Sleeping bag

[Melalvai]

I need a sleeping bag. Any suggestions?

I've been wanting to visit a collaborator at the University of Nebraska in Omaha, NE. My old boss thought it was a waste of time when we accomplished so much by phone and emails. (And he shipped me some rats.) My new boss thinks that I should meet him in person, but doesn't have the money to pay for the trip. So I came up with the brilliant idea of biking there. I'll get the trip I've always wanted to do, and meet the professor who gave me my rats!

I found a route that would take four days, puts me in a state park each night, but it's a little tough: two 70-mile days followed by two 100-mile days. I think I can do it, but I'd prefer to find a 5-day route that I'm more confident of.

The nice thing about this destination is I have family and friends who can rescue me without terrible inconvenience to them along the way. Of course I hope I don't have to be rescued, it's just peace of mind.

My collaborator in Omaha used to bike a lot himself, and has given me some advice about the ride. He also offered to pay for a hotel while I'm in Omaha, very nice! But I almost wish he hadn't because now I'm only saving the cost of gas which will probably equal what I spend on the trip. It's harder to justify taking so much time for something that is entirely for me.

[Cataboo]

Check on rei or rei outlet and see what's on sale. You can end up spending a lot of money on a sleeping bag, which could then do away with the price of gas... Are you planning on continuing to tour with your bike or hiking? IF that's the case, then you should go ahead and invest in a nicer bag. If this probably a one time thing and you don't have much to spend and it's going to be relatively warm - then don't spend very much on a bag.

It really depends on what you want - a down sleeping bag is going to compress smaller than a quallofill bag - however, a down sleeping bag will not remain warm if it gets wet. A quallofill bag will remain warm when it's wet, but won't be as compressible - and this is a bike trip you're on.

It also depends on what temperatures you will be sleeping in - you can get sleeping bags that are rated to -15 degrees, 15 degrees, 30 degrees, etc.

REI's housebrand of bags tend to be good deals:
http://www.rei.com/outlet/search?search=sleeping+bag&sortby=%25+Off&hist=query%2Csleeping+bag

If you're a tall person, you should get the longer length bag. Women's bags are wider in the hips for women's hips - so you might be more comfortable in one of those.

I like the mummy style ones that pull over your head.

I use a marmot helium 15 degree for hiking, and a sierra designs glow for kayak camping.

[Zen]

Check Backcountry.com, check SteepandCheap.

Don't sacrifice $$ for weight.

Take the trip. You only get one life. Well, as far as I know anyway.

[PamNY]

If I were buying a new sleeping bag, I would check into the Big Agnes integrated bag and pad system. I don't know about weight or how it breaks down for packing, but the concept makes sense. Here's the web site:

http://www.bigagnes.com/

Have a great time on your trip!

Pam

[Melalvai]

Thanks for the suggestions. I'll look into those.

We go camping occasionally, and we've been talking about the need for new sleeping bags for ages. We don't use them often, maybe a couple times a year. I hope this won't be my last bike trip but I imagine it is not something I'll have leisure to do often.

I'm really excited about it. But I admit, I am a person who enjoys the planning as much or more than carrying out the plans. I am having a great time planning this trip.

It will be in early May, mid-Missouri to east Nebraska. It won't be very cold, but it might be wet.

[Tri Girl]

I have a suggestion, but it might not be popular. I bought a Coleman fleece sleeping bag (found it at the thrift store for $3). It keeps me plenty warm in the summer and packs down small for the bike. I put it in a waterproof bag so it wouldn't be soaked if it rained. Plus, for $12, you could use it as a sleeping bag on this trip and if you decide to buy nicer bags later on, it can be added to the inside for more warmth, or used as a throw in camp.
http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___41895?CS_003=2477120&CS_010=41895

[Zen]

You really, really, really have to keep weight down.
Trust me on this, I learned the hard way.
If you're short you could probably get away with a childs size. I'm 5'2" and that works for me.

http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb14/zencentury/DSCN1840-1.jpg
HOW NOT TO PACK

[Cataboo]

For the wool weenies - my summer sleeping bag is a slumberjack meridan. Basically a merino wool lined sleeping bag.

[Tuckervill]

I'm with Zen. Weight will be important. Not at first, but later.

And, I would try to borrow a nice down sleeping bag before I bought one. Surely you know someone who would lend you one? I'd lend you mine but I'm in Arkansas. :) I borrowed a one-man tent for my tour with Tri-Girl. I was happy I did that.

Karen

[Aint Doody]

I agree with Tri Girl. If it's not too chilly, go for the Coleman fleece. They're great.

[Melalvai]

Thanks for the tips. I probably could have gotten by with spending less money, but I got a nice sleeping bag from REI, which seems very lightweight to me.

The trip is almost here, 6 days away! I'm alternating anxious and excited. This post is mostly about my anxiety, because I'm hoping you all will calm my fears. :) But I have plenty of excitement about the trip too.

I've worked and worked over maps and google, and advice from people who are more familiar with other parts of the state. My route is a little more strenuous than I'd hoped. That's one of the things I'm worried about.
Day 1: 78 miles
Day 2: 79 miles
Day 3: 60 miles
Day 4: 82 :eek: miles
Day 5: ~65-70 miles.

I'd hoped to keep it closer to 70-75 miles a day. I know from my training rides that I can do 70 miles, even with tent etc, even with wind. (My training rides prove I can do it once anyway. I wish I'd had a chance to try two in a row!) The location of campgrounds dictates my route.

The other thing I'm worried about is the heat. I know, drink lots of water and gatorade and electrolytes. I also know that the first heat of summer hits me like a brick, and it simply takes time to adjust, no matter how much V-8 and water and so on.

I'll browse the archives when I get a chance, but I'll go ahead and ask anyway: what do you suggest I carry to eat? I'll stop at any grocery store and restaurant when I get a chance, but this is rural Missouri & rural Iowa, not necessarily a lot of places to stop. I'm already tired of gas station food just from my training rides.

[ZenSojourner]

Dates. Raisins. Peanut butter crackers, Ritz makes some good ones.

Personally I have to dilute Gatorade A LOT (about 1:4), I prefer Propel

Bananas, can't go touring without bananas!

Maybe some freeze dried camping food.

[PamNY]

Are you taking gear to cook? With or without a stove, I like whey protein powder which will mix with milk or juice.

If you eat fish, tuna in packets is good. You can also find salmon and chicken packaged that way.

Lots of travel-size stuff is available from Minimus (http://www.minimus.biz/). It's pricey and not very green because of the packaging, but handy nonetheless.

Pam

[Melalvai]

Tuna, that's a good idea. I wasn't going to bring cooking gear, but as I've thought about it, I think I will bring a small pan & spoon. I can cook rice (oh, better bring a 1/4 cup measure) or oatmeal. Plain brown rice & tuna will be so good after a day of riding and eating at restaurants. I could happily eat is without salt but I'll bring salt anyway, it'll do me good.

I'll probably buy 2 or 3 bananas at every grocery store I find! Sometimes gas stations have them too (much more expensive but bananas are so cheap to start with). I can eat ramen without guilt because I'll need those empty calories & salt!

Matches...I have a tiny little propane stove but the bottle of propane is a pound or two perhaps. I'm not really sure. But maybe I can get by on a little fire. I'm not a wizard at starting fires without lighter fluid. But if I have to bring lighter fluid I might as well forget the wood fire and just bring the propane.

Only six days left. It's not so much the amount of stuff yet to do. It's the number of decisions I still have to make.

Today: Set up the tent. Fix the broken pole, decide if it is too old and not in good enough shape. (I'll risk it.) I'm done with that! Next: buy groceries, contact folks in areas I'll be passing through.
Monday: Move into my new office. Do actual work stuff. :eek: Get my brake pads replaced, replacement reelights mounted, and one last bike check.
Tuesday: mow the yard
Wed: Teach.
Thurs & Fri: Grade quizzes. Grade group reports. Grade the other reports. Grade the final papers. (It wasn't my idea to have 4 things due the same day!) (I only have one section, so 24 students.)

That leaves me tomorrow and Tuesday to pack.

[Tri Girl]

Sounds like you're a little bit of everything: excited, nervous, impatient, stressed, happy.
I think you've got a good plan. The mileage might be higher than you'd hoped, but it sounds like you're ready. Glad you found a sleeping bag.

If you're able to update from the road, we'd love to hear from you to know you're safe and having a great time. Don't forget the pictures. I'd love to see the area you're passing through.

Best of luck. Be safe and have FUN!

[PamNY]

If you have time, I'd love to hear a trip report. As much detail as you can provide will be great! I love camping but haven't done bike touring yet.

You can make fire starters with dryer lint and wax, though I don't know that these would be lighter/easier to carry than lighter fluid. If you want to try it, fill the indentations in a cardboard egg carton with dryer lint and pour melted wax over them. Cut them apart and use 1-2 per fire. Just light the cardboard part and away you go.

Have a great time!

Pam

[Cataboo]

It may be too late, but if you need firestarters ... go to goinggear.com, he has a ton of good firestarters for reasonable prices (not to mention lights & carabiners, and the like). He does have a lot of videos up on youtube about how to start fires with the various things he does sell. He tends to ship priority mail & if you let him know you need it quick, he'll get it out quick.

An alternative on the dryer lint & wax is dryer lint with petroleum jelly... If you go on goingprepared.com in the forums, there's something on how to make it. (The guy that runs goinggear runs it, so you can PM him on there if you have questions)

If you want something simple & small to cook in, you can make a pepsi can stove:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beverage-can_stove

As for food to bring... I tend to bring cliff bars & cliff shot bloks. I don't particularly like either, but they're great when I'm hungry and have been being active.

When I'm camping, I tend to just go to the grocery and get the dry bag of pasta or rice that you just add water & cook for 5-10 mins.

Couscous is very easy to cook and lightweight.

I tend to bring a little bag of spices to add - black peppercorns, coriander or cumin seeds, some dry sundried tomatos, chipolte peppers, things like that.

[Melalvai]

I hadn't thought of fire starters. I bet I can find some locally.

Knowing that I get the most enjoyment out of planning a thing, I have already started a journal: Rachel's Epic Bicycle Adventure (http://www.kemenel.org/melalvai/adventure/).

My husband will post updates after I call in every night, and when I get back I'll post the details & pictures.

[uforgot]

I just saw this thread! Have a great time and I'm looking forward to reading about the journey. I hope the crazy Missouri May weather is nice for you.

[sfa]

I'm so excited for you! I love living vicariously through other people's adventures.

It sounds like you're well prepared. I'd go with the propane stove rather than fires. Some campgrounds have fire restrictions, and a propane stove is just more reliable and convenient. After a long day of riding, the last thing I'd want to do is run around getting firewood. Besides, you'll probably lose a couple of pounds in the first couple of days of riding and that'll make up for the extra weight of the propane!

But if you really want to be hardcore, I took a class once in firestarting using flint, steel and charred linen. It doesn't get much more lightweight than that. I don't think I'd ever want to rely on it, though.

Good luck! I can't wait to hear your daily reports!

Sarah

[Melalvai]

Claudia,
I saw on another thread you mentioned you stay in KOAs. There isn't one on my route, I'm staying in 2 state parks, the AOK in St Joe, and a campground on the Wabash Trace when I get to Iowa. Do you have any experience with the St Joe AOK? Is it a decent campground?

[Tuckervill]

Are you going to be on the Katy Trail? I use bikekatytrail.com, but I can't get it to load right now. There used to be cyclists reviews on there of all the campgrounds.

Karen

[uforgot]

Nope, I've never been there. I found the website and it looks nice. You'll have to post a review. What roads are you taking to St. Joe?

[Melalvai]

Are you going to be on the Katy Trail? I use bikekatytrail.com, but I can't get it to load right now. There used to be cyclists reviews on there of all the campgrounds.
Yeah, the Katy Trail comments are often a good read. I'll be on the Katy until Boonville, then I head north.

Claudia, I just pm'd you re my route.

[Melalvai]

Yesterday afternoon I got a message from a university I've applied to. They want me to come for an interview. On the phone interview last week, I mentioned the dates of my bike trip in case they needed to contact me during that time. Knowing that I'd be gone on that trip, they asked if I could come for the interview THIS WEEK. They want me there Wed night and have me booked with meetings until Friday at noon. The university is 4 hours away.

I'd chosen Saturday as my departure date so that I'd have time to grade papers Thurs & Fri.

Guess I'll forego sleeping instead. I wasn't going to be well rested for the start of the Epic Adventure anyway. I know I'll be too nervous & excited to sleep!

[Tri Girl]

That's great about the interview, but does that mean the epic adventure is off?

[Melalvai]

That's great about the interview, but does that mean the epic adventure is off?
No. It means sleeping is off so I can grade papers. :/
Plus my nerves are so keyed up right now, between the interview & the imminent Epic Adventure, I can't sleep anyway.

[Melalvai]

Oh, based on all the feedback I went with the propane stove. I'll let you know how it worked.

[Tri Girl]

Sleep, shmeep. I teach 104 students, so I can empathize with you on that one. :)
Good luck with your interview and really good luck on the epic adventure!!! :)

[Tuckervill]

You can sleep in your old age. :)

Karen

[PamNY]

Sleep is overrated. So is searching for firewood. I don't think you'll regret bringing the stove.

Pam

[uforgot]

How is everything going? Are you set for tomorrow? Darn this damp weather. I hope the forecast is wrong for this week. Have a good trip! I'll watch your blog.