Our first tour?

OK, maybe just a campout with bikes. :rolleyes: This was the first of our local overnighters. I loaded up BOB and went to work, left work a little early, met DH and off we rode to the local state park. The orginial plan was to ride to the farthest campground to spend the night. But the clouds were building and thunder started rumbling. We rounded the corner and were staring at a solid sheet of rain to the north so we hightailed it to the nearest campground. Being a weeknight we had no problem getting a spot and the ranger took us to a lovely grass area along the river.

We didn't quite beat the rain, it started as we were setting up the tent. But things didn't get too wet, just a little damp. We got the tent up, threw stuff inside and waited out the storm. It lasted a couple of hours which lead to the first items being added to the list of things to bring. Book, cards, MP3 player? Something to pass the time. The rain finally quit and we crawled out to make a fire and cook dinner. We discovered that our lovely grass sight was also a favorite place for the local geese. The grass was covered with hundreds of big goose turds. :eek: DH made a fire in the fire pit, I cooked dinner with the MSR stove. We ate while warming up with the fire. Even though it was wet, it wasn't too terrible cold so we passed a pleasant evening. Tent and sleeping gear passed the test and we awoke the next morning to mostly sunny skies, hot coffee and muffins.

We loaded up after spending a lazy morning drinking coffee and watching the river, geese and ducks. The only problem with the ride home were the large hills to climb. But we climbed them all and arrived back home in time for me to take a quick shower and be at work just after lunch.

All in all a successful outing. We plan to do a few more overnighters, until we get most of the kinks worked out. Hopefully by the end of summer we will be ready for a weeklong trip.

Here's a few pictures of our adventure.

In the morning, before coffee.
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y26...n/DSCF0921.jpg

At the top of the biggest hill and still breathing.
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y26...n/DSCF0928.jpg

The Spokane River, in flood stage.
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y26...n/DSCF0929.jpg

nice pictures Bikerhen! Looks like the weather didn't mess you guys up too badly.

How fun! I can't see the pictures at work... stupid blocking software - they might be porno after. ;) But it sounds like a fun time.

We usually bring books for hanging around.

V.

Porn? no...but that exclamation point on the tent make me wonder???

...if the tent is'a-swayin'???????


:p

beautiful!!! I can't wait to get started on our first!!!!

That looks like a fabulous trip! Thanks for sharing the pics with us.

Karen

Will you just stop talking about how great the pics are!!!! :D:D

I really feel like I'm missing out on something here.

Can't wait until I can go home so I can see the pictures, and play with my kitties and have a Red Bull. :)

V.

lst loaded bike trip of memories. :) And hopefully you will experience more trips soon!

My lst camping trip in life and 2nd loaded bike touring trip....was when I was 31. He had a CANVASS tent...thank god for lighter tent material these days.

And it leaked when it rained.

yea....memorable...especially for newbie me. :o

Sounds like you had a great time on your first overnight adventure! I'm jealous, but will be joining the ranks soon (this weekend).
Thanks for sharing! :D

When's the next one?

Thanks for the encouraging words. It was fun enough that DH, who is not real keen on camping, said he would try it again. :D The next trip will be June 21. We have a fun organized ride that evening in Idaho. The plan is to camp there, then ride the Coeur d'Alene trail most of the way home. We may have to get a ride part way cause the hwy we have to ride is one of the local "death roads". :eek:

Then, if I can get caught up at work, I've planned another local two or three night trip the end of the month. So I guess I'd better quit typing and get back to work. bikerHen

Great pics BH!!
Sounds like you had a fabulous trip.
I am looking forward to seeing some pics from your next adventure.:)

Great pics. Sounds and looks like you had a fun time.

That does sound relaxing. I may just try that myself.

I love this idea. I have often thought of doing this myself and if my panniers would ever come in I could actually try it. Assateague would be a good destination but I need to figure out if I can't avoid highways to get there.

you know the skeeters will eat you down to the bone at Assateague. Be prepared.

yeah well I usually camp there in November... so they are not so bad. Besides who would know when you have 10 layers of clothes on? LOL!

Bikerhen, thanks for sharing your fun tour. On my last summer tour I read "Pilgrim on a Bicycle", which was perfect for those rainy or down times in my tent.

Bikerhen....Thanks for sharing photos of your overnighter. Sounds like great fun and a perfect way to 'practice' for a longer trip.

My BF is really into camping; I'm less enthusiastic. (Possibly because I've only done it a handful of times?) After a day of hiking or biking, I crave a hot shower, a comfortable bed, and some assurance that no nocturnal critters will invite themselves into my snooze space!.......Keep us posted on how your future tours go, and what you learn and finetune each time.:)

bikerHen,

thanks for the post very fun reading it. i did my first bike tour last year, hadn't ridden in 8 months but just wanted to hit the road. best friend and i biked 738 miles in southern utah. WONDERFUL, BEAUTIFUL, AMAZING,

we were ultra light backpackers so we were able to be ultra light bike tourers as well, take the least amount you need to be comfortable, i had plenty for the month and wouldn't take anything more for a year (so i guess i did alright)

i am actually from spokane and know of some good places so if you want just ask...
oh and by the way i once stayed in my tent for 21 hours straight with one pee break in alaska crazy storm. cards are great:rolleyes: