Let me add some advice, this is from a frequent camper (though I've never done a bike-trek)

Quote Originally Posted by Trek420
1. Tent pegs. It gets windy at sunset, and as a result you will see tents blowing around a lot. Bring 4, you will appreciate having them.

Editors note-I have never brought tent pegs. Just find your luggage, and tent, roll the tent out, unzip the door and ...throw your bag inside. The weight of the bags will keep your tent from flying away. DO NOT put up your tent and then go get the bags. Now back to Ben's tips.
I would highly advise against the 'bag in the tent' trick to weigh it down. Although, come to think of it, you'll just be setting up camp and going to sleep, so it's not like your tent will be untended. Most tents will come with pegs, but they will almost all be cheap aluminum ones. Pay a few extra bucks and get the heavy duty ones that won't bend when you hit a small rock. You can find them at REI or even at Target or Walmart in the camping section. Another good idea is four lengths of cord to tie your tent to. If you buy a decent tent that has a rainfly, you can use the cord to tie the rainfly or the tent poles to trees, bumpers of cars, rocks, etc. in the instance you can't use a stake. I always use them, ever since I was camping in the desert once and the wind got so strong that it blew my rainfly right off my tent, and I had to jump out of my tent buck naked in the full moon (both kinds, I guess!) and run after it.


2. Don’t zip your tent closed all the way. If the dew point is higher than the minimum temperature, then it will cause a huge amount of condensation and all your stuff will get wet and then have to be packed wet. If you get back to camp late you might not have enough time to dry your sleeping bag out and there is nothing worse than sleeping in a wet sleeping bag (trust me I made this mistake in my first year), the answer to this is not to zip your tent shut so as to get some ventillation.
Or to buy a halfway decent tent. Most tents you buy outside of the crappy ones at Wallyworld will be made for ventilation. You can adjust the vents and you can also sleep without the fly on to maximize ventilation if the night is warm and dry enough. Specifically look at tents made for backpacking. Don't think that means expensive. Eureka makes some mighty fine tents for sub $200. (both those that you mentioned will work and will fit two sleepers snugly). A good rainfly that comes down to the ground on all sides allows for a much more waterproof nights' sleep if you are in an area that may get rain while you are on your trek. Most tents will not come with a footprint (that is a tarplike thing that goes under the tent to keep it from getting mired in mud/more waterproof, etc. You can buy one that matches your tent for $30 more or you can use a cheapo tarp. Or you can go without and hope you don't get a puddle under your bottom.


[quote]3. Camping towel. These are very useful as they dry quickly. [/b]

Yes. These things absorb water like no-ones business. If yoiu will be showering during your trek, invest in one. If you won't be showering, I find that a pack of baby wipes is might fine. Wipe yourself down morning and evening and put the used wipes in a ziplock baggy to dispose of properly.

[quote]goose down coats[/quotes]

You can get these on sale right now at outdoor retailers, as it is getting warmer. REI has a men's and women's model in their outlet center right now.

6. Get a camp mat. I’d recommend a thermarest as they are very comfortable (as sleeping on the floor goes) and self-inflating – but anything that raises you off the ground will do. The floor gets very cold at night. If you do have a thermarest, you might want to consider the chair kits. If you are at your tent there is no where to sit with a back rest and so these things come in handy.
Definitely get a mat. The earth will suck all the heat out of your body as you sleep if you don't. Thermarest makes good ones, but I have found that after sleeping for some time on mats that nothing keeps me warmer than an air mat. The small backpacking kind. They roll just as small as many foam-cell pads, however they are more expensive.



7. Make sure you have a torch (I mean flashlight). If using porta-potties for a week was not bad enough, there are people in this world who seem incapable of using them correctly. When you’re desperate to go in the middle of the night you really want to know whether you have been unfortunate enough to choose one that has been used by such a person sooner rather than later. Torches are a must – don’t go to the bathroom without one.
Screw flashlights. Get a headlamp. They are lighter weight, brighter, smaller, and allow you to do things hands-free. You can get them for under $30 and the lights last ages. Good ones are made by Petzl and can be found at any outdoor retailer. Just remember not to talk to someone while you are wearing yours because you will blind them and they will hate you forever.



Have fun!