Sleepless in the saddle.

[Red Dog]

I've been out on few one day rides recently with a maximum distance 200 miles. 100 out, 100 back home.

Would like to go further but that would mean staying away from home overnight. Normally I would just book a cheap Air B&B but because of Covid 19 and the fact that I fall into a vulnerable category I'm scared to.

So, I've been thinking of camping out but all the equipment seems so bulky and time consuming.

Then yesterday I was out riding in the cold and the rain but I had my wet gear on and I was warm and dry.

It occurred to me that if I could be warm and dry whilst sitting on a scooter doing 50 mph, surely I could just lie down in a field and be warm and dry whilst sleeping.

Well perhaps not just lie in a field, but l think a small tarp and a mat would be good enough. I only need about 5 hours anyway.


I did experiment with the set up below but the sleeping bag and the bivi-bag and the getting undressed and dressed again were a pain in the arse.

I'm sure I would have felt better with just the tarp & mat sleeping fully dressed. I certainly would have felt less vulnerable.

Thoughts?

[Stibbs]

Tuck yourself into the trees with a small hammock and the tarp in an inverted V above you? You can then change standing up and you’re also off the floor when sleeping. You can pick up a travel hammock from Military1st for less than £15.
https://www.military1st.co.uk/14443000- ... olive.html

[Deleted User 4154]

I can't see exactly what type yours is, but I've got an unissued British Army goretex bivi bag. There's plenty of room to change in that, as it's designed to be big enough for a soldier to sleep in with all their kit. All the commercially available ones seem to be smaller (and more expensive!).

[Red Dog]

Thanks gents.

The hammock is a good idea. Couldn't hurt to sling one of those under the seat. (Pun intended).

The bivi-bag that you can see is an ex military one but that and a sleeping bag are quite bulky.

[Waldorf]

I was told and can speak from experience that it isn't the best idea to sleep in the clothes you've been wearing during the day. When I followed that advice whilst camping at various car-racing tracks I found I slept much better if I changed into pyjamas. I don't blame anyone for laughing but it was true. Wearing a woolly hat while I was in my sleeping-bag also helped keep me warm. As has been said, insulation UNDER the sleeping-bag is very important, too.

[Red Dog]

Undressing is undoubtedly better Mike, but it brings us back to carrying a considerable amount of sleeping equipment again.

I have slept in my clothes on several occasions and I've found that while it isn't the best you can lessen the effect by stripping to the waist and hanging your clothes on a bush to air for 10 minutes while you clean your teeth and have a wash. a bottle of water is enough and you feel really refreshed afterwards.

[lenny]

Red Dog, check out some videos of cycle camping if you want minimal kit.

[Red Dog]

Red Dog, check out some videos of cycle camping if you want minimal kit.

That's a good idea thanks.

[Whatsisname]

I swear I saw a fishing outfit in the Range last year, it was like a body shaped sleeping bag, it even had feet, like a adult romper suit!

[StephenC]

And I'd prefer using the centre stand on soft ground - as I'd be worried about waking up to find the scoot having a nice lay down too.