Camped out for the first time this weekend

[number9]

Well, I have camped out before in the past a couple times but it was always with someone else's gear or not enough gear so I don't really consider that as a camping experience.

I have collected a bunch of camping gear in preperation of my trip out to CO & UT in June. I have been looking for a good weekend to put it through a trial run and Friday night lined up for me. I loaded all my gear into the Ortlieb large dry duffel and strapped it to the back seat of my ST1100 and hopped on the bike and rode off into the spacoius.....backyard :p I didn't wear my riding gear because it was very close to dark out when I made my mind up to do it and time didn't permit suiting up and riding some backroads for an hour or so and then riding to the backyard to camp like I had wanted to do. But I needed to try this gear out before I get half way across the country and do it. I will try and camp again on an upcoming weekend in full simulation mode.

I did learn some things....

- I need to have more water with me than the 1.5L Hydrobak. For cooking/cleaning up/etc.
---(I don't think this will be too big a deal though because I only plan to camp at campgrounds/RV parks that have showers so water will be available for those things)

- It gets boring sitting alone in the dark. Sure would be nice to have a campfire.
---(Hopefully the places I stay at will have/permit this option)

- 50*F is a lot colder when you are laying still with shorts & T-shirt on than out walking around in full normal street clothes.
---(I don't know what the temp got down to, but at 8:30am it was about 50*F and I know I woke up several times in the night to take a leak and it was cold. One wall of my Eureka Apex 3XTA tent is mesh so I think the rain fly would have helped to be a little warmer inside.)

- Hand warmers in the sleeping bag DO work to add noticable heat.
---(I had read this on the ADVrider board and tried it and it works)

- I didn't have any coffee, but Hot Coco is easy to make and hit the spot.

[Trekker]

Very cool idea to check out using your gear before hitting the road. The best method to learning the small details of camping is..... to camp! Water is something you'll come to realize we use SO much of in all of our activities. Campgrounds will most likely have water spigots spaced along the tent loop roads. And as you mentioned you can also get it from the bathroom/shower house. Camping is always better with a fire, and someone to swap lies with. :D

[Mellow]

I seem to 'adjust' my gear on almost every trip. Learning to not take things I didn't really need or learn that I should have somethings with me all the time.

I have a gore-tex ski-cap that does wonders for keeping you warm if the temps drop or it starts to rain.

It does get lonely when camping alone... I bring a book with me and that helps some, I even have a little weather band am/fm radio and never seems to pic up any weather stations.. but at least it provides some music if the quiet gets to be too much.

Fire...ah yes, us males can keep occupied for hours as long as there's a fire... LOL

[JCS]

There is another VERY good way to help keep warm. Shared body heat from another warm body. Mate-able sleeping bags aid in this pursuit. This also encourages aerobic activity. We must stay healthy when out on the road. Who needs shorts and a t-shirt? Choose the gender of whatever your preference leans towards.:confused:

The rain fly will also help some in keeping the heat.

A fold flat water container helps to get water to your site. You don't need a 5 gallon thing. 1 1/2 or 2 1/2 gallons will do. $5 or $6. Takes very little space.

Bored? A good book and a flask does wonders and the latter encourages following small animals around. More aerobic activity.

You will want to take a ride or two with all the gear strapped on to make sure it will ride securely and not interfere with your riding.

Sounds like you are on the right track. You'll have fun.

[Big Bandit]

+1 on the collapsable water container. I only carry a couple of liters on the bike. I carry a 1-1/2 gallon collapsable container for the campsite. Very smart to practice your camping before setting off on an adventure.

Rod

[Motocentaur]

As far as water goes, I carry six or eight liters when dry camping (no spigots, etc.). I use the 2 liter size Platypus containers so that I can store it more easily and adjust the amount I want to carry. The empty ones roll up to the size of a toothpast tube. They're versatile too - you can attach a drinking tube, a spout cap, or a perforated cap That I made from a soda bottle top (makeshift "shower"). Even in a camp with water I fill them all when I set up so that I don't have to go running to the spigot so much.