Epic Bike Trip, 2010

**Tedinski** · 05-26-2010, 12:10

Hello one and all!

I just returned from my bike trip through the North East.

Up from the Pittsburgh area on 62 to Rochester, then along the lakeshore, the Adirondack Mountains, Vermont and NH (tried to drive up Mt. Washington, but the 85 mph winds stopped that!), and up into Maine. Stopped at Bar Harbor on the way south, and finally through RI, CT, and HOME.

Almost entirely on secondary highways, and a total of 2100 miles.

Only spent a couple of nights in the hammock, and I didn't think to take a picture. (DOH! I guess it didn't happen!

)

Here's the bike, up on top of Mt. Cadillac in Bar Harbor, and another in front of Lake Champlain before hopping on the ferry. Beautiful views!!

SO: Anybody else like to hammock-camp along their bike routes? If so, do you use established campgrounds, or just go for "ye ole backroads" and opt for the stealth camp options?

I found an absolute dearth of campgrounds that are hammock-friendly. I was kinda wishing I'd brought a tent!

**Poppabear** · 05-26-2010, 12:27

Sounds like a great trip! Must have been quite an adventure. On my self powerd bike touring trips. I use campgounds when available, get permission to hang in other places, lastly I stealth camp when nothing else is available. I will admit that it is easier to stealth with a bicycle than it would be with a "bike". Again great trip thanks for sharing.

**bigbamaguy** · 05-26-2010, 13:21

Really nice trip report/pics and I was expecting to see a road bicycle in the pics. Good looking scooter you got there!!!!!!!!

**Mustardman** · 05-26-2010, 13:28

Originally Posted by bigbamaguy

Good looking scooter you got there!!!!!!!!

Them's fightin' words!

**joggerjohn** · 05-26-2010, 23:51

I have been stealth camping with my hammock and bike this year. For me it has always been the easiest way to travel. I stay very invisible when I camp and I like it that way.

**Tedinski** · 05-31-2010, 20:22

Any other bikers/stealth hangers?

I have woodland camouflage, and some digital, and I'd like to know what to make my stealth gear from...

I was thinking of making one half the shelter from woodland, and the other half from digital -- I could turn the appropriate side towards the road. Anybody ever do anything like this?

**gargoyle** · 06-01-2010, 05:26

Originally Posted by Tedinski

Any other bikers/stealth hangers?

I have woodland camouflage, and some digital, and I'd like to know what to make my stealth gear from...

I was thinking of making one half the shelter from woodland, and the other half from digital -- I could turn the appropriate side towards the road. Anybody ever do anything like this?

Interesting concept. Should break up the silhouette nicely. Take a look at Cook Custom Sewing's tarps. They build them from four separate squares. Makes for more seams and labor but it might work well.

Digital, woodland and Marpat are all kinda cool. But MultiCam is the new wow pattern. WeekeNDhiker's post
on Multicam.

**HappyCamper** · 06-01-2010, 05:43

Originally Posted by Tedinski

I found an absolute dearth of campgrounds that are hammock-friendly.

So what did you do in these situations? Was it that the campgrounds got rid of all the good trees or that they did not allow anything tied to trees?

I don't go to for-profit campgrounds often, but the few I've been to with scouts had cleared most all of the trees -- pretty much fields for campers and tents. I've had better luck at state park campgrounds. More trees.

**Tedinski** · 06-01-2010, 22:04

Gargoyle: checking link shortly! Thanks for the input. Of course, I already have digital and woodland... that may affect my decision.

HappyCamper: I think the biggest problem was going on a trip well BEFORE memorial day. The for-profit campgrounds were either completely unsuitable, or wouldn't allow hammock camping. Many many other campgrounds were setting up for summer session, and just weren't open yet.

I must admit, there was only one that said "sorry, no hammocks!". They were mostly set up for RV-type-campers, but had a number of maples that had been killed off by people using cables (plastic covered steel cable! sheesh!) to hang hammocks, swings, or tie the pup. He was very apologetic, but firm. (This was a campground near Newport, ME). Knowing people in general, I'm betting it was a single group that did the dirty deeds. that's how it usually is... one little bunch that messes it up for everybody!

**Zzzen Dog** · 06-09-2010, 16:53

Haven't gone for an extended ride yet, where I've had a hammock. I'll be doing some weekend trips throughout the rest of the year, with my emerging set-up.

I'll report on availability of camp/hammock friendly sites when I've done a run.