Camping and Backpacking with a Monster

[ltnuke]

Memorial Day weekend is fast approaching and I have plans to go camping with some motorcycle friends.  I would like to know if anyone here has experience backpacking or camping while using their monster for transportation?  I already have a lightweight northface tent that I can easily bungee to the back but I am also going to need some sort of back pack that can fit on the back of the monster.  Also, i'm trying to think of what other equipment I might need.

If anyone has experience going camping on their monster and has some suggestions for needed gear, how they do it, or things to look out for or remember I would greatly appreciate the advice! 

[DCXCV]

I have two Osprey packs - one large and one small - that both work just fine on the bike.  They're not for trekking, but the small one carries plenty for a day and the large one could manage maybe 2 nights.  The thing I like about the larger Osprey is that the sides fold over and clip to compress the bag and that keeps everything from flopping and makes it pretty aerodynamic.

Not sure what you have already but I guess my short list would be:
3 liter water bladder
mini-stove
smallest sleeping bag available (I have a 34 degree bag that is maybe 6x12 when compressed)
Then there's food, clothes, sleeping pad, maybe (inflatable would save space)
Camp ax

The rest depends on climate, distance to store to replenish food and water and duration of the trip (three nights or just two?)

[ducrider45]

I have done this a few times. I just pack light and strap a duffle bag to the back of the bike. I also use a backpac. I use small carabineers to keep the zippers closed.

[Hi_Fi_Guy]

This will give you some ideas:
http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=237723

For me: Tent, Thermarest, Sleeping bag, + off bike clothes, an LED light.

If I am also going to cook ad: JetBoil stove + a few mountain house meals and a LightMyFire mess kit + spork

Sometimes the less you take the easier it is but you do want to be prepared.  If you will only be sleeping at camp and eating out all of your meals it is way easy.  Adding food to the mix adds some extra thought and effort.

[mbalmer]

I was wondering about this too. I am planning a camping trip to Yosemite on the Monster. I have no problem with camping, but where do you leave your bike when you backpack? I would not be comfortable leaving it in a parking lot or at a trailhead.

[Guaps]

I've done this a couple times.  I've found a lot of really good info on the www.advrider.com forum listed above.  That site is dedicated to doing exactly this kind of trip. 

Personally I really don't like riding while wearing a backpack.  It's not comfortable and often hits the stuff I have strapped to the tail of my bike, especially when you're riding in the twisties and moving from side to side a lot.  I prefer a tank bag.  They hold a lot and are very convenient.

You will be surprised how much you can strap on the back with a couple of good tie-downs.  Put something semi rigid on bottom (like a sleeping pad and a tent).  This provides a platform to stack everything else on top.  That way nothing hangs over the sides.  Then I put the rest of my gear in a medium sized duffel bag and put the bag on top.  Personally, I've found that a duffel bag strapped on the back works better than a backpack strapped on the back.  There are no straps hanging down off the side or flapping in the wind if I use a duffel bag.  If you really want to get into this, it might be worth buying a compression sack like this.  There are tons of bags like this out there.  This is just the first one I found.  I have a cheap one I found on clearance at REI.  It's waterproof and once you put your gear in it, you can cinch it down to a very small size.  It's great for all your clothes and soft stuff.  I wouldn't put your stove in there though. 

I have never had  problems leaving my bike at the trail head from humans.  I have had problems with animals though.  Squirrels will chew through a backpack in a couple seconds.  Worse yet, in Yosemite you have bears, so if you leave food in a bag you may come back to a bike lying on it's side and all your gear gone.  It hasn't happened to me on my bike, but a friends car window was broken by a bear while we were on the trail.  I know it was a bear and not a human because of the snot/saliva all over the seats.

[Popeye the Sailor]

Done it, with a LOT of stuff on the bike. You'll be surprised at what you can strap to a duc.


Pack a couple nights before, even if you can't leave the stuff on the bike. It'll make it easier.

[IZ]

Memorial Day weekend is fast approaching and I have plans to go camping with some motorcycle friends.  I would like to know if anyone here has experience backpacking or camping while using their monster for transportation?  I already have a lightweight northface tent that I can easily bungee to the back but I am also going to need some sort of back pack that can fit on the back of the monster.  Also, i'm trying to think of what other equipment I might need.

If anyone has experience going camping on their monster and has some suggestions for needed gear, how they do it, or things to look out for or remember I would greatly appreciate the advice! 

I've got a ton of pics of Ducs (every kind) camping at the GP in Mugello.  Sorry..computer is down.  Ill try to post em up for you later.

[mstevens]

My biggest pack doesn't really hold the Monster. Either way, hiking with it kills my back.

[raulduke]

Great topic...I have a solo camping trip planned for early June and wanna take the Monster.  I take some pics and post them with a report of what worked and what didn't.

[wllgmr]

Backpack+Tent+Toothbrush=Fun!

[Stangman]

Good info, I was actually thinking of picking up a small tent just for this reason.

[ltnuke]

Here's the tent I have:  http://www.trailspace.com/gear/the-north-face/spectrum-33/ 

Here's the sleeping bag I have: http://www.mountainhardwear.com/Product.aspx?top=1245&prod=2611&cat=1298&viewAll=False

And I bought a thermarest sleeping pad. 

All of them are super compact.... going camping this weekend... have a great memorial day weekend everybody

[tallduc]

I have done camping trips in Yosemite on the monster.  I pack a 3 person tent ( i am tall), an air mattress ( i am a wimp), sleeping bag ( i get cold), misc camp gear( i like to buy useless stuff that i only use once a year) , lots of food ( i like to eat well) , clothes ( i like nudity but there are kids around) and i ride with full gear.

Will be doing a 3 day camping trip this weekend around Russian river and again for a 4 day trip in Yosemite in June ( half dome hike at night) on the bike ( poor thing just got new clutch plates this week).
Mbalmer, when are you going?


I ended up getting Cortech saddle bags ( soft)  and tail bags from one of our sponsors, plus lots of bungee.  The bike felt a little top heavy for about 10 minutes and then i adjusted. Also i found stopping after 5 minutes or so to cinch stuff up and clean up any loose bits helpful.

I usually just leave stuff in  the tent or bear proof containers.  I figure everything except the bike is replacable ( albeit annoying and costly) so i just don't sweat it.  One time , a random  nice person at the trailhead let me store riding gear in their car. If not, i just stick my boots and leathers in my backpack for the day hike.


This weekend, i am going to get a thermarest and  a light weight stove ( see comment  above about useless stuff ;>)  and will give an update next week.

Also I like carrying extra water, a small first aid kit with ibuprofen ( knees) and extra flashlight.  I have a small  radio for  insurance.  Also since i used to do mountain search and rescue, i also carry heat packs and dry clothing since hypothermia is a pregnant dog.  Probably overkill but .....

Also most campsites are close enough to civilization to run to get last minute supplies ( firewood, hershey bars , marshmallows= smores ;>)if you really need anything.

good luck and i will echo someguy, the duc is a beast of burden ( just keep the weight low)

[LA]

I've done three weekend trips this year to N. Ga/NC/Tn. mountains with a Coretech tank and tail bag and worked out well.

Can't take a tent along though- just isn't room for it.

It's definitely a "sport" tourer - emphasis on the sport.

LA