Last year I used motels on long trips / Both mom and Pops as well as chains . Worked well . Come this year and the guys I ride with are campers. I was wondering if anyone has a favorite tent ? Share with me brand , what to look for and what to stay away from. I do know to get a 2 person and I'm leaning to Big Agnes but would like to have some suggestions . Thank you

Ever try one of those Down Filled bags that zip all the way up the front,with that small face hole right there?Used em in Korea...OMG...talk about comfy...sheesh.Kinda shaped like a 'cone'...kinda.When ya stash it away...it's way small....nothing like how it unfolds and all.Very compact and light.It WILL keep you warm;)

* Last updated by: Grn14 on 1/13/2013 @ 1:39 PM *

I have a couple of eureka tents,a one man and a two man,the one man packs great and works great,unless you need to have a pee in the middle of the night

I had a Eureka XT which was a 2-person tent (perfect for one) and they sell 3- and 4-person backback-able tents.

You want tents that are backpack-able because by their very nature they pack small. Or even the so-called ultralights, if you want to spend the money.

@darryle - thats why I had the 2-person tent.... bigger doors LOL. Packs virtually as small as the 1-person.

Back in the dark ages when I took my 1991 ZX11 to Europe, and camped for almost 30 days, I took a Clip Flashlight with me, which packed down to the side of a styrofoam coffee cup other than the poles. I could never get in one of those now.

I sold my XT on eBay at the end of last riding season when I realized my camping days are over.

* Last updated by: privateer on 1/17/2013 @ 1:44 PM *

I want to thank everyone for their useful suggestions and advice . Being new at this , the comments were much appreciated. I went with a Big Agnes UL 2 today. Also got a Helium 400 sleeping bag. I'll see how it goes .everyone knows on a 14 you have to pack lite. The sleeping bag advertises that it rolls up to the size of a loaf of bread . We are heading from Columbus, Oh in April to do the Blue Ridge Hwy and the Dragon's Tail . In late Aug early Sept , Im going across nothern Pa and do the Hudson river valley . Hit Cooperstown, West Point, Stockbridge and what else I can find. Tomorrow is suppose to be a high of 14 with a wind chill factor around 0 . Got to have something to look foward to .

@ohiomailman -

If you get to West Point, park down in Highland Falls at the visitor center. No bikes allowed on post. They were when I was a Cadet back in the dark ages, but ever since 9/11, no way.

The guided bus tour is worth taking. It has significant walking segments so you get to walk Trophy Point, see the entrance to Flirtation Walk (aka Flirty), and see most of the significant gravesites in the West Point Cemetary, including the grave of General Armstrong Custer and other notables.

What brought tears to my eyes is closest to gate is where they are burying the graduates who died in Afghanistan and Iraq in the last 10 years or so. They were so young, and had such promise, and it all got wasted. But such is the fate of many brave soldiers, officer and enlisted alike.

I had to decide whether to put the State Veterans Cemetary in Rocky Gap MD as my final resting place or petition West Point for a spot. They have room. And then it occurred to me. I'm not worthy of being buried in the West Point Cemetary with all those heros. Not even close.

Thank you Privateer for your West Point tips . I recently looked (again ) at your trip report and pictures from your trip and I'm lookinng foward to the trip . Maybe more that the Blue Ridge /Dragon's Tail trip . I really enjoy those backroads , small town rides . The Mom and Pop resturants, motels , watering holes are the best .

Excellent advice on tent camping!

Kofla

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