Originally Posted by
Cheeseftw
... What I'm worried about is that when it's raining, I can't open the tent (or leave it open) because it'll rain straight inside the tent. I'd like to at least have a little space for me to sit outside without getting wet while I'm in camp, that's why I want the tarp for cover. What do you guys think? Maybe you have better solutions?
Good rain jacket, rain pants, possibly shoe covers. I have not gone on a bike tour now for two years, I do not recall if I brought a rain hat for use in the campsite or only used my hood for that. I might have brought one that crushes down to minimal volume.
Bike tours, I have never carried a tarp, even on days when I chose not to travel, if I wanted to sit I went into the tent and sat. That in part is why I never used a bivy.
Your tent is not a high end tent. After you use it for a while and figure out exactly what you want in a tent, go shopping for another.
When riding, I also like a rain cover for my helmet. My helmet has a visor, the rain cover over the helmet and over the visor keeps the rain from running down my forehead into my eyes.
My rain jacket has a hood but I never use a hood on the bike, I wanted the hood only for campsite use.