bike camping trip

[shellkay1212]

Well, I was going to wait until after the trip. BUT I am looking at two packed trailers and am beside myself with excitement!

In the morning, my friend and I are taking off on bikes pulling BOB Yak trailers and headed to a local campground. It's going to be a four day trip. We decided going only 35 miles for the first trip would be a good idea.

Once there we will hike and canoe and bike. The fall weather is beautiful! Blue skies, mostly sunny, crunchy leaves, smores...oh yeah!

It's funny how some friends say I am completely nuts. Others say how cool it is but they would never do it. "WHY NOT?", I say. Craziness. Go DO the things you think would be fun!!!

Report to follow after the trip. Wish us luck!

[badgercat]

Sounds fantastic! Be sure to share some pictures, of course including some of your bikes. :D Have a lovely trip.

[kmehrzad]

Wishing you a wonderful trip, Shelly. The memories will get you through the winter while looking forward to more bike camping trips in 2011.

I just completed a three day, 185 mi. ride along the C&O canal towpath with DivingBiker from TE. We had a wonderful time and a beautiful ride. No camping for us, though, we stayed in B&Bs, but the ride through the forest at this time of year was truly memorable.

Be safe and enjoy! Looking forward to the trip report and photos upon your return.

[PamNY]

Have a great time. This is something I'd like to do and I want to hear all about it.

Pam

[MomOnBike]

Oh, that sounds like fun.

As for your friends who call you crazy, tell them that sanity is over-rated. Would you rather have camping stories to tell your small descendants, or stories of sitting around watching television?

Enjoy the trip.

[kmehrzad]

Would you rather have camping stories to tell your small descendants, or stories of sitting around watching television?

Amen to that sista!

[emily_in_nc]

I think that sounds great! What in the world do people think is crazy about it?

In 2004 my DH and I did a 9-day self-supported bike tour in upstate New York. That trip is still one of the highlights of my life, and I am so proud that we did it. We averaged around 62 miles per day and saw so many beautiful sights, ate great food, and just plain LIVED more in those days than in any other 9-day period of our lives.

Enjoy!

[Tri Girl]

Oh I hope you're having a wonderful time!!! I can't wait to hear all about it!!!!

[out_spokin']

I've been thinking about this trip and wondering how it went!

[Tri Girl]

I was wondering the same thing. Report, please! ;)

[shellkay1212]

I'll be posting report this weekend!

[Tri Girl]

Yay!!:D

[shellkay1212]

First let me say it was FUN!

We left all full of energy and smiling. In my head it was merely 35 miles...with trailers I figured it would be around 3 hours on bike.

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs054.ash2/36074_106160592783107_100001674992928

Still smiling
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs398.ash2/67617_10150284484935096_782270095_15723169_6437049_n.jpg

We stopped for lunch about 15-ish miles. There was a nice park next to the water. I was still thinking it was only 35 miles.
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs797.snc4/67737_10150284487150096_782270095_15723212_7997716_n.jpg

We kept on riding. The weather was good. Sunny, not to chilly, and just a little breezy. We had to make another stop. Here is my riding friend. She is really really good about making me eat and drink. At this point I thought we were almost there. BAHAHAHAAAAA

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs381.ash2/65943_10150284487195096_782270095_15723214_2220577_n.jpg

We kept riding. The roads were rather bumpy for several miles. Oh, and uh...I forgot about the hills. Hills + trailer + asthmatic bronchitis. oi. I kept going. After a one more stop for nutrition. We arrived.
50 miles and 5 hours on bike later we arrived full of energy and smiling!

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs765.snc4/66533_10150283661375096_782270095_15710330_1877157_n.jpg

I love rustling crunchy leaves...here's a couple pics from the days at the campground.

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs420.ash2/69826_10150284488330096_782270095_15723232_1196633_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs796.snc4/67617_10150284484945096_782270095_15723171_537174_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs796.snc4/67617_10150284484940096_782270095_15723170_5572485_n.jpg

hehe...our 'neighbors' in the primitive campground

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs381.ash2/65960_10150284487390096_782270095_15723222_4459234_n.jpg

Our traveling mascots. Please meet Wocket and Ohsay

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs833.snc4/69300_10150284485720096_782270095_15723175_1568630_n.jpg

Hmmm...let's see. Some of my favorite things: riding (obviously), eagle flying quietly thru the trees nearby, hiking and one of my good friends came over to the campground too, the pad that goes under my sleeping bag, 'gourmet' food (seriously)

Some of my not-so-favorite things: 30-degree temps at night, bronchitis, unexpected 15 miles of hills :)

What I learned: Maybe I should know the mileage a little more accurately. I need to train on hills...some how. Some where. I should probably camp a little earlier in the year (although since we were in the primitive area at least the latrine didn't smell). That the long road of hills LOOKS worse than it is when actually riding them. That nutrition and hydration is uber important. Uh, when riding to the campground...the 'work' isn't over when you get there. That people think you are amazing when you do something 'crazy'. The 'gourmet' meals (orzo with meatballs and tomato sauce) while very good and satisfying is just too much work for camping. I'd be happy with peanut butter sandwiches. And I LOVE my BOB Trailer!!!

[Tri Girl]

Congrats on your trip!!!! The scenery is just breathtaking!!!! SO pretty!
Sounds like the underestimation of miles was a little...unexpected. ;) I've been there before on an overnight tour.:rolleyes:
So proud of you!! Congrats on your first successful tour! I'm so glad you like the BOB. I've been toying with the idea of getting one for groceries and to tour. I still can't decide.

So excited for you! You look fit, strong, and most of all: HAPPY!!!!!!:D:D:D

[PamNY]

Lovely photos! Looks like so much fun, despite the surprise extra miles. Did you estimate how much your extra gear weighed? I would love to be strong enough for that kind of trip but I wonder if I ever will be.

Thanks for the trip report.

[Dog]

Congrats! Nice pictures - the leaves are beautiful. I just picked up an "almost new" BOB off Craigslist last week. I'm looking forward to some bike camping next year. I noticed the extra water bottles on your BOB. Did you add those?

Again - congrats on the ride!!!

Dog

[Catrin]

Sounds, and looks, like you had a wonderful time! I think you picked the perfect time of the year, you had so many nice neighbors in the primitive campground :D

[out_spokin']

Congrats on doing your trip! I'm inspired...I might have waited too long for a camping trip for the season, the nights are cooooold....but I'm inspired. We'll see what I can come up with and when. Way to go!

[shellkay1212]

Re: water bottles...

Yep I added the cages but there should be a place for you to do the same. It was definitely nice having the extras!

I can't wait till spring to head out on another adventure!

[jolie]

bike camping trip, sound interesting and a good try