After Trip Gear Thoughts

[Mr. Guy]

While cleaning and putting away my gear today, I had some thoughts and wanted to share them with my fellow noobs so maybe someone could learn from my mistakes.

With only 3 motocamping trips under my belt I'm still a noob at this, even though I've done lots of backpacking and car camping, this is a new ball game.

I started out thinking this was like backpacking, but with wheels. In reality I believe it's more like car camping on a really small scale. No need to pack every thing you might need as you'll be at a store everyday buying gas anyway. Pick up food and disposables as you need them.

As to gear, I've been happy with my bags, except my duffel bag. It has one zipper strait across the top. This makes load it full tough because you have to hold the top open while stuffing the last in and the opening want to close shut. Rick had a bag like this:

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?id=0031809516859a&navCount=2&podId=0031809&parentId=cat602714&masterpathid=&navAction=push&cmCat=search-cat602714_TGP&catalogCode=IJ&rid=&parentType=index&indexId=cat602714&hasJS=true

But said while waterproof it was hard to pack in. Chief had a bag like this:
http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?id=0036822121210a&navCount=2&podId=0036822&parentId=cat602714&masterpathid=&navAction=jump&cmCat=search-cat602714_TGP-cat602714&catalogCode=IJ&rid=&parentType=index&indexId=cat602714&hasJS=true

While the large opening makes it easy to load it's not waterproof. Searching on the web today I found this one:

http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/cb.aspx?a=255844

The full width opening and roll top closure in a waterproof bag might be the best of both worlds.

One thing I should have been more critical of was how much gear I took and what kind of gear.

I took a tarp and mosquito net because that's what I took backpacking, but I thought "I'm on the bike take a bigger tarp". On looking back, the tarp and net took up as much room as my small tent and the tent is faster to put up.

I took a light sleeping bag and blanket thinking when I got to Colorado I would use the blanket as a liner. I should have just taken a heavier bag and had one thing to pack.

I should have put all my stuff in a pile on the floor, then left half of it at home. The only things I ended up needing was: tent, sleeping pad, sleeping bag, inflatable pillow, head lamp, toiletries and towel, 1 change of clothes, and usual riding gear and tank bag items.

I'm seriously thinking about getting a sleep setup from Big Agnes after seeing Chiefs set up. The price always kept me away but it is really nice and packs up small.

My next trip will be packed up a lot lighter which will make the riding easier too.

I hope this helps some other noobs and input from you veteran riders is welcome too, in case I missed something, I'm sure I did.

Thanks, Guy

[Black and Blue]

Sounded just like me (the wife). I took EVERYTHING. But, I could get away with it cause we both had bikes.
After setting up camp, I looked at all that stuff and thought, "what the heck did I bring all this stuff for?".
I really regretted it when we had to pack it up every morning!
Now there is:
No extra blanket...just bags and pads.
No 2-burner stove...one burner will do.
No gourmet type cooking and trying to keep it all iced up in a HUGE cooler.
We are cooking stuff out of cans and bags.
Coffee is a must and love the coffee press.
Tent, rain fly, ground cover.
Heck, I even took a darn table cloth!
Yep, I agree. Get quality, multi-purpose stuff and keep it simple.

[Mr. Guy]

I took my little stove and an extra can of fuel, didn't even use it. By the way Campmor has the bag I want on sale:

http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___45753

Oh no, the credit card is screaming in pain.

Guy

[Black and Blue]

Just looked at the sleeping bag you want. That's a good one. We have sleeping bags that rates about the same. The hubby's has one that's rates right at 10 degree. Of course it was pricey at the time. We camped in the Sierras and needed them for the cool nights.
Hope the card can recover:D

[Mellow]

Good tips, moto-camping seems to be a constant search for the perfect gear... just when you think you've got it right someone posts about an item that might make the trip better.

I've tried a few tents but my Eureka Apex is the one I always come back to, just works for me.

I have 3 diff self-inflatable pads but don't really like any of them, I'm sure there's one that is perfect but in the mean time found out a cheapo wal-mart air mattress - not the thick ones - works perfect for me... the Sevylor was that much better - of course they stopped making the green one. I don't know if I'll ever wear it out.

Cooking stuff seems to be the biggest variable, so many options on fuel and stoves and pots, etc.. but, I never used to mess with any of it.. just eat in town and bring back chips and beer around the fire.

[motomac]

Good tips, moto-camping seems to be a constant search for the perfect gear... just when you think you've got it right someone posts about an item that might make the trip better.

I've tried a few tents but my Eureka Apex is the one I always come back to, just works for me.

I have 3 diff self-inflatable pads but don't really like any of them, I'm sure there's one that is perfect but in the mean time found out a cheapo wal-mart air mattress - not the thick ones - works perfect for me... the Sevylor was that much better - of course they stopped making the green one. I don't know if I'll ever wear it out.

Cooking stuff seems to be the biggest variable, so many options on fuel and stoves and pots, etc.. but, I never used to mess with any of it.. just eat in town and bring back chips and beer around the fire.
I have one of those el-cheapo Walmart mattresses and am looking for another. I think Walmart quit stocking them 'cause every one I look in has none of them left.

[Mellow]

I have one of those el-cheapo Walmart mattresses and am looking for another. I think Walmart quit stocking them 'cause every one I look in has none of them left.

I have two of them, and they are pretty much the same as the sevylor RED mattress.. but cheaper of course and the Sevylor is tougher.

[SCoffman1]

Guy: You will love the Big Agnes Encampment! Be sure and get the Big Agnes Insulated Air Core Pad and the Big Agnes memory foam pillow. The Air Core pad fits into a sleeve on the underside of the sleeping bag. It keeps you from rolling off the pad and is much more comfortable than the self inflating pads. And you need to get the memory foam inflatable pillow. It fits into a sleeve in the top of the bag. Very nice!

--Steve

[Ironheadziggy76]

Steve, I got to looking at some of the Big Agnes pads at Campmor or REI and they fold down very small. Do you think they would last under a normal sleeping bag or do you think they would need the protection of being slid into the sleeve of the BA bag? I love my Sevylor but it is rather bulky, the BA pad looks like it would be just the thing for my AK trip.

[motomac]

I used a Big Agnes Elk Park on my recent AK trip and was happy I took it. I never had to remove the air mattress from the pouch or remove my pillow from the bag, never slid off the mattress and though it did get a bit warm when I headed back south it was fine unzipped. I could have made the package smaller, but it fit just right on my right pannier in the storage bag. If I had cinched it down to a smaller bundle, I couldn't have carried it the way I did. If you get the down bag and mattress you can really compress it!!! I now have a Horsethief and it really gets tiny.

[George]

<snip>

As to gear, I've been happy with my bags, except my duffel bag. <snip>
Thanks, Guy

Guy, I've been using a 30 can soft-side cooler as a bag. It's made to keep water in, so far has worked pretty good at keeping water out, too. $22 delivered from Igloo.com

George

[Mr. Guy]

Thanks George,

I just bought this bag today (the 80L size):

http://www.seallinegear.com/packs.asp?Action=WideMouthDuffle&Category=PacksDuffles

I'm going to pack it up tonight and see if it's the right size. If it's to big, I'll take it back and exchange it for the 40L size. It should be waterproof, thats for sure.

Guy

[Mr. Guy]

I didn't like the way the bag packed, so I took it back today. Still looking.

Guy

[SCoffman1]

I'm sorry...didn't see your question. The BA air core is great in the bag sleeve and seems tough enough to hold up. It packs smaller than most other pads, especially the self inflating. It also is more comfortable. I think its pretty tough and I've seen some good reviews by other folks on it as well. As far as packing...I use the Helen2Wheels bags and I can pack the bag, the air core mattress and the pillow all in one bag, and it's waterproof.

[Mr. Guy]

Do you roll them all up together and put them in the bag or do you just stuff them in.

Guy

[motomac]

Do you roll them all up together and put them in the bag or do you just stuff them in.

Guy
Either way works. I roll mine as tight as possible so the air gets out of the mattress and then stuff it in a bag. I always leave the mattress in the sack on the bottom of the bag and the pillow in the bag.

[Mr. Guy]

Thanks Mac,

By the way, I got this bag today:

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_90044____SearchResults

I got the 24" long one (small) and I think it's a keeper. The top has D shaped zipper so the top zips wide open. Looks to be very sturdy. And I used my reward points so I got it free.

Guy

[George]

Mac, is the Big Agnes what you had at Terry's farm house last spring? Been meaning to ask about that for months.

I've been using a cheap fold-up cot and a self-inflating Sam's Market pad with my Sam's Market bag and Wally World fleece liner (works great for too cold or too hot for the bag alone.) Bob and Big Tom have about convinced me to try one of the new air mattresses but still looking at options.

[motomac]

Yes that was the Elk Park. -20!!!

[oldmanriver1951]

I like to use Australian Dive Bags, long, narrow and completely waterproof, room enough for the essentials, packs flat....but then...I ride a Ural...

[Aldawg]

http://i1006.photobucket.com/albums/af187/aldawg420/Camping/GOPR1656.jpg
This is my most recent setup, the only things missing is a Kelty 12x12 tarp, a roll-a-chair, and Apollo lantern.

[kayakinbiker]

I'm sorry...didn't see your question. The BA air core is great in the bag sleeve and seems tough enough to hold up. It packs smaller than most other pads, especially the self inflating. It also is more comfortable. I think its pretty tough and I've seen some good reviews by other folks on it as well. As far as packing...I use the Helen2Wheels bags and I can pack the bag, the air core mattress and the pillow all in one bag, and it's waterproof.

I LOVE my Helen2wheels bags!! I have 3 of them and use them alot! They were rained on quite a bit when I went to Maine in 08 and I mean RAINED on! Solid downpours and riding thru them...it was an experience and I am glad I didn't have the lil G with me then..woulda had to stop....that might be an idea to contact Helen about designing a dog bag that is waterproof..NONE of my bags had any water in them BTW..I took 2 of them to the Northwoods campout and only 1 bag to Bruin lake..tried to minimalize my gear on that trip and did but then i didn't bring any cooking/food with me...that'll be the next challenge.. to squeeze all in 1 large bag WITH cooking utensils....