Bike Camping

Preparing for the night in Montana's Flathead National Forest

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My guess is — unless you're a trailside gourmet chef who loves the challenge of open-fire cuisine — you'll be able to get along nicely with a good trailer. But still, select and carry only those items required for the trip to be fun. You may not want to pare away the grams just as you would for backpacking trips. For example, limit the weight and bulk of every item; cut the handles off of toothbrushes and coffee scoops.

Gear

Since camping is the same whether hiking or biking in the backwoods, use the same checklist.

Some folks sleep out under the stars with no protection from the elements. When assured of Mother Nature's calm, I've also enjoyed the uninterrupted feeling of sky on my face while I sleep. But no one wants to wake up with rain in the eyes. That's why I carry a good tent. If my wife is joining me, I carry the big tent. But if doing a solo trip, the smaller one is all that's needed. I also pack a sleeping bag and inflatable mattress. Depending on how much room I have, I'll take along a small pillow, but I can normally manage well without one. If you have to choose between a pillow and a hammock (one of the small ones that roll up to about the size of half a sock), take the hammock. Nothing beats swinging in one of those while you watch the campfire.

Here are some additional tips:

Limit clothing to what is absolutely necessary, but find room to take camp shoes. A lightweight pair of moccasins feels mighty nice after a long day in biking shoes.
Take a lightweight stove and just enough fuel for the trip.
One pan is usually enough to prepare a simple, add-water-only meal.
Private meals can be taken directly from the pan, or if you're with a partner or two, carry along a bowl and make do with just a spoon and a knife.

Food

I like to carry along plenty of stuff easily eaten and enjoyed with your fingers: peanut butter, jam, dried fruit, crackers, and chips. In many cases, before you start you can repackage the food or remove it from the cardboard, winding up with a lighter load that packs tighter. And, yes, it is something of an extravagance, but I enjoy an occasional cold beverage, especially when the weather's hot. So I will pack a small cooler filled with ice. After I get where I'll be camping, a couple of cans get chilled while I'm off riding. When I get back, they're cold. If you don't want to fool with the cooler, a mountain creek is a suitable replacement. Throw the drinks in a net bag and tie it off before tossing it into the current. Make sure that giardia does not enter into the equation.

On the subject of liquids: Pack plenty of water if you won't camp by or near a good water source. And if you are near a brook or stream, make sure to bring your water filter or other water purification system.

Whatever you take along, remember that all food and drink (even water) tastes better outdoors, but it improves in direct proportion to the number of miles you're tucked back in the wilderness.