Grant Peterson comes in for a certain amount of ribbing on this forum, much of it justified. But while I'll never buy one of his bikes--or, probably, anything from his catalog--I'm indebted to the guy for popularizing the idea of the S24O (sub-24-hour overnight.) His describing the concept and giving it a name was a great thing--since hearing about it I've done at least a few of them every year. Living in Vermont helps. I often ride to Groton State Forest and camp by one of the ponds, but it's also possible and pleasant to camp in pretty much any random field or patch of woods around here.

Do other C&V types enjoy these little outings too? It's great to get back in the morning refreshed and ready to go back to work. What favorites do people have?

I love the idea, and have been meaning to try it for years and years. But I guess I'm too much of a worrier to try "stealth camping," and anyway, I find I don't sleep well when camping. This is a pretty populous area, though... I'm not sure where I'd camp. Well, Pennsylvania has an interesting law that permits camping along riversides provided it isn't private property, within town limits, or posted. Or something like that. Worth a try. But I'm waiting for June or July!

I've been meaning to do something like this as well. I camp quite often, mostly backpacking, but never off a bicycle. Being in New England certainly helps, but one of the great things I noticed when I went out west this summer, was vast expanses of National Forest, covered in networks of dirt roads and of course camping is free and permitted anywhere. Definitely something I'll do in the future.

I've done it a handful of time around the New England area. Usually it involves me and some buddies taking the commuter train out of Boston, and then ride 30-50 miles to a campsite. We've done Pawtuckaway in NH and Otter River State Forest in central MA, which has yurts, allowing us to ride without tents or sleeping pads.

the key thing with the s240 is that it goes against the whole "i've been meaning to..." attitude. you just put some stuff on your bike racks and go, fighting the urge to plan too much. yeah, yeah... i know if it was that easy, i'd be out every weekend, but with life and kids and everything, it happens maybe 3 times a year.

i've already got one planned for early May when Massachusetts campsites open up!

I would love to do this! I grew up camping, but those were always dedicated affairs of several days. All I lack is a partner or group, as I don't care to camp alone.

Good point, however locale and time certainly have something to do with it. I live in central Connecticut, somewhat scenic, some nice area's, places to camp etc. but nothing that would really make me so inclined to go out and spend the night as opposed to just going out for a nice ride, especially if I have to fork out $20 to camp for a night. The same is probably true of you in Boston, likely more-so. To take advantage of some of the nicer places to camp in the region (Berkshires, Vt, etc.) do require a bit of planning.
Of course I can't speak from personal experience, which is probably my problem right there. In the spring I'll have to just go out and give it a try on some Friday/Saturday, if of course, this snow ever melts

i'm planning a few of these when the summer comes, in South Jersey and Upstate NY... anywhere I get to from NYC within 100 miles or so.

I'd love to hear a little more about what people pack for these things. I've read Grant's article and attempted one this summer, but gave up and called in the SAG wagon when I met up with some really awful thunderstorms that lasted all evening.

I found that I had A LOT of crap with me.

my first trip i overpacked too:


my quick list of what I pack:

• map of area or iphone
• weather appropriate clothing for one day (maybe even wear the same stuff the second day)
• sleeping bag, pad, pillow
• tent (or tarp)
• tool kit
• bowl, cup, spoon, fork
• stove and gear for making coffee and oatmeal
• sometimes we pick up take out or go to a grocery store near the end of the trip. or we pack way to much food and carry it the whole way. i've done both.
• maybe a camp towel and swim trunks if that makes sense.
• camera
• waterproof panniers to tick the beer and ice in when you get to the destination!

BTW, here's rivendell's list, which I just noticed is pretty much the same as mine.
https://www.rivbike.com/article/bike_..._one_night_out

I don't get to go as much as I'd like anymore but I'm partial to Russell Woods west of Genoa, IL. It's about 18 miles as the crow flies but I can usually stretch it to 35-50 miles each way. I usually take a small tent, bag, pad, single burner stove, an MRE or two, small mess kit and a change of clothes.

That's not far off from what I packed. I just found it difficult to load my tent and pad...its only a 1 man backpacking tent, a little Eureka Solitaire but I could not for the life of me pack that, a pad and a bag and not have it end up Huuuge.

Maybe I need to not use the various packing sacks these things came with and improvise the packing a little more.

That and I suppose loading up the front end is a good thing.

Did this when I was younger, mostly riverside with a little night fishing thrown in. Can honestly say, I NEVER returned home refreshed.

It helps to spread it out a bit. I use a Eureka Zeus Classic 2 man cuz I like a bit more wiggle room. Here's a pic of the tent strapped to the bars of my Raleigh Superbe (yes, I S24O on that, too).

I have an old Cannondale handlebar bag support 'neath the tent to hold things up.

I do it on occasion, I have a couple of state parks within a reasonable distance. Last one I did was while working 4 hours from home. Took my R20 and spent a short weekend at a park about 35 miles from the hotel I was living in at the time. I can pack everything I need for a weekend in a large saddle bag and on the rack. I have also done several B&B trips which aren't really a S24O but fill the bill for getting away.

Aaron

I was not the slightest bit interested in camping until I started riding. Bike camping? BIKE camping? Heck yes!

We have beautiful beaches here -- about 45 miles away. Not quite an s24o, but a nice weekend. I'll probably do one this year.

the B&B idea sounds much better to me. I think I will have to do this when the weather warms up a bit.

Nothing wrong with the B&B approach--the point is just to get away from home for a night every now and then. The camping part is fun if you like to camp, but otherwise not. And it's supposed to be fun.

Chuckk, looks like a nice trip.
My buddy & I did a 5 day camp trip on our bikes, up around Marble Falls and Lake Buchannan, years ago.

Camping at the beach, Gulf of Mexico here, is not for me. The sand and salt blows all night, and you wake up covered in it, inside the tent. Ain't gonna do it again.

Sounds like an intriguing proposition. Now in the Southwest, I'm surrounded with wilderness and open spaces to camp for free. A bit too cold at night right now, maybe in the Spring. In 2009, we drove as far as our car could go on the Apache Trail. (Tarmac ended, dirt rest of the way) I was taken by the serene isolation and rugged beauty of the area and disappointed we couldn't continue on. Need 4WD. The thought of trying to ride the Trail to its end at Roosevelt Dam sounds exciting. Risky too I'd surmise. One is very isolated. I now own the bikes capable of the day trip...Specialized Expedition, or rigid MTB. I don't believe the distance is that great, but the terrain is steep. All day to reach the destination, with swimming in the Salt River. Camp under the stars...and head back next day.
I would think I'd need to pack the minimum of camp gear, mostly water, food, communication gear, tubes/tools, camera, and a firearm. Oh yes, sunscreen.

That was my bride's idea, she is not much into camping...her idea of roughing it is a 3 star hotel

We also will do long weekends; drive to a B&B somewhere and use it as a base camp for rides in an area.

Aaron