Tent recommendations

Looking for a tent for a 1-2 night trip.
for 1-2 people.
small enough to carry in the bike tail bag.

related to that...
what do you carry for a 1-2 nights of camping on a riding trip?

First time camper so I have no clue. :frown:

Thanks! :thumbsup:

 

This is what I have & as long as you are not closter phobic its a great little tent to pack on a bike. I'm not exactly your average size bear @ 6'0 & these days pulling 300lbs on a short rope this tent is plenty roomy for me & keeps my boots & gear dry in the vestabule area.

Solo: ( what I have, packs up to approx the size of a loaf of bread)
Eureka Solitaire Tent - Eureka Solitaire Backpacking Tent

Solo:
Eureka Backcountry Tent - Eureka Backcountry Camping Tent

Solo:
Eureka Spitfire 1 Tent - Eureka Spitfire 1 Backpacking Tent

2-up:
Eureka Spitfire 2 Tent - Eureka Spitfire 2 Backpacking Tent

2-up:
Eureka Apex 2 Tent - Eureka Apex 2 Camping Tent

2-up:
Eureka Apex 2XT Tent - Eureka Apex 2XT Camping Tent

All the above plus others:

Camping, Hiking and Expedition Tents, Sleeping Bags and Accessories - Eureka!® Tents

I have never owned a Eureka tent that I did not like, other may have some more ideas for you.

Here is a link to REI great tents with a slightly to drastically higher prices.

bivy at REI.com | 100% Satisfaction Guarantee | Customer Reviews

Or just do a basic search for "BIVY TENT" there are plenty out there, as stated I have always found Eureka to be the best tent for the money in just about any situation.

 

Stuff to take

As far as what to carry, keep it simple when on two wheels

- Tent
- Sleeping bag or bed roll
- self inflating ground pad ( optional, but you'll apprecate it in the morning)
- Knife ( pocket or short sword depending on your personal preference, I usually carry a leatherman or Kershaw utility tool & a 14" Bowie Knife for those just in case moments & maybe a side arm depending on where I'm going)
- Jeans/riding pants 1-2 pr
- Running pants &/or shorts to where @ camp
- 2-4 changes of socks & undergarments( @ least on pair that can double as swim wear.
- 1 very crushable sweat shirt or your jacket liner will work in a pinch
- 2-4 tshirts
- Tennis shoes, sandles or water shoes( they pack smaller )
- Rain gear & garbage bags ( one will work for both in most non riding sitations)
-Small bundle of rope or twine ( you'd be suprised how many uses you'll come up with)
- Lighters & Matches
- water ( I usually use a camelback, pull out my back armour & fits nicely inside my jacket)
- Some paper/tinder to start fires
- paper toweling/TP ( it will come to you )
- Crackers, jerky & hard candy for snacks ( don't keep in your tent if your in bear or even large racoon country, hang it in a tree w/ your rope & then use another peice of rope to pull away from the tree & anchor off so it is suspended)

Probably more but I should really get back to work, thanks for the diversion though. I got to camping in my mind for minute or two.:biggrin:

 

Check backpacker.com for generic packing lists and pare them down to what you need.

In addition to a lot of the stuff posted previously, I carry an MSR mountaineering stove and freeze-dried backpacking food (I prefer Mountain House). The stuff really isn't too bad.

The advantage of a backpacking approach vs. a "Cadillac camping" approach is that you can still have a good time even if it rains. That means avoiding cotton & using layers of clothing made of synthetic, wicking material. Pack only stuff that has multiple purposes - nothing extra. You'll appreciate the lower weight and the ability to pack into a reasonably sized area. Use stuff sacks to organize your stuff and compress it to a smaller size.

+1 on the pad. They make a world of difference. Some to the self-inflating ones can be folded into a chair that's comfy for the campsite, and they compress to a smaller size than foam pads like the Ridge Rest.

For tents, I own Eureka, Mountain Hardware, and Kelty models. Eureka does a nice job of providing good function for a low price. Mountain Hardware is the way to go if you're going to use the tent heavily. Their stuff is pretty tough. To me, Kelty falls between the two. None of them are bad choices.

Have fun, & post pics!

 

Wow, Thank you tbones and seamus. That's a lot of very good info for a noob camper.
I'm already looking into the Eureka tent. I'll get the one for 2.

Thanks again! I'll post plenty of pics.

 

hey Frank..


Lightweight Backpacking Tent - 4lbs. Motorcycle Touring - eBay (item 110274268260 end time Jun-21-09 09:38:04 PDT)


New 3lb Lightweight 2 Person Backpack Camping Bivy Tent - eBay (item 400015576023 end time Jul-04-09 16:39:41 PDT)



New 3 Man Camping Hiking Backpack Bivy Tent w/ Rainfly - eBay (item 400015604694 end time Jul-04-09 20:02:58 PDT)


Good Luck

 

i carry visa love a toilet and a shower but thats just me:thumbsup::thumbsup:

 

All good items already mentioned. I have the Kelty GrandMesa 2 tent, great for one person, would be snug with two.

REI, Thermarest or Big Agnes sleeping pads. They are essential imho, they are the insulation between you and the ground.

April edition of Backpacker magazine is the annual gear review issue, lots of good gear recommended.

motocampers.com and sport-touring.net have many threads on this, lots of advice.

I'd recommend a tent that clips to the poles, the 'pole sleeves' are an absolute pia. The clip style also provides more space between the tent and rain fly, better air flow, less condensation or water transfer to the tent.

 

I just finished a 5 day trip to Suches, GA. (About a 12 hour ride straight). I took a 6 man tent from Wal-mart for myself and a regular sleeping bag good up to 40 degrees f. I also brought a coleman air mattress a small propane light. (its so small you can cup your hands together and cover it). A propane bottle, a single coleman burner, a couple of cem lights, 3 days change of clothes and just the giill top from a small grill. The only thing else I would have brought is a compressor of some sort to blow up the air mattress. Although it was only 5 pm I saw a lot of stars blowing that thing up. (or get a small blow up sleeping pad). Shower shoes is a must if you go to a campground with showers. Camera. The 6 man tent was only for me BTW. Have fun with your trip.

 

Thanks for the advice.

So far, I got:

The Eureka Apex 2XT Camping Tent.


The sleeping pad

a fleece sleeping bag

An LED lantern

A tarp for the footprint of the tent.

Hope all fits in the cortech tail bag. :frown:

 

Thanks.
I decided to get the Eureka for 2 people with vestibule.
I will also use it to go camping with my son.

 

Do you guys have pics of your bikes all loaded with all this stuff?
I think I'll spend a full afternoon just figuring out how to fit all of this on my bike. LOL.

 

I just picked up an REI taj 3 from the rei outlet store. I had a single person Eureka Zeus tent out last time I was on a trip and just got soaked. Everything was wet. The taj 3 is a nice big 3 person tent that should work much much better. It is great for tall people and easy to setup. Have not tested it in the rain but I am fairly confident it will be fine. As for packing size it is pretty compact for the amount of space you get.

 

BTW, Anyone camped at Peaks of Otter on the BRP?
I'm thinking I'll camp there or at Roanoke Mountain.

Looks like I'll only be able to camp one night and then return home.

I wanted to go deeper into the BRP but I'm lucky just to be able to do a
2 day bike trip. Hey, better than nothing! :biggrin:

 

The Tent was great. Roomy enough for my gear and me.
Easy to set up, light, and it fit well once rolled.

Highly recommended.

 

tent?

:biggrin:I am going to suggest a Holiday Inn Express......1-800-HOLIDAY:biggrin:

 

In my opinion a tent is not always needed... but a bicycle generally is..
:crazy: call me screwy :crazy:

Here i'm loaded for 3 week tour ~
(only stayed 3 nights in a hotel the entire trip :thumbsup: )













the custom bicycle rack ~


Why to bring a bicycle ~










~ Somewhere i have a packing list, if youre interested ~

 

flailing

It would be tough to top the Flailinator for camping skills on a VFR!:thumbsup: I love the boy but he is nutty!:crazy:

 

You're screwy, but that is oh so cool. :thumbsup:

 

mad skills

www.hiexpress.com..........the girls at the counter are hot too!:thumbsup:tent shment.:biggrin: