Originally Posted by
shipwreck
Pretty slick. I'd not want to have that as my nightly setup, but it shows what hammock/tarp camping involves, adaptive problem solving or simply coping. Usually I carry a long line, and use it as a ridge for the tarp with one end anchored to the ground and the other on anything from a picnic table, fence, whatever. Then my bug netted hammock as a bivy under it. Ive never had to use the bike as an anchor for the line, but have practiced just in case. since I carry a much smaller tarp than that, I usually set it lower on the ends, so the bike seat would be to high.
I love how most of the time when hammocks come up one or two people always trot out the same pictures of Montana or Kansas prairie. My first thought when seeing them is identifying where I would set up without a tent, and how.
What drove me to experiment with this set up is that most fire stations and church yards around here have no trees for a hammock ( no cost option for nightly stays with access to water). I plan at stopping at a few next year on my first two week tour. I am sure I will have the opportunity to hang from my Bear Mountain Bridge Hammock most of the time. Just wanted to have an option should I need to go to ground.
As far as the set up time, I figure I could do this in about 2 or 3 minutes if prompted by an impending rainstorm. On my first attempt, it only took me about 5 minutes.., so I reaally don't think it would be a hassle. I am running disc brakes, so getting the front tire off and on is a breeze.