Touring - Sunshade on supported tour

Anyone ever used a tarp (homemade or not) as a sunshade on a supported tour? I am borrowing my brother's Noah's Tarp 12 for GRABWAAR in Wisconsin in two weeks and am looking for ideas. (He's still trying to locate the poles) He's only used it camping with loads of trees nearby...not as much of a biker as I.

1. What setup will work best and be quickly set up? We'll be camped out on football/baseball/soccer fields so nearby trees will not necessarily always be available. However, chain link fences will...if that helps? This will be set up and taken down daily. I'm looking to provide shade for several of out group of 11 sitting in those "folding bag chairs".

2. How many poles should I use? Two, per the suggestion (pic below)? I definitely would get the collapsible ones. I am considering trekking poles but I'm trying to keep the cost down and I wouldn't use trekking poles otherwise. Obviously don't want this thing to turn into a kite :rolleyes:
Thanks for the advice!
Tim
http://photos.moabsports.com/500/41981012-kelty-noahs-tarp-12-shelter.jpg

Guess I don't see the issue. Sounds like you are obsessing over something small in the larger issue. A five dollar tarp can be tied to just about anything. One good way is to counter-tie your bike and stake the tarp down. On a supported tour you can also use those sun shades that are like tents without walls. They are a bit expensive but tend to last pretty well.

Guess I don't see the issue. Sounds like you are obsessing over something small in the larger issue. A five dollar tarp can be tied to just about anything. One good way is to counter-tie your bike and stake the tarp down. On a supported tour you can also use those sun shades that are like tents without walls. They are a bit expensive but tend to last pretty well.

In the past, I have counter-tied the bike to do the clothesline thing but would likely want to have the bike available for riding.

Rather than use the setup in the picture I was thinking of tying two corners off on the fence and supporting the other two with poles and guy lines but didn't know if this would be supportive enough in the center...no ridgeline. I'll try some stuff in the backyard if it ever stops raining :notamused:

The Noah's tarp is a decent knock off the Moss Parawing design now owned by MSR. I have used them on kayak touring and group bike tours with great results.

The tensioned fabric design handles wind very well, provides shade and rain protection while cooking and the low sides are collection points in the rain for fresh water. You need strong long stakes to hold the tension of the poles and fabric. Heavy by most modern standards but very functional and durable.

I like the weight and simplicity of a tarp, but if you're using it in place of a tent, what do you do about mosquitoes?

Do you bathe in Deet? Deet is very effective, but I hate that stuff. The mosquitoes tend to come out in force around sundown. That's when I zip myself inside my tent for the night. I'll read or write for a while before I sleep without fighting the inevitable mosquitoes.

The Noah's tarp is a decent knock off the Moss Parawing design now owned by MSR. I have used them on kayak touring and group bike tours with great results.

The tensioned fabric design handles wind very well, provides shade and rain protection while cooking and the low sides are collection points in the rain for fresh water. You need strong long stakes to hold the tension of the poles and fabric. Heavy by most modern standards but very functional and durable.


I like the weight and simplicity of a tarp, but if you're using it in place of a tent, what do you do about mosquitoes?

Do you bathe in Deet? Deet is very effective, but I hate that stuff. The mosquitoes tend to come out in force around sundown. That's when I zip myself inside my tent for the night. I'll read or write for a while before I sleep without fighting the inevitable mosquitoes.

Good note about using longer stakes. My MSR Groundhogs are wonderful but they're a standard length.

I exude far too much CO2 to not use a tent. I am skeeter candy. :eek: