I know I'm in the minority here, but I really think that for the majority of what people need when bike camping, a tarp tent is an excellent solution. There's a learning curve to setting one up, but it's not a steep curve, and getting it right gives the same sense of satisfaction as, say, successfully truing a wheel. I made my own 2-man tarp using a Ray-Way kit and am thrilled with it. Plus I made it myself, which just adds to the pleasure every time I sleep in it. It's roomy, totally dry, gets excellent airflow, and if I think I'll sleep in buggy conditions, I've got the inside net-tent with floor that attaches to the tarp. I usually hunt up sticks for pitching (or between trees works great) but have been considering getting about six 18" tent pole sections to take with me so I don't need to rely on sticks. Silicone-impregnated nylon - silnylon - s pretty amazing lightweight stuff. My roomy tarp, with titanium stakes and guylines, weighs just over a pound, and with the bugnet and stakes I'm still barely over 2, in a really small package.
Like I said, not for everyone, but if you have a strong DIY ethic - or you're just cheap - it's a great way to go. An added benefit most people are not aware of is that the air circulation you get with a properly pitched tarp means less condensation inside so you actually sleep warmer than in a tent, and don't have the moisture issue to deal with when you pack up in the morning. See info here:http://www.rayjardine.com/ray-way/Tarp-Kit/index.htm btw - Ray Jardine used one of his tarp tents for his 2010 trans- america ride, the same one (I think) he used for his through hike of the Appalachian trail just before the ride. On Oct 12, 7:34 pm, Ryan J <rmerr...@murraystate.edu> wrote: > I am in starting the "looking" phase of purchasing a tent for bike camping > and was wondering if any of the group had any recommendations. I need the > tent to fit two people at most (I may go with the wife sometimes) but > usually it will just be me. I guess top priorities would be weight, I would > like it to be free standing if possible, I have often camped in areas where > staking would not work, and rain proof, I just hate getting wet at night. > Any thoughts? -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en.
