+1 on the hiking poles and tarps. Or staked off one's bike?
Tentwise, I can highly recommend Sierra Designs. I have an earlier version of this: http://www.sierradesigns.com/p-154-zolo-1.aspx which I love, and which my partner loves- she was amazed at how easy it was to set up. Simple geometry- just 3 poles: 2 long, identical ones, 1 short one. You don't need a phd in hyper-Riemannian topology to set it up. On Oct 15, 8:45 am, velomann <velom...@gmail.com> wrote: > Lee, > > If you have poles - I use trekking poles when I'm backpacking, but > sticks or tent poles work fine too - you can stake a tarp tent out > just fine, I've done it plenty, including on te beach and at Joshua > Tree. Of course, perfectly spaced trees are the ideal, but not > necessary. Nor is it necessary to be able to pound stakes, so long as > you can find rocks (or panniers) as anchor points. Using a tarp tent > certainly involves more creativity and careful scoping of the site, > but to me that's part of it's appeal, it's part of the craft of > camping. > here's a picture of my tarp tent staked out with > sticks.https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/116897251123335733984/albums/56424... > > And Ryan, I had a little sewing experience but it was still a pretty > big project and took the better part of 2 days to sew. But the thing > is, like making anything, there was an immense satisfaction in the > process. There are imperfections (that don't affect function) but they > are MY imperfections and part of the story of making My tarp tent. If > one doesn't have the time/patience/sewing machine, there are several > ready-made tarp tents available. Or do what Kent Peterson > does.http://kentsbike.blogspot.com/2009/08/compact-comforts-of-home.html > > On Oct 14, 5:40 pm, Lee Legrand <krm2...@gmail.com> wrote: > > > > > > > > > The tarp solution is limited to the condition that you will always be in a > > wooded area with trees and ground soft enough to stake your tarp up. What > > if you are in plains area where you want shelter but there is no trees to > > hold up the tarp? I think if you are going to purchase a tent, you have to > > consider what condition you plan to be in while bicycle camping. If you > > plan to be only in a certain type of area where conditions allow you to use > > trees, then a tarp or other non-free standing tents are available. If you do > > not know what kind of condition you will be in, a tent that can be set up > > anywhere will be your best bet. It may be heavier but at least you know you > > only need a spot to put a tent up and not be restricted the conditions of > > the surroundings. > > > L. > > > On Fri, Oct 14, 2011 at 4:58 PM, velomann <velom...@gmail.com> wrote: > > > I know I'm in the minority here, but I really think that for the > > > majority of what people need when bike camping, a tarp tent is an > > > excellent solution. There's a learning curve to setting one up, but > > > it's not a steep curve, and getting it right gives the same sense of > > > satisfaction as, say, successfully truing a wheel. I made my own 2-man > > > tarp using a Ray-Way kit and am thrilled with it. Plus I made it > > > myself, which just adds to the pleasure every time I sleep in it. It's > > > roomy, totally dry, gets excellent airflow, and if I think I'll sleep > > > in buggy conditions, I've got the inside net-tent with floor that > > > attaches to the tarp. I usually hunt up sticks for pitching (or > > > between trees works great) but have been considering getting about six > > > 18" tent pole sections to take with me so I don't need to rely on > > > sticks. Silicone-impregnated nylon - silnylon - s pretty amazing > > > lightweight stuff. My roomy tarp, with titanium stakes and guylines, > > > weighs just over a pound, and with the bugnet and stakes I'm still > > > barely over 2, in a really small package. > > > > Like I said, not for everyone, but if you have a strong DIY ethic - or > > > you're just cheap - it's a great way to go. > > > An added benefit most people are not aware of is that the air > > > circulation you get with a properly pitched tarp means less > > > condensation inside so you actually sleep warmer than in a tent, and > > > don't have the moisture issue to deal with when you pack up in the > > > morning. > > > > See info here:http://www.rayjardine.com/ray-way/Tarp-Kit/index.htm > > > > btw - Ray Jardine used one of his tarp tents for his 2010 trans- > > > america ride, the same one (I think) he used for his through hike of > > > the Appalachian trail just before the ride. > > > > On Oct 12, 7:34 pm, Ryan J <rmerr...@murraystate.edu> wrote: > > > > I am in starting the "looking" phase of purchasing a tent for bike > > > camping > > > > and was wondering if any of the group had any recommendations. I need > > > the > > > > tent to fit two people at most (I may go with the wife sometimes) but > > > > usually it will just be me. I guess top priorities would be weight, I > > > would > > > > like it to be free standing if possible, I have often camped in areas > > > where > > > > staking would not work, and rain proof, I just hate getting wet at > > > > night. > > > > Any thoughts? > > > > -- > > > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > > > "RBW Owners Bunch" group. > > > To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. > > > To unsubscribe from this group, send email to > > > rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. > > > For more options, visit this group at > > >http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. 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