- This topic has 5 replies, 4 voices, and was last updated 14 years, 10 months ago by Speedy Rodriguez.
Packing the Bike
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May 19, 2009 at 3:05 pm #2855CandiceParticipant
Hello again everyone, I have lots of questions lately. So, today let’s talk about packing our bikes for camping! Yeah, or even just strapping down a backpack. I bought brand new bungee cords for this purpose and I don’t really visualize how my stuff is going to stay on my seat even if I bungee cord it. I looked last night and the back seat back rest is not that tall, does that matter? I was originally thinking I would just sit my backpack like a person on the back seat and strap it on but I don’t know, it didn’t look too stable to me. Then I signed up to go on a one night camping trip in Indiana on the bike which was originally going to be in a cabin but they were sold out so now we are tenting it which means I have to carry my tent and my sleeping bag and one small bag. I really don’t see how this is going to work. Is it possible? It must be possible I just need to figure it out I’m sure. Any ideas??? Thanks! Maybe I am being over ambitious. Plus 4 hours on the highway with no windshield could potentially not be that fun anyways. What to do, what to do, I want to go but….. Hmm.
May 19, 2009 at 3:24 pm #18696eonParticipantI believe Rok Straps are much preferable to bungee cords. Haven’t used them yet myself but i am going camping at the end of July so I will need find a solution before then. I think a web/net type thingy would help keep your backpack in check as well. I remember webikeworld (or maybe it was newenough?) had a review of one a while back. It was on the small side but it might help you.
Meantime I still need to figure out what tent to get.
May 19, 2009 at 3:26 pm #18697CandiceParticipantYeah, I wish I had a smaller tent, my current one is not huge but for riding I could use a smaller one I’m sure. I’ll check out those Rok Straps, thanks!
May 19, 2009 at 3:37 pm #18701MunchParticipantRiding solo in the seat? I used to carry alot of stuff with me on my V500 before I put my saddle bags on there. It didn’t even have a sissy bar. I used the “net” styled bungee set up. There are ones out there if you look that have adjustable hooks where you can relocate them on the net itself to adjust the tension. The first couple times I rode with it I was paranoid it was going to just let go. But the sucker kept everything safe. Anything of real weight I would lay flat behind you in the passengers spot and strap it down well…. then build up behind that and use the back rest to keep it from shifting further.
May 20, 2009 at 3:51 pm #18745CandiceParticipantSo, packed up my backpack nice and full and used 4 bungees (since I don’t have rockstraps yet) and tied that sucker down to the back seat, rode 30 miles and it stayed put. Now I will experiment with camping gear this weekend. I am on a ROLL!
Thanks Everyone!
May 21, 2009 at 12:09 am #18771Speedy RodriguezParticipantAnother thing people might want to think about looking into for camping is mountaineering gear. For example, companies like Integral Designs and Bibler make two-person tents that weigh about 4 lbs and pack down to a size not much bigger than a loaf of bread.
They’re waterproof, breathable, and very sturdy. And, of course, quite expensive.
Other options are lightweight and very stuffable sleeping bags, etc. that will fit into the limited space afforded by a bike’s saddle- and tail-bags.
I’m planning a NY-to-Florida run soon, and on the way back I’m thinking of doing the Blue Ridge Parkway–and I’m going to try as bare-bones approach as is possible.
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