THE CAMPING ARTICLE

Here's where I'll share some of the things I've learned regarding motorcycle travel and camping out. This is to be the first of perhaps four articles, but if there are sufficient complaints, maybe not.

Many of you may find some of my observations elementary or redundant: my methods may not be the best way, but they're a way, and may suggest a different approach to the one you may already use. I hope to be helpful to those members who need a place to start.

First, think of your bike as a pack frame with tires. Weight isn't as much a consideration as with backpacking, but SIZE IS! I'm using two 1500 Pelican bags, a small tank bag, and a 14X14X28 Wave Products duffel bag.

Friends and acquaintances know me as a Great Maker Of Lists; my trip checklist is divided into tasks; the headings are: I Ride Out, To Buy, I Tour, I Camp, I Bed Down. Because we have a ride scheduled fairly soon, This article will concentrate on "I Camp" because most of you already know what to take on the usual day ride.

This list is loosely organized in the order of use:

I lube my chain as soon as I get the duffel off the bike; always lube a warm chain, never adjust a dry chain before you lube it. I start my water going for dinner, then wash and make my bed while the water heats up. I get out of my boots and pull my camp scuffs on, eat and clean up, then I get into my warmups, and I'm ready for bed in under an hour.

At the midday fuel stop, I filled my Solo Shower bag and slipped it under a bungee net atop my load; Warm water by evening, to wash with.

I hang my solo shower, and get my stove out, and start some water for dinner. At the last gas stop I filled my thermos with coffee for the morning, and bought a quart of milk for my breakfast groats; that way I don't necessarily have to cook when I get up. While the water boils I clear an area for my bed; put down the ground sheet, mattress pad, sleeping bag, and rig my shelter half. I seldom use a tent; if the weather makes one necessary, I usually stay home. I have used a tent on longer vacation trips, mainly as a place to leave my bed and clothes in the campground while I take lightly loaded day rides. Find a camp site in view of the host trailer, use a small padlock in the zipper pull, and your load will seldom be bothered.

Avoid stoves that use LP fuel in disposable bottles; my favorites are the old style Optimus and Svea types. I've never run short of fuel if I fill the stove at home and carry both Sigg bottles. A search for firewood usually chews up the campground, and the fire makes a mess of your pots. Backpacker pouch food is neat, although pricey; I usually buy Lipton Noodles and Sauce, and similar stuff at the grocery store. For breakfasts, at home I fill a gallon zip bag with a mixture of breakfast cereals, bran, seeds, and raisins.

I try to avoid motels and restaurants. They all look the same on the inside; I go for the outdoor experience. Lunchtime finds me in the local grocery store; my meal consists of a deli salad, thin sliced chicken or turkey, a bottle of juice, a piece of fruit, etc. I ask the girl at the checkout where the city park is, and that's where I eat. I always carry tortillas; they pack flat, and unlike bread, don't get mashed up in my load. I make a couple of cold burritos with the meat and salad. The city park gives me the flow and flavor of the community; unavailable in the cafe.

My clothing includes my scuffs and cotton warmups for sleeping. I used to carry moccasins, but now I take raft shoes, such as Nike Aqua Sox; they pack flat, and are the best slipper when a midnight trip to the sandbox is necessary. Change of clothing includes 3 sox, two skivvies, one T—shirt. By the time I run out of changes, I'm usually ready for a motel shower AND a laundromat. I wear the warmups while my jeans are in the machine.

In camp, after you eat, gather up all the scraps and wrappers and put them in the supermarket bag you saved from lunch, and put it in the can, or hang it away from your campsite.
Wash your pots, and bag your food. Then WASH YOUR HANDS THOROUGHLY before you pack your food and pots away. If you get any food scents on your load or bag, the campground raccoons will keep you awake all night, as the ones at Bandalier did me. That's one reason I prefer hard bags; the critters will chew holes in your soft luggage to get at something to eat.

I carry a balaclava and a stocking cap to sleep in; you lose a large percentage of body heat through your head. Wet your hands with DEET and apply some to the cap, and around the drawstring area of your bag. I arrange my jeans in the toe of the bag, and put my glasses and a small flashlight in my scuffs near the bag.

I drank half of my milk with dinner; next morning I use the remainder in my groats, I drink my coffee, and gather up my bed. I fetch the dinner garbage bag I hung in the tree, load up and head out.

I try to put the heavier stuff low on the bike; the PelBags get water and fluids, tools and spares, Fix-a-Flat, thermos bottle, EMT kit, and the like. Light, fluffy stuff like clothes and bedroll goes into the duffel. The tank bag gets camera and binoculars, lip balm, sunscreen, trip log and maps, and the like.

Some specific recommendations, if you're just starting out. Stainless pot sets and rainsuits from REI are hard to beat. If you're looking for a compact camera, the Yashica T-4 Super with the data back is my choice; although it isn't a zoom, it's weatherproof, and has a real Zeiss lens. I'm using a Tour Master TB—12 tied off with a pair of Quick Clips from Chase Harper; it's slender enough to clear my knees when I'm on the pegs. A word of caution about bungee cords; I've lost count of the number I've seen out along the roadside, lying there like so many dead snakes. I use a nylon strap with a camlock buckle to secure my duffel; I've never heard of one failing in service.

Stay safe!