Camping Advice for Wife (HELP)
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,432
Likes: 290
From: FL
Camping Advice for Wife (HELP)
OK ... I'm posting this here because I think the touring area would be the most obvious for camping.
I've been trying to get my wife to go bike camping across the country for years. She is relucant because she thinks I'm all hard core (23 years in the Army). I've been telling her it's not that bad and most camp grounds have shower facilities available. Do you think she'd be that uncomfortable? Honest opinions please, I know I'm going to get a lot of wise cracks with this one.
I also know this is my bucket list in "things to do". She loves riding the bike and I love having her with me. My dream would be to do it, with her by my side.
I've been trying to get my wife to go bike camping across the country for years. She is relucant because she thinks I'm all hard core (23 years in the Army). I've been telling her it's not that bad and most camp grounds have shower facilities available. Do you think she'd be that uncomfortable? Honest opinions please, I know I'm going to get a lot of wise cracks with this one.
I also know this is my bucket list in "things to do". She loves riding the bike and I love having her with me. My dream would be to do it, with her by my side.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 10,675
Likes: 95
From: Billings,Mt.
Without knowing your wife,it's hard to say.If she does not like camping period,then she most likely will not enjoy the plans you have.
Now if you planned on staying at motels,she will be more comfortable.
Now if you planned on staying at motels,she will be more comfortable.
Last edited by 1flhtk4me; Dec 29, 2008 at 08:48 AM.
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,063
Likes: 1
From: Alabama Gulf Coast
OK ... I'm posting this here because I think the touring area would be the most obvious for camping.
I've been trying to get my wife to go bike camping across the country for years. She is relucant because she thinks I'm all hard core (23 years in the Army). I've been telling her it's not that bad and most camp grounds have shower facilities available. Do you think she'd be that uncomfortable? Honest opinions please, I know I'm going to get a lot of wise cracks with this one.
I also know this is my bucket list in "things to do". She loves riding the bike and I love having her with me. My dream would be to do it, with her by my side.
I've been trying to get my wife to go bike camping across the country for years. She is relucant because she thinks I'm all hard core (23 years in the Army). I've been telling her it's not that bad and most camp grounds have shower facilities available. Do you think she'd be that uncomfortable? Honest opinions please, I know I'm going to get a lot of wise cracks with this one.
I also know this is my bucket list in "things to do". She loves riding the bike and I love having her with me. My dream would be to do it, with her by my side.
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 723
Likes: 0
From: Jacksonville, FL
Does she like to camp without the bike? Might be kind of extreme if she doesn't, especially the first time. Yes, most campgrounds have facilities which are of most importance to the Mrs. How about doing a weekend or overnight trip close to home to see if she likes it?
My Mrs. didn't want anything to do with riding, then one day decided it might be "fun." She rides her own now. I didn't push her, just gave her the space. We haven't tried camping yet on bikes together, I go on my own. Probably too much stuff required if the Mrs. comes along...that is why I bought her an RV...
My Mrs. didn't want anything to do with riding, then one day decided it might be "fun." She rides her own now. I didn't push her, just gave her the space. We haven't tried camping yet on bikes together, I go on my own. Probably too much stuff required if the Mrs. comes along...that is why I bought her an RV...
Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 212
Likes: 0
From: jersey
tried the camping thing while going to nova scotia. two days under the stars was enough. give me a room at the end of a hard riding day with a hot shower and comfortable bed.
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Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 121
Likes: 1
From: Manitoba
Camping is the only way to see the country and meet the people. We do a 2-3 week trip every year. plan on seeing the lower 48 on the bike. Have done 27 states and all the provinces. First three years was with cargo trailer and tent. Then got smart and bought a camper trailer. If the weather is really crappy we opt for a motel. We never plan our stops ahead, we stop when we get there. We try not to do more than 400 miles a day, and eat restaurant or takeout.
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Well Sergeant Major, I spent twenty two years worth of nights under the stars, and I enjoy a night in a motel after a long ride, and so does the wife.
Unless you are pulling a trailer, camping means taking a lot more "stuff", which will mean you take a lot less stuff you really need, like clothes, and things for the wife.
Last summer on our vacation, we used the motel for a jump off point to go check out the area we wanted to look at. It worked out great.
At our age, we get beat up by the elements a lot easier. A hot shower, a comfy bed, and a decent dinner at the local restaurant makes for a great time, not to mention the wife is a LOT happier. I know the wife of a Command Sergeant Major is used to a level of comfort AND appearence in public. She always wants to look good. I'm not saying she's not a tough gal. Well, You know what I mean. "Happy wife, Happy Life".
Now, an overnighter is a different thing. Tell her to suck it up!
Unless you are pulling a trailer, camping means taking a lot more "stuff", which will mean you take a lot less stuff you really need, like clothes, and things for the wife.
Last summer on our vacation, we used the motel for a jump off point to go check out the area we wanted to look at. It worked out great.
At our age, we get beat up by the elements a lot easier. A hot shower, a comfy bed, and a decent dinner at the local restaurant makes for a great time, not to mention the wife is a LOT happier. I know the wife of a Command Sergeant Major is used to a level of comfort AND appearence in public. She always wants to look good. I'm not saying she's not a tough gal. Well, You know what I mean. "Happy wife, Happy Life".
Now, an overnighter is a different thing. Tell her to suck it up!
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,959
Likes: 1
From: Southeastern North Carolina
It really depends on many factors whether or not your wife will enjoy motorcycle camping. Has she ever tent camped before? Did she like it then? What kind of motorcycle camping are you referring to.....a real tent packed into a motorcycle trailer or one of those tents that you pull on a trailer and it pops out into a pop up camper type thing (really cool). Or are you talking about getting one of those toyhaulers....(a camper with a garage in the back for your motorcycle). These types of camping vary greatly in their comfort level.
If people are really into the motorcycle camping thing, then it's a great adventure roughing it in a tent. However, if her tent days are DONE, and it just does not feel good sleeping on the ground or air mattress and having to trot to the bathhouse to go, well, then she won't enjoy it. It depends on what she likes.
Personally, my husband and I have gone from tent camping (in 2001) to a tag a long toy hauler, to a 5th wheel toy hauler all the way to what we have now. We don't rough it in any sense anymore, but boy do we have a good time.
Talk to your wife in depth about this. If you both would be into whatever camping you choose, then you will have the times of your lives!! My husband and I have had MANY, MANY awesome times camping....and we still do. Life is wonderful!!
Here's the setup we evolved to. This is not really bike camping. It's cushy ride in a motorhome while pulling your bike sissy stuff. But once we get somewhere, we set up camp and ride from morning to night and have a blast. I do however, think that actually taking a tent while riding a bike would be very adventurous. We have never done that route. We tented before we bought a bike. I hope you can talk your wife into this great adventure you're talking about. How about trying a very short trial tenting experience for a day or so just so she can see if she likes it? I wish you all the luck in the world.
If people are really into the motorcycle camping thing, then it's a great adventure roughing it in a tent. However, if her tent days are DONE, and it just does not feel good sleeping on the ground or air mattress and having to trot to the bathhouse to go, well, then she won't enjoy it. It depends on what she likes.
Personally, my husband and I have gone from tent camping (in 2001) to a tag a long toy hauler, to a 5th wheel toy hauler all the way to what we have now. We don't rough it in any sense anymore, but boy do we have a good time.
Talk to your wife in depth about this. If you both would be into whatever camping you choose, then you will have the times of your lives!! My husband and I have had MANY, MANY awesome times camping....and we still do. Life is wonderful!!
Here's the setup we evolved to. This is not really bike camping. It's cushy ride in a motorhome while pulling your bike sissy stuff. But once we get somewhere, we set up camp and ride from morning to night and have a blast. I do however, think that actually taking a tent while riding a bike would be very adventurous. We have never done that route. We tented before we bought a bike. I hope you can talk your wife into this great adventure you're talking about. How about trying a very short trial tenting experience for a day or so just so she can see if she likes it? I wish you all the luck in the world.
Last edited by Rhonda; Dec 29, 2008 at 09:45 AM.