This tarp stuff has me confused, admittedly I've never used a tarp but knew one person only who ever has. I've camped for many years and can tell you from experience you don't want to be sleeping with just a tarp overhead in a rain because the grass your bag and pad is on will get soaking wet which means you stand a very good chance getting wet. A tarp is not a 3 season shelter, strickly a fair weather animal. I would much rather sleep in a tent that has a tub with the tent sides fastened to it to keep water out; some complain that tents have condensation which will get you wet, true if you don't properly ventilate. Also tarp tents offer zero protection against bugs, nothing like stinging bugs attacking you in huge numbers in the evening to ruin a camping trip. Some tarps you can buy an optional bug screen...get it if your wanting to go with tarps. Tarps are indeed lighter but only about a pound, and gives you that primitive approach to camping. You have to decide how much comfort you want or don't want. If your going to be out in no mans land and need the absolute lightest thing possible then get the tarp because the one pound difference is about one days worth of food and maybe you need food more then comfort, but it didn't really sound like you were roughing it that much. I still think if this is your first time not to put much money into it just in case you decide never to do it again then you won't have money wrapped up in camping gear you may never use again or maybe use one more time.

You can get inexpensive Eureka Spitfires or Solitares for under $100 and they weigh almost as little as tarps at between 2 1/2 to 2 3/4 pounds; or you can get nicer ones.

Anyway that's my worthless opinion.

However you chose to go I really hope you have a good time. I go on quite a few weekender camping/bike trips, I try to camp near water so I can fish. I fly fish when taking a bike into a lake because flies take up hardly any space, the reel sets flat without a bail to bend or break, and the rod I have a 5 piece 9' fly rod which that length is better for lakes, I have a shorter rod but since I go to lakes I never take it. But going someplace to fish or take some pictures or go hiking etc is very relaxing, don't let all the set up and tear down bug you, it really isn't a big deal.