Newbe summer plans

[Slowspoke]

I rode my bike across Michigan a few years ago. Did the whole camping thing, but it was a supported ride. I'd like to do a nice camp tour carrying a load. I am starting my sister out this year, breaking her in and she doesn't know it! We are going to do a 35 mile rail to trail, stay in a hotel and ride the trail back this summer. Not exactly a long ride but it will be long for her. If I train her right, we will be doing week longs next year!

[Dog]

LOL...sounds familiar. I have some friends that I ride with every year. We usually do at least one organized weekend ride (STP, RSVP, RAPSody) and then some casual rides on the islands in the area. I've been trying to get some of them interested in trying an easy tour ride and a couple of them are showing some interest in an easy overnighter with me this summer. I'm crossing my fingers!

[shootingstar]

Last time we cycled and camped with our gear..was over 18 yrs. ago.

Maybe I could camp for 1-2 nights on hard ground. But now I've been cossetted for cycle touring that we do on our own, that I like a bed after a long day of cycling with my panniers...meaning 5-6 hrs. of cycling all over the place with some stops along the way. When it's several hrs. of continuous rain while we're cycling on the road, I really want ...a bed and a roof.

Certainly when we cycle toured in Europe 2 yrs. ago, neither of us even thought of camping at all.

[Sky King]

Tour de Credit Cards can be super fun too. A middle option is to look for campgrounds that have little cabins for rent - those can be great as they have electricity & a bed and the campground shower and bathroom. We have never been disappointed.