Neil_B

Always get the tent up. Ok, perhaps I'll drink some water beforehand, but you get the idea.

Bekologist

If it's raining I try to pitch a tarp over the likely hangout or picnic table first if you need shelter from the elements.

at a registered campsite then it's time to pay the pipe or register before cooking.

if not, it's fire up the teakettle if cold, and just kick it and snack some. drink water if its hot. then set up tent. then throw some gear in there and cook dinner.

One important bit to me is to get the food bag hung sufficiently while it is still daylight if camping out.

Buglady

This is why I'm a Girl Guide leader... child labour for the win! Actually I'm not sure I even know how to set up a solo camp anymore

Ranger Dan

No matter how familiar you are with bears, sometimes hanging your food up may not be enough --

Some years ago I was on a solo tour in Sumatra. I wasn't carrying any food; I just ate my meals in the villages.

Well into the trip I met some Americans in the bush who were working for one of the oil companies. They asked me some questions about my trip, then asked "where have you been staying at night?". "Umm, just sleeping in the jungle," I said. Their reply: "Aren't you worried about the tigers?"

JohnyW

Hi,

first I smoke a cigarette
second I make a campfire or boil water
then I build up the tent (it takes 1 min.)
cook
eat
read
sleep


For the shower it's different. It can be the second, the last step or one in middle

antokelly

well we don't have any bear's or tigers over here in ireland,so i won't be shareing a campsite with those guys.i bought a new front print for my akto tent, i going to attach the new footprint so as everything goes up together,is this a good idea,or should i use the footprint seperatly.anyway thanks for all the replys great help.so far i've come to the best way of doing things is,pitch tent first,get the bed ready, s/mat and s/bag .maybe have a nice cuppa ,change cloths secure down bike put panniers in tent shower if possible also wash cycling gear.cook and relax.would you normally lock your bike at campsite.

imi

uh don't you guys do some stretching after a long days ride? Helps avoid cramps at night, softens your muscles for the next day's ride and because I've been a lifelong martial-artist it keeps me flexible enough to kick even the biggest Yosemite bear in the head (which certainly surprises them before they beat me up)

Enthusiast

Does anyone cook their evening meal at a different location than where they sleep? I mean: Stop to cook dinner, then ride a bit more to find a great sleeping spot and set up camp knowing you haven't broadcast your location to any animals with a nose within miles by cooking where you sleep?

Many backpackers that do this rarely have to bother with hanging their smell-ables so long as the bag is reasonably airtight. Exceptions include when you are near human habitations that critters frequent for a free meal, like campgrounds or city parks.

antokelly

imi what stretching do you do,to be honest i never stretch before or after a ride,im either rushing out the door or falling in after a hard ride.so have you a basic stretching exercise you can share thanks.

staehpj1

I have not done this but probably would if I was stealth camping and wanted to quietly roll in at dark and go to sleep. I most often camp with permission in town or in campgrounds. So wild camping is infrequent and I generally only wild camp where stealth is not required so I have not felt the need to sneak in late. Even when I eat dinner in a restaurant I most often make camp first.

Enthusiast

It's a different form of stealth camping that doesn't have to coincide with the usual idea of stealth camping. Instead of hiding from humans visually, you're hiding from animals olfactorly. (I think I just made that word up...) Even rolling a quick mile down the road can make a big difference in nocturnal visitors so it's possible to camp like this and still have plenty of time in camp before dark. That depends on how late you like to ride of course.

For those that shower in the evening, are you more describing a spongebath or a hanging solar shower type? Do heat your water using the stove? I have a camelbak bladder that I love to hang up in a out of the way tree and use the tube and valve for a 'close to the real thing' shower. I know this is getting dangerously close to TMI, but hygiene is an important part of the camping ritual.

nun

This is pretty much what I do too, except I wash my clothes while I'm in the shower

imi

The stretching I do in the evening (or any other time I take a longer break) is basically the same as most runners, aerobics and martial artists use... heres a link to a basic programme for legs, arms and chest:
https://www.myexerciseplan.com/assessment/stretch.pdf
Obviously your legs are most in need of stretching after a days ride, although to take it a step further, neck, back and side stretches can be added. It won't take long... 10-15 minutes. Often I just stretch legs.

Don't force it, don't get too ambitious... relax and enjoy the pain it will be rewarding and slowly but surely you will become suppler and more flexible and be able to ride further and faster...

Some people have mentioned that beer they drink after riding... Apart from being a poison, alcohol IS a muscle relaxant hihi, cheers!.. you can actually combine the two activities, stretching and a (usually warm 'cos it's been in your bar bag for a couple of hours) beer...

Oh yeah if you do stretch before riding or when your muscles are cold, take it a more gentle and slow... personally I only stretch when warm which can be defined by AT LEAST 12 minutes of gentle aerobic exercising (bicycle riding for example).
Sometimes when you're really knackered and all your leg muscles are cramping and tensed up it can be easy to overstretch and cause muscle damage. Wait until they're more relaxed (or I suppose you could drink that beer first)...

paul2

I do do stretching before setting up the tent.

No, because I camp at commercial campgrounds.

I'm describing showering in a real shower in a commercial campground.

Niles H.

The best way seems to depend, for me, on circumstances. I just do what seems to be called for at the moment. It varies from spot to spot, season to season, mood to mood, etc.

My favorites might be the times when I just roll up alongside a tree (in a quiet, out of the way place), with flat ground around it, covered in soft leaves -- then simply lean my bike against the tree, open the pannier where I keep my sleeping gear, toss my sleeping bag on the leaves right next to the bike, and sack out. -- Or just relax, or do whatever needs to be done, or wants to be done, or nothing at all.

It's very nice having the bike right next to the sleeping bag. The bike then serves as a set of already-organized and right-at-hand cupboards/shelves/drink holders/medicine chest/snack cabinet/fridge/fruit bowl/writing drawer/bookshelf/camera bag/entertainment center/pantry/tool chest/towel rack/kitchen/trusty uncomplaining companion/shaving kit/sewing kit/barber shop/map center/clothing closet/and-anything-I-need center, all conveniently located, within reach, and right next to my new sofa and reclining spot.

If hungry, I will often have some some ready-to-eat food (bananas, muesli, whatever else I have). Then brush teeth, rinse, relax or sack out, or do a little exploring of the surrounding area. Maybe go for a swim.

***
The bike also remains more or less packed (things are replaced after use), so it is basically ready to roll in the morning -- it's very simple to replace the sleeping bag and break camp.

antokelly

thank's imi ,i'll try my best to do those exercises.niles h you have this touring down to a fine art.

Randochap

Tent goes up first. Put sleeping bag/thermarest in to fluff/inflate.

Put on a brew.

staehpj1

Yeah. Interesting concept. I don't think I would trust it to the extent of not taking the normal precautions.

I take a real shower when one is available and just sponge off or go for a dip in a stream when a real shower isn't available. I never bother heating water to wash up and don't take the solar shower on bike tours. When water is scarce I use a few baby wipes. I don't obsess over it if I need to go a few days without a shower. It just isn't a huge deal. A shower is a real joy when it has been several days since you had one though.

oldranger

jabantik00 nailed it. Back to the pleistocene.

Gor take rock. Gor dig hole. Heap plenty good.

Machka 

No. I don't stretch. Probably should ... but I don't.

antokelly

well i've just come in from a spin (ride) i'll try some stretching see if it will do me any good.any thoughts on me leaving my new footprint on the akto tent all the time ,or should i use them seperatly.

surfjimc

+1
After a week at Burningman, even having a solar shower to use as needed, a real shower is such a treat. That's why we always stop at a hotel on the way home now.

I always set up the tent and sleeping bag first, then I am free to eat or pass out, or explore without having to save the energy to do the work when I'm really tired.

cyccommute 

+1 Setting up a tent in the dark is absolutely no fun! I do tent first, then other stuff when I feel like it. Often after a short nap.

valygrl

separate - dirt & damp stays with groundsheet, tent stays clean(er).

I think you are overthinking this. One week of touring and you'll figure out what you like. And there's no one right order of operations - what you do will depend on what your situation is. Raining? Starving? Filthy? Take care of the most urgent needs first, with an eye towards not leaving yourself in a bad situation later. (for example, if it's about to rain, set up the tent first before it starts, even if you are desperate for a shower, but if you have to pee so bad you're gonna wet yourself, do that first.)

You'll figure it out. That's really one of the biggest joys of touring - figuring stuff out, for yourself, and living with the consequences, both good and bad.

antokelly

thanks for that valygrl,i was thinking me leaving the footprint attached to the tent it would save time ,but i can see how things would get wet leaving it on all the time,as you said it's all a learning process.