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*short version

In preparation for a longer trip we are going on in 2 weeks, my girl Lindsay and I went on a 2 day camping trip this week.
We ended up riding around 400 miles in 3 days, more of a test-run for the camping gear and rigging really.
The first night we stayed at Point Beach State Park in Wisconsin. This was a nicely wooded campsite located around 100 yards from Lake Michigan. There was a nice combination of waves and cricket sounds to sleep with, very nice.
We slept in, made breakfast, then wandered around Wisconsin making our way to Kettle Moraine State Forest. The second nights campsite was on top of a hill with a great view. We were up a little earlier, had a quick breakfast, packed up (took only 45 minutes the second day to get everything packed then rigged to the bike). The second day was a little more hectic because I had to get back, catch a flight to L.A. and start touring again. It was painful going back to work, away from my bike.

I was impressed how well my bike handled fully loaded, at highway speeds and maneuvering around trees in dirt.
It's very satisfying riding your bike after you pack it up and you're all self contained.
Here's a few pics from the trip:













Firewood





Ever used a " rainbow fire " stick?

Thanks for the post and photos. Looks like you two are ready for the real trip. You certainly picked some beautiful camping spots. I'm curious about your creative bike packing...never saw a bag strapped beneath the headlamp. Thought maybe that would interfere with slow speed maneuvering. Anyway, post more photos when you get back from the longer trip - would love to see them.

taosports wrote:I'm curious about your creative bike packing...never saw a bag strapped beneath the headlamp. Thought maybe that would interfere with slow speed maneuvering.

Thanks.
The bag in front is my tent, loosly packed without the poles. It doesn't hurt the maneuvering too much, allthough it's a work in progress. At first I had to get it to not interfere with the oil radiator's air flow. I'm still playing with the tent bag's location, but I want to keep it up front with the chairs that are strapped to my forks trying not to go high or wider in back. We'll see.

Joe

Great pictures...thanks.

I would be worried with that bag mounted on the beak that if you hit a big bump you might end up with your headlight pointing towards the sky..

I'm looking forward to pics from your next bigger trip.

DJ

Nice pictures, It is nice to take a "trial run" and It looks like you picked the right area to do it in. Wisconsin is a great state to ride, I am going to get over to the Peninsula sometime next year, Thanks, Den

Just saw one of those fire sticks in a Gander Mountain store this weekend. Thanks for showing me what they do.

Chairs on the fork legs, very creative. I've had no trouble stacking bundles up high in the rear as long as they are lightweight items like sleeping bags and tents.

Did you have any trouble keeping the H2W bags that are on top of your cases from wanting to dip downward at the back? Were they attached to your tail bag in anyway?

Looking forward to future reports! Thanks!!!

DSKYZD

DSKYZD wrote:Just saw one of those fire sticks in a Gander Mountain store this weekend. Thanks for showing me what they do.

Chairs on the fork legs, very creative. I've had no trouble stacking bundles up high in the rear as long as they are lightweight items like sleeping bags and tents.

Did you have any trouble keeping the H2W bags that are on top of your cases from wanting to dip downward at the back? Were they attached to your tail bag in anyway?

Looking forward to future reports! Thanks!!!

DSKYZD

No problem with the H2W bags at all. They are packed real tight, based on Helen's instructions, and are very solid, not much flex. They are secured by 2 H2W's straps each, not attached to the tail-bag. I first strapped them much further forward than pictured, but I found the farther back the bags were the more comfortable my passenger was.

Cheers!