thanks for the continuing advice for all of you
will keep in mind about the temps in those foreign lands

any one have any advice or experience with just roadside camping in the boondocks not close to city
thanks again
mule

 

I have done some boondocking,there are lots of national forest,bureau of land management,and others. I just stop somewhere during the day along the way and get some grub and beverage for the camp.I try to start looking a while before dark to get camp setup and gather fire wood. Dryer lint makes an excellent kindling starter. Small jet boil stove is great to have for backup cooking and coffee. A self contained cooking kit. If your in bear country store food away from campsite and no snacks in the tent. If camping with no fear of the big critters, and leave food out, you still have to protect from crows and ground squirrels. Body wipes for personal hygiene if no water is handy. If your in the desert be careful for rattelers looking for a warm spot at nights. A footprint for your tent and a sleeping pad to keep the cold from the seeping up into your sleeping bag. That will get you cold quicker than anything, that and dampness. I prefer the self inflating pad.

 

established camp areas often have mini bears. No food in tent, be careful of anything smelling sweet, deodorants soaps and such. Raccoons and chipmunks are used to finding an easy meal and can quickly go thru tens and or packs to get to it. Look up bear bags.

How much you will use gear equates in. Good gear is $$. But it will work better and last if you take care of it.

 

Tent: I got the half dome + from REI. It's more than adequate for one person, and actually fits two grown men no problem. My buddy (he's like 6'4") slept in it during a pack trip to the Teton Wilderness Area last summer. It has vestibules on both sides for your gear. Great tent.

Sleeping bag: I went for a lower temperature rating. It's a lot easier to unzip a 10 degree bag to cool off than it is to somehow make a 60 degree bag keep you warm when it drops to 30. Also, the degree rating is more of a survival rating than a comfort rating. I don't sleep well if I'm cold, so I err on the side of a warmer bag. Down is a must for space conservation. They're expensive so wait for a sale.

Speaking of cold -- I shave what little hair I have so I try to remember to pack a beanie to keep my head warm at night. That makes a big difference.

As for a pad, I got a small blow-up one from Cabela's -- XPG. It takes a minute to blow it up, but it's more comfortable to me than the others I've tried, including "self inflating" types that are much bulkier to carry but thinner to sleep on.

Before you plan on boondocking, check whether it's permitted in the area you plan to be in. It's not allowed, for example, in the Canyon east of my town, but it is allowed in the Canyon behind the town 15 miles south of here.

 

I carry a flat sheet and usually go to sleep covered in a sheet and if it gets cold, pull the sleeping bag over the top later in the night.

 

I still do some free camping, but it is getting much harder and one often has to do some serious logging/forest service or back road riding. Many formerly roads with access are now gated. Mostly to prevent dumping, vandalism, or slob shooting trash and damage.

If you don't mind a mile or two on gravel, then you can find comfortable safe places still. But you must stop early and be ready to check out several roads or options.

Years ago, I used to ride right up to and behind or into abandoned barns. Now almost everyone out West is fenced. These used to be a great option for the Harley.

Today, one needs to find the land owner and get permission. Out West, I stop at small whistle stop towns and look for a local kid or wife working in a seedy mart gas station. I ask them if they know a local farmer or rancher who might let me camp on their property. Almost always, if they are a local, they offer to call someone and ask. While sometimes as much as 10 miles out of town, this has been very successful for me. Usually I am just told where to go, only rarely am I asked to stop by the house or barn. I always called the next morning to say thank you and to let them know I cleaned up my site. A few times, the owner with their wife or one of there kids will swing by around dusk. I always leave a note at the seedy mart saying thank you to the clerk. Again, you need to be doing this at 3:00, even in summer. But I get started early, so spending an hour or two finding a comfortable place is not an issue. If I tried to do this at 5:00, it would not work. People are much more receptive to helping you at 3:00.
For sleeping, and don't laugh. I'm 70, but 10 years ago I switched to a twin air bed, fitted sheet, thin fleece blanket and fleece bag and travel pillow. Space it takes up is less than my thermorest pad and sleeping bag, and I sleep like a baby. Even my friends who used to laugh at me have switched. At the Buffalo Chip and in cooler weather I even use a fitted mattress cover.
A good three man tent is a one or two man on the road, especially in wet weather. Mine is an REI and packs really small.
SVEA stove, freeze dried food or canned, or a quick stop at a local supermarket and I'm good to go.
When two up, we motel so I no longer have advice on two up camping. Besides, as much as she enjoys the sit down toilet I enjoy the hot shower in the morning. We spent 20 days touring the National Parks of Utah in June. Our cost per night for our room for a queen or king was $50 average for the entire 20 days. Booked ahead in some places, used coupons in others, picked out of the way stops. Often just a few miles out of town. No bad rooms.

 

In a pinch while traveling I have resorted to this after closing time. They're usually right off the interstate.

 

In a pinch? I think that might be my "go to" accommodation from here on out. Genius!

 

I always said if I did get stranded I'd set my tent up in a Walmart parking but this is a great idea, thanks

 

Usually there are patio bricks or lawn timbers nearby. I pile a couple up and use them as a ramp. When it's cold, don't get greedy and go for biggest house they have; go with one just big enough for you and the bike. The bike will heat the inside enough to get to sleep. If I can't get the bike in the shed I park it between and throw something over the head/tail light so it doesn't catch headlights of patrol cars. I set a watch or phone alarm for an hour before opening time.

You know in thinking about it; I guess I know why people don't like to travel with me