Bikepacking/Camping

[blackrat]

Out on a hike today I came across a lady who in answer to a question on what kind of camp she sets up on her backpacking ventures, says that all she does is lay a ground sheet down and goes to sleep on it. She did say that at 85 years old, she goes out like a light.
Mostly I have used a tent, bag, and pillow, etc. but it did prompt me to wonder if doing likewise as the elderly lady might make easing the bikepacking load a good option.
I could save money on a tour by wild camping, laying down a waterproof sheet, wrapping up in a thermal blanket - the sort use for recovery - and hoping for instant sleep might be worth a try.

 

[fossyant]

I need a bit of comfort. Ultralite airbed and a sleeping bag and a backpacking tent as a minimum. Wouldn't fancy even using a tarp TBH. I wouldn't like wild camping too much, do like a shower at the end of the day and a loo to use.

 

[Drago]

Split the difference with a bivvy bag?

 

[Ming the Merciless]

Wouldn't work well in the rain

 

[tyred]

It wouldn't be for me. I need at least some comfort.

 

[chriswoody]

I've done this quite a lot, but with a bivy bag mostly. Just this summer a friend and I took the train up to Hamburg and rode back over the Heathland. At about 8 0'Clock we found a nice spot and sat down with our stoves, cooked a nice meal and drank a beer as the sun set. We then unrolled our bivy bags and went to sleep. We were several kilometers from any roads or civilisation, so nice and quiet only the wild animals nearby. In the morning I brewed some fresh coffee before we set of again for the ride home.

My setup was an Alpkit Hunka Bivvy bag, Sea to Summit inflatable mat, Sea to summit inflatable pillow and a summer down sleeping bag. Everything I needed for a comfortable night all packs into a 14L seat pack and a 5L frame bag. Ideally I'd like to have a hooped bivy to keep the bity insects and rain off my face, but the one I have serves for now.

Here in Germany wild camping with a tent is illegal and bivvying is a grey area at best, but I've not had any trouble so far. The great thing with a bivy is that you can really tuck yourself out of the way, especially if your already far from any roads and towns.

 

[raleighnut]

the tent

• raleighnut
• 12 Feb 2015

 

[Chief Broom]

In the hIghlands having inadequate shelter could have severe consequences- stating the obvious here. Ive set out in sunny weather with a good forecast and have met freezing rain,sleet and snow and got so cold i could hardly hold a key to get into my house- this was in April...
I wouldnt be without a proper tent anywhere in the UK at anytime of year not just to keep the elements out but biting insects.
Is the OP in warmer climes?

 

[chriswoody]

In the hIghlands having inadequate shelter could have severe consequences- stating the obvious here. Ive set out in sunny weather with a good forecast and have met freezing rain,sleet and snow and got so cold i could hardly hold a key to get into my house- this was in April...
I wouldnt be without a proper tent anywhere in the UK at anytime of year not just to keep the elements out but biting insects.
Is the OP in warmer climes?

Some of my best nights bivvying have been in the Highlands. I once was sleeping inside my sleeping bag, which was on top of my bivy bag and I was woken in the middle of the night by a deer curious as to what I was! You do need to have a good quality sleeping bag and mat, but there's no reason why you can't sleep out under the stars in Scotland. As you say, you do need to be aware of the weather, but it's not always bad.

The biggest issue for me is the midge, but they only really start biting from late April through to September, which still leaves some months either side for a good bivy.

 

[oxoman]

Definitely a tent as minimum for me, ive tried bagging it and aside from the midges i've an aversion to being attacked by slugs and rodents.

 

[Chief Broom]

but there's no reason why you can't sleep out under the stars in Scotland. As you say, you do need to be aware of the weather, but it's not always bad.

Glad youve had some enjoyable times! but there is a reason why sleeping under the stars is risky....the weather can change rapidly and drastically. Weather forecasts can be absolutely wrong. I set off to fish the dornoch firth the forecast was great- sunny and warm....i saw the front barrelling down the firth, torrential freezing rain which took an hour to cease. My dog then munched all my bait [mackeral and sand eels] so i soggily ****ered of home!

 

[blackrat]

In the hIghlands having inadequate shelter could have severe consequences- stating the obvious here. Ive set out in sunny weather with a good forecast and have met freezing rain,sleet and snow and got so cold i could hardly hold a key to get into my house- this was in April...
I wouldnt be without a proper tent anywhere in the UK at anytime of year not just to keep the elements out but biting insects.
Is the OP in warmer climes?

Is the OP in warmer climes?

85F today, a little warm for the time of the year.
However, considering the rising costs of accommodation for touring in Britain, I was musing about riding less expensively for a trip coming up.

 

[blackrat]

Definitely a tent as minimum for me, ive tried bagging it and aside from the midges i've an aversion to being attacked by slugs and rodents.

Camping in Yosemite a few years ago I was woken during the night by a visiting family of black bears, The cubs as sooo cute!

 

[chriswoody]

Glad youve had some enjoyable times! but there is a reason why sleeping under the stars is risky....the weather can change rapidly and drastically. Weather forecasts can be absolutely wrong. I set off to fish the dornoch firth the forecast was great- sunny and warm....i saw the front barrelling down the firth, torrential freezing rain which took an hour to cease. My dog then munched all my bait [mackeral and sand eels] so i soggily ****ered of home!

You do raise a very important point and it is worth stressing that folk shouldn't be heading out into the hills, Scottish or otherwise, inadequately prepared. Britain's maritime climate is very temperamental and changeable and wild camping or bivvying should be approached cautiously. Pick your site well and keep an eye on the weather both in the lead up to your trip and during your trip.

I've spent thirty years now working in outdoor education, twenty years of which, working in the Lake District and Scottish Highlands. Amongst other work, I've led groups into the mountains, year round, on day trips and overnight excursions so I have plenty of experience of the weather and it's changeable ways. I've also spent hundreds of nights camping in all forms and would heartily recommend it, just be properly prepared.

 

[matticus]

Works for cowboys.

[arriving by horseback, anyways - haven't seen one Cycle Touring ...]