizo Plain:
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Mar 1, 2012 08:03
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I'm planning on going out for 3 weeks to CO, UT, and CA (San Diego and SF) in the middle of May after I graduate (from Kansas). Going to camp, unless my dad goes along for part of it. He's not a camper.
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Mar 1, 2012 13:23
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thylacine posted:I'm planning on going out for 3 weeks to CO, UT, and CA (San Diego and SF) in the middle of May after I graduate (from Kansas). Going to camp, unless my dad goes along for part of it. He's not a camper. I've got 4WD trail books for the Front Range of CO and Moab but I'm open to other adventures Apparently I don't know hot to EDIT instead of QUOTE.
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Mar 1, 2012 13:37
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If this ends up being A Thing, I have the last week in May off and was going to head in Colorado's direction from Chicago. It'd be fun to join up with people along the way or there.
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Mar 1, 2012 14:29
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MotoMind posted:You know there's stuff to see in CA too. Carrizo Plain: Man, you jerks out west have it good. The southeast is all forest. Forest forest forest, everywhere a muddy forest.
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Mar 1, 2012 15:05
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So here's a thought: I was planning on renting out the Addie S cabin in SW Colorado for 4-5 days in mid-July. Why Mid-July? All the passes are open and the area around there is unparalled in terms of dual sport and road riding. http://www.skihuts.com/Pages/Addie%20S.html The cabin is located here: http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid...659da07b541c29e If there's enough interest we could arrange a bit of a goon meet with cabin accommodations (kitchen, grill, multiple bathrooms, etc) and peel off for a night if people wanted to get their camp on. Clear lake is a fantastic spot for those with the ground clearance to get there: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KXFzPjw9pQs (skip to about 7:23 for the money shot) There are no services (aside from water) at Clear lake, if you want to poop you're digging a hole, but the setting is completely worth it. Other notable attractions include: Lake Como at the top of Hurricane Pass:  California Pass:  Engineer Pass:  Red Mountain Pass:  Lizard Head Pass:  Ophir Pass:  For those on DRZs and WRs the redoubtable Black Bear Pass is also in the area:  For those looking to come out earlier in the spring the area around the Sangre de Christo Mountains is also fantastic. There's the great sand dunes, some really nice riding around Westcliffe, and a cool hippie town of Crestone with buddist stupas and natural hot springs. The Taylor Park area is also great for some light dual sport riding but most the dirt passes will remain closed until early July. Trail Ridge Road and Mt. Evans both try and open up on Memorial day. Both are fully paved, Trail ridge will take you about 40 miles all the way above 10,000 feet with some spectacular views. Mt. Evans will climb up to 14,000' and is the highest paved road in North America. Both have loads of tourists but the views are worth it. Mt. Evans on Memorial Day: 
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Mar 1, 2012 17:42
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Annnnd now I'm sad that I'm in Illinois.
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Mar 1, 2012 19:48
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Man_of_Teflon posted:Annnnd now I'm sad that I'm in Illinois. Just now?
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Mar 1, 2012 19:49
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Man_of_Teflon posted:Annnnd now I'm sad that I'm in Illinois. Only 600 miles from paradise!
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Mar 1, 2012 20:01
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I'll be in Montana the week of July 4th for a wedding and was planning on riding out. Now I'm tempted to pick up a dual sport so I can enjoy the riding out there. Should have two weeks of time to explore and ride if I plan my vacation time right. Would be great to ride with a few people that know the area.
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Mar 1, 2012 20:16
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I'm game for that PlasticSun, just get some dates and I'll request the PTO. It'll probably be a 2 day/1 night ride for me to get there, so I'll have to account for that on either end.
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Mar 1, 2012 21:12
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Korwen posted:I'm game for that PlasticSun, just get some dates and I'll request the PTO. It'll probably be a 2 day/1 night ride for me to get there, so I'll have to account for that on either end. Sounds good, shoot me a PM when you've got your dates. Yesterday, I just found out I may be guiding a through-hike of Rocky Mountain National Park from the 20-27th of July but otherwise mid-June through July is pretty open for me.
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Mar 2, 2012 16:13
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Alright I think I have all the camping bits I need. I ended up with a 3 person tent since it was a handmedown and free>buy until I decide this is truly something I'll be doing all the time. Sleeping bag also handled, its a bit big but I can shove it into a saddlebag no problem with other stuff in there too. Now that I'm ready to go, I'm not sure on where to go that has space available for my ~*~babby's first bike camping trip~*~. When I check state park websites you have to sign up to camp there which sort of kills the "on the spot" deciding to go one weekend. Is this really how its become that you cant just go camping spurr of the moment? Anyways, I was checking this place out since it also doubles as something fun to do on the bike. http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=405 Has anyone been there and camped? I assumed I should go there before its like 100 degrees in the summer.
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Mar 26, 2012 21:39
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BotchedLobotomy posted:Alright I think I have all the camping bits I need. Grab a compression sack for your sleeping bag and it will cut down on the bulk. If you get a decent sized one you may even be able to compress your tent and sleeping bag together. Something like this: http://www.rei.com/product/766677/sea-to-summit-ultra-sil-compression-sack DO NOT leave the bag in the compression sack after your trip it MUST taken out or it will lose it's warmth when the down fully compresses.
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Mar 27, 2012 00:45
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BotchedLobotomy posted:Alright I think I have all the camping bits I need. None of the parks near you have back country camping? Sounds like you might just need to mosey off the road a little ways... I just bought a tent and still need to grab a sleeping mat and bag. Getting ready for the red river gorge and some surrounding areas. Just look at those roads...  
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Mar 27, 2012 05:05
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Huh, I live around there. Miles of National Forest, tons of great roads, next to no cops.
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Mar 27, 2012 07:09
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Right on, have you been to Breaks Park in the second picture? The thing to do here is to go spend a few days at the Red River Gorge up by Slade in the first pic. It's a bit of a drive to Breaks so I haven't been able to convince anyone to take a day trip down there and camp overnight. A lot of the gorge trips we do end up having a few new people so we wake up late and hit the best overlook trails. The last time I went down was with people too "city" stressing over everything and huffing and puffing on a 1/2 mile trail...I learned my lesson there. If you have been there, any good trail guides or books? I have Hinterlands for the RRG which is fantastic. I'd like to find the good trails at a new park as well, instead of just driving up to the scenic overlooks the vacationers take their toddlers to.
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Mar 27, 2012 15:30
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On the topic of sleeping pads I keep floating between getting something like a thermarest pad or something inflatable. I see some complaints about cheaper inflatables, and I'm not looking to dig too deep for a pad. On the other hand, the thermarest is bulky and, well, just a pad. Are there inflatable pads that don't bulge when you move and aren't more than 50 bucks?
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Apr 3, 2012 01:37
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You might be able to get one, but it's not worth it really. There are better things to do in life than huff and puff on a nozzle before bed. Get yourself an Exped with large dual inflate/deflate valves and call it a day. A SynMat Basic will run you under $100 which is a steal.
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Apr 3, 2012 01:52
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I've got a self inflating mattress of about an inch thick. It doesn't really self inflate, but you're not going to spend hours blowing either. You don't want to grab something that's less thick than that though, you need to get it pretty hard if you don't want to touch the ground. And yes, that means it'll bulge a bit. Don't get foam. They just take up too much space imho.
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Apr 3, 2012 01:58
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I bought one of these insulated sleeping pads from REI and I've liked it so far: http://www.rei.com/product/763953/big-agnes-insulated-air-core-pad It sucks that you have to blow it up, it's not self-inflating, however because of that it packs up really, really small and is lightweight. I find it comfortable and now that I've used it I am not considering getting any self-inflating pad. Also boo to foam. edit: Just looked at that one MotoMind, and that looks great, similar design just with a built in pump. Korwen fucked around with this message at 16:13 on Apr 3, 2012 |
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Apr 3, 2012 04:54
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I have a Big Agnes and it is easily 2x to 3x as slow to inflate and deflate vs. the Exped SynMat dual flat valves. Might not matter for a night or two, but it's one more frustration and time-waster in camp that you don't need on a tour.
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Apr 3, 2012 05:01
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I haven't used this but it's cheap and a descent R value. It may be too small for your needs though. http://www.departmentofgoods.com/pacific-outdoor-equipment-peak-oyl-mountain-sleeping-pad If you can afford it go with the exped, I like my Air Core since it packs so small but it can be a pain to blow up. PlasticSun fucked around with this message at 18:31 on Apr 3, 2012 |
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Apr 3, 2012 18:18
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Korwen posted:edit: Just looked at that one MotoMind, and that looks great, similar design just with a built in pump. The built-in pump is much slower than the flat valve design. I tried both at the local REI.
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Apr 3, 2012 18:22
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I'm pretty tall so that's an issue, I think that pad is like 3 1/2 feet. I'm not touring so time spent really isn't an issue. The most I'm planning now is weekend camping, and often I'll have cars with me. I'm also not looking to spend a ton of cash. Down sleeping bags and $100+ pads are pretty sweet but the kind of camping I do is in the summer and I'm not on a rocky mountainside so I think I'll get by with a simple pad and cheap bag.
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Apr 3, 2012 18:28
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nsaP posted:I'm pretty tall so that's an issue, I think that pad is like 3 1/2 feet. I'm not touring so time spent really isn't an issue. The most I'm planning now is weekend camping, and often I'll have cars with me. Steep and cheap has been running through Stoic Vamp 15F and Vamp 30F lately. For 100 bucks you get a down bag with a good temp rating. I picked up a Vamp 15 yesterday to replace a bag that got stolen on our last trip. Stoic bags generally have more shoulder/hip room than many other manufacturers. Edit: If you don't mind strapping stuff to the outside of your luggage the Z-lite is cheap, and comfortable. Some people with sensitive skin get Therma-pox since you're on an egg-crate shaped foam pad but you never have to worry about puncturing it. This makes it good for a camp seat, knee pad etc. It accordion folds so there's no time spent rolling/strapping/stuffing in the morning. http://www.amazon.com/Therm-Rest-Z-Lite-Sleeping-Regular/dp/B00453NA1E That and a Vamp would set you back ~140-150 together and would be pretty comfortable. More Edits: Here's a link to the Vamp but you can knock an extra 10 bucks or so off the price if you find it on SAC: http://www.backcountry.com/stoic-vamp-30-sleeping-bag-30-degree-down PlasticSun fucked around with this message at 20:08 on Apr 3, 2012 |
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Apr 3, 2012 18:30
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 Testing how to secure the load and what I'm going to use. For an overnight I think I can get away with something like this, more testing is in order. All of that on the back is held down with 2 bungee cords and a strap for stability. I was kind of surprised how easy it was to strap up, but that backpack has a lot of places to tighten or attach to. I still need to experiment with other bags as well.
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May 20, 2012 05:57
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You can get a set of bags to keep everything neat and not flapping in the breeze: Side view from the same trip:  In the tail pack is a 3-person cabela's tent, eureka sleeping bag, ether-compact6 sleeping pad and a tarp for a ground cloth. The saddle bags have 4 days of clothes on one side and an extra pair of sneakers, a netbook plus a few paperbacks on the other side.
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May 21, 2012 03:46
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Yeah you can, but for a bit of perspective your tent cost more than everything I have strapped up. Edit: I'm currently accepting donations for side bags though, feel free to pm me for paypal info or even an address if you have some to send. My buddies dad actually gave me some small generic hard panniers but I couldn't work out a decent way to mount them so I'll probably give them back. They were meant for a cruiser and the lines of that bike don't make it easy. nsaP fucked around with this message at 05:51 on May 21, 2012 |
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May 21, 2012 05:43
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nsaP posted:
Looks like a good stack. I also used a nylon strap for a while to hold everything down, with the right technique it's way more secure than traditional bungees. It just sucks when you need to pull one thing off and put it back on again. If you can find a deal on them RokStraps are just if not more secure and can be engaged and disengaged in seconds but if you're not in a rush nylon straps are the way to go. Over the course of a long trip all of the constant motion will stretch out the bungees rendering then next to useless.
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May 21, 2012 16:12
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