Your touring day
05-08-10 | 07:01 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,720
Likes: 0
From: Canada
Your touring day
I've been reading a lot here lately, and you guys have some great advice!
We've done some touring, but not a lot of camping, so any insight would be great.
I'd like to know how your touring day looks like.
What time you get up?
Do you take your time at the campsite, or pack up and go?
Do you have breakfast, or just granola bar on the way?
What do you normally do for lunch? Quick sandwich, or pub/restaurant?
What time do you normally like to be at the next campsite?
What kind of camping spot you think is best for a cyclo-tourist?
Do you take the panniers off and lock up your bikes, or just let your stuff sit there overnight? (I saw someone leave panniers on the bike, and I must admit I'm way too paranoid to do that).
Thanks a lot!
We've done some touring, but not a lot of camping, so any insight would be great.
I'd like to know how your touring day looks like.
What time you get up?
Do you take your time at the campsite, or pack up and go?
Do you have breakfast, or just granola bar on the way?
What do you normally do for lunch? Quick sandwich, or pub/restaurant?
What time do you normally like to be at the next campsite?
What kind of camping spot you think is best for a cyclo-tourist?
Do you take the panniers off and lock up your bikes, or just let your stuff sit there overnight? (I saw someone leave panniers on the bike, and I must admit I'm way too paranoid to do that).
Thanks a lot!
05-08-10 | 07:52 PM
#2
have bike will tour
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 387
Likes: 1
From: Wisconsin / New Mexico
Bikes: Trek 5200, Trek 520, Trek 2120
Your touring day
I've been reading a lot here lately, and you guys have some great advice!
We've done some touring, but not a lot of camping, so any insight would be great.
I'd like to know how your touring day looks like.
What time you get up?
I usually get up about the time the birds start singing just before dawn
Do you take your time at the campsite, or pack up and go?
Depends on the weather it it was a dry night and no dew to deal with I will roll and go for an early start, most mornings there is dew on the tent and fly so I hang them up and let them dry. Make coffee and eat something and pack up while the tent and ground cloth is drying in the sun
Do you have breakfast, or just granola bar on the way?
I usually make some coffee and instant oatmeal or eat a left over bagel or what ever I got just to get going. Once on the road I stop at the first town and little café for a plate of pancakes and water and conversation
What do you normally do for lunch? Quick sandwich, or pub/restaurant?
Depends where I am at and how I feel sometimes I stop and get fruit and a sandwich or some bars I just want to keep fueled without getting stuffed
What time do you normally like to be at the next campsite?
Like to get there while it is still enough light to do camp chores like wash out bike cloths and get a shower or swim in a river to get cleaned up make dinner write in the journal look the bike over and just relax
What kind of camping spot you think is best for a cyclo-tourist?
I like a quiet out of the way spot
Do you take the panniers off and lock up your bikes, or just let your stuff sit there overnight?
Depends where I am at about the only time I locked my bike is at camp site so I don’t have to worry about every little noise at night some one is taking my ride. Some times I leave the bags on the bike most times I have them in the vestibule of the tent since the are usually empty my handle bar bag stays with me since it contains my important stuff
Just my way of doing things on the road
(I saw someone leave panniers on the bike, and I must admit I'm way too paranoid to do that).
Thanks a lot!
I've been reading a lot here lately, and you guys have some great advice!
We've done some touring, but not a lot of camping, so any insight would be great.
I'd like to know how your touring day looks like.
What time you get up?
I usually get up about the time the birds start singing just before dawn
Do you take your time at the campsite, or pack up and go?
Depends on the weather it it was a dry night and no dew to deal with I will roll and go for an early start, most mornings there is dew on the tent and fly so I hang them up and let them dry. Make coffee and eat something and pack up while the tent and ground cloth is drying in the sun
Do you have breakfast, or just granola bar on the way?
I usually make some coffee and instant oatmeal or eat a left over bagel or what ever I got just to get going. Once on the road I stop at the first town and little café for a plate of pancakes and water and conversation
What do you normally do for lunch? Quick sandwich, or pub/restaurant?
Depends where I am at and how I feel sometimes I stop and get fruit and a sandwich or some bars I just want to keep fueled without getting stuffed
What time do you normally like to be at the next campsite?
Like to get there while it is still enough light to do camp chores like wash out bike cloths and get a shower or swim in a river to get cleaned up make dinner write in the journal look the bike over and just relax
What kind of camping spot you think is best for a cyclo-tourist?
I like a quiet out of the way spot
Do you take the panniers off and lock up your bikes, or just let your stuff sit there overnight?
Depends where I am at about the only time I locked my bike is at camp site so I don’t have to worry about every little noise at night some one is taking my ride. Some times I leave the bags on the bike most times I have them in the vestibule of the tent since the are usually empty my handle bar bag stays with me since it contains my important stuff
Just my way of doing things on the road
(I saw someone leave panniers on the bike, and I must admit I'm way too paranoid to do that).
Thanks a lot!
05-08-10 | 08:05 PM
#3
In Real Life
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 52,159
Likes: 774
From: Down under down under
Bikes: Lots
You've got to do what suits YOU. Just because someone here gets up at 5 am and hits the road by 5:15 am, and another person doesn't leave camp till 11 am, doesn't mean that you have to do either of those options.
Touring doesn't need to be that different from YOUR normal life, unless you really want it to be different.
What time do you usually get up to go to work? Do you like getting up then or would you rather sleep an extra hour or so? Are you the type of person who likes to linger over coffee and breakfast before going to work, or do you prefer to wait till you get to work before you have your coffee and breakfast? What do you do for lunch now? Do you bring sandwiches, or do you go out to cafes? When do you finish work? Do you like finishing work at that time? Would you prefer to finish work earlier and be able to do more with your evening?
My personal ideal in my working and touring life would be to sleep till about 8 am on the days I work (working life) or on the days we're packing up and moving on (touring life), and later on the days we're staying around that spot for a while. I'd like to arrive at work or leave the campsite somewhere between 8:30 and 9:00. I don't like lingering over coffee and breakfast so I'd prefer to pack up and hit the road without all of that, and then stop for breakfast an hour or so up the road. I bring sandwiches etc. to work most days, and on a tour, I prefer to buy the fixings for sandwiches at a shop rather than going to a cafe, although the occasional cafe meal is all right. In an ideal world I'd be finishing up my work day somewhere between 4 and 5 pm, and that's about when I'd like to arrive in a campsite.
On a cycling tour, I also like to stop and see stuff along the way rather than just riding, and riding, and riding. So for me, I've discovered that I prefer shorter daily distances.
But you might be quite different, and if you're travelling with someone, you and your partner will have to adjust your preferences.
As for bicycle security ... I used to be fairly relaxed and trusting about it. But no more. Not since Machak, my Marinoni Ciclo was stolen on Easter Sunday during a Hub-and-Spoke tour.
Touring doesn't need to be that different from YOUR normal life, unless you really want it to be different.
What time do you usually get up to go to work? Do you like getting up then or would you rather sleep an extra hour or so? Are you the type of person who likes to linger over coffee and breakfast before going to work, or do you prefer to wait till you get to work before you have your coffee and breakfast? What do you do for lunch now? Do you bring sandwiches, or do you go out to cafes? When do you finish work? Do you like finishing work at that time? Would you prefer to finish work earlier and be able to do more with your evening?
My personal ideal in my working and touring life would be to sleep till about 8 am on the days I work (working life) or on the days we're packing up and moving on (touring life), and later on the days we're staying around that spot for a while. I'd like to arrive at work or leave the campsite somewhere between 8:30 and 9:00. I don't like lingering over coffee and breakfast so I'd prefer to pack up and hit the road without all of that, and then stop for breakfast an hour or so up the road. I bring sandwiches etc. to work most days, and on a tour, I prefer to buy the fixings for sandwiches at a shop rather than going to a cafe, although the occasional cafe meal is all right. In an ideal world I'd be finishing up my work day somewhere between 4 and 5 pm, and that's about when I'd like to arrive in a campsite.
On a cycling tour, I also like to stop and see stuff along the way rather than just riding, and riding, and riding. So for me, I've discovered that I prefer shorter daily distances.
But you might be quite different, and if you're travelling with someone, you and your partner will have to adjust your preferences.
As for bicycle security ... I used to be fairly relaxed and trusting about it. But no more. Not since Machak, my Marinoni Ciclo was stolen on Easter Sunday during a Hub-and-Spoke tour.
__________________
Rowan
My fave photo threads on BF
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Rowan
My fave photo threads on BF
Century A Month Facebook Group
Machka's Website
Photo Gallery
05-08-10 | 08:31 PM
#4
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,766
Likes: 1
From: NE Tx
Bikes: Tour Easy, Linear USS, Lightening Thunderbolt, custom DF, Raleigh hybrid, Felt time trial
What time you get up?
Usually by daybreak, sometimes earlier.
Do you take your time at the campsite, or pack up and go?
Once up, I tend to move pretty fast. Start cooking breakfast and packing up. Cook, stir, pack, cook, stir, pack. It takes me about an hour to get on the road, less if I skip cooking breakfast.
Do you have breakfast, or just granola bar on the way?
I usually eat breakfast of coffee, oatmeal spiked with a Snickers bar, and a toasted bagel. Often a second breakfast a couple of hours later if a cafe or McD's shows up.
What do you normally do for lunch? Quick sandwich, or pub/restaurant?
Lunch is at a restaurant or fast food joint about half the time, food off the bike the other half.
What time do you normally like to be at the next campsite?
Couple hours before dark.
What kind of camping spot you think is best for a cyclo-tourist?
The best spot is anywhere you can get a good nights sleep. That can be under a highway bridge, behind a rural church, or in a formal camp ground. Mostly depends on the inclination and experience of the cyclist.
Do you take the panniers off and lock up your bikes, or just let your stuff sit there overnight? (I saw someone leave panniers on the bike, and I must admit I'm way too paranoid to do that).
Leave it on the bike most of the time. I lay the bike down near the tent.Really not much left in the panniers after everything is set up and the food is brought inside the tent.Most of my clothes are in a stuff sack that doubles as my pillow.
Usually by daybreak, sometimes earlier.
Do you take your time at the campsite, or pack up and go?
Once up, I tend to move pretty fast. Start cooking breakfast and packing up. Cook, stir, pack, cook, stir, pack. It takes me about an hour to get on the road, less if I skip cooking breakfast.
Do you have breakfast, or just granola bar on the way?
I usually eat breakfast of coffee, oatmeal spiked with a Snickers bar, and a toasted bagel. Often a second breakfast a couple of hours later if a cafe or McD's shows up.
What do you normally do for lunch? Quick sandwich, or pub/restaurant?
Lunch is at a restaurant or fast food joint about half the time, food off the bike the other half.
What time do you normally like to be at the next campsite?
Couple hours before dark.
What kind of camping spot you think is best for a cyclo-tourist?
The best spot is anywhere you can get a good nights sleep. That can be under a highway bridge, behind a rural church, or in a formal camp ground. Mostly depends on the inclination and experience of the cyclist.
Do you take the panniers off and lock up your bikes, or just let your stuff sit there overnight? (I saw someone leave panniers on the bike, and I must admit I'm way too paranoid to do that).
Leave it on the bike most of the time. I lay the bike down near the tent.Really not much left in the panniers after everything is set up and the food is brought inside the tent.Most of my clothes are in a stuff sack that doubles as my pillow.
05-08-10 | 08:52 PM
#5
Dumpster cyclist
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 272
Likes: 1
From: Durango, CO
I've been reading a lot here lately, and you guys have some great advice!
We've done some touring, but not a lot of camping, so any insight would be great.
I'd like to know how your touring day looks like.
What time you get up?
Do you take your time at the campsite, or pack up and go?
Do you have breakfast, or just granola bar on the way?
What do you normally do for lunch? Quick sandwich, or pub/restaurant?
What time do you normally like to be at the next campsite?
What kind of camping spot you think is best for a cyclo-tourist?
Do you take the panniers off and lock up your bikes, or just let your stuff sit there overnight? (I saw someone leave panniers on the bike, and I must admit I'm way too paranoid to do that).
Thanks a lot!
We've done some touring, but not a lot of camping, so any insight would be great.
I'd like to know how your touring day looks like.
What time you get up?
Do you take your time at the campsite, or pack up and go?
Do you have breakfast, or just granola bar on the way?
What do you normally do for lunch? Quick sandwich, or pub/restaurant?
What time do you normally like to be at the next campsite?
What kind of camping spot you think is best for a cyclo-tourist?
Do you take the panniers off and lock up your bikes, or just let your stuff sit there overnight? (I saw someone leave panniers on the bike, and I must admit I'm way too paranoid to do that).
Thanks a lot!
The truth is, my honest-to-god answer to every single one of those questions is "depends."
But to try and be more helpful then that:
What time you get up?
With the sun.
Do you take your time at the campsite, or pack up and go?
If we're somewhere cool, no reason to rush out.
Do you have breakfast, or just granola bar on the way?
If you can survive bike touring until lunch on a granola bar, you're either very strong willed and like suffering, or a robot. I like eating something substantial.
What do you normally do for lunch? Quick sandwich, or pub/restaurant?
I can't afford restaurants, but if you can, holy cow, eat your heart out!
What time do you normally like to be at the next campsite?
Either:
a) Before it's so dark you can't see.
b) After it's so dark the land owner can't see.
c) After I'm so drunk I can't see.
What kind of camping spot you think is best for a cyclo-tourist?
Flat. This is very, very important.
Do you take the panniers off and lock up your bikes, or just let your stuff sit there overnight?
I try not to end up anywhere where I'm worried my bike will get stolen. If someone stops on the side of the highway, bushwhacks to our campsite, and steals my bike and panniers, I'll start locking my (new) touring bike. Until then I guess I'm not worried.
Ok, so I wasn't very helpful. Those are honest answers though.
05-08-10 | 09:44 PM
#6
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 67
Likes: 0
From: Lago de Atitlan, Guatemala
What time you get up?
Normally around 6:30-7:00. It's a battle between wanting to get on the road early when the the day is fresh and not to hot and wanting to sleep in and let my body recover from the previous days ride
Do you take your time at the campsite, or pack up and go?
We seem to take around 1.5 hours to get going incl drying tent, good breakfast, cleaning up and packing panniers - it's amazing how long it seems to take us.
Do you have breakfast, or just granola bar on the way?
Breakfast is coffee and either porridge or some sort of cereal with milk.
What do you normally do for lunch? Quick sandwich, or pub/restaurant?
Quick sandwich, rarely is there somewhere to eat or it is junky fast food.
What time do you normally like to be at the next campsite?
We like to find a place so we have time to get setup cook and eat before it gets dark.
What kind of camping spot you think is best for a cyclo-tourist?
Quiet, tent pegs go in, safe.
Do you take the panniers off and lock up your bikes, or just let your stuff sit there overnight
If we are in a public camp ground or people know where we are camping they get locked up otherwise they get piled on top of each other next to the tent. Try and leave the panniers on, with the theory being that it speeds up departure times (but probably doesn't).
Normally around 6:30-7:00. It's a battle between wanting to get on the road early when the the day is fresh and not to hot and wanting to sleep in and let my body recover from the previous days ride
Do you take your time at the campsite, or pack up and go?
We seem to take around 1.5 hours to get going incl drying tent, good breakfast, cleaning up and packing panniers - it's amazing how long it seems to take us.
Do you have breakfast, or just granola bar on the way?
Breakfast is coffee and either porridge or some sort of cereal with milk.
What do you normally do for lunch? Quick sandwich, or pub/restaurant?
Quick sandwich, rarely is there somewhere to eat or it is junky fast food.
What time do you normally like to be at the next campsite?
We like to find a place so we have time to get setup cook and eat before it gets dark.
What kind of camping spot you think is best for a cyclo-tourist?
Quiet, tent pegs go in, safe.
Do you take the panniers off and lock up your bikes, or just let your stuff sit there overnight
If we are in a public camp ground or people know where we are camping they get locked up otherwise they get piled on top of each other next to the tent. Try and leave the panniers on, with the theory being that it speeds up departure times (but probably doesn't).
05-08-10 | 11:50 PM
#7
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 2,000
Likes: 3
From: Further North than U
Bikes: Spec Roubaix, three Fisher Montare, two Pugs
I get up whenever I wake up, whether that's by myself or from some noise. I rarely have any "rule", except for rain. When it's raining I avoid getting up as much as possible. Typically I get up, pee, and start water boiling. Then I roll up my sleeping back and pad and get most of my tent stuff packed up. By then water is boiling. I make coffee and oatmeal or whatever is on the menu for breakfast. If it's raining and there is food nearby I may eat out or stop at a grocery store. I get moving in the AM fairly efficiently and normally have a hot breakfast. Boiling water for coffee takes almost no time since I work while the water is boiling.
I rarely have a "lunch". It depends on whether I'm in an area where I can buy food. If I'm strictly camping, my lunch will be the same thing I snack on through the day - granola, nuts, dry fruit, energy bars. Whatever. You will find (most but not all people find) you can't stop mid day for a burger and fries. Long days of riding are all about snacking on balanced food all day. A stop for a huge meal is a disaster for most folks.
When I am in the lower 48 (I'm an Alaskan) I like to stop by about 4PM to make camp, make dinner, clean up, ride locally for fun, read and relax. In Alaska I pay no attention to any of this timing stuff. I ride till 3 AM....make dinner at 5AM...sleep till 3PM...whatever whenever.
The best spot for me is free stealth camping (nothing to it in Alaska, harder Outside) with a nice stream and blueberry patches with soft flat ground. As long as it's quiet and I am alone with no other campers anywhere near me I'm a happy camper. If I'm where other people are, I lock my bike and everything comes inside the tent or in the vestibule. Obviously if I'm hidden away I don't concern myself with that. In that case I probably keep my pannier and all food well away from my tent (bear issues). If there has been any rain on my previous day I clean an oil my chain and drivetrain. Every other day I wash and change my biking shorts. If I know water is a problem tomorrow I'll clean them "today".
I rarely have a "lunch". It depends on whether I'm in an area where I can buy food. If I'm strictly camping, my lunch will be the same thing I snack on through the day - granola, nuts, dry fruit, energy bars. Whatever. You will find (most but not all people find) you can't stop mid day for a burger and fries. Long days of riding are all about snacking on balanced food all day. A stop for a huge meal is a disaster for most folks.
When I am in the lower 48 (I'm an Alaskan) I like to stop by about 4PM to make camp, make dinner, clean up, ride locally for fun, read and relax. In Alaska I pay no attention to any of this timing stuff. I ride till 3 AM....make dinner at 5AM...sleep till 3PM...whatever whenever.
The best spot for me is free stealth camping (nothing to it in Alaska, harder Outside) with a nice stream and blueberry patches with soft flat ground. As long as it's quiet and I am alone with no other campers anywhere near me I'm a happy camper. If I'm where other people are, I lock my bike and everything comes inside the tent or in the vestibule. Obviously if I'm hidden away I don't concern myself with that. In that case I probably keep my pannier and all food well away from my tent (bear issues). If there has been any rain on my previous day I clean an oil my chain and drivetrain. Every other day I wash and change my biking shorts. If I know water is a problem tomorrow I'll clean them "today".
05-09-10 | 07:12 AM
#8
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 12,039
Likes: 828
From: Tallahassee, FL
Bikes: Several
What time you get up?
It varies. I tend toward getting up early, but there are days I sleep in a bit more. Some of my favorite riding is on the days I get up and on the road a couple hours before daylight. That said lounging around for a few hours in the tent on a rainy morning can be nice too.
Do you take your time at the campsite, or pack up and go?
If I am alone I generally pack and am on the road quickly after waking. When traveling with others, I wind up taking longer in camp.
Do you have breakfast, or just granola bar on the way?
Again it varies. Sometimes a granola bar or instant oatmeal in camp usually followed by a diner breakfast 10 or 20 miles later. Once in a while a big breakfast in camp, but that is not a very frequent choice for me.
What do you normally do for lunch? Quick sandwich, or pub/restaurant?
Again it depends. Often it is something cold by the side or the road. That might be peanut butter and bagels. It might be wraps with fresh veggies, freeze dried hummus, foil packed tuna or salmon, or whatever else might be available. Crackers and sharp cheese with some carrot sticks or something are good too.
What time do you normally like to be at the next campsite?
Again, as usual it varies. Pretty often I roll into camp in the early afternoon, but I also roll in after dark sometimes.
What kind of camping spot you think is best for a cyclo-tourist?
Best for the "cyclo-tourist" in general? I have no idea. I like to stay in small towns in the community park. I think staying with hosts is great. I have had a nice time staying in churches where they offered. Hiker bikers sites are nice too. I think that when it comes down to it, variety is part of what makes touring fun. The nights in a quiet town park checking out the local diner or cooking in camp, wandering along the banks of the river near the campsite looking at bison in Yellowstone, having dinner with the pastor and his wife when staying in a church hall, hanging out with a bunch of Harley riders on the 4th of July in a small town, and a bunch of others are a big part of what it is about for me.
Do you take the panniers off and lock up your bikes, or just let your stuff sit there overnight? (I saw someone leave panniers on the bike, and I must admit I'm way too paranoid to do that).
It depends to some degree where I am. I am way more lax in a remote rural town than I am in a city. My panniers almost always stay loaded and on my bike overnight though. I use a cable lock most of the time at night. My electronics and valuables are in my handlebar bag which goes with me where ever I go. Places where bears are likely to be a problem, one or more panniers may be in a bear box or hanging in a tree.
It varies. I tend toward getting up early, but there are days I sleep in a bit more. Some of my favorite riding is on the days I get up and on the road a couple hours before daylight. That said lounging around for a few hours in the tent on a rainy morning can be nice too.
Do you take your time at the campsite, or pack up and go?
If I am alone I generally pack and am on the road quickly after waking. When traveling with others, I wind up taking longer in camp.
Do you have breakfast, or just granola bar on the way?
Again it varies. Sometimes a granola bar or instant oatmeal in camp usually followed by a diner breakfast 10 or 20 miles later. Once in a while a big breakfast in camp, but that is not a very frequent choice for me.
What do you normally do for lunch? Quick sandwich, or pub/restaurant?
Again it depends. Often it is something cold by the side or the road. That might be peanut butter and bagels. It might be wraps with fresh veggies, freeze dried hummus, foil packed tuna or salmon, or whatever else might be available. Crackers and sharp cheese with some carrot sticks or something are good too.
What time do you normally like to be at the next campsite?
Again, as usual it varies. Pretty often I roll into camp in the early afternoon, but I also roll in after dark sometimes.
What kind of camping spot you think is best for a cyclo-tourist?
Best for the "cyclo-tourist" in general? I have no idea. I like to stay in small towns in the community park. I think staying with hosts is great. I have had a nice time staying in churches where they offered. Hiker bikers sites are nice too. I think that when it comes down to it, variety is part of what makes touring fun. The nights in a quiet town park checking out the local diner or cooking in camp, wandering along the banks of the river near the campsite looking at bison in Yellowstone, having dinner with the pastor and his wife when staying in a church hall, hanging out with a bunch of Harley riders on the 4th of July in a small town, and a bunch of others are a big part of what it is about for me.
Do you take the panniers off and lock up your bikes, or just let your stuff sit there overnight? (I saw someone leave panniers on the bike, and I must admit I'm way too paranoid to do that).
It depends to some degree where I am. I am way more lax in a remote rural town than I am in a city. My panniers almost always stay loaded and on my bike overnight though. I use a cable lock most of the time at night. My electronics and valuables are in my handlebar bag which goes with me where ever I go. Places where bears are likely to be a problem, one or more panniers may be in a bear box or hanging in a tree.
__________________
Pete in Tallahassee
Check out my profile, articles, and trip journals at:
https:/www.crazyguyonabike.com/staehpj1
Pete in Tallahassee
Check out my profile, articles, and trip journals at:
https:/www.crazyguyonabike.com/staehpj1
05-09-10 | 07:57 AM
#9
Senior Member
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 358
Likes: 0
I get up shortly after sunup. It's ironic, because at home I tend to be a late sleeper. I don't like bug spray, so I tend to zip myself into my tent around sundown. I read or write for a bit and I'm usually sleeping before dark (also way different from my non-touring days).
I usually tour solo, so once I'm up, I'm pack and leave pretty quickly. Some of the best riding is early morning before it gets hot or windy. The car traffic is lighter and more docile in the early morning. I look for breakfast along the road sometime during the first hour or so of my day. I look for local diners both breakfast and lunch. I avoid chain restaurants as much as possible. I can get those at home. I want to see the local places.
I decide the night before what my intended destination for the day will be. I prefer state parks or commercial campgrounds. I want bathrooms, a shower, and access to a sink for daily laundry. I'm equipped to deal with stealth camping if I must, but I don't like it and rarely camp that way. I tend to plan to arrive at a camp site in the mid to late afternoon. I usually cook my own dinner from something I've picked up at a store along the way or one of the dried meals I carry.
I stay pretty busy with cooking, cleaning, laundry, showering, and so on during the evening. I take some time to walk around the camp site and visit with other people I meet there if I can. I noticed a long time ago the most lasting memories of most of my solo trips were of the various people I met along the way. I make an effort to meet as many people as I can now.
Sometime around sundown, I zip into my tent to avoid mosquitoes and start planning my next day. The cycle repeats with variations as called for by the local circumstances.
I usually tour solo, so once I'm up, I'm pack and leave pretty quickly. Some of the best riding is early morning before it gets hot or windy. The car traffic is lighter and more docile in the early morning. I look for breakfast along the road sometime during the first hour or so of my day. I look for local diners both breakfast and lunch. I avoid chain restaurants as much as possible. I can get those at home. I want to see the local places.
I decide the night before what my intended destination for the day will be. I prefer state parks or commercial campgrounds. I want bathrooms, a shower, and access to a sink for daily laundry. I'm equipped to deal with stealth camping if I must, but I don't like it and rarely camp that way. I tend to plan to arrive at a camp site in the mid to late afternoon. I usually cook my own dinner from something I've picked up at a store along the way or one of the dried meals I carry.
I stay pretty busy with cooking, cleaning, laundry, showering, and so on during the evening. I take some time to walk around the camp site and visit with other people I meet there if I can. I noticed a long time ago the most lasting memories of most of my solo trips were of the various people I met along the way. I make an effort to meet as many people as I can now.
Sometime around sundown, I zip into my tent to avoid mosquitoes and start planning my next day. The cycle repeats with variations as called for by the local circumstances.
05-09-10 | 11:00 AM
#10
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 3,392
Likes: 2
From: Central Coast, CA
Bikes: Surly LHT, Specialized Rockhopper, Nashbar Touring (old), Specialized Stumpjumper (older), Nishiki Tourer (model unknown)
I tour for enjoyment. Each day is different and what I do depends on the mood I'm in. Being able to do what I want depending on my mood is part of what makes it enjoyable - no schedule, no deadline, etc.
What time you get up?
Whenever I feel like it. It kind of depends on the weather. If I think it's cold outside I'll stay in my sleeping bag, but my bladder usually gets me up.
Do you take your time at the campsite, or pack up and go?
I have to drink a cup of coffee or two, have first breakfast, and relax a bit before I'm ready to pack up and go.
Do you have breakfast, or just granola bar on the way?
I almost always have oatmeal for first breakfast. Occasionally I'll have a bagel with cream cheese. (I'm diabetic, so granola and other things are not an option.)
What do you normally do for lunch? Quick sandwich, or pub/restaurant?
I stop at a restaurant for a meal, or get a sandwich at a deli.
What time do you normally like to be at the next campsite?
It depends, but I like to get there fairly early to make sure I get a spot. Plus, I enjoy relaxing around the campsite. Touring isn't just about pedaling for me. Maybe 3:00?
What kind of camping spot you think is best for a cyclo-tourist?
A hiker/biker spot in a campground with showers.
Do you take the panniers off and lock up your bikes, or just let your stuff sit there overnight? (I saw someone leave panniers on the bike, and I must admit I'm way too paranoid to do that).
I take the panniers off and lay them by the tent. I lock my bike to a picnic table, tree, etc. at night - as close to my tent as possible.
What time you get up?
Whenever I feel like it. It kind of depends on the weather. If I think it's cold outside I'll stay in my sleeping bag, but my bladder usually gets me up.
Do you take your time at the campsite, or pack up and go?
I have to drink a cup of coffee or two, have first breakfast, and relax a bit before I'm ready to pack up and go.
Do you have breakfast, or just granola bar on the way?
I almost always have oatmeal for first breakfast. Occasionally I'll have a bagel with cream cheese. (I'm diabetic, so granola and other things are not an option.)
What do you normally do for lunch? Quick sandwich, or pub/restaurant?
I stop at a restaurant for a meal, or get a sandwich at a deli.
What time do you normally like to be at the next campsite?
It depends, but I like to get there fairly early to make sure I get a spot. Plus, I enjoy relaxing around the campsite. Touring isn't just about pedaling for me. Maybe 3:00?
What kind of camping spot you think is best for a cyclo-tourist?
A hiker/biker spot in a campground with showers.
Do you take the panniers off and lock up your bikes, or just let your stuff sit there overnight? (I saw someone leave panniers on the bike, and I must admit I'm way too paranoid to do that).
I take the panniers off and lay them by the tent. I lock my bike to a picnic table, tree, etc. at night - as close to my tent as possible.
05-09-10 | 11:10 AM
#11
Guest
Posts: n/a
What time you get up?
When I’m travelling I usually sleep really well and if I sleep in so be it! Once awake I’m not one to linger and I’ll eat a small breakfast, pack and hit the road.
Do you take your time at the campsite, or pack up and go?
Having once been a warehouse manager I tend to be an organized person and I can be on the road in a short period of time. I also stealth camp so it is important not to linger especially in a populated area or while on private land.
Do you have breakfast or just granola bar on the way?
It really depends, when I travel in my own country of Canada I will stop in a town café for “the breakfast special” which is the usual eggs, toast, hash browns and coffee - my morning coffee is really important to me.
What do you normally do for lunch? Quick sandwich or pub/restaurant?
I always stop in the afternoon for a big lunch which is my main meal of the day. My strategy is to shop while I am travelling and I will look for cheese, fruits, vegetables, fresh bread, a regional wine, beer or cider and then find a scenic location such as a river, a ruin, a park, a garden, a historic site etc and relax for a few hours and I may even have a siesta or read. It really depends on the weather!
What time do you normally like to be at the next campsite?
My strategy is to camp for 3 or 4 nights and stay at a guesthouse, hotel, motel or a youth hostel for a night or two. It also depends on how fatigued I am and the weather. If I am stealth camping I always start looking in the late afternoon for a great place to camp and if a great place does not materialize I will keep going until I find a safe location to camp or if I am visiting a town or city then I will look for a youth hostel or a hotel/motel for the night. I have been stuck without a safe place to stay on a few occasions and that sucks! I now work as a social worker in an emergency homeless shelter and when someone enters into my program, which caters to those who are intoxicated on drugs or alcohol or are barred from all other emergency shelters in the region, I always assure them that I will find them a place to sleep as I know what it is like to be stuck without a safe place to sleep.
What kind of camping spot you think is best for a cyclo-tourist?
One that is safe, quiet and clean.
Do you take the panniers off and lock up your bikes, or just let your stuff sit there overnight?
As mention I am organized so everything has a place in my tent or under my vestibule.
Great thread by the way,
Gordon p
When I’m travelling I usually sleep really well and if I sleep in so be it! Once awake I’m not one to linger and I’ll eat a small breakfast, pack and hit the road.
Do you take your time at the campsite, or pack up and go?
Having once been a warehouse manager I tend to be an organized person and I can be on the road in a short period of time. I also stealth camp so it is important not to linger especially in a populated area or while on private land.
Do you have breakfast or just granola bar on the way?
It really depends, when I travel in my own country of Canada I will stop in a town café for “the breakfast special” which is the usual eggs, toast, hash browns and coffee - my morning coffee is really important to me.
What do you normally do for lunch? Quick sandwich or pub/restaurant?
I always stop in the afternoon for a big lunch which is my main meal of the day. My strategy is to shop while I am travelling and I will look for cheese, fruits, vegetables, fresh bread, a regional wine, beer or cider and then find a scenic location such as a river, a ruin, a park, a garden, a historic site etc and relax for a few hours and I may even have a siesta or read. It really depends on the weather!
What time do you normally like to be at the next campsite?
My strategy is to camp for 3 or 4 nights and stay at a guesthouse, hotel, motel or a youth hostel for a night or two. It also depends on how fatigued I am and the weather. If I am stealth camping I always start looking in the late afternoon for a great place to camp and if a great place does not materialize I will keep going until I find a safe location to camp or if I am visiting a town or city then I will look for a youth hostel or a hotel/motel for the night. I have been stuck without a safe place to stay on a few occasions and that sucks! I now work as a social worker in an emergency homeless shelter and when someone enters into my program, which caters to those who are intoxicated on drugs or alcohol or are barred from all other emergency shelters in the region, I always assure them that I will find them a place to sleep as I know what it is like to be stuck without a safe place to sleep.
What kind of camping spot you think is best for a cyclo-tourist?
One that is safe, quiet and clean.
Do you take the panniers off and lock up your bikes, or just let your stuff sit there overnight?
As mention I am organized so everything has a place in my tent or under my vestibule.
Great thread by the way,
Gordon p
05-09-10 | 11:25 AM
#12
aka Timi
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 3,611
Likes: 327
From: Gothenburg, Sweden
Bikes: Bianchi Lupo & Bianchi Volpe Disc: touring. Bianchi Volpe: commuting
[QUOTE=Weasel9;10784457]
What time do you normally like to be at the next campsite?
Either:
a) Before it's so dark you can't see.
b) After it's so dark the land owner can't see.
c) After I'm so drunk I can't see.
WAAAAHHHHH!!!!!!!
What time do you normally like to be at the next campsite?
Either:
a) Before it's so dark you can't see.
b) After it's so dark the land owner can't see.
c) After I'm so drunk I can't see.
WAAAAHHHHH!!!!!!!
05-09-10 | 12:00 PM
#13
bicycle tourist
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 2,641
Likes: 471
From: Austin, Texas, USA
Bikes: Trek 520, Lightfoot Ranger, Trek 4500
I think you'll find some variety here. I'm enough of a softy that despite carrying a tent with me, I'll also stay in motel a moderate amount of the time. However, there aren't always motels and so I'll also camp.
> What time you get up?
At US latitudes, I'll get up perhaps a little before sunrise and try to get on the road early. In fall or winter, I'll try to be on the road at first light. At further north latitudes, the sun might be up earlier but ~5am is early enough for me. The general idea is to get some early cycling in.
> Do you take your time at the campsite, or pack up and go?
Pack up and go. I can do that pretty quickly.
> Do you have breakfast, or just granola bar on the way?
I'll eat something no-cook at camp but wait 20-35 miles before having a real breakfast.
> What do you normally do for lunch? Quick sandwich, or pub/restaurant?
Restaurant at least 50% of the time.
> What time do you normally like to be at the next campsite?
I like to get in mid-afternoon. It also depends some on the trip. In a winter trip, it might be more like a 6:30am-5:00pm day including stops but in summer it might be closer to 5:30-3:00pm. That will vary some if there isn't a good spot to stay and I'll ride some extra. Similarly if I find a good spot at 1pm, I might just make it an earlier day.
> What kind of camping spot you think is best for a cyclo-tourist?
I'll do a little of everything. State parks are fine. Places that are too crowded with yahoos drinking and making noise through the night are not. Camping along the road not in official campsites is fine. A good motel is fine too. It also depends on the area. For example, I cycled one lap around Australia. In the outback I might camp not too far from where some caravans had an overnight pull-off sometimes and sometimes out in middle of nowhere. I also cycled across Russia. There we typically fetched water somewhere and then cycled ~10km to be away from any local villages. There wasn't a notion of campgrounds, but more pulling off the road and camping. The big trick in some spots was finding a place where ground was dry and not marshy.
> Do you take the panniers off and lock up your bikes, or just let your stuff sit there overnight? (I saw someone leave panniers on the bike, and I must admit I'm way too paranoid to do that).
Depends. Last night I made a short overnight trip to a nearby state park. Left panniers on the bike. Other times, I'll put them in the vestibule of my tent.
There is no right answer to these questions as much as different styles and preferences from different folks.
> What time you get up?
At US latitudes, I'll get up perhaps a little before sunrise and try to get on the road early. In fall or winter, I'll try to be on the road at first light. At further north latitudes, the sun might be up earlier but ~5am is early enough for me. The general idea is to get some early cycling in.
> Do you take your time at the campsite, or pack up and go?
Pack up and go. I can do that pretty quickly.
> Do you have breakfast, or just granola bar on the way?
I'll eat something no-cook at camp but wait 20-35 miles before having a real breakfast.
> What do you normally do for lunch? Quick sandwich, or pub/restaurant?
Restaurant at least 50% of the time.
> What time do you normally like to be at the next campsite?
I like to get in mid-afternoon. It also depends some on the trip. In a winter trip, it might be more like a 6:30am-5:00pm day including stops but in summer it might be closer to 5:30-3:00pm. That will vary some if there isn't a good spot to stay and I'll ride some extra. Similarly if I find a good spot at 1pm, I might just make it an earlier day.
> What kind of camping spot you think is best for a cyclo-tourist?
I'll do a little of everything. State parks are fine. Places that are too crowded with yahoos drinking and making noise through the night are not. Camping along the road not in official campsites is fine. A good motel is fine too. It also depends on the area. For example, I cycled one lap around Australia. In the outback I might camp not too far from where some caravans had an overnight pull-off sometimes and sometimes out in middle of nowhere. I also cycled across Russia. There we typically fetched water somewhere and then cycled ~10km to be away from any local villages. There wasn't a notion of campgrounds, but more pulling off the road and camping. The big trick in some spots was finding a place where ground was dry and not marshy.
> Do you take the panniers off and lock up your bikes, or just let your stuff sit there overnight? (I saw someone leave panniers on the bike, and I must admit I'm way too paranoid to do that).
Depends. Last night I made a short overnight trip to a nearby state park. Left panniers on the bike. Other times, I'll put them in the vestibule of my tent.
There is no right answer to these questions as much as different styles and preferences from different folks.
05-09-10 | 02:39 PM
#14
family on bikes
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 2,376
Likes: 1
From: on my bike between North and South
Bikes: which one?
It varies soooo much depending on the circumstances. I think the best thing is to simply load up the bike and go - the details like this will follow. But - I've answered the questions below.
What time you get up?
That depends. If it is blazing hot (think Central America) or the headwinds pick up in the afternoon (think Peruvian coast) or if we have lots of miles we have to make (think Alaska Highway), then we get up 1 or 2 hours before daylight so that we can be on the road at first light. On the other hand, if it is cold (think Wyoming in October), then we sleep in tucked away in our warm down sleeping bags until late and plan on hitting the road at 10 or 11 once it has warmed up a bit.
Do you take your time at the campsite, or pack up and go?
We don't really piddle, but we don't hurry either. If we are rushed for whatever reason, we can be on the road in 45 minutes. If we do it normally, it takes us 1.5 hours.
Do you have breakfast, or just granola bar on the way?
That depends on where are too. If we need to make miles in the mornig (due to heat or headwinds - see above) then we try to eat breakfast before we take off. If there is no problem with time, then we will grab a quick granola bar before we set off and plan on riding an hour or two before stopping for breakfast.
What do you normally do for lunch? Quick sandwich, or pub/restaurant?
Depends on the situation. In Peru (and the rest of Central and South America) we would like to stop at a restaurant for lunch, but there are many days when there are no restaurants along the way - then we need to ride to get into town in order to find food. I always make sure I have plenty of food with me to get us through the day just in case there are no restaurants. In the USA and Canada where restaurants are very expensive, we stop at a grocery store and pick up sandwich stuff or something like that.
What time do you normally like to be at the next campsite?
We prefer getting off the bikes early - think noon or so. But there are plenty of days when that doesn't happen for one reason or the other.
What kind of camping spot you think is best for a cyclo-tourist?
that depends on what you want/need. If you want a shower every night, then getting to an official campsite is something you;ll need to strive for. If you are OK with bathing in rivers or lakes or the McDonald's bathroom, then you can wild camp back in the woods someplace.
Do you take the panniers off and lock up your bikes, or just let your stuff sit there overnight? (I saw someone leave panniers on the bike, and I must admit I'm way too paranoid to do that).
We leave most of our panniers on the bikes, but take off the ones with critical stuff. We prop the bikes together in a bunch right outside the tent and then cover the whole mess with a great big blue plastic tarp. My husband is a very light sleeper so would wake up if someone started trying to get into the bikes.
What time you get up?
That depends. If it is blazing hot (think Central America) or the headwinds pick up in the afternoon (think Peruvian coast) or if we have lots of miles we have to make (think Alaska Highway), then we get up 1 or 2 hours before daylight so that we can be on the road at first light. On the other hand, if it is cold (think Wyoming in October), then we sleep in tucked away in our warm down sleeping bags until late and plan on hitting the road at 10 or 11 once it has warmed up a bit.
Do you take your time at the campsite, or pack up and go?
We don't really piddle, but we don't hurry either. If we are rushed for whatever reason, we can be on the road in 45 minutes. If we do it normally, it takes us 1.5 hours.
Do you have breakfast, or just granola bar on the way?
That depends on where are too. If we need to make miles in the mornig (due to heat or headwinds - see above) then we try to eat breakfast before we take off. If there is no problem with time, then we will grab a quick granola bar before we set off and plan on riding an hour or two before stopping for breakfast.
What do you normally do for lunch? Quick sandwich, or pub/restaurant?
Depends on the situation. In Peru (and the rest of Central and South America) we would like to stop at a restaurant for lunch, but there are many days when there are no restaurants along the way - then we need to ride to get into town in order to find food. I always make sure I have plenty of food with me to get us through the day just in case there are no restaurants. In the USA and Canada where restaurants are very expensive, we stop at a grocery store and pick up sandwich stuff or something like that.
What time do you normally like to be at the next campsite?
We prefer getting off the bikes early - think noon or so. But there are plenty of days when that doesn't happen for one reason or the other.
What kind of camping spot you think is best for a cyclo-tourist?
that depends on what you want/need. If you want a shower every night, then getting to an official campsite is something you;ll need to strive for. If you are OK with bathing in rivers or lakes or the McDonald's bathroom, then you can wild camp back in the woods someplace.
Do you take the panniers off and lock up your bikes, or just let your stuff sit there overnight? (I saw someone leave panniers on the bike, and I must admit I'm way too paranoid to do that).
We leave most of our panniers on the bikes, but take off the ones with critical stuff. We prop the bikes together in a bunch right outside the tent and then cover the whole mess with a great big blue plastic tarp. My husband is a very light sleeper so would wake up if someone started trying to get into the bikes.
05-09-10 | 03:01 PM
#15
Used to be fast
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 580
Likes: 0
From: So Cal
Bikes: 85 Specialized Expedition, 07 Motobecane Immortal Spirit built up with Dura ace and Mavic Ksyriums, '85 Bianchi Track Bike, '90 Fisher Procaliber, '96 Landshark TwinDirt Shark Tandem, '88 Curtlo
What time do you get up?
When I do. Tends to be much earlier when camping than when in a hotel room.
Do you take your time at the campsite, or pack up and go?
I try to get going in a reasonable amount of time, but I am a dawdler and usually take longer than I expect too.
Do you have breakfast, or just granola bar on the way?
I don't like to eat right after I get up in the morning, but I may have some tea or coffee. I will eat later down the road somewhere. I love a good diner.
What do you normally do for lunch? Quick sandwich, or pub/restaurant?
I'll eat about anything for lunch. Whatever strikes me when I get hungry. I am in no way a health food nazi, so Ill eat whatever looks good. I'm partial to divey places, local foods, beers, wines etc.
What time do you normally like to be at the next campsite?
When I get there. I try to set up my day to be where I need to be before dark. I tend to stop when things interest me, so I usually have a couple of possible destinations in case I spend too much time checking things out.
What kind of camping spot you think is best for a cyclo-tourist?
I like campgrounds, but anywhere in a pinch. The possibilities are endless.
Do you take the panniers off and lock up your bikes, or just let your stuff sit there overnight? (I saw someone leave panniers on the bike, and I must admit I'm way too paranoid to do that).
I leave them on unless it's an urban setting where the bike will sit for a long period unattended.
When I do. Tends to be much earlier when camping than when in a hotel room.
Do you take your time at the campsite, or pack up and go?
I try to get going in a reasonable amount of time, but I am a dawdler and usually take longer than I expect too.
Do you have breakfast, or just granola bar on the way?
I don't like to eat right after I get up in the morning, but I may have some tea or coffee. I will eat later down the road somewhere. I love a good diner.
What do you normally do for lunch? Quick sandwich, or pub/restaurant?
I'll eat about anything for lunch. Whatever strikes me when I get hungry. I am in no way a health food nazi, so Ill eat whatever looks good. I'm partial to divey places, local foods, beers, wines etc.
What time do you normally like to be at the next campsite?
When I get there. I try to set up my day to be where I need to be before dark. I tend to stop when things interest me, so I usually have a couple of possible destinations in case I spend too much time checking things out.
What kind of camping spot you think is best for a cyclo-tourist?
I like campgrounds, but anywhere in a pinch. The possibilities are endless.
Do you take the panniers off and lock up your bikes, or just let your stuff sit there overnight? (I saw someone leave panniers on the bike, and I must admit I'm way too paranoid to do that).
I leave them on unless it's an urban setting where the bike will sit for a long period unattended.
05-10-10 | 09:25 AM
#16
Velocipedic Practitioner
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 488
Likes: 0
From: North Carolina
Bikes: Specialized Sirrus, Bianchi Volpe, Trek 5000, Santana Arriva tandem, Pashley Sovereign, among others
See below:
I've been reading a lot here lately, and you guys have some great advice!
We've done some touring, but not a lot of camping, so any insight would be great.
I'd like to know how your touring day looks like.
What time you get up?
Varies. Often depends on how many hills I rode up the previous day or weather conditions. If it promises to be a very hot day, I may try to get an earlier start. Also depends on how far I anticipate riding that day.
Do you take your time at the campsite, or pack up and go? Usually pack and go, but may depend on what departure prep I need to do such as wiping down tent fly or graciously saying thank you and good bye to the nice retired couple that invited me over for a hot breakfast before leaving.
Do you have breakfast, or just granola bar on the way? Usually stop shortly after getting started for a good, hearty, man breakfast .
What do you normally do for lunch? Quick sandwich, or pub/restaurant?Generally something light, if anything at all. Maybe a hot dog at a convenience store or something. Usually the man breakfast is enough to get me through.
What time do you normally like to be at the next campsite? I try to arrive in the early afternoon. This allows me ample daylight to set up, clean up and explore a little. Also, it betters my odds of getting there before the campground fills up, particularly during holiday periods.
What kind of camping spot you think is best for a cyclo-tourist?In developed campgrounds on a shady, not too far from potable water site, far away from large RV's with loud generators to run their electric thingies. In summer I prefer quiet state park campgrounds. In winter I prefer private commercial campgrounds because they are more likely to have a tv room or somewhere else warm where I can hang out when it gets dark early.
Do you take the panniers off and lock up your bikes, or just let your stuff sit there overnight? (I saw someone leave panniers on the bike, and I must admit I'm way too paranoid to do that).I almost always take the panniers off the bike and put them in the tent. At least they're out of sight, though there's really nothing in them that anybody should want.
Thanks a lot!
We've done some touring, but not a lot of camping, so any insight would be great.
I'd like to know how your touring day looks like.
What time you get up?
Varies. Often depends on how many hills I rode up the previous day or weather conditions. If it promises to be a very hot day, I may try to get an earlier start. Also depends on how far I anticipate riding that day.
Do you take your time at the campsite, or pack up and go? Usually pack and go, but may depend on what departure prep I need to do such as wiping down tent fly or graciously saying thank you and good bye to the nice retired couple that invited me over for a hot breakfast before leaving.
Do you have breakfast, or just granola bar on the way? Usually stop shortly after getting started for a good, hearty, man breakfast .
What do you normally do for lunch? Quick sandwich, or pub/restaurant?Generally something light, if anything at all. Maybe a hot dog at a convenience store or something. Usually the man breakfast is enough to get me through.
What time do you normally like to be at the next campsite? I try to arrive in the early afternoon. This allows me ample daylight to set up, clean up and explore a little. Also, it betters my odds of getting there before the campground fills up, particularly during holiday periods.
What kind of camping spot you think is best for a cyclo-tourist?In developed campgrounds on a shady, not too far from potable water site, far away from large RV's with loud generators to run their electric thingies. In summer I prefer quiet state park campgrounds. In winter I prefer private commercial campgrounds because they are more likely to have a tv room or somewhere else warm where I can hang out when it gets dark early.
Do you take the panniers off and lock up your bikes, or just let your stuff sit there overnight? (I saw someone leave panniers on the bike, and I must admit I'm way too paranoid to do that).I almost always take the panniers off the bike and put them in the tent. At least they're out of sight, though there's really nothing in them that anybody should want.
Thanks a lot!
05-10-10 | 10:40 AM
#17
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 3,741
Likes: 17
From: Gaseous Cloud around Uranus
I wake up before sunrise and make hot chocolate w/ mini marshmellows of coarse.While the waters boiling,I packup.If the tents wet,I'll hang for half hour until it's dry,pack and get water,leave.
I have gorp for breakfast most of the time.I'll stop for lunch somewhere if it look interesting.I make dinner everynight.
Panniers stay in the tent vestibule,bike covered and locked next to the tent.Sometimes locked onto the tent depending on how I feel about the place.
I get to the next place to camp when I get there.Hopefully before sundown.
Campgrounds with showers are nice but are not always around,at least where I ride.So I take what I can get.Middle of the desert is fine by me.
I have gorp for breakfast most of the time.I'll stop for lunch somewhere if it look interesting.I make dinner everynight.
Panniers stay in the tent vestibule,bike covered and locked next to the tent.Sometimes locked onto the tent depending on how I feel about the place.
I get to the next place to camp when I get there.Hopefully before sundown.
Campgrounds with showers are nice but are not always around,at least where I ride.So I take what I can get.Middle of the desert is fine by me.
05-10-10 | 05:52 PM
#18
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,720
Likes: 0
From: Canada
I can see that we need to work on our getting up and ready part. For some reason it takes us forever to get ready to go. We also like to stop here and there, take photos etc, and then we're in mad panic to get to campsite before sundown. We have lights, but prefer not to ride after dark, if possible. Gotta watch out for those drunk cyclists...
I appreciate all the replies, thanks!
05-11-10 | 06:18 AM
#19
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 464
Likes: 0
From: Toronto
What time you get up?
6:00
Do you take your time at the campsite, or pack up and go?
I have breakfast, pack up, and am on the road by 8:00.
Do you have breakfast, or just granola bar on the way?
I have instant oatmeal and a bagel with cashew butter.
What do you normally do for lunch? Quick sandwich, or pub/restaurant?
I have a bagel with cashew butter and an apple.
What time do you normally like to be at the next campsite?
6:00
What kind of camping spot you think is best for a cyclo-tourist?
Whatever campsite that is located at where I want to end up for the day.
Do you take the panniers off and lock up your bikes, or just let your stuff sit there overnight?
I take my panniers off and throw them in the tent. I lock my bike to the picnic table.
6:00
Do you take your time at the campsite, or pack up and go?
I have breakfast, pack up, and am on the road by 8:00.
Do you have breakfast, or just granola bar on the way?
I have instant oatmeal and a bagel with cashew butter.
What do you normally do for lunch? Quick sandwich, or pub/restaurant?
I have a bagel with cashew butter and an apple.
What time do you normally like to be at the next campsite?
6:00
What kind of camping spot you think is best for a cyclo-tourist?
Whatever campsite that is located at where I want to end up for the day.
Do you take the panniers off and lock up your bikes, or just let your stuff sit there overnight?
I take my panniers off and throw them in the tent. I lock my bike to the picnic table.
05-11-10 | 11:54 AM
#20
Senior Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,798
Likes: 1
From: Highland Park, NJ, USA
Bikes: "Hildy", a Novara Randonee touring bike; a 16-speed Bike Friday Tikit; and a Specialized Stumpjumper frame-based built-up MTB, now serving as the kid-carrier, grocery-getter.
What time you get up?
around 6am, usually before the alarm goes off.
Do you take your time at the campsite, or pack up and go?
I take a bit over an hour to shower and break camp.
Do you have breakfast, or just granola bar on the way?
I'll usually have a little something at the site, enough to get me to my "second breakfast". I try to limit restaurants on tour, but breakfast and coffee in a diner is usually pretty cheap.
What do you normally do for lunch? Quick sandwich, or pub/restaurant?
See above about restaurants. I usually pack fake or real deli and dried fruit.
What time do you normally like to be at the next campsite?
With enough time to have the tent set up before sunset.
What kind of camping spot you think is best for a cyclo-tourist?
I'm partial to campsites with other people, but not so many that I'll be hearing RV generators and beer parties all night.
Do you take the panniers off and lock up your bikes, or just let your stuff sit there overnight? (I saw someone leave panniers on the bike, and I must admit I'm way too paranoid to do that).
I usually take one pannier's worth of stuff into the tent and leave everything else outside. I used to lock the bike to a tree or the picnic table, but I stopped doing that.
around 6am, usually before the alarm goes off.
Do you take your time at the campsite, or pack up and go?
I take a bit over an hour to shower and break camp.
Do you have breakfast, or just granola bar on the way?
I'll usually have a little something at the site, enough to get me to my "second breakfast". I try to limit restaurants on tour, but breakfast and coffee in a diner is usually pretty cheap.
What do you normally do for lunch? Quick sandwich, or pub/restaurant?
See above about restaurants. I usually pack fake or real deli and dried fruit.
What time do you normally like to be at the next campsite?
With enough time to have the tent set up before sunset.
What kind of camping spot you think is best for a cyclo-tourist?
I'm partial to campsites with other people, but not so many that I'll be hearing RV generators and beer parties all night.
Do you take the panniers off and lock up your bikes, or just let your stuff sit there overnight? (I saw someone leave panniers on the bike, and I must admit I'm way too paranoid to do that).
I usually take one pannier's worth of stuff into the tent and leave everything else outside. I used to lock the bike to a tree or the picnic table, but I stopped doing that.
__________________
Tour Journals, Blog, ride pix
My bands:
Tour Journals, Blog, ride pix
My bands:
- Uke On! - ukulele duo - Videos
- Ukulele Abyss - ukulele cover videos - Videos
- Baroque and Hungry's (Celtic fusion) full-length studio album Mended.
- Artistic Differences - 8-track EP Dreams of Bile and Blood.
05-17-10 | 11:00 AM
#21
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 2,000
Likes: 3
From: Further North than U
Bikes: Spec Roubaix, three Fisher Montare, two Pugs
I'll share a fun story here. My wife and I rode from Port Angeles (top of WA) to Napa CA. On our first night camping we began to set up our camp as it was approaching night. We were a bit late and had water starting to boil and I said "****. **** **** **** !" My wife asked what was up. I said we forgot something and made her guess what it was. She could not think of a single thing we could have forgotten. We had our list checked a dozen times. We live in Alaska. In Summer it is light 24/7. We didn't bring a flashlight of any kind. That was a long, dark night. No reading...just sitting around in the dark. We got some lights the next day.
