The Biergarten

Buying a Tent

You’re going on your first camping bike tour and you need gear. You stroll into your local outdoor store ….. “Can I help you?” ….. “I need camping gear for my trip” ….. “What are you looking for?” ….. “I am not sure” ….. the sales wolf smiles ….. dinner.

The wow factor with tents these days can be overwhelming, carbon fiber poles, geometric patterns, bright colors, ultra lightweights and more . . . but these can also come with an overwhelming price factor. A few points to ponder BEFORE you walk into your first store:

• How many times will you use the gear
• Do you plan to backpack or travel self-contained with the tent
• How much stuff needs to go inside the tent (including people)

Being lightweight is the biggest sales pitch for tents. Weight is a factor if your are carrying the tent on your bike or back. But if you are throwing it in your car’s trunk or a sagwagon, who cares if it weighs 3 pounds or 9 pounds. Chances are the 3 pound tent costs twice as much and has half the interior space.

Interior space is essential. We can’t tell you how often folks show up with spiffy looking ultra-lightweight backpacking tents and then their duffel bags, full of clothing, spend the night outside in the rain because the tent isn’t big enough. And since the tent will be your home for a week or more, a little elbow room inside will be much appreciated on those odd days when the weather doesn’t cooperate.

Which brand ? For you first timers, we can recommend the Eureka Timberline (it’s the one you will find most of our staff bedded down in). It is affordable ($100 for the 2 person, $150 for a 4 person with room enough for your bike), durable, sturdy in bad weather and very easy to set up.

Buying a Sleeping Bag and Pad

Just like the tent selection, today’s sleeping bags range from simple slumber party bags to high tech creations. And shopping for them can be overwhelming if you aren’t sure about your needs. Prepare for your shopping adventure by considering the following points first:

• What are the coldest temperatures you will be camping in
• Do you toss and turn when you sleep
• How firm of a bed can you sleep comfortably on

The comfort range of your bag is foremost, you want to be sure your bag will keep you warm. Pick a bag that is rated for a temperature that is 5 to 10 degrees colder than what you expect to encounter. You can add a flannel or fleece liner to your sleeping bag, which will give you an additional 5 to 15 degrees of range . . . plus it will serve as a lightweight cover when it is too warm to be completely inside your bag and is easily washed whenever needed.

If you toss and turn a lot when you sleep consider a semi-rectangular bag or loose fitting mummy. The ultra-lightweight form fitting mummies can turn into a twisted knot if you are a tosser.

Your pad adds considerably to your comfort each night. They range from simple foam sheets to self-inflating mattresses 2 inches thick. Do you like a really firm mattress ? Then you can get away with a simple foam pad or thin mattress, something to relieve the pressure points. Like a soft mattress? Well then you had best splurge for one of the thick, self-inflating models.

Which brand ? Because everyone’s body is different, it is hard to get specific with suggestions . . . kind of like trying to recommend a bike saddle . . . its a personal thing. Go to your outdoor store and have the sales wolf lay some pads out on the floor . . . try them out and pick the one you like. Then lay the sleeping bag out on that same pad, crawl inside and check it out. Try every bag in your comfort range and pick the one that feels the best.

Before You Leave on Your Trip

Set up the tent a couple of times, to get the hang of it. It also gives you a chance to make sure you have all the parts before you head out into the wilds.

Try to set it up before a rain storms comes, then check it out after the storm to be sure there are no leaks. Most new tents have factory sealed seams, but you never know for sure. Is it dry season, well you can always use a garden hose to test for leaks, just be fair and spray up into the air not sideways at the tent.

Long Term Maintenance

Wash your sleeping bag liner after each trip. Wash your sleeping bag at the end of the season if you used for several trips. If you only used it once don’t worry about washing at season’s end, it really isn’t necessary, the less you wash it the longer the insulating filling lasts. Don’t store your sleeping bag for the winter in its small stuff bag, use a large cloth bag (large pillow cases work great) or just put it on the shelf loose.

Never wash your tent in a washing machine. If it is really dirty, set it up and wipe it out with a rag or sponge. Make sure it is completely dry before you store it away for the winter.