Since you admit to being a newbie, please allow me a few words about my thought on stealth camping. I live on 10 acres of woods, in a rural area, wonderful bicycle country, very close to bicycle route 76, the nearest town (no traffic light) is a four mile ride. Should I find someone coming onto my property needing a place to camp, and asking, he's got two choices: He can either stake the tent in my back yard, or, he's got an invitation to my guest room, fridge full of beer, supper, shower and flush toilet, etc. This has always been my attitude to two wheeled travellers, be they on a Harley Road King or Surley LHT.

However, should he decide to sneak on the property and set up, he's going to find himself staring down the double barrels of a 20-gauge, and run off the property - and I will consider it entirely optional on my mood to return his bike, tent, etc.

The difference is the respect he's just shown me. Whether he's willing to ask to use my property, or just taking the attitude that it's his for the night.

Having been out of cycling for over 25 years before my return, I'd never heard of the concept of "stealth camping" until a few months ago, and since it now has a name (which it sure didn't back in the 70's, and I crashed in a few cemeterys in my time, the only places stop without asking permission) I can only assume that it's become the camping of choice for a lot of people. And I get a real sense of unease about the morality behind it.

Man, the property owner has rights, including the right to not have you on his property if he so wishes. Please remember that. And ask. And if the answer is no, head further down the road. Obviously, you quit a little earlier in the day to give yourself enough time to find an allowed place to rest your head.

It makes the trip a whole lot better.