New member looking for info.(Long)

[sbodi4d]

Hello all,
Well I thought I would bug you for some info right off the bat.:D

Looking for camping spots within a 400 to 500 mile radius of Midland(West Texas).
Haven't been camping on the bike yet, but I have camping experience. I am looking for a nice spot with lots of trees. Been camping at Big Bend and Guadalupe N.P. and although they are great, I like to camp in the woods. I have been gathering camping supplies for the bike and with some of the info here I will be buying other stuff also. Still need a stove and a sleeping pad. Looks like the Big Agnes pad is the way to go. I have been eying this stove for a while
http://tinyurl.com/qw8rd Titanium alcohol stove that only weighs 1 ounce, and denatured alcohol is relatively cheap. I have a 2005 Concours with tank and tail bags, so sizes should not be too much of a problem. I plan on camping solo for a week or so at one spot, so I was wondering about what food to take for a week. Canned seems like the easiest solution. I am a very picky eater, don't like any fruit and not many vegetables.(meat and potatoes kind of guy) But I do like soups and chili, maybe some sort of pasta meals. Thought about M.R.E.'s, but again I'm a very picky eater(just ask my wife):( I told her I am going camping on the bike this year no matter what. Once I get a few camping trips on the bike under my belt I will probably start taking her along as well.(sometimes) I like to camp by myself most of the time. Anyway thanks for this site and any help.

Steve B.

[Mellow]

Hello all,
Well I thought I would bug you for some info right off the bat.:D

Looking for camping spots within a 400 to 500 mile radius of Midland(West Texas).
Haven't been camping on the bike yet, but I have camping experience. I am looking for a nice spot with lots of trees. Been camping at Big Bend and Guadalupe N.P. and although they are great, I like to camp in the woods. I have been gathering camping supplies for the bike and with some of the info here I will be buying other stuff also. Still need a stove and a sleeping pad. Looks like the Big Agnes pad is the way to go. I have been eying this atove for a while
http://tinyurl.com/qw8rd Titanium alcohol stove that only weighs 1 ounce, and denatured alcohol is relatively cheap. I have a 2005 Concours with tank and tail bags, so sizes should not be too much of a problem. I plan on camping solo for a week or so at one spot, so I was wondering about what food to take for a week. Canned seems like the easiest solution. I am a very picky eater, don't like any fruit and not many vegetables.(meat and potatoes kind of guy) But I do like soups and chili, maybe some sort of pasta meals. Thought about M.R.E.'s, but again I'm a very picky eater(just ask my wife):( I told her I am going camping on the bike this year no matter what. Once I get a few camping trips on the bike under my belt I will probably start taking her along as well.(sometimes) I like to camp by myself most of the time. Anyway thanks for this site and any help.

Steve B.

Steve, Welcome to the site!

Forests in Texas? Hmmm... probably aren't gonna find any thick forests unless you head towards the Eastern side of the state.

But, Lost Maples (http://www.motocampers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=37) and Garner State Park (http://www.motocampers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5) in the Hill Country have many trees, I'm not sure they'd be considered forests but surely more than the Big Bend area.

Hope that helps you out some.

[sbodi4d]

Thanks for the info Joe.
I am from Houston, and that is where I lived when I camped a lot. The Piney Woods are great for camping. I am not looking for just in Texas, was thinking maybe New Mexico or Oklahoma. I would like to find a place close for weekend trips, but for vacation I am willing to ride a lot further. Just wish there were more places with trees around here for short trips.

[Mellow]

Yeah, hard to beat the Piney Woods the the Lake Of the Pines area north of Longview.

Southeast OK is also pretty good and obviously, you're near Arkansas at that point and that's just plain incredible.

I'm not that familiar with the western side of OK so can't help there but I've been to a ride once near Santa Fe, NM and that was great. If I were you, I'd try the Hill Country first but Northern NM is probably exactly what you'd prefer.

[sbodi4d]

We went on vacation to Santa Fe once with the kids and ended up driving to northern New Mexico. Went through Red River and Eagle Nest, that was beautiful. It is only about 550 miles from here so that might be a very nice spot for a bike camping vacation. Never been to Oklahoma, but that might be nice also. Arkansas is also an option. Thanks.

[Mellow]

We went to Sipapu Ski Lodge in Sept of 2003.

I was in a Jeep at the time but it was a great area for riding.

http://mellow.smugmug.com/gallery/1242844/1

[vince]

Hello Steve,

I'm down in Presidio.

There's lot's of great camping/riding in western New Mexico. Check out a map of Silver City to Datil to Alpine, Arizona.


Vince

[sbodi4d]

Thanks Vince, I'll check it out.