Cross-country motorcycle trip in May...

[hohead]

I'm a complete noob, and would appreciate any recommendations you guys could make to help me out:

I plan on taking 5 weeks to motorcycle across the country: down the east coast, and then across the south.

Lowest temperatures I should experience at night would be around 45F in the NE, and it'll likely average in the 60's when I'm in the south. I'll probably occasionally stealth camp as well. I'm looking for the best bang for my buck equipment.

I'm looking for:
- a compact and very easy to setup hammock which includes a good rain cover (Warbonnet Blackbird or Hennessy seem to be highly recommended?).
- recommendation for a compact sleeping bag I should get. Do I need a foam pad?

Since I am unlikely to experience anything below 40F, will I be warm enough with just a sleeping bag? Or do I need a foam pad for insulation as well?

This community rocks. Thank you!

[Land]

I'm looking for:
- a compact and very easy to setup hammock which includes a good rain cover (Warbonnet Blackbird or Hennessy seem to be highly recommended?).
- recommendation for a compact sleeping bag I should get. Do I need a foam pad?

Since I am unlikely to experience anything below 40F, will I be warm enough with just a sleeping bag? Or do I need a foam pad for insulation as well?

This community rocks. Thank you!

First of all, welcome to the forum!

Motorcycles, hammocks and long rides? You're playin' my song.


It sounds like you are on the right track. I love my Warbonnet Blackbird for motorcycle travel. The shelf is very handy for storing stuff, and the footbox is a nice feature. There are lots of great options from Hennessy and other makers, too, but I love my WBBB. Travel in the South in warm/hot weather makes a bugnet -- either built in or a separate add-on -- a must.

I have the stock webbing suspension on my Blackbird, and it is really easy to set up.

The Blackbird does not come with a rain fly of any kind. If you get one, you'll need to buy a tarp separately. That will be the case with most of the setups. In the South in the summer, you'll want a BIG tarp that you can get out of our gully-washin' thunderstorms. I use a Warbonnet Superfly. Like with the hammocks, there are lots of great options out there. Check out some some of the great gear makers right here on this Website.

For insulation, you're going to need a sleeping bag or topquilt. I used a sleeping bag for a lot of nights on a few trips last year.

You will definitely need either a pad or an underquilt to keep your back/backside from getting cold in temps below 70 F or so. Yes, 70 or so, believe it or not. I like an underquilt, but a closed-cell foam pad or a Thermarest-type pad that you may already have can work well.

I -- and others, I'm sure -- will be happy to answer any other questions you have.

Ride -- and hang -- safely,
Chris

[GW Sears]

Welcome.

I ride also, and am in the process of setting up a similar outfit.

I have several suggestions.

First, Try out your hammock/pad/tarp/bag with a few nights sleeping in it before you commit yourself to over a month of doing so.

Second, to repeat the above, you WILL need something under you to keep you warm at night. The last thing that you need is to face a day's riding with your back stiff from being cold all night and your reflexes slowed from lack of sleep.

Finally, make or buy snakeskins for both your hammock and your tarp. You will be taking it down and putting it up on a daily basis, and skins will make it so much easier. I made my own skins for my hammock, and added extensions on each end for the lines. Instead of a snarled mess of hammock and lines, I have long cloth tube. I walk over to one tree, open one end and fasten the lines, then walk over to the other and repeat the process. When I am ready for the hammock, I slide the skins open and there it is.

Taking the hammock down is just the reverse. A tarp is much the same, but requires dealing with tieout lines.

Besides convenience, the skins will keep your hammock and tarp cleaner and protects them from being torn during handling or packing. They are cheap to make and can be replaced every few years.

[hohead]

Thanks for your replies!

So basically, I'm looking to get:

- Blackbird Double Layer (has bug netting already)
- A tarp (The Superfly looks expensive. Why not get the Big Mamajamba w/panel pulls instead?)
- CCF pad
- Snakeskins (any recommendations on best/cheapest?)
- Mummy bag rated for 35F temps, which I will use as a topquilt?

Question:
- Stuffing a CCF pad in the Double Layer hammock seems like a fantastic solution. So why do people still prefer an Underquilt over this?

- Using a CCF and a Mummy sleeping bag also gives me the option of being able to tent or bivy in emergencies, right?

[SamD]

Thanks for your replies!

So basically, I'm looking to get:

- Blackbird Double Layer (has bug netting already)
- A tarp (The Superfly looks expensive. Why not get the Big Mamajamba w/panel pulls instead?)
- CCF pad
- Snakeskins (any recommendations on best/cheapest?)
- Mummy bag rated for 35F temps, which I will use as a topquilt?

Question:
- Stuffing a CCF pad in the Double Layer hammock seems like a fantastic solution. So why do people still prefer an Underquilt over this?

- Using a CCF and a Mummy sleeping bag also gives me the option of being able to tent or bivy in emergencies, right?

UQ is lighter, less bulk (in compression sack) and warmer.

Yes with tarp, CCF and Mummy bag you can ground camp if there is no where to hang or hanging is not allowed.

I do recommend that you camp out with the gear you get before hitting the road, even if it is only in your back yard.

Remember lots of pictures posted here as the trip progresses. No pictures it never happened.

[ChrisH]

UQ is lighter

I don't think an UQ is lighter, I guess it depends on what size you get. The big advantage of an UQ for me is much less bulk. Even though I mainly car camp, I still don't like bulk. Also, an UQ has much less fiddle factor, IMO. YMMV

[thecrumb]

The big advantage of an UQ for me is much less bulk.

Agree! I actually did the Miguel solution my first trip. Froze my a$$ off the first night. Luckily there was a Wally World close to my route. Picked up a pad and was more comfortable the rest of the trip. But my hammock is single layer and fiddling with the pad was a pain.

UQ is smaller, warmer (adjustable really) and less bulky. Best $$$ I've spent - and I'm cheap.

[Law Dawg (ret)]

Question:
- Stuffing a CCF pad in the Double Layer hammock seems like a fantastic solution. So why do people still prefer an Underquilt over this?

The UQ is simply more comfortable and warmer to me. I hated the constant adjustment of the CCF pads etc (yes between the dbl layers), they still left cold spots, and just ruined the feel IMO. It is all about space budgets in your luggage. I'll give up much other stuff to be able to sleep comfortable. Even carry a ground tarp and pad extra just in case though a Motel will probably be my backup instead. Frankly I'll be willing to stop early for a good hang spot or ride longer to avoid (shudder) going to ground.

Pads work for many so YMMV but to me the UQ is worth the freight.

[thecrumb]

Pad was warm but constantly shifting/adjusting, and if it WAS slightly warm when I went to bed I found the pad hot. It also detracted a bit from the comfort of the hammock IMO - instead of being cocooned in the hammock you had this pad in the way.

With my UQ I hang it loose, fall asleep and IF I wake up chilly I simply cinch the UQ up and I'm done. And the UQ is for the most part transparent when I'm in the hammock.

Jim

[Rolloff]

Dang the pads, but most still carry them. Sit pads, additional insulation, pack frames, padding, and of course, going to ground.

Cuss em, then spend the money on the UQ for warmth and compression, but the UQ only keeps your backside cozy in the air. You'll still take the pad or an abbreviated version anyway, because it has the multi-use factor.

For most I wouldn't consider it an either or question.

Unless you exclusively car camp, or plan on bailing to a motel as first alternative, get use to the concept of carrying them both