Finally camped - for the first time

[number9]

Well, as many of you may know, I bought all my camping gear when I was planning my trip out west (CO, UT, AZ) to save money on hotel rooms. I had all my camping gear in a large Ortleib duffle bag strapped to the rear seat for that trip. Didn't open the bag the whole trip, just carried it into the hotel room and back out the next morning. After being on the bike for 10-12 hours each day when I got to my destination I just didn't feel like camping. After that much time in the helmet listening to myself breathe or the mp3 player I just didn't want to sit in a tent alone in silence the rest of the night. Atleast if I got a hotel room I could watch tv and feel like I was having some human interaction - the AC was a bonus too. I really felt bad on myself after buying all this gear and convicing myself that camping was going to be cool - and carrying that extra 30# of gear up high all week for nothing sucked. I think it would be different with other guys/gals sitting around a popping camp fire telling lies though.

Forward to a month or so ago. I decided to take an overnight trip down into WV and then camp at one of our state parks here in KY. I rode out at 5am (this time with the camping gear down low in the side cases) and made the busy campground by 5:00pm. I rode around the campground and picked out a spot - a nice spot right beside the bath house, a picnic table and a dry stream bed. I walked in to check out the showers and they looked worse than the ones I remember from the college dorms :( Okay, so maybe I will just skip a shower in the morning, as bad as that would be (I hate not having a hot shower to wake up with). My wife and 9mo son had went to her parents house for the weekend so I pulled out the cell phone to call and see how they were and let them know I had made it and was alright........No Service :mad: This sucks. I can't go all night not knowing if they are okay and them worrying about me being okay. It was such a nice evening and I had a great spot so I hated not to camp this time. I figured I would set up camp and then ride out somewhere and get coverage and call them - and find something to eat. I sat there on the picnic table having a smoke (usually chew but don't when I ride on trips) and the last few sips from my camelbak. My bike was about 5 foot from me and the picnic table - where I was planning on pitching the tent. Out of no where two kids came flying down the hill on bicycles and zipped right through the gap between me and the bike. My first thoughts were "Holly smoke those kids were flying" :p but then they kept doing it, over and over. Now my thoughts were of them crashing into my bike or my tent.:ph1: I sat there for a bit and they kept making loops up the road and back down the hill right though my spot. I looked at my clock and it was about 5:30pm. Took a look at the GPS and I could be home by 7:30pm. Thought about it for a few more minutes and decided to ride on down to my Dad's house and spend the night with him since I don't get to see him much after moving away from home. Another set of scraped camping plans.

Forward to a couple weeks ago. A few guys on ST-Owners.com were meeting up outside Atlanta for a ride up into the north GA mountains. I decided to camp again and loaded the gear low in the bags to make the ride through the twisties more enjoyable. I ran down and met up with them and joined their ride. I split off in Clarkesville, GA and headed back north to Iron Horse campground in NC. Hadn't been on the way long and the skies opened up on me. I kept hoping to get out of it and it kept getting worse. It dried up by the time I got to Iron Horse though. I had thoughts of grabbing a room at Tuskeegee Motel, but decided I was going to camp this time for better or worse. The campground was about 1/3 full (mostly HD guys) and I got a nice spot just to the right of the main lodge on the bank of the creek. They had ran out of prime rib so I had to run back into Robbinsville and get some Dinner at the Brushy Mountain BBQ and came back and sat by my bike for a bit and listened to the creek flowing - very nice, except when the flood light on the cabin across the creek kept coming on. I had put the rain fly on the tent in case it rained again that night. It was a little warm in the tent but I managed to open up the vestibles a bit and get some air flowing in. Laying there listening to the creek was nice and relaxing. I woke up about 6:30am and thought about taking a shower and getting on the road but the creek sounded so nice I laid there and fell back to sleep. I woke up at 8:30am to the sound of rain on my tent. That sucked. Got up and went in and took a shower. I don't know if the showers were not cleaned in a couple days or if the run of HD guys before me that morning had skanked them up but they were not very clean and I thought twice about getting in them, but I did anyway. Got out of the shower to find that the rain had stopped. I started breaking camp, got the rain fly packed away in the compression bag and started taking down the air bed and tent when the rain started again. Once you are this far, ya gotta go ahead and finish. By the time I got done packing everything away I was all wet again which totally sucked having to start the day wet and clamy. I ended up being in rain nearly the whole rest of the day back home.

So.....the camping would have been fine if not for the rain. However, I did decide to share a cabin on my trip to NaSTOC week after next instead of taking my tent. If I know the weather is going to be dry I will camp, but if there is rain in the forecast, I will get a room. I'd rather pay the extra $20-30 and have a private, clean shower and a dry place to get my gear packed up to start the day. Having said that, maybe I will feel different if/when I spend a night camping with a group a guys/gals hanging out around a campfire.

Here's a pic from my west trip that would have made a nice camp spot - and that 30# bag on my rear seat.

[STeveGray]

Great write-up and a beautiful picture, Number9. Stuff like this makes for great stories. If you keep camping you'll develop a routine that works for you and learn a lot. Setting up or taking down a tent in the rain just plain sux. No way around that (so far as I know ;) )

Hang in there. With time and experience it gets really good. Thanks for taking the time to write all this up. I enjoyed the read.

[Tor]

:D Good writeup. The rain,,,,,,,well, you get used to it.....;)

[Trekker]

Nice write up & great photo. How did the ST handle the dirt road with the gear strapped on?

Camping...It's all about choice..... Some choose to camp to save money, some because they like the rugged adventure, some because they hate motels/hotels. I think of camping same as motorcycling..... outside & exposed instead of in a cage or a room. Once that mindset is adopted, it comes easier to do the things that need to be done.

[number9]

How did the ST handle the dirt road with the gear strapped on?

Nah, that was just a pull-off. However, the ST did handle the 6+ mile road out to the north rim of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison very well - 45-55mph. I kind of felt like I was in an episode of "Long Way Round" for a few minutes. :D

[dannyk]

It's been years since I have camped, traveling alone its a cost saving measure for sure, and you can find some real nice out of the way places rather than motel row. I am looking forward to some of the camping get togethers where you can set up for a few days and not have to break camp. Although it really isnt a big excersize to do anymore the most important thing is a good nights rest, so your not wore out on the road. If I travel with another person the motel shared expenses isn't to bad, besides finding a riding buddy that likes to camp is kind of difficult.

[mongo]

No one likes to set up or tear down in the rain, everything is heavier, you get wet again when you set back up from the wet gear, but I still do it. Unless I am travelling with a riding partner, who shares the expense of a motel I always camp. I am a cheap skate!!!

[Trekker]

Nah, that was just a pull-off. However, the ST did handle the 6+ mile road out to the north rim of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison very well - 45-55mph. I kind of felt like I was in an episode of "Long Way Round" for a few minutes. :D

Bet your glad that didn't look like the "Road of Bones"!!

[Doobage]

One of the reasons I like to camp (which hasn't been mentioned so far) is the freedom to setup camp where YOU want. Sure, many campsites have areas that are planned, but there is usually some areas that are open.

I find the best places to setup are away from trodden paths. For one reason, you won't have any privacy with people walking by. You also won't have peace. Being withing a half mile of a restroom is usually enough for a developed campground.

Also, don't hesitate to let people know your territory. I had some kids run through a camp ground last year and mentioned to the parents that I had lots of sharp objects laying around and didn't want their kids to get hurt. A polite way of telling them to stay out.

Anyhow, I hope to see you at WeSTOC or NatSTOC and I'll be camping. Hope to see you at the campfires.

[Blues Traveler]

Hotels/motels aren't even a thought when planning a weekend trip. I recently remember someone here saying that a hotel is just another form of a cage, how true. I've done trips alone but prefer to go with friends when camping. Everyone adds something to the campsite and the meals.

You mentioned your day being 5:00-5:00. This is common when riding alone, long days. I like an early start with breakfast along the way. We all like getting to the campsite by 1:00 or 2:00 PM. 300-400 mile days is what I like. Its nice to get things settup with time for an afternoon shower and time to unwind before getting things ready for dinner. Our meals are always top notch. Afterwords we all sit around the campfire and chat and drink. Always a great time.

Rain: You must learn to deal with it. Setting up in the rain is a real drag but not as bad as breaking camp the next morning. Once up I pack everything up inside the tent. Nothing like a 3 man tent, plenty of room. The Jesse bags are inside the tent with me. Load them up and move them out to the bike, As for the tent I always bring along a fairly good size stuff bag for a wet tent. Once everything is on the bike I go back and stuff the wet tent into the bag and strap it on the outside somewhere.

Its a little extra work but some tents can be taken down while the rainfly stays standing. This way only the rainfly and the footprint get wet. Have done this once up at the Kern River
and it wasn't too bad. The tent does get wet in spots, not too bad. I'll try it again at some point im sure.

Have been doing this for years. And yes it does take awhile to get it all figured out. Trial and error with tents,stoves,chairs,lanterns,sleeping bags and mattresses, just to mention a few. You'll never get it right. You will always see something better online, camping, or in a camping store. Right now I think I have it all figured out. Yea, right! There's alway's something i'll see and have to have.

Rally's are a great way to get started. Also a great place to meet others who like to camp. And the Beemer crowd, they love to camp. Most chapters camp oncer a month. All bikes are welcome and they usually have a great campground with all the amenities(did I spell that right?). Most even feed you a meal or two for the price of entry to the rally. At a yearly New Years campout they actually walk around with a big pump thermos with hot coffee in the morning, campsite to campsite.

My first camping trip was by myself. Camping along the way to WeSTOC in Kimberley B.C. Was a longway up and back to SoCal but I had a great trip.

[mongo]

You are right about the beemer crowd liking to camp. Either the rally's or the old fashioned campouts where you put whatever $ you think is right in a coffee can and someone is selected to buy food/coffee. These outings are usually great, and you can't beat the people.

[hobo57]

Great story and one that I needed. I'm new to all of this, biking and camping. Sometimes I wonder if it is worth all the work and risk. Still not sure how I'll answer that question, but I'm not giving up yet. I think my problem is just being such a greenhorn and wanting to do it right.

It's good for me to hear that I'll never get it 100% right, that some parts of camping and biking do suck, but that it gets better and that the main thing is being "out of the cage" - a part of biking and camping that is almost making sense.

Happy Trails...
Mark

[Trekker]

Welcome to the forum Hobo57.
The more you camp, the more you know what to bring and what to leave home. Ya can't plan for everything.... so ya just make the best of it and find a way. Get's yer brain working different than most days!

[mongo]

Welcome Hobo57. Sorry I forgot to welcome You on an earlier reply.

[Blues Traveler]

This is just one of the places I have for finding rally's. http://www.bmwmoa.org/happenings/whereandwhen.htm As you can see there are many just none in my area right now.

Looking through the descriptions of the events you can see just what they have to offer in the way of provided meals, restrooms, showers, poker runs, day rides, and raffle's.

If I remember right at first I just rode out to visit one of the rally's for the day just to check things out. I was on my ST1100 at the time and it drew a big crowd. Yea, they all loved my ST. I believe I could have actually sold ride tickets to some of the attendee's. Many where saying that the ST is what there next bike would be.

These event's aren't what I call roughing it but it does get you started. You meet up with people who like to camp, see how they do it, and find out about future events.

Here are others :
http://www.advrider.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=4
http://www.oilheadsclub.org/rallynews.htm
http://www.airheads.org/component/option,com_events/task,view_month/

Yes, I know they are all BMW sites but like I said earlier, the beemer crowd likes to camp. I attended BMW events for 5 years before getting my own BMW. All bike are welcome to these events.

[funny-biz]

Most of the rallies I go to you definately have to rough it. A couple of porta-potties, a portable shower rig somewhere on the other end if you're lucky, and not much beyond sausage and beer for meals. No fire rings, no picnic tables, no trees, no shade.

Mark, don't worry too much about getting it right. In fact, part of the attraction for me is the "seat of the pants" feeling. I do tend to overpack, but remember there are "minimalists" that take off in the woods with not much more than the clothes on their back. Keep in mind that there is almost always a Walmart (yech!) or convenience store within driving distance if you forget something. My first trip I discovered I didn't pack a can opener, but I survived. My second trip I had a can opener, but was without a lighter. The worst one was last month when I didn't have a single beer the entire night. I survived that one too, but it was a close call.

Soak up all of the info on this site you can, plus try www.wetleather.com/reference/camping.html and users.pullman.com/viking/CampingList.htm. The bmwmoa.org site also has an excellent bike camping section.

Good luck!
The Other Mark

[Slink]

Great story number 9 arent you glad you didn't have to cross the river. LOL.
We camp alot but not tent I use a BH and it is a pain in the rain. I'm surprised that Ironhorse had dirty showers been there several times even with lots of folks there they were never dirty, the help must have been off. Nice pic
Slink;)

[Slink]

[.

It's good for me to hear that I'll never get it 100% right, that some parts of camping and biking do suck, but that it gets better and that the main thing is being "out of the cage" - a part of biking and camping that is almost making sense.

Hell I've been camping for years and I forget something everytime we go out. LOL
No problem there's a WalMart on evry corner
Slink:D

[Trailace]

number9
Every time you camp the better it will get. Mellow and myself just got back from a 2-week ride and each day the set up and take down was less of an issue.

One thing I do rain or shine is pack my mattress and sleeping bag B-4 getting out of the tent.

[Mellow]

Yeah, it gets better and camping alone sux to me.. .I have a portable radio and bring a book with me... a rain during the summer can be miserable because the day is usually hot and if there isn't a breeze... you get very clamy. The tent fans make a world of difference.

The rain.. well, yeah.. it sux.. you pack as much as you can inside the tent and take it to a place w/overhang if avail to keep it dry. Then pack fast...just remember to take it all out if you are in a hotel room the next day... give it a chance to try and keep the mildew from setting in.

The one time I was at IronHorse, the showers and batchrooms were in great shape.

I think you would have liked it much better during NatSTOC.

When Trailace and I did our last trip, it only rained on me once in Amarillo and that was in the morning... sucks packing up but most of my gear is gore-tex so I wasn't getting wet.

Again, it's always better with at least one other person along.