Bucket List Bike Camping
#101
Senior Member
We used to be very methodical about killing right away the ones that got in, cuz if you didnt, there'd you'd be, in the dark, dozing off to sleep or actually asleep, and that one little $$#!! of a survivor would wake you up.
also learned that mozzies seem to go more for dark colours, so no more dark fleeces or shirts or whatever. I swear I noticed a diff. My theory is that they are programmed to go for large, dark objects that generally would be the animals they'd be feeding off.
see Tom, camping is fun! Really.
#102
Senior Member
I've found that shining a light at the top of the tent for a while seems to collects any bugs that get in for easier killing. The number that gather outside the tent is rather intimidating, but knowing they can't get in is comforting. Having a high quality tent is important for peace of mind. Also, this is where a pee bottle comes in handy.
#103
Senior Member
Thread Starter
>>>>OTOH - your free to forget about it entirely, and rest assured that everybody else will also.<<<<<
And that is what I will do. Thanks again, all!
(I hope any additional replies from here on in are useful to those of you who are still considering bike camping.)
And that is what I will do. Thanks again, all!
(I hope any additional replies from here on in are useful to those of you who are still considering bike camping.)
Last edited by Papa Tom; 07-04-17 at 05:47 AM.
#104
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Hi, I am 58 years old form Malaysia and I would like to give suggestions on what you would need. Yes, I have camped in a few places in the USA when I worked for a US Multi National Company.
The people here have been nice to me, giving me feedback on cycling, so I wanna return the favor to the group by sharing some of my knowledge on camping. I always camp solo in the Equatorial Rainforest.
I do Ultra Light Backpacking, lots of them and I teach young people on how to do it right, especially in Malaysia.
When I bike Pack, I have a Hennesey Asym Deluxe hammock wrapped in a Snugpak All Weather System Tarp under my handle. This allows me to camp anywhere there's trees and even on non level ground. The distance between each tree should be about 8 feet to 18 feet. The Snugpak is another layer of cover where I can sit and cook my morning breakfast/dinner of supper. I usually have lunch when I am on the road.
My cookset usually consist of a made in China ultra light gas stove, from Fire Maple (FM105) and a cartridge Butane. I can use a cartridge for more than 3 days, provided you cook only water and a 1 pot meal for 3 times a day. I cook in Esbit pot with a lid that acts as another small pot. A spork (spoon *** fork).
As for food, I pack some coffee, sugar, oats, salt..others things as I go on...from local shops.
Buy some wheat flour and learn to make simple bannock...eat it with whatever you like.
I bring extra cloths, such as 2 extra spandex, 1 extra cycling jersey, 1 pair of cotton wear, and a Sarong. Extra socks, 1 pair of underwear (just n case) 1 piece of camping towel (they absorb well and good enough to dry your body after a quick dip in the stream. First aid kit and a hygiene pack, toilet roll, wet wipes and a small survival kit, just in case. Don't forget you pepper spray. Bike tool kit with 2 spare tubes and 1 spare tire.
I forgot bout some light weight lighting/lamp for your camping ground..Illumate lamps are great...so are UCOs'
As I said, the sleep system goes under the bar secured by my DIY bar harness, the tool kit, stove, pot, food goes intro the DIY frame/tube bag and the other things goes into the 10 litre seat bag. To me, being used to Ultra light back packing, consider that as almost an overkill....hehehehe
I hope I have been of help..so just go out there and enjoy yourself...don't forget the Bear Spray and occasioanlly shout.."Hey Bear"...!!!!
The people here have been nice to me, giving me feedback on cycling, so I wanna return the favor to the group by sharing some of my knowledge on camping. I always camp solo in the Equatorial Rainforest.
I do Ultra Light Backpacking, lots of them and I teach young people on how to do it right, especially in Malaysia.
When I bike Pack, I have a Hennesey Asym Deluxe hammock wrapped in a Snugpak All Weather System Tarp under my handle. This allows me to camp anywhere there's trees and even on non level ground. The distance between each tree should be about 8 feet to 18 feet. The Snugpak is another layer of cover where I can sit and cook my morning breakfast/dinner of supper. I usually have lunch when I am on the road.
My cookset usually consist of a made in China ultra light gas stove, from Fire Maple (FM105) and a cartridge Butane. I can use a cartridge for more than 3 days, provided you cook only water and a 1 pot meal for 3 times a day. I cook in Esbit pot with a lid that acts as another small pot. A spork (spoon *** fork).
As for food, I pack some coffee, sugar, oats, salt..others things as I go on...from local shops.
Buy some wheat flour and learn to make simple bannock...eat it with whatever you like.
I bring extra cloths, such as 2 extra spandex, 1 extra cycling jersey, 1 pair of cotton wear, and a Sarong. Extra socks, 1 pair of underwear (just n case) 1 piece of camping towel (they absorb well and good enough to dry your body after a quick dip in the stream. First aid kit and a hygiene pack, toilet roll, wet wipes and a small survival kit, just in case. Don't forget you pepper spray. Bike tool kit with 2 spare tubes and 1 spare tire.
I forgot bout some light weight lighting/lamp for your camping ground..Illumate lamps are great...so are UCOs'
As I said, the sleep system goes under the bar secured by my DIY bar harness, the tool kit, stove, pot, food goes intro the DIY frame/tube bag and the other things goes into the 10 litre seat bag. To me, being used to Ultra light back packing, consider that as almost an overkill....hehehehe
I hope I have been of help..so just go out there and enjoy yourself...don't forget the Bear Spray and occasioanlly shout.."Hey Bear"...!!!!
#105
Senior Member
So why then, all the incoming fire? Let's forget about camping or any specific subject here and just focus on the TONE of many of your posts. The OP in this thread is a decent example. If you can't discern the......I don't know, snow-flakey vibe, I don't know what to say. We had one guy from the heartland asking, basically, holy smokes, are you ALL like that over there? Another suggested you "nut-up and be a man". Like I said we have not met, but I read the OP and had a hard time not envisioning the famous "pajama boy" (google it).
People had a lot of constructive advice, which you showed NO sign of even considering. Bug spray. Utterly fundamental. Never so much as an acknowledgment that you even considered it. (it works). You even specifically stated you "did not plan to do it right". So what results might you expect, not doing it right? The agonizing process of picking out your daytime lights was similar. Why are you wasting our time here? People get, rightfully, annoyed.
There is seemingly a fixation with your age. None of us likes getting older. I'm a few years ahead of you there. But the lady from down under pointed out that you talk like you are 84. She's right. It gets, well, annoying.
You admitted yourself, on the forum you escaped from, to an issue with expressing envy masked as derision towards performance-oriented riders. Show me anybody, in any sport, who wouldn't want to do it "better" however they define that. Or have better equipment, be it bikes or golf clubs or whatever. People are put off when you crap on that by calling them "lycra jockeys", for example. I'm not the only one who has called you on it.
If you will forgive the camping analogy, this is like an electronic version of a bunch of people sitting around the fire as night falls on the trail. The hike is done, the tents are up, water has been procured. EVERYBODY HAS PUT ON THEIR REPELLENT (sorry) and the stories are being told. Except one guy keeps saying how this sucks, and you with the Italian boots wasted your money, and so did you with that Swedish tent. Everyone told him to get some synthetic clothing, but he didn't, and now he's damp, and cold. He says his walk in Bethpage is just as cool as your ascent of Mt Rainier, but he's afraid of the gathering dark. In the circle of flickering light, that one guy manages to put a damper on things.
In the end, if you're not that guy, there won't be any potshots.
That's how I see it.
#106
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#108
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I won't comment on the drama part, but how can you ever know if you like an activity or not if you've never done it? Papa Tom, I hope you reconsider and give it a shot. It may turn out bad, it may turn out good. Go drive around to a crowded campground you intended to stay at some evening and I think you'll find the vast majority having fun.
#109
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I'm sorry, but I don't understand why so many here are so concerned about what the OP does?
He asked about trying camping, got some advice, did a half-axed experiment, and decided, to cross it off his list.
That should be the end of it.
--------------
No one here has a stake in what the OP likes or doesn't, and he doesn't owe anyone an explanation.
There's a saying in Cave Diving that can be adapted and be apropos here; "Anybody can call [end] any dive at any time for any reason, or for no reason". The intent is to avoid any guilt or finger pointing if a team member wants to end a dive early and exit. This is important, because otherwise subtle peer pressure may cause folks to push their limits with fatal consequences.
So, I like to apply that attitude to situations like this, and say that folks can pass on anything at any time for any reason or no reason. The OP doesn't want to camp and that's all there is. It doesn't make him less of a man, nor does it challenge any of us.
To Papa- Here's the deal, if we should ever meet up on the road, I won't pressure about camping if you don't pressure me about helmets. (yes, life is a two way street, and sometimes you get what you give).
He asked about trying camping, got some advice, did a half-axed experiment, and decided, to cross it off his list.
That should be the end of it.
--------------
No one here has a stake in what the OP likes or doesn't, and he doesn't owe anyone an explanation.
There's a saying in Cave Diving that can be adapted and be apropos here; "Anybody can call [end] any dive at any time for any reason, or for no reason". The intent is to avoid any guilt or finger pointing if a team member wants to end a dive early and exit. This is important, because otherwise subtle peer pressure may cause folks to push their limits with fatal consequences.
So, I like to apply that attitude to situations like this, and say that folks can pass on anything at any time for any reason or no reason. The OP doesn't want to camp and that's all there is. It doesn't make him less of a man, nor does it challenge any of us.
To Papa- Here's the deal, if we should ever meet up on the road, I won't pressure about camping if you don't pressure me about helmets. (yes, life is a two way street, and sometimes you get what you give).
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FB
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An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
Last edited by FBinNY; 07-04-17 at 02:49 PM.
#110
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Two years ago in Woodfern, NJ (Hunterdon County) during a day ride. He was by the side of the road when we were descending. Thought it was a huge dog at first.
#111
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Did you guys shout "Hey Bear" or screamed "****! there's a bear!"...hehehe...
#113
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I like being out on my bicycle all day long ... ultra long distance stuff ... but camping isn't at the top of my list of favourite things to do. I like it at certain times and under certain circumstances ... but not every time we go cycletouring.
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#114
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I worry about ubiquitous poison ivy a lot more than bugs. Bug bites go away after a few days, poison ivy can hurt much worse & for weeks or longer. Would be fun to try stealth camping but in my region walking just a few meters thru underbrush means ~50% risk of exposure. A lucky few are fairly immune & can bivvy almost anywhere.
#115
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The advice I would give the OP is: do not put anything on your bucket list that you really don't want to do, and don't ask to be "convinced" if you have already made up your mind.
#116
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Thread Starter
I'm sorry, but I don't understand why so many here are so concerned about what the OP does?
He asked about trying camping, got some advice, did a half-axed experiment, and decided, to cross it off his list.
That should be the end of it.
--------------
No one here has a stake in what the OP likes or doesn't, and he doesn't owe anyone an explanation.
There's a saying in Cave Diving that can be adapted and be apropos here; "Anybody can call [end] any dive at any time for any reason, or for no reason". The intent is to avoid any guilt or finger pointing if a team member wants to end a dive early and exit. This is important, because otherwise subtle peer pressure may cause folks to push their limits with fatal consequences.
So, I like to apply that attitude to situations like this, and say that folks can pass on anything at any time for any reason or no reason. The OP doesn't want to camp and that's all there is. It doesn't make him less of a man, nor does it challenge any of us.
To Papa- Here's the deal, if we should ever meet up on the road, I won't pressure about camping if you don't pressure me about helmets. (yes, life is a two way street, and sometimes you get what you give).
He asked about trying camping, got some advice, did a half-axed experiment, and decided, to cross it off his list.
That should be the end of it.
--------------
No one here has a stake in what the OP likes or doesn't, and he doesn't owe anyone an explanation.
There's a saying in Cave Diving that can be adapted and be apropos here; "Anybody can call [end] any dive at any time for any reason, or for no reason". The intent is to avoid any guilt or finger pointing if a team member wants to end a dive early and exit. This is important, because otherwise subtle peer pressure may cause folks to push their limits with fatal consequences.
So, I like to apply that attitude to situations like this, and say that folks can pass on anything at any time for any reason or no reason. The OP doesn't want to camp and that's all there is. It doesn't make him less of a man, nor does it challenge any of us.
To Papa- Here's the deal, if we should ever meet up on the road, I won't pressure about camping if you don't pressure me about helmets. (yes, life is a two way street, and sometimes you get what you give).
I recently tossed my iPhone in the junk drawer and replaced it with a flip phone so I can get off the whole 24/7 impersonal conversation roller coaster. Now it's a pain in the butt to text, so I will have to speak directly to people - something I am very good at - way more often. This "looking for stimulating conversation with anonymous friends" gig is ending right here, with this post. Going forward, unless I need advice on a piece of gear or a specific route, Bicycle Forums will be off my radar.
Once again, thanks to everyone who has provided good or bad advice, everyone who has helped me pull the trigger when I was procrastinating on major purchases, and even those who have misread my intentions and accused me of being all kinds of silly things. Those in the latter category have convinced me that I (and maybe all of us) need to walk away from the damned keyboard and start talking to real live people again.
TM
#117
bicycle tourist
As far as camping with mosquitoes goes, if they are thick enough an important first step is to put on both rain gear and mosquito net before setting up the tent -
Once that is done, set up the tent, very quickly unzip before putting in your gear. Keep the door open a minimum of time before jumping in. Methodically kill all the ones that made their way in and then spend rest of afternoon and evening in the tent:
Next morning, reverse the procedure. In places where they are too thick, ride another 5km down the road or so before taking a bathroom break.
At least that is the procedure I used in worst places for mosquitoes I cycled through: the West Siberian plain, a large marshy area between the Urals and Lake Baikal. What made that area bad wasn't just the density of biting insects (which I've also encountered in Alaska and northern Yukon), but the consistency. Except for the big cities, pretty much every day for six weeks large amounts of bugs.
See camping can be fun.
Once that is done, set up the tent, very quickly unzip before putting in your gear. Keep the door open a minimum of time before jumping in. Methodically kill all the ones that made their way in and then spend rest of afternoon and evening in the tent:
Next morning, reverse the procedure. In places where they are too thick, ride another 5km down the road or so before taking a bathroom break.
At least that is the procedure I used in worst places for mosquitoes I cycled through: the West Siberian plain, a large marshy area between the Urals and Lake Baikal. What made that area bad wasn't just the density of biting insects (which I've also encountered in Alaska and northern Yukon), but the consistency. Except for the big cities, pretty much every day for six weeks large amounts of bugs.
See camping can be fun.
#118
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One woman asked me "What are we supposed to be looking at?" I replied "A bear."
During my recent tour I did periodically shout out "Yo, Deer!" and "You, bear!" during steep, fast descents in order to alert any creatures just off the side of the road to my presence. Saw so many deer during the trip. On the penultimate day I passed a woman who had, probably minutes before, hit one while driving. The poor thing was dead in the road with its tongue hanging out. The front of the woman's car was smashed in, and the hood had buckled. Sure that put a damper on her holiday plans.
#119
Senior Member
Also, did you happen to notice if mosquitos, once inside your tent, started shift their focus away from biting you and more toward just getting out? (eg, just hanging out at the peak and against the walls like that).
#120
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Never been my experience. I nearly gave myself a concussion one night in MN trying to squash the ones that got inside when I went out for a nature break in the middle of the night. The buzzing around my ears was driving me crazy. Packed up the tent in the morning. When I set it up that afternoon at first I couldn't figure out why there will little spots of blood on the walls. Then I realized it was from the mosquitoes that had been crushed when I rolled up the tent that morning.
#121
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Never been my experience. I nearly gave myself a concussion one night in MN trying to squash the ones that got inside when I went out for a nature break in the middle of the night. The buzzing around my ears was driving me crazy. Packed up the tent in the morning. When I set it up that afternoon at first I couldn't figure out why there will little spots of blood on the walls. Then I realized it was from the mosquitoes that had been crushed when I rolled up the tent that morning.
The big difference was that my floorless mid has a large top vent hole for the bugs to escape through (no need to hunt/kill them like a traditional fully enclosed tent). I did not have my inner bug NetTent set-up (only used for sleeping), and I left my door latched open. It seemed like the 80ish% rain fly coverage kept 80% of the black flies out, and the 20% that did come in were more interested in finding their way out, than bothering me. Other floorless Mid users reported the same bug behavior in this thread:
https://backpackinglight.com/forums/...ge/2/#comments
That said, I think mosquitos are more determined that black flies, particularly with the severity in Mev's picture - I just haven't had a chance to test it (mosquitos got decimated in the Eastcoast drought last year).
#122
bicycle tourist
HOLY COW never seen it that bad... is that just from quickly opening/closing your door to get you/gear in out?
Also, did you happen to notice if mosquitos, once inside your tent, started shift their focus away from biting you and more toward just getting out? (eg, just hanging out at the peak and against the walls like that).
Also, did you happen to notice if mosquitos, once inside your tent, started shift their focus away from biting you and more toward just getting out? (eg, just hanging out at the peak and against the walls like that).
There were definitely some that got in, but they seemed to be mostly buzzing against the sides of the tent, so the first exercise would be to get those. A few already had blood, mine or others?
#123
Senior Member
The ones in the photo are between the tent and the fly. They do provide good motivation to stay in the tent until morning. In the worst spots, we would get away from camp and a little ways down the road before taking natures call.
There were definitely some that got in, but they seemed to be mostly buzzing against the sides of the tent, so the first exercise would be to get those. A few already had blood, mine or others?
There were definitely some that got in, but they seemed to be mostly buzzing against the sides of the tent, so the first exercise would be to get those. A few already had blood, mine or others?
#124
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Two of us were ahead of the rest of the group. When we realized it was a bear we stopped. I turned around and waved to the other coming down the hill to stop and pointed into the woods where the thing had gone.
One woman asked me "What are we supposed to be looking at?" I replied "A bear."
During my recent tour I did periodically shout out "Yo, Deer!" and "You, bear!" during steep, fast descents in order to alert any creatures just off the side of the road to my presence. Saw so many deer during the trip. On the penultimate day I passed a woman who had, probably minutes before, hit one while driving. The poor thing was dead in the road with its tongue hanging out. The front of the woman's car was smashed in, and the hood had buckled. Sure that put a damper on her holiday plans.
One woman asked me "What are we supposed to be looking at?" I replied "A bear."
During my recent tour I did periodically shout out "Yo, Deer!" and "You, bear!" during steep, fast descents in order to alert any creatures just off the side of the road to my presence. Saw so many deer during the trip. On the penultimate day I passed a woman who had, probably minutes before, hit one while driving. The poor thing was dead in the road with its tongue hanging out. The front of the woman's car was smashed in, and the hood had buckled. Sure that put a damper on her holiday plans.
#125
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+1
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