Do ride to camp or camp to ride?

[LionLady]

I think that is what separates some of us in what and how much we "must" have when thinking about cooking and sustenance on moto-camping trips.

After a day's ride, its fun to set up camp a little early, leave the heavy gear on site and then ride out and see what nifty restaurant is out there to be discovered for dinner. OR, if I'm feeling adventurous, I might visit the local grocery store and pick up some fresh fixins - a bag of charcoal, a couple steaks, perhaps, and a salad in a bag. Maybe a bottle of wine to sip by the fire.

Now, I NEED coffee and something in my stomach for breakfast in the morning, like instant oatmeal. So a JetBoil is perfect - hot water takes care of everything. I prefer to get riding early, so a full on eggs and sausage breakfast just means I've got to spend lots of time cleaning up, when I could be on the road before the roads are crowded.

So what are your preferred campground scenarios?

P

[Mellow]

I can't answer your question... basically, I can't determine the difference between riding to camp or camping to ride... to me... same thing.. LOL

Anywho... as far as meals.. I'll bring something with me sometimes to be able to cook but for the most part, hit something in town, bring back snacks and start a :fire3: .

I drink coffee every day at work but I can take it or leave it at home and the same when I'm on a trip, just doesn't matter to me.. however, I know there are some that read that sentence and immediately start shaking and have to go hit the ON on the Mr. Coffee.. LOL

[Trekker]

I'm actually trying to trim down my packed load, and am considering leaving the stove & cookset home. Coffee is a must in the morning, so if I don't perk my own that requires me to go get it. I suppose that will be incentive to get back on the road sooner. Midday food is always while out and about, and that can be easy to pack food & drink to gulp down at any pull over. Dinner should be something to enjoy at the end of a good day of riding, and depends so much on what is available.

I guess all that boils down to... Let's Ride! The camping is just the icing on the cake! Especially hanging out around a campfire telling lies.

And some bike campgrounds (like Willville) provide coffee & a breakfast sammie in the morning, making it much easyier to get out on the road. I guess other campgrounds can provide a full breakfast, eh?

[Ironheadziggy76]

I enjoy the occasional good meal at a nice place at least once or twice on most trips. Other than that I can eat a can of chunky soup or chili and be fine while traveling. I like my morning coffee, but I like to hit the road early too so I have a morning Mountain Dew to take my meds with instead and something like jerky to snack on. After that I will burn a tank of gas and then grab a sugar free Red Bull and a sandwich until I stop for lunch. Usually by the third tank of gas I'm ready for dinner and some rest.

[Mr. Guy]

To me it seems like camp cooks fall into 4 catagories: the full on cook who prepares every meal while on a trip, the half cook who makes a little something for breakfast and dinner, the minimal cook who only does coffee in the morning, and the no cook who carries no cook gear and eats everything out. I'm probably a half cook as I make myself some oatmeal and hot cocoa or cider in the morning and something easy for dinner, but snack the rest of the day.

Guy

[Jetfixer]

Interesting question. I think I camp to ride. I always pick places that have good area riding to camp, so I guess my primary motivation is riding. It's a close call since the camping part is so nice too, so that makes it a hard question to answer. I realy like being outdoors and sipping the early morning coffee.

[Motocentaur]

I ride to camp. The idea of camping from a bike is what got me interested in bikes to begin with. Virtually all of my mototraveling is arranged around camping areas. I always pack to be as self-sufficient as possible, including cooking simple food and procuring potable water if none is available. Luckily, great riding areas and great camping areas tend to be the same, so it's not like I have to choose one passion over the other.

[Blues Traveler]

I like to do at least 300-400 miles before stopping for the evening to setup camp. Thats just a little over 1 tank of gas with the GS Adventurer and I always make sure to top off before stopping for the day. 300-400 miles is an easy distance to do and still leaves you a nice afternoon to enjoy before starting dinner.

I agree with Mr.Guy, there being 4 catagories. Me, Im the full on cook who like to prepare and make all my own meals. There are occations where I will stop for maybe lunch but have been know to pull over at a nice overlook when I get hungry, pull out a small loaf of bread and some peanut butter and make myself a sandwich.

I think I finally got it down ( motorcycle Camping) and it all seems to work just great for me. Camp sets up fast and easy, a good meal is easy to cook and cleanup takes just a few minutes. Im also a breakfast type of guy and feel cooking an easy breakfast such as eggs (some kind of scramble) ,bacon (Camping requires the smell of bacon in the morning) and a hot cup of espresso. Its an easy do after getting the tent and sleep setup broken down and ready to put on the bike. Its all down hill when that part is done and taken care of.

I've alway's said: I will not suffer while camping from the bike. And that still holds true.:D

[crazymactech]

Must have coffee first thing in the morning. I can do without breakfast, but trying to pack up camp after a night of partying without coffee is hell. Go to nearby convenience store while your mind is still messed up and then try to pack up while waiting for the coffee to cool down. Nah, I need that coffee first thing.

[GoldWingGL]

I love to do both, it's all about the ride, that at the end of the day, takes you to setting up Camp.

[Trailace]

This is easy for me to answer I camp to ride when on the bike. But I also camp to camp with my SO. I do not need anything in the morning to get me going while out on the road but I will drink some water or maybe a little diet Coke. Most trips I bring something to cook with but no real food. Sometimes I have so much fun riding I forget to eat but this is an issue I had as a kid as well. Joe is the same way and that is way we get along so well riding together. Just ask Buzz.

[Tx White Knight]

I'm with you Keith, ride a ways and maybe stop early and set up camp and relax and cook up some supper and relax some more. For mornings getup, fix coffee then do up some bacon, eggs and the like.

To me it is being comfy and relaxing is where its at :fire3:

[sandman]

Camping has become an important part of the motorcycling experience for me. When on a bike trip I enjoy being out in the elements day and night. The economy of camping is another plus that makes the trips more palatable.

There's not much better, in this life, than sitting around a campfire on a cool clear night with kindred spirits sharing your experiences.

So I guess you can say riding and camping, for me, are a joint venture and that neither is a means to an end for the other.

[LionLady]

Now, I'll add my two cents: I loved being outdoors growing up, but the extent of camping with my folks was one trip in a borrowed Winnebago.

Hubby's family camped for the economy (he's a preacher's kid, with two siblings). Hearing tales of the fun they had put the two of US on the same page. And we spent many summers when our two kids were younger in a Coleman Pop-up camper at various state parks.

BUT, I camp to RIDE! I hate how differently my bike handles when its loaded down with bundles and rolls of camping gear, so I try to keep unecessary "stuff" to a minimum. Now, don't get me wrong, I do like my comfort - invested in a Kermit Chair because I found that by the second day, I would end up standing around camp rather than sitting on a rock or picnic bench <ouch!>. The idea of packing a Dutch oven on my motorcycle just never occured to me.

Since taking my own fresh food requires a cooler, I might pack a freeze dried something for 'first night' dinner - so I've got a back up if I'm too tired to go find a diner. Freeze dried entrees have come a LONG way in 20 years. I'll pack a soft cooler, empty.

Admittedly I do two types of moto-camping: Trip Camping with hubby - going someplace to ride and get away together, camp is simple and low fuss, we leave the luggage in camp and go exploring. OR Rally Camping - going to an event to hang out with new friends and old, enjoy good food and interesting conversation at a common table, drink "adult beverages" around a campfire and shoot the breeze. Day rides are optional.

P

[Jetfixer]

I eat on the road except for breakfast. Gotta have my coffee. I usually hold a pop tart or a danish over the stove while I sip my coffee. I don't carry a frypan, but I may start. That bacon sounds pretty good!

[ChipSTer]

Yes! :D
:cool:

[mongo]

I have camped since I can remember. The family Vacations have been (with a few exceptions) camping/fishing trips. The oldest son still shows up on these trips occaisionally, The youngest son brings the girlfriend and makes a week of it. Motocamping is just a combining my 2 favorite hobbies together. Now the wife goes on the bike with me so I am living good!

[motomac]

For those of us that motocamp, this question is like "which came first, the chicken or the egg?" I love to camp, and I love to ride motorcycles. If I can combine the two, than the trip is twice as nice. I am really looking forward to this trip to the Canadian NW and Alaska this summer. I should be able to post a picture of the KLR in all its traveling gear soon. I'm still waiting for the top box from Happy Trails and then it will be complete.

[Ironheadziggy76]

I am really looking forward to this trip to the Canadian NW and Alaska this summer. I should be able to post a picture of the KLR in all its traveling gear soon. I'm still waiting for the top box from Happy Trails and then it will be complete.

motomac, I'm very interested in this trip too, I am going up in July of 2009. So far I'm leaning toward the 650 V-Strom but I know you will put up some great pics and then I will be flip flopping toward the KLR again. :confused: :D Did you go with the SU racks from Happy-Trail? That is a nice sturdy looking rack and bag mount, but man it's expensive ($377.00 for the Strom).:eek: I was thinking of using the Happy-Trail aluminum top box and a pair of Pelican cases for bags.

I'm hoping you take some good notes of the trip to pass down to all of us that are new to Alaska.

[motomac]

motomac, I'm very interested in this trip too, I am going up in July of 2009. So far I'm leaning toward the 650 V-Strom but I know you will put up some great pics and then I will be flip flopping toward the KLR again. :confused: :D Did you go with the SU racks from Happy-Trail? That is a nice sturdy looking rack and bag mount, but man it's expensive ($377.00 for the Strom).:eek: I was thinking of using the Happy-Trail aluminum top box and a pair of Pelican cases for bags.

I'm hoping you take some good notes of the trip to pass down to all of us that are new to Alaska.
If I didn't get that payoff for the last wrecked Wing, I could never have outfitted the KLR the way I have. But to answer your question, I did go with all Happy Trails stuff for the bags and top box. I had them pre-drilled and powder coated also, so I had a pretty hefty sum to pay, but hopefully it will pay off down the road. The instructions provided were spot on and the only thing they didn't include in the package was an extender wire for one side of the turn signal relocation. I'm sure if I asked they would send one with the top box when it is complete. I've already cut some wire and did the extension with some stuff I had laying around the garage.

[Ironheadziggy76]

That looks like a very nice system on their website, I can't wait to see your pictures of the powder coated boxes installed on the bike.

[Diggers1300]

We ride to camp and camp to ride or any combination of the two. :D

We'll ride (two-up), setup a base camp and spend time exploring the local roads and full-on cooking. Hell, I've actually gained a few pounds at some of the CampSTOC trips!

We'll ride (two-up), setup camp, half-cook (easy, fast or no clean-up) and get on our way to destination.

I'll ride (solo), setup a minimalist camp and eat on the road, explore the area or get on to destination.

*** Note to self, ride with Mac. He almost always has biscuits! ***

Having a sport-tourer with bags, top-box and trailer gives us lots of options for camping and riding.