Sometimes mountain biking becomes a complement of camping. It is always nice to have a resting camp after reaching the slopes with your mountain bike.
For camping, equip yourself for comfort but don’t overdo it. Always travel light, well, except if you have a car. I just don’t want to see you walking with your gears on your bike than riding it.
Sleeping outdoors is a relaxing event, especially if you are a mountain biker. Whether you’ll camp every night or on occasional nights, at campgrounds or in the forest, be sure to choose the right equipment. The right equipment should always be light, small, and functional. You can refer from the list below for the more trusted and cheaper brands of outdoor gears.
However, you can always find useful things in your house to have more savings. You can get a length of cord, a pocket knife, perhaps almost anything if you’re an innovator, in your house.
Essential Camping Gear
A tent will define its purpose when rains, chills, and mosquitoes come. For $100 plus (cheapest), you can purchase an exceptional two-person tent that meets these standards: less than four pounds, compact when packed, durable double stitched seams, condensation-resistant, stable in wind. Reinforced floor, mosquito netting, leak-proof, and rain fly. You can have that kind of tents in the list below.
I admit the prize of those tents may hurt you, so I have a suggestion. You may purchase a $30 or less A-frame tents from department stores. Besides their attractive price, they too pack compactly, weigh light, have mosquito netting and reinforced floors, and are fairly stable in wind when securely staked. That’s lot of savings for you!
However, if you are like me, you can use any laminated sacks, ropes, and a traditional mosquito net. Set it up near under a tree, and you’re good if you are an adventurer.
The next one is much worthy to pay. It’s your sleeping bag. You may not use your tent every night, but your sleeping bag is a must. There are many kinds of sleeping bags today, what is important is its compactness, lightness, and comfort. I have a list below for you. I just even carry only a small pillow and a blanket, with a jacket as my sleeping bag. It makes me feel near to nature, but I admit it is not always that comfortable.
If you want full comfort, put a sleeping pad under your sleeping bag. I recommend a water-repellant, ⅟₂” thick, and a closed-cell pad. You can have this in the list below. However, any pads you can insert under your sleeping bag will do, until you are comfortable.
Don’t forget to bring a flashlight. You can easily remove your headlight if you are planning to use it. For a better functionality of your flashlight, remove batteries during the day, and avoid those having a stubborn switch.
A camp knife, insect repellant, and a section of rope are also essential. You can use a Swiss knife for multiple-duty purposes.
Optional Camping Gear
You might need a portable stove along the way. The benefits of hot, economical meals in the evening and hot drinks in the morning are obvious. But, you can always use the “Scouts” strategy in cooking to lessen weight and save money in purchasing a stove.
However, if you like camping after every mountain biking endeavors, a biker’s kitchen items is close to being essential. Items such as: aluminum wares foil, cooking oil, pot-scrubbers, and a collapsible water container is ideal for camping. You might also bring a lighter or box of waterproof matches if you want the pleasure of sitting around a campfire.
Don’t also forget to bring your candle lantern or small candles and your tent-repair kit. You might need them under the shade of the bright moon.
I don’t usually spend the night for camping but I am looking forward for an experience from time to time. Just don’t forget that you are a mountain biker, not just a camper.