bicycle camping

Helen Deborah Vecht wrote in message
<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Peter Clinch <[email hidden]>typed

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

It's nice to take off your cycling shoes at the end of a long ride ...
but not enough to warrant carrying anything as heavy as trainers.

Quoted message said:

If it's a grassy campsite, why do you need anything?

To keep dog poo off your toes?

Last time I pitched a tent after a long day's ride, it was a very hot day,
and I joyfully removed my bike shoes. There was broken glass embedded in the
grass where I was camping, and I cut myself. Nothing like facing 90 miles
the next day with a bloody gash in your foot.

People who drink beer and then smash the bottles, feh.

--
Warm Regards,

Claire Petersky
Personal page: http://www.geocities.com/cpetersky/
See the books I've set free at:
http://bookcrossing.com/referr­al/Cpetersky

"C.J.Patten" (clip) I'm thinking along the lines of taking a few weeks and
cycling out of town, stopping at various campsites along the route.
Thoughts?
^^^^^^^^^^^^
After reading all the posts about tents, their bulk and weight, and the
discussion about trailers, I started visualizing a tent that uses the bike
for support (in place of poles, or a trailer that converts to a tent. Well,
i9t looks like someone is 3way ahead of me. Check this website:
www.topeak.com

BTW, I got the website off the blister pack of one of their products that is
really neat: A thing called "Bar'nMirror." It is a pair of clamp-on bar
ends like are usually used on mountain bars, for climbing, or for an
alternate hand position. What's unusual and clever is that each one
contains a slender rear view mirror that folds out when you need it, and
folds away for protection the rest of the time. (I have no connection with
the company.)

"Leo Lichtman" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

After reading all the posts about tents, their bulk and weight, and the
discussion about trailers, I started visualizing a tent that uses the bike
for support (in place of poles, or a trailer that converts to a tent.
Well, i9t looks like someone is 3way ahead of me. Check this website:
www.topeak.com

That IS a pretty cool tent... (too bad I only have 20" wheels... 😉
I've seen a couple of others that use the bike as a support mechanism - more
like an anchor - you attach several guy wires to the bike.

Biggest advantage as I see it: you'll be awakened if someone's messing with
your bike while you sleep.

My HammerHead 3, while being 8lbs and HUGE, has big enough alcoves that I
can put my bike "indoors" at night.

It may seem nuts to bring such a big tent while bike camping, but it's also
good for 2 people so I could divide gear between two bikers.

Quoted message said:

BTW, I got the website off the blister pack of one of their products that
is really neat: A thing called "Bar'nMirror." It is a pair of clamp-on
bar ends like are usually used on mountain bars, for climbing, or for an
alternate hand position. What's unusual and clever is that each one
contains a slender rear view mirror that folds out when you need it, and
folds away for protection the rest of the time. (I have no connection
with the company.)

That is cool. Thanks for the link! Hadn't seen it before. Lots of cool stuff
there.

Chris

"C.J.Patten" wrote: That IS a pretty cool tent... (too bad I only have 20"
wheels... 😉 (clip)
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
I just reread the description on the website, and I can't find why you feel
that 20" wheels would be a problem. It looks to me like the tent is
supported by the handlebars. What am I missing?

"Leo Lichtman" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"C.J.Patten" wrote: That IS a pretty cool tent... (too bad I only have
20" wheels... 😉 (clip)
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
I just reread the description on the website, and I can't find why you
feel that 20" wheels would be a problem. It looks to me like the tent is
supported by the handlebars. What am I missing?

OH! I though the front wheel was being used structurally to create the
circular end of the tent - opposite the end where the bike is. Maybe that's
not the case...

"C.J.Patten" wrote: OH! I though the front wheel was being used
structurally to create the circular end of the tent - opposite the end
where the bike is. Maybe that's not the case...
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
It's pretty hard to be sure about the size of things in the illustration,
but it looks to me like the tent is hooked on the seat at the far end. And
it looks like the top of the tent is fairly level, or sloping slightly
upward to the near end. So, that circular profile would have to be much
bigger than a wheel. Actually, it looks like the circle is a zipper--the
end of the tent is shaped like an arch. so I am guessing that there is a bow
holding that end in shape.

"C.J.Patten" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"Leo Lichtman" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

After reading all the posts about tents, their bulk and weight, and the
discussion about trailers, I started visualizing a tent that uses the

bike

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

for support (in place of poles, or a trailer that converts to a tent.
Well, i9t looks like someone is 3way ahead of me. Check this website:
www.topeak.com

That IS a pretty cool tent... (too bad I only have 20" wheels... 😉
I've seen a couple of others that use the bike as a support mechanism -

more

Quoted message said:

like an anchor - you attach several guy wires to the bike.

Biggest advantage as I see it: you'll be awakened if someone's messing

with

Quoted message said:

your bike while you sleep.

Chris

Biggest disadvantage:

What do you do when you have pitched your tent, then find you want to cycle
to the shop/pub/whatever?
Jo

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

2.1 Kg was the headline weight for the Argos Pro Action according to the
gang at u.r.walking.

I weighed mine this morning. On the Argos site they advertise it as
1.5kg. I took out the spare poles and swapped the metal pegs for
plastic ones, so mine weighs exactly 1210g.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

The Tikka I mentioned is LED, and very light and small.

Sounds good - I'll look at getting one for my next trip.

Leo Lichtman said:

After reading all the posts about tents, their bulk and weight, and the
discussion about trailers, I started visualizing a tent that uses the bike
for support (in place of poles, or a trailer that converts to a tent. Well,
i9t looks like someone is 3way ahead of me. Check this website:
www.topeak.com

There was a link to a more elaborate Dutch one I saw recently, though I
think that was a prototype. But both seem to suffer from going far
enough out of their way to use the bike or trailer that you're not
really any better off than you would be with a good lightweight tent
that isn't compromised by having to incorporate a bike.

How much weight do you save on poles? Look at the pole in a good single
hoop like a Spacepacker or an Akto and the answer is "not very much",
and you can use those without a bike. In fact, an Akto weighs a little
/less/ than the Topeak, and will be quite a bit more stormproof.

I am struck that this is a case of a solution for a non-problem that
ends up inferior to existing alternatives because it's too focused on
using a bike for a support rather than just Being A Good Tent.

Pete.
--
Peter Clinch Medical Physics IT Officer
Tel 44 1382 660111 ext. 33637 Univ. of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital
Fax 44 1382 640177 Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK
net [email hidden] http://www.dundee.ac.uk/~pjclinch/

iakobski said:

I weighed mine this morning. On the Argos site they advertise it as
1.5kg. I took out the spare poles and swapped the metal pegs for
plastic ones, so mine weighs exactly 1210g.

As Judith pointed out, that'll be the new "improved" one. And I must
sat I share her reservations about single skin tents. When done
Properly they use expensive technical fabrics to prevent condensation,
but still have condensation and insulation issues. It should be fine in
okay-ish weather, but for prolonged cack with nowhere for storage out of
the wind and rain and nowhere to sit up properly it would be a bit of a
PITA, I think.

Again, at £15 you can't really complain that it's poor value, but I go
cycle camping for fun, not to save money. And I think my potential for
serious non-fun would be much greater in a tent like that than something
like the Spacepacker I use.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

The Tikka I mentioned is LED, and very light and small.

Quoted message said:

Sounds good - I'll look at getting one for my next trip.

Well worth the purchase price. IIRC the original Petzl Zoom headtorch
used to be marketed as "Voted Best Aid to Lambing!" in a farmers' rag,
so clearly the sort of thing Everyone Should Have! ;-)

Pete.
--
Peter Clinch Medical Physics IT Officer
Tel 44 1382 660111 ext. 33637 Univ. of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital
Fax 44 1382 640177 Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK
net [email hidden] http://www.dundee.ac.uk/~pjclinch/

C.J.Patten said:

Looking forward to my next trip back to Flemington ... always a treat to
camp out there.
Next time, I'll have my bike with me! YAY!

😄

C.

If you pass by Belleville or Nutley again, look me up and you can ride
your bike with this crazy old broad. (the one with that Jersey girl
attitude). ;-)

Maggie

"Maggie" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

If you pass by Belleville or Nutley again, look me up and you can ride
your bike with this crazy old broad. (the one with that Jersey girl
attitude). ;-)

Maggie

LOL! Count on it! (I might take a trip to Hoboken to get one of Vito's
famous subs - wanna come along? :9

C.J.Patten said:

"Maggie" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

If you pass by Belleville or Nutley again, look me up and you can ride
your bike with this crazy old broad. (the one with that Jersey girl
attitude). ;-)

Maggie

LOL! Count on it! (I might take a trip to Hoboken to get one of Vito's
famous subs - wanna come along? :9

ahhhhh Vito's Deli on Washington Street. How cruel to mention that
place while I am dieting. ;-) There is a little bit of heaven in that
homemade mozzarella. I'd never pass up a sanguicccch from Vito's.

Maggie.

"AustinMN" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

lowkey said:

Quoted message said:

3) what would be considered a "luxury" bike-camping kit selection
without
getting stupid about it? (eg: a porta-potty is ridiculous)

Quoted message said:

Small propane [or other fuel] stove, A bigger tent, Water
filter/treatment,
air mattress [in place of sleeping pad]

You put water treatment third, but depending on where you plan on
cycling, it should be first.

Austin (nothing will spoil a trip of any type faster than dysentery)

Well ya. I was assuming that the 'lite-loadout' camper was getting potable
water along the way.

--
'Cleverness is not wisdom' -euripides

"Maggie" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

ahhhhh Vito's Deli on Washington Street. How cruel to mention that
place while I am dieting. ;-) There is a little bit of heaven in that
homemade mozzarella. I'd never pass up a sanguicccch from Vito's.

Maggie.

8p Man, I miss Joisey!

BTW: if you're on Washington Street, is "Benny Tudino's" still there? Benny
immigrated to Canada before opening his own pizza joint & I've been to the
restaurant he worked at here in Canada. 🙂

When I was heading back to Canada via regional jet, I brought a Vito's sub
with me. About the time the stewardess was pushing cookies on everyone, I
opened my Vito's sub. Heheheheheh. Suckas! ;p

C.

C.J.Patten said:

8p Man, I miss Joisey!

BTW: if you're on Washington Street, is "Benny Tudino's" still there? >
When I was heading back to Canada via regional jet, I brought a Vito's sub
with me. About the time the stewardess was pushing cookies on everyone, I
opened my Vito's sub. Heheheheheh. Suckas! ;p

C.

Last I was there Benny's Pizza was still a legend. Anyone who opens a
Sang-wich from Vito's on a plane while others are eating dog bisquits
and drinking little plastic cups filled with soda is evil. ;-) I like
that in a person.
;-)

When you write about this stuff it only makes me love Joisey more. And
I sure wish you could have seen Newark when I was a kid. It was
fabulous. We didn't need NYC....we had Newark. Incredible. My parents
moved us to Suburban Nutley when I was just a kid. When the riots
happened. I missed Newark. I hated "the burbs", My fondest memories
are of Newark. I missed it. I missed everything about it.

Too bad so many people will never know what a great place it was. And
you could ride your bike anywhere. And you could keep your door
unlocked. Now you need a bodyguard to walk around down there. DAMN
SHAME!!!

Maggie. Waiting for her Vito's Sangwich.

C.J.Patten said:

"Leo Lichtman" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"C.J.Patten" wrote: That IS a pretty cool tent... (too bad I only have
20" wheels... 😉 (clip)
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
I just reread the description on the website, and I can't find why you
feel that 20" wheels would be a problem. It looks to me like the tent is
supported by the handlebars. What am I missing?

OH! I though the front wheel was being used structurally to create the
circular end of the tent - opposite the end where the bike is. Maybe that's
not the case...

The front wheel is used to support the tent. That initial picture is
taken from such an angle to make it bigger than it is. Look at this
page http://www.topeak.com/products/Topeak-BikamperProdcutlisting.html
and you will see it is pretty flawed in the design of the fly too.
They obviously didn't think about Welsh or Scottish rain that comes
along horizontally.
--
Phil Cook looking north over the park to the "Westminster Gasworks"

Leo Lichtman said:

You're probably right, but you are interfering with one of my main sources
of pleasure: if something is clever enough, it needn't be better--I want
it.

"Clever enough" == "better" in this particular context, at least for me.
The Hilleberg Akto is a damn site more clever than that Topeak thing
because it weighs less, has more space, will almost certainly last
longer, be more weatherproof and is more flexible in operation. How
clever is that?

Pete.
--
Peter Clinch Medical Physics IT Officer
Tel 44 1382 660111 ext. 33637 Univ. of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital
Fax 44 1382 640177 Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK
net [email hidden] http://www.dundee.ac.uk/~pjclinch/

In article said:

You can bet anything that gets close enough to sniff my supplies will be my
next meal. :9

You're not planning camping anywhere near bears then?

Alan Braggins said:

In article said:

You can bet anything that gets close enough to sniff my supplies will be my
next meal. :9

You're not planning camping anywhere near bears then?

Or unless you have a very catholic palate, slugs... ;-)

Pete.
--
Peter Clinch Medical Physics IT Officer
Tel 44 1382 660111 ext. 33637 Univ. of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital
Fax 44 1382 640177 Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK
net [email hidden] http://www.dundee.ac.uk/~pjclinch/