Happy Feet

Salamandrine: You don't see anything wrong with posts such as the one above or why it might bug other posters? I for one, do have a decent job and I ride a thrift store $55 bike. The inference does kinda bug me, especially from someone who didn't even buy his own bike and hasn't even done a darn bike tour yet and that's just one example right from this tread. The last couple of months have been full of such gems.

gpsblake

Having both toured with bivy's and tents, I would recommend a domed one or two man tent. Something you can sit up in to change clothes or stay in comfortably in the rain. Weight isn't really that much of a factor in bike touring, it's not like hiking for example where weight is everything. I prefer a 2 man because I can spread out my stuff on the floor and take everything inside except for the bike.

Adding a tarp (8x8 or 8x10) gives you added value. Use to sit on to eat outside, use as a groundcloth, use as an additional fly, cover your bike with it at night.

Miele Man

I have used a 3 man dome tent since the mid 1980s. I really like it becuae as you say I can sit up in it on a rainy day. With the 3 man version and a front lowrider rack on my bicycle i CAN bring the bicycle inside the tent which is quite nice in crowded camping areas as then I know my bicycle is secure. I have 70% hearing loss and would never hear someone making off with my bicycle at night or very early in the day. The three man tent isn't thast much heavier than the 2 man version either. I like a tent because it keeps me dry in a driving rain and it keeps the bugs off me when I'm sleeping. I like to know I'll have a good night's sleep when I'm touring or camping.

A tarp overthe tent keeps the tent dry in a heavy rain and it also lets me pack up the tent even if it's raining and the tarp keeps the tent dry during take down and packing.

Cheers

Miele Man

A lot of people on the forums take exception to Squeezbox because there's no evidence that he actually tours by bicyle and thus his advice should be taken with a grain of salt. A lot of newbies come to these forums looking for applicable advice to their questions and getting that advice from someone who does not tour can cause those newbies serious trouble or much wasted money. Squeezbox alienated a lot of people with his vitrolous attacks on the Surly LHT.

There are many other posts made by Squeezbox that others also found very inflamatory.

Again,Squeezbox has never shown that he actually tours by bicycle and thus many feel he's not qualified to give advice on bicycle touring. That's the crux of the proble others have with Squeezbox.

Cheers

mstateglfr 

I am certainly not part of any lynch mob. I disagree with squeeze's attitude, wording of posts, trolling, and at times demeaning posts towards others.

There is no 'in' crowd here. There is no single geek...we are in a touring forum on a bike message board...we are all 'the geek'.

If squeeze were to post genuine questions or comments that werent so obviously intended to troll or push buttons, i wouldnt take issue with 90% of what i currently dislike.

This isnt me being a jock beating on the nerd. Its me being tired of loaded questions and comments meant to create argument.

jonc123

Life sucks, don't it! I've got everything going wrong...cheap steel frame, steel bottle cages and racks....should have just stayed home and punched the clock at work!

Well, a picture of my camping gear:

Squeezebox

I have a right to my opinion, you have a right to your's. This is supposed to be a discussion not a pissing contest. I have continued to state my opinion and not attack anyone. If you feel attacked it's your thin skin not mine.

jonc123

Often times, I carry a cast iron skillet while touring. As everyone knows, it's impossible to properly cook an egg in anything but cast iron. Lucky me, took this pic outside of the Lodge cast iron factory in Pittsburg, TN.





Notice, this area is just down the road from Monteagle Mountain, a song of the same name by Johnny Cash.

Squeezebox

I have a little 4 inch cast iron griddle square. A very nice little piece. I think it was a Walmart find. My scale is acting funny. But it seems to weigh 1.1 lbs. But my AL skillet weighs 6 oz. 4 oz without the handle

Miele Man

I too have a small cast iron frying pan. It's 1" deep x 6" at the base x 8" at the lip. It sure is nice for cooking on and it holds the heat well. On a really chilly night it also makes a great sleeping bag warming pan. LOL

Cheers

roadfix

For eggs and other small frying matters I carry the One Egg Wonder by T-Fal. The thing weighs practically nothing. I shortened the handle on mine for packability.

fietsbob

Perhaps they have Back Packer Magazine in your Public Library.
you can read a lot of back issues then , and get caught up to the Industry's Offerings.