funbun
11-30-04, 05:34 AM
Would using a Henessey or Clark type Jungle Hammock be good on an Organised tour? I'm thinking of taking the Bike Bama tour this June. It's 400 mile ride over 7 days.
Touring - Camping Hammocks on a Organised Tours
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khuon
11-30-04, 05:54 AM
Would using a Henessey or Clark type Jungle Hammock be good on an Organised tour? I'm thinking of taking the Bike Bama tour this June. It's 400 mile ride over 7 days.
Will there be SAG? Last summer on the STP, a two-day (or one-day if you choose) 200 mile supported ride where they truck your gear to the overnight stops, I decided to camp instead of staying in a motel. It turned out really well except for that fact that I chose the wrong campsite and had to walk a mile to the showers. At anyrate, as I was pitching my tent (let the jokes fly!), I noticed a couple of folks pulling their camping gear out of their bags too. I saw that they had hammock-tents. It took them about half as long to string the hammock up as it did for me to make camp. OTOH, my 3-person tent was large enough inside that I could stow all my gear and my bike inside the tent. I also used a cablelock to lash everything together inside and luggage locks on the zippers to deter would-be thieves when I was away enjoying post-ride activities. I do like the idea of the hammock tents if I had to carry my own gear such as on a self-supported tour but if someone else is carrying stuff for me and presumably I'm paying for it, I may as well take full advantage and pack a regular tent.
Will there be SAG? Last summer on the STP, a two-day (or one-day if you choose) 200 mile supported ride where they truck your gear to the overnight stops, I decided to camp instead of staying in a motel. It turned out really well except for that fact that I chose the wrong campsite and had to walk a mile to the showers. At anyrate, as I was pitching my tent (let the jokes fly!), I noticed a couple of folks pulling their camping gear out of their bags too. I saw that they had hammock-tents. It took them about half as long to string the hammock up as it did for me to make camp. OTOH, my 3-person tent was large enough inside that I could stow all my gear and my bike inside the tent. I also used a cablelock to lash everything together inside and luggage locks on the zippers to deter would-be thieves when I was away enjoying post-ride activities. I do like the idea of the hammock tents if I had to carry my own gear such as on a self-supported tour but if someone else is carrying stuff for me and presumably I'm paying for it, I may as well take full advantage and pack a regular tent.
Jay H
11-30-04, 06:06 AM
How "big" an organized ride? Typically, many "campsites" on large rides are just open fields, not the ideal place for a Hennessey Hammock or any hammock. Surely, you can pitch them on the ground if you can get places to lasso the ends to as per the directions. If it's a smallish tour with car camping sites, you should be able to find two trees close enough I would think.
Jay
Jay
becnal
12-01-04, 05:41 AM
Hey Khuon, what kind of tent did you use? Was it the MSR Velo? Did it have a bike garage, or did the tent stay in your sleeping compartment?
I have just bought a Tunnel III GT from Ebay. After setting it up in my living room, I couldn't believe how roomy it was, both in the sleeping compartment and in the "garage".
Becnal
OTOH, my 3-person tent was large enough inside that I could stow all my gear and my bike inside the tent. I also used a cablelock to lash everything together inside and luggage locks on the zippers to deter would-be thieves when I was away enjoying post-ride activities.
I have just bought a Tunnel III GT from Ebay. After setting it up in my living room, I couldn't believe how roomy it was, both in the sleeping compartment and in the "garage".
Becnal
OTOH, my 3-person tent was large enough inside that I could stow all my gear and my bike inside the tent. I also used a cablelock to lash everything together inside and luggage locks on the zippers to deter would-be thieves when I was away enjoying post-ride activities.
Juha
12-01-04, 05:58 AM
Maybe you should talk to the tour organizers, they should know best whether their camping sites are compatible with a Hennessy?
--J
--J
funbun
12-01-04, 06:14 AM
The main reason is want a hammock is that I have a bad back(herniated disk). Sleeping on the hard ground wouldn't be good for me. I've slept on hard stuff before and my lower back get very sore.
Jay H
12-01-04, 06:25 AM
Hey, if it is SAGed, and you have a large enough tent, have you thought of bringing along an air mattress? Inflate one of those and it's like instant bed. Barring that, have you tried a foam core Ridge Rest-like cushion or a 1.5" thick thermarest?
Or for something completely off the wall, I'm wondering if you could combine a Hennessey Hammock and a standard hammock frame... My parents have an old tradition open faced hammock, the kind you put the metal frame together and the hammock swings beneath it.
I'm wondering if you could obtain the metal frame and then you'd hang your hennessey between it as if you are bringing your own trees. Therefore you would get all weather protection via the Hennessee and you'd be suspended via the metal frame. Might work out as long as you can transport the metal frame which will be bulky...
Just a thought!
jay
Or for something completely off the wall, I'm wondering if you could combine a Hennessey Hammock and a standard hammock frame... My parents have an old tradition open faced hammock, the kind you put the metal frame together and the hammock swings beneath it.
I'm wondering if you could obtain the metal frame and then you'd hang your hennessey between it as if you are bringing your own trees. Therefore you would get all weather protection via the Hennessee and you'd be suspended via the metal frame. Might work out as long as you can transport the metal frame which will be bulky...
Just a thought!
jay
funbun
12-01-04, 06:51 AM
What is SAGed?
Jay H
12-01-04, 07:00 AM
"Support and Gear" aka the SAG Wagon. But it's basically any ride/tour where there is some kind of vehicle that will be provided to riders to carry your gear or carry non-riding necessities. In other words, if you can get them to carry the metal frame for the hammock, then that would be a SAGed ride. If you have to carry everything you need on the tour, that would be self-supported.
Jay
Jay
funbun
12-01-04, 07:03 AM
Yes, there will a support vehicle.
khuon
12-01-04, 05:16 PM
Hey Khuon, what kind of tent did you use? Was it the MSR Velo? Did it have a bike garage, or did the tent stay in your sleeping compartment?
I have just bought a Tunnel III GT from Ebay. After setting it up in my living room, I couldn't believe how roomy it was, both in the sleeping compartment and in the "garage".
Want the truth? It was a USD$40 Coleman 3-person dome tent (http://www.coleman.com/coleman/colemancom/detail.asp?product_id=9260P707&categoryid=11010) I purchased at a local dept. store a few years ago. It's made for general camping so it's not superlight or anything but since I wasn't carrying it on the bike, I wasn't concerned.
http://www.coleman.com/coleman/images/products/9260P707_500.jpg
(mine's tan and brownish/khaki though)
There was enough space inside the dome for me, my sleeping bag fully laid out, my two gear bags (one for clothes and stuff and another for the camping equipment, my bike and a small pop-up table.
I have just bought a Tunnel III GT from Ebay. After setting it up in my living room, I couldn't believe how roomy it was, both in the sleeping compartment and in the "garage".
Want the truth? It was a USD$40 Coleman 3-person dome tent (http://www.coleman.com/coleman/colemancom/detail.asp?product_id=9260P707&categoryid=11010) I purchased at a local dept. store a few years ago. It's made for general camping so it's not superlight or anything but since I wasn't carrying it on the bike, I wasn't concerned.
http://www.coleman.com/coleman/images/products/9260P707_500.jpg
(mine's tan and brownish/khaki though)
There was enough space inside the dome for me, my sleeping bag fully laid out, my two gear bags (one for clothes and stuff and another for the camping equipment, my bike and a small pop-up table.