Breaking camp quickly is an art, but mostly accomplished by packing lightly. My days as a hiking enthusiast taught me how to carry only what I absolutely needed - sometimes less - which makes for a rather quick way to break camp. In summer months the tent is a luxury that I often chose not to use, rather a therm-a-rest (your new best friend, seriously), sleeping bag and mosquito net make a great sleeping arrangement. A alternative to that is a quality small tent, much like this (what I had at one point):

http://www.thenorthface.com/opencms/opencms/tnf/gear.jsp?site=NA&model=APE7&language=en

North Face tents are extremely nice, but for about $200 fewer dollars, you can pick up a decent small used Kelty, or even something from Wal-Mart (although I'm not a huge fan of these, wind seems to get the best of the poles). If you really want to get extreme, I can confirm that even in cold rain, a tarp strung between trees can provide a very decent shelter.

Journal all done, with photos. there are more on my Flickr page.

http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/greenlane
(http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/greenlane)

Well written Neil

Well written Neil

Thanks!

Just read the journal. Nice job. Spending the night in a small tent in a nasty storm like the one that rolled through would make anyone grumpy. I was camping last weekend and went through the same storm in Central PA. Although, I didn't have to pack everything up soaking wet and ride back to home. The guys I camp with have know each other for 20+ years and we went through that stuff in the early years. When you spend enough time with someone you will go through these periods where every little thing will piss you off. You just need to have a sense of humor and shrug it off and don't sweat the small stuff because you are both in the same situation and beyatching at each other won't get you out of it any quicker. Just work together, crack a few jokes, and move on. Good thing it happened now instead on the GAP and now you guys know how to deal with it because you have been through it.

PS. Wow. That was the first time I put a cuss word in a post and it automatically censored it; like this *****ing vs beyatching

Incorrect. Nice ride report and great pictures. Thanks for sharing.

More photos of Green Lane Park and Deep Creek Lake. These are from my first visit to the park, back in 2007, and finally downloaded from my camera:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2318/2500242121_20b71586c9_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3295/2500239507_5a75484845_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2343/2500237973_93fe11e7d6_b.jpg

And some bike pr0n. My buddy Dennis' bike:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2218/2501068232_9b9fa70320_b.jpg

I was too afraid to open this at first--I thought that the derangement might have been permanent, heaven forbid!


Your celebration is a bit premature. The separation is permanent, by mutual agreement.

Your celebration is a bit premature. The separation is permanent, by mutual agreement.

This is unfortunate to see, but I had a feeling it was coming. :(

Your celebration is a bit premature. The separation is permanent, by mutual agreement.
I am so sorry to read this. Friends yet?

New trails to explore, and hopefully the ribs are on the mend.

Don't do the Martin/Lewis thing, at least talk occasionally;)

I am so sorry to read this. Friends yet?

New trails to explore, and hopefully the ribs are on the mend.

Don't do the Martin/Lewis thing, at least talk occasionally;)

I promised a moderator I wouldn't drag details into the group. But the answer, as of now, is no.