Bike Camping For The First TIme
This post almost could have been titled “Camping For The First Time” as neither of us have really camped much before. One time each in our adult lives to be exact. Me with a group of friends prior to marrying Nova and Nova several years ago when she hiked the Grand Canyon.
We’ve been accumulating most of the gear for bike camping for a month or so with no plans when we were going to use it. Thursday, after a spur of the moment decision, a quick trip to Walmart for more gear, and packing our new gear, we were off. It was about 3:00pm and the temperature in the mid 90s. Our destination was a lake 20 miles from home. I’ll let the video and photos tell the rest of the story.
Details on what we brought/carried after the video and photos below.
The bikes…
I rode my old Specialized hybrid and Nova her new Salsa Journeyman.
How we carried our gear…
We carried everything we needed in our rear panniers and on my rear rack.
I used my old Nashbar panniers that I’ve had for 28 years or so. Nova got her a new set of Vaude panniers. I also brought along my messenger bag that I carry on a daily basis when riding but I didn’t need to. It contains a variety of things including tools and spare tube but I was also carrying these things in my pannier.
Our gear…
Sleeping…
Our tent is a REI Passage 2 with rain fly and foot print.
My sleeping mat an REI Co-op Stratus Insulated Air Sleeping Pad.
Nova’s sleeping mat a self inflatable from Airlite 100 Series Air Chamber Pad from Fox Outfitters.
We each had a sleeping bag liner.
Nova had a small packable pillow from the one other time she camped and I took a small travel pillow that my Mother made me.
Cooking…
Biowow Camping Hiking Stove and Camping Pot Backpacking Cookware Set
Ozark Trail plastic mess kit for 2 which included 2 plates, 2 collapsible cups and 2 ea. fork spoon and knife. We didn’t bring the cups.
A collapsible coffee pour over cone thing and coffee filters.
2 plastic cups.
Food…
Supper was a packaged rice dish from Knorr’s to which I added some canned veggies and flour tortillas. Breakfast for me was peanut butter on a flour tortilla. Nova had a packaged fruit and nuts mix. Ground coffee. 2 water bottles each and the campground had water.
Clothing…
In addition to what we wore on the ride out, we each took a change of clothes for the ride home (all of it quick dry). We also each brought shorts and t-shirt to sleep in and flip flops to shower and walk around camp in.
Hygiene…
Nova brought a microfiber towel she already had and I brought a small hand towel.
Toothpaste and tooth brush.
Hotel shampoo and body soap.
Other…
Camera, phones, battery charger, bike tools, patch kit, spare tubes and a pump.
Please comment below with any tips or suggestions you have or with what you carry.
You are my hero’s..great to do something like that and survive and how well did you sleep? Lived in a travel trailer and motor home for several years ..never did make camping in tent…Great to here of your trip….
Thanks Cecil. Hardly slept at all but still anxious to do it again. We’ve often thought it would be nice to hit the road in a van or small rv.
When I’m on a bike tour I would sleep outside in that area you ended the video. It’s always cooler outside of the tent. The last three tours however, I only used the tent on perfect nights. Otherwise, we would get a cheap motel.
As for the packing thing. Click the link to read about a slow learner.
https://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/?o=1mr&doc_id=16084&v=65#416300
Thanks John for the input. Enjoyed reading the write up on your tour. BTW I’m a retired AT&T tech.