Hocam

So a few friends and I are doing a sunday-monday bike trip for labor day. We're headed to the south Jersey pine barrens; about 50-60 flat miles from Philly.

I just have a few questions for you experienced folk:

What should we bring to entertain ourselves at night?

What food would you recommend? We have 1 stove for 3-4 people, so aside from coffee and pasta I can't think of much.

slowjoe66

Beer comes to my mind.

jpmartineau

Check out this Couscous with Mushrooms and Tomatoes recipe. I've tried it myself and love it as it's tasty, filling, dehydrated for transport, and does not require refrigeration. I'd plan to make 3 portions per 2 people if you're expecting to be extra hungry.

In regards to entertainment, a campfire and a starry night should be plenty to entertain you if you're in good company. A couple of cold beers can't hurt either.

jpmartineau

Forgot to link to the recipe!

Chris L

When touring solo I find a small radio sufficient for entertainment. If you're in good company, however, I'm not sure you'll even need that. If it's your first tour, you might even find yourself keen for an early night anyway.

Gotte

Just the warm glow of achievement should be enough to entertain you.

Hocam

No camping today, got hit by a car on the way to REI to pick up a sleeping bag. Was totally my fault, no damage to the car. A side street has five or six four way stops followed by a two way stop, I forgot the two way stop wasn't a four way and rolled through into the side of a minivan.

Yay absent mindedness.

Surly Crosscheck fork + front wheel = destroyed

Frame looks like the head tube may be twisted slightly, the RD hanger is bent about 30 degrees inward, so much so that I'm not sure if bending it back will break it or not.

5 stitches on my elbow and a badly bruised back, but no other damage to me. Spent 6 hours waiting for a CT scan and the stitches, no internal bleeding so that was a relief. I am insured by my parents, so thats good.

BigBlueToe

Ouch! I'm sorry.

I've never worried much about entertainment, other than to bring a book and an LED headlight. I'm usually so tired at the end of a long day's ride that all I want to do is sit around and be mellow.

Playing cards come to mind. A frisbee might be fun, or a tennis ball, or a Vortex. Whatever you choose, make sure it's lightweight.

One thing I always recommend, especially to newbies, is to bring a small pad of paper and a pen. Write down notes to yourself: "Things I brought which I'm so glad to have." "Things I brought which I never used." "Things I wish I'd brought, which I'll make sure and bring next time."

Before my first big tour I tried very hard to anticipate what I would need and be prepared. Three days into the ride I sent home ten pounds of unnecessary stuff. This is a very common occurance. On every tour I've ended up buying stuff that would have been much cheaper and more convenient if I'd bought before I left home, but I didn't anticipate the need. Your perspective in the middle of a tour is much clearer than when you're at home thinking about it.

Good luck on your next tour.

jpmartineau